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Est 2009 Issue 20 - 2020
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28 May - 4 June 2020
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Inner City Gazette
VC firm to launch first African office in Joburg
‘We want to help African start-ups to become global companies that will help drive the economy, and create the jobs that are so desperately needed’
Plug and Play SA head Grace Legodi
Johannesburg - A Venture Capital (VC) company based in Silicon Valley, US, will open its first African office in Johannesburg later this year. This was announced at the company’s recent Covid-19 webinar series that was called Digital Solutions for Africa. Formed in 2006, Plug and Play runs accelerator programmes and corporate innovation services, and has an in-house venture capital business that makes active investments. It is calling for launch partners to help it support innovative African startups. The Plug and Play ecosystem is made up of over 20 000 startups and 400 corporate partners and VC firms across 35 global locations, and it is now linking this to
Africa with the launch of its Johannesburg office. The company is now looking for launch partners in SA to help it support entrepreneurs with capital and business support. Grace Legodi, who will head the Plug and Play South Africa office said: “Plug and Play chose South Africa because it has the most developed corporate sector on the African continent to effectively link with startups. Our key value proposition in the venture capital segment has been as a global investor for startups that have global ambitions. With an investment portfolio of over 900 active investments, we have the appetite to take a risk on entrepreneurs that are committed to taking a risk on themselves.”
The company’s platform consists of venture capital, start-up business development accelerator and corporate innovation. Legodi said they bring together an ecosystem of change makers to help new technology get to market faster. “When we launch our services in Johannesburg our initial focus will be around helping corporate South Africa work with start-ups in executing their innovation strategies. We want to help African start-ups to become global companies that will help drive the economy, and create the jobs that are so desperately needed. We hope our South Africa plans will be a springboard to invest further in African technologies that can be just as successful locally as on
the global stage,” Legodi said. She added that the company has been in the early stage investment space for over 20 years. “Today it invests in over 300 technology companies worldwide. Our key value proposition in the venture capital segment has been as a global investor for start-ups that have global ambitions. We have appetite to risk on entrepreneurs who are committed to take a risk on themselves. In our investment portfolio we have over 900 active investments; and about 12 have grown to become unicorns exceeding a $1 billion valuation,” Legodi said. The Plug and Play group is currently invested in African companies that include Flutterwave, WorldCover and HealthLane.
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New
careers new world and new you preparing for a future that matters
By Natalie Rabson on behalf of Boston City Campus You can’t predict the future; none of us foresaw this pandemic that’s for sure! But data experts can strongly recommend what job you should pick for a successful future. When looking for one of the best jobs of the future, two considerations will be crucial: What jobs are or will be well-paying? And what jobs will expand dramatically as the world recovers from Covid19? There was already a tendency for redundancy as certain jobs were being phased out due to new tech and IT innovations. We need to upskill and upgrade our CVs. Have a look below at the jobs with the strongest and weakest growth rates (Using data from the USA Bureau of Labour Statistics), as predicted over the next 10 years. The 10 best jobs for the future include: App developer, Computer systems analyst, Nurse practitioner, Physical Therapist, Health Services Manager, Market Research Analyst, and Personal Financial Adviser. These predictions take into consideration a world post Covid19, providing a good salary, as well as the job having manageable entry requirements. The 10 worst jobs for the future mention such careers such as floral designer and furniture finisher, door to door sales person and gaming cashier. Not coincidentally, these jobs cannot be done remotely, and also many involve handwork and craft work that may eventually become automated. Says Jerome Van Der Merwe, Branch manager at Boston, “It’s up to the learner to stay ahead of the curve by ensuring they acquire valuable skills, staying relevant in their workplaces by learning to operate the new tech.” “Automation has helped us operate
Jerome Van Der Merwe in Covid-19 world, it’s that education can help people adapt to a new world of remote learning, remote working, and digitization of jobs,” he says. Computer systems analysts analyse data processing problems to develop and improve computer systems. With 53 000 new positions projected by 2026, and an average salary of up to a R700 000 per year, IT seems a great place to start to develop a lucrative career. Software systems developers develop operating systems, and network software. The projected new positions for developers are double that of computer analysts in the USA. A growth is predicted in the need for physical therapists who help patients recover from illnesses and injuries, indicating that this is a position that cannot be automated. And the same goes for elementary teachers.
Computer and information systems managers plan, direct, and coordinate computer systems. With a Systems Development Diploma or Network Systems Diploma from Boston under your belt, you are looking at entering one of a projected 43 000 new jobs by 2026, and an earning potential starting at close to R200 000 per year. An alternative to studying a medical degree would be to study business and then enter the medical industry as a Medical and Health services manager. With the explosion and regulation of healthcare services and medical insurance there is a need for these graduates to plan, direct, or coordinate health services. Accountants and auditors examine, analyse, and interpret accounting records. Projected job opportunities are huge as these graduates can slot into almost any business not only to do the books, but also to successfully run the companies. The Boston Bachelor of Accounting will set you on this career path successfully! Financial managers direct financial activities at organizations. With a large earning potential, there are many positions available for a graduate with financial skills – nearly double that of IT developers! General and operations managers plan, direct, or coordinate the operations of organizations. With the Boston BCom in Marketing Management, because it has specialisations in both marketing as well as financial management, you are all set to start off in a business and eventually grow into directing its operations. Jerome concludes that there is an appropriate career for every learner, and believes in matching skills and interests to your career path. “This is the formula for success. A motivated student becomes an ambitious graduate,” he says. Call 011 551 2000, visit www.boston.co.za
28 May - 4 June 2020
Smart Covid-19 screening helmet released Tech Reporter South African-based Granule Holdings is distributing smart helmets to monitor people for high temperatures, using the KC N901 smart helmet. The company says the device can scan temperatures of up to 200 people per minute, and has been well received by authorities in countries such as China, Italy, Netherlands and United Arab Emirates. Founder and CEO of Granule Holdings Jeremy Capouya says the device offers rapid indoor and outdoor screening. “This is important in informal settlements, public transport hubs, corporates, industrial plants and medical providers. It works on temperature recording and keeps a history of the individuals scanned. It also incorporates Artificial Intelligence (AI) that uses facial recognition and licence plate recognition; making it efficient and easy to use at large public areas, economic hubs and border control,” Capouya says. While there are other temperature scanning devices, the smart helmet has ability to perform mass screening of up to 200 people per minute, its Artificial Intelligence (AI) features like face recognition and number plate recognition, and its ability to be used indoors and outdoors. The helmet is equipped with an Advanced RISC Machines (ARM) processor, an augmented reality display screen, an infrared camera for night use, and a visible light camera for daytime use. The wearer can detect the temperature, within 0,3 degrees Celsius, of people standing about two metres apart. The device works offline, and all data is stored on the helmet with a
The new Covid-19 screening helmet
64Gb internal memory; and the AI capabilities support offline face and licence plate recognition. Face recognition allows it to recognise a person’s face and pull up their personal information from its database, making it an ideal use case for airports, banking sector, mining sites and manufacturing plants, to manage their employees and visitors. With number plate recognition, the wearer can identify unauthorised vehicles recorded in its database. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capability make the data easily transferable at a later stage. The device also boasts AI-driven 3D Barcode Recognition and QR code identification to automatically record personal temperature information into the smart helmet’s database in real-time. The helmet runs off the Windows and Android operating systems. It also comes with a smart watch, which can run all functions of the helmet, as required by the user. “The helmets need less time and contact than traditional temperature screening products and thermometers, and can measure temperatures from five metres away. An alert is triggered if a fever is detected. It is crucial at this time when there is an urgent need to resume economic activity, that we use whatever measures we can to take the pressure off our healthcare system and help stop the spread of Covid-19.” Capouya adds.
28 May - 4 June 2020
Inner-city Gazette
Dept subsidised
Scammers dupe over 100 job-seekers Johannesburg - The Gauteng Department of Health has warned about a job scam, after over 100 job seekers recently applied for non-existent jobs at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital. Some of the fake job advertisements asked applicants to pay some money to get employed. The department said no money is required to apply for jobs in the public service. Department of Health spokesperson Kwara Kekana said the scammers exploit desperate people in the job market. “Some of the advertisements look legitimate until one scrutinises the content. The recent one calls for schools to share the message with unemployed residents. The department could not make such a call on an advert during the Level 4 lockdown, as the request could not be implemented, since schools were closed. Secondly people are referred to the national website instead of the provincial one. The scammers also used the name of a
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data for students ‘They must not change their SIM cards so that mobile network operators, through their institutions, could load the data to their devices. They also must not use the data for content not related to their studies’ Dept spokesperson Kwara Kekana
former employee as the person issuing the advert,” said Kekana. She explained that the department advertises vacancies through trustworthy platforms, the Gauteng online portal, the Department of Public Service and Administration’s website, official social media platforms and mainstream newspapers. “Employment applications are not faxed; they are sent via post or dropped off at a designated hospital, clinic or any of our facilities in their original form for verification. We plead with the public to verify job advertisements circulated on social media against those posted on the official sites,” Kekana said.
Johannesburg - Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has announced that National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) and Funza Lushaka bursary funded students would be provided 10gb daytime and 20gb night-time data for three months. He said the offer, which is subsidised by government, would begin from 1 June and continue up to the end of August this year. “We have successfully negotiated the data provision initiative with all mobile network operators, and we shall soon give detailed information on how to access these data offers,” Nzimande said. He urged NSFAS and the Funza Lushaka bursary funded students to register their cellphone numbers with their educational institutions.
“They must not change their SIM cards so that mobile network operators, through their institutions, could load the data to their devices. They also must not use the data for content not related to their studies. I emphasise that this data must be used for dedicated online educational platforms for teaching and learning as approved by institutions,” he said. Mobile network operators are already providing zero-rated educational content sites of public universities, TVET and Community Education and Training Colleges, including Agricultural and Nursing colleges. Nzimande said collaboration between the department and the telecommunications sector is a huge step forward. “Zero-rating means access to in-
Minister Blade Nzimande
stitutional websites will be free, although some of the embedded content like YouTube and videos will be charged for,” he said. Nzimande added that students including those in private institutions also needed support in accessing data for their online learning; but government is unable to subsidise their data. “We appeal to mobile network operators to work with institutions to also offer affordable data packages to such students. We are however currently working towards an affordable higher education loan scheme involving the private sector in this regard,” Nzimande said.
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Inner-city Gazette
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28 May - 4 June 2020
Residents seek popular traditional herb Nodumo Makaza
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s the flu season approaches many people are stocking up on the traditional herb Artemisia, umhlonyane in isiZulu and lengana in seSotho and seTswana. The herb gathered more popularity when Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina launched Covid Organics; a therapy he claimed can cure Covid-19, despite having no valid scientific evidence. The African National Healers Association (ANHA) says umhlonyane is one of the most reliable herbs that have been used for centuries without any side effects. “It would be advisable and recommended for this herb to be used as a remedy and preventative method against the corona virus,” said Dr Zukiswa Mvoko, an indigenous healer representing ANHA. The herb has been commonly used by traditional healers and in households to treat a wide range of ailments, from menstrual cramps and gastro intestinal disorders, to respiratory symptoms and asthma. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has welcomed research into traditional medicines for Covid-19, provided they are tested for efficacy and side effects. “Africans deserve to use medicines tested to the same standards as people in the rest of the world,”
SAFTU general-secretary Zwelinzima Vavi displays the herb.
according to a WHO statement. Local entrepreneurs are cashing in on umhlonyane herbs and juices from people who are in desperate need of corona virus treatment. “I always drink umhlonyane whenever I have flu; I mix it with lemon, garlic and honey. I buy the herbs
Pic: Vavi@ Twitter
from the vendors at Faraday taxi rank at R50 a packet,” said Kamo Tshite. Lakhe Ndlovu says she has stocked up enough of umhlonyane ready for rainy days. “I bought packets of dried umhlonyane and I am going to use it
whenever I need it. I don’t want a situation when I need the herbs and there are no longer available at the market,” she said. South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi, a corona virus survivor, says umhlonyane helped him to fight the corona virus. “Traditionally herbs have been used by our people for hundreds of years well before the existence of pharmacists. I used everything from this in the pic (umhlonyane) to what is offered at the pharmacy,” Vavi tweeted. Traditional healers have cautioned people buying umhlonyane from street vendors to be careful of what they are buying as some vendors may take advantage of the demand in the market and sell them items that are not the desired herb. Sangoma Gogo Nonkosi Baliso said: “Some people are selling umhlonyane on the streets, and some of them are taking chances and selling carrot leaves to desperate clients. People must be careful when they buy the herbs from the streets. Never allow anyone to take you for a ride; umhlonyane has a strong smell and carrot leaves don’t smell much, and you can tell that this is a carrot leaf. It’s also advisable that those who want to buy the herb must be accompanied by someone who actually knows umhlonyane.”
Man dies, another in critical state, after drinking home brew Brakpan - On Tuesday a man died after drinking homemade alcohol he allegedly bought from a local vendor. The 34-year-old man, a father of two, died of organ failure at the Far East Rand Hospital. His stepfather, who also drank some of the beer, was reported to be in a serious condition in ICU. His wife said they drank some of the beer on Saturday; and next morning she felt ill and her husband still appeared drunk. “He and his stepfather opened another bottle and drank another glass each, then we visited friends in the same street, where we had some more.” On Monday morning, the man reportedly became ill and was taken to hospital, where his condition became worse and he died on Tuesday. His stepfather was also hospitalised and was still in a critical condition. Police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said the fatal incident is being investigated.
28 May - 4 June 2020
Inner-city Gazette
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Youth brigades to curb Covid-19 spread Johannesburg - During a recent briefing by the Provincial Command Council, which is steering Gauteng’s Covid-19 response, Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi announced that the department has received about 120 000 applications for its Covid-19 youth brigades programme. In the programme unemployed youths will be assigned to assist the department to curb the spread
of Covid-19 at schools and government offices. They will be deployed at schools and government buildings across the province to assist with screenings, data capturing and monitoring compliance, the department said. The programme seeks an intake of 7 000 people, who will be placed at schools, based on distance and proximity. The education department’s
spokesperson Steve Mabona said those with Grade 12, diploma and degree qualifications would be considered to undertake different responsibilities. “The plan is to get them to start when schools reopen, in the programme that is expected to run for three months. It is important to note that this is not employment,” Mabona said. At the briefing Lesufi said if it
Cops seize drugs ‘worth millions’ Kensington - On Monday night police seized drugs estimated to be worth millions of rands from a house in Kensington. Criminals had been producing meth at the drug laboratory when police raided the property and arrested one suspect, according to police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubele. He said police found the man at the house, and also discovered a drug laboratory that
is believed to be for the narcotic meth. “Police also found drugs in the car, chemicals and equipment used to manufacture drugs. The car was also impounded,” Makhubele added. Gauteng police commissioner Lt-Gen Elias Mawela commended the police narcotics unit for a job well done; and appealed to communities to work with the police in the fight against crime.
Three taxi bosses shot dead Pretoria - Three taxi owners were shot dead last Thursday afternoon in Mabopane, according to police. Police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said the men were conducting a discussion near the corner Bushveld and August streets in the area, when they were shot and killed in a drive-by shooting.
The men were certified dead on the scene. It is believed that the triple murder is linked to battles over taxi routes. Masondo said: “We suspect this killing is related to the on-going taxi violence in the area. We appeal to anyone who has information that may help us arrest the suspects to call the nearest police station.”
became necessary the programme would be extended beyond the initial three months. Those individuals chosen would then be trained by officials from the departments of education and health. The candidates for the programme would be vetted to ensure they did not pose danger to children; and those with criminal records would not be considered for selection.
Spokesperson Steve Mabona
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28 May - 4 June 2020
The self-employed struggle to survive Nodumo Makaza
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hile the South African economy staggers under the country’s prolonged Covid-19 lockdown, self-employed people are feeling the pinch of income loss. For the self-employed who do not qualify for Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) or other financial relief schemes offered to small businesses the financial challenges are hard. A Yeoville based tailor, John Ngalamule said the prospect of surviving another month without income is likely to push him to poverty, as his income of R10 000 per month has been halted by the lockdown. “The reality of the lockdown, slapped me in the face, lockdown put a stop to my work, I had my savings but I doubt it’s enough to pull me through the end of lockdown which is currently unknown,” he said. Ngalamule says the ban on weddings and church services put a strain on his income as orders had to be cancelled. “I now rely on mask sales, but they do not make enough money as I sell them for R20 each, and the money I get from the sales cannot cover my rentals. More than four weddings had to be cancelled for which I had been assigned to make the bridal
Part of a recent march against gender violence
Fewer GBV cases in Level 4 lockdown
Johannesburg - Addressing the provincial legislature last Thursday Gauteng Community Safety acting head of department Sipho Thanjekwayo said gender-based violence (GBV) cases reported declined during Level 4 of the Covid-19 lockdown. Thanjekwayo said Gauteng police opened 1 426 domestic abuse cases since Level 5 lockdown was implemented; most of which were reported in Johannesburg police stations. There were 295 in Johannesburg, 365 in Tshwane, 326 in Sedibeng, and 70 on the East Rand. “We think since alcohol, a big driver in GBV and domestic violence cases was restricted, it had a huge impact in reducing the numbers. Since Level 4 there have been fewer cases reported,” he said. Thanjekwayo added that GBV
supporting and reporting were not restricted to the police and psychosocial support because those were essential services. “During Level 5 lockdown we sent officials to all police stations to obtain cases reported and observe if the situation was getting better or worse. We have also noted that magistrate’s courts are not functioning optimally, forcing matters to be postponed. Some victim empowerment centres are also not functioning optimally; and that could also have an impact on the numbers we are getting,” Thanjekwayo said. He added that there is a possibility that cases of crimes against women and children were not being prioritised by police officers due competing demands at police stations. “We are unable to properly co-ordinate GBV cases which have been
withdrawn because our officials are unable to travel to various courts. We have ring-fenced all GBV cases reported during Level 5 and giving them special attention. We want to see how they will progress in courts up to conviction stage. We don’t want to see any of the cases falling through the cracks or withdrawn and victims not returning to courts. We want all GBV victims to receive the necessary support,” he said. He explained that all 23 shelters in the province still admit GBV victims and their children. “We have noticed that there has not been an increase in the number of people admitted in centres. Social workers continue to provide information and brief victims. Shelter school support programmes will continue being provided to children at the centres,” Thanjekwayo said.
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dresses and guest outfits,” he said. Ngalamule hopes that with the opening of schools he will get orders for Matric dance outfits. Felicity Mlambo a hairdresser at a salon in the Johannesburg CBD is part of a growing number of people frustrated by the inability to earn a living. “My situation is growing more desperate by the day. I am selfemployed and my income solely depends on the reopening of the hair salons. If that does not happen anytime soon I might find myself on the streets,” she said. She says it’s been challenging for her to buy baby essentials using the money she gets from house calls. “It’s not safe for me to go out and do people’s hair with a baby, but I’m left with no choice as it is the only way I can get to put food on the table. The money I get from house calls is not enough, I used to make R3500-R5000 a month at the salon but now I can hardly make R500 in a fortnight,” she said. According to International Labour Organisation (ILO) the self-employed, casual and gig workers are likely to be disproportionately hit by the virus as they do not have access to paid or sick leave mechanisms, and are less protected by conventional social protection mechanisms and other forms of income smoothing.
28 May - 4 June 2020
Inner-city Gazette
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The Arts
Tribute to literary giant Lusanda Zokufa
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Youths play the marimba.
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Training in music instrument making Violet Maila
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he Music in Africa Foundation (MIAF) is implementing its Instrument Building and Repair (IBR) project; in which it trains participants on building and repairing African musical instruments, while exploring ways in which they may professionalise the art. The programme will comprise a seven-day workshop facilitated by experts in Johannesburg, from 19 to 24 September. Twenty participants will be selected this year and the workshops will culminate in a concert featuring some of the instruments at Wits Theatre on 25 September. Certificates of participation will be given, and participants will leave the workshops with the instruments
they made. The training is aimed at enabling instrument makers to train others in their communities. The instruments considered for the training are kamale ngoni, mbira and marimba. The application deadline is 6 July 2020. The MIAF will support costs for participants; travel costs within Gauteng; accommodation and meals for the duration of the workshops. Successful applicants will be notified by 31 July 2020. The project is funded by the National Lotteries Commission; and implemented in partnership with Siemens Stiftung, Goethe-Institut, Wits Theatre and Kaya FM. For more information visit: https:// www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/ call-applications-instrument-building-and-repair-training-sa.
he arts and literary world has been dealt a devastating blow following the death of gentle giant Walter Chakela on 15 May. Tributes came from wide and far as people praised the work he did as an activist and curator in the arts. Born in Vryburg in Eastern Cape, Chakela had a long working experience in the Transvaal Townships with Maishe Maponya and Matsemela Manaka. He was the first African director to be appointed at the Windybrow Theatre when it was still under the Performing Arts Council of Transvaal in 1993 till 2004. Chakela was an award-winning poet, playwright, and director. At the Windybrow Theatre he created a vibrant theatrical hub for intellectual dialogues and a space that offered opportunities for African
people. His passion for advancing young people and commitment to the emancipation of African people was recognised when he was honoured by the Pan African Writers’ Association in Ghana in 2018. Together with Dr Keorapetse Kgosietsile, their mission to clad the Windybrow Theatre as the go to space for a Pan African artistic expression culminated in productions that included Anasi the Spider and Maru by Bessie Head and Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe played to full houses at the theatre. Chakela wrote 22 plays and directed over 100 productions; he was also founding member of National Writers Association of South Africa (NWASA). He will be missed and remembered for his motivational engagements which promoted critical thinking on issues of relevance and pan Africanism, as the son of
Late playwright Walter Chakela
the soil who was committed to the emancipation of African people in the arts and literary world. The Windybrow Arts Centre will host a virtual memorial service on 30 May at 14:00 across all Market Theatre Foundation social media platforms: Instagram @markettheatre; Facebook @TheMarketTheatre and @windybrowartscentre; Twitter: @markettheatre.
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Bid to accelerate development of women’s professional soccer FIFA discussed the impact of Covid-19 on the women’s game, and how it is working with stakeholders to support to the industry Sports Reporter
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orld soccer governing body FIFA and the International Federation of Professional Footballers (FIFPRO) seek to accelerate development of women’s football, and mitigate the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. During a 90-minute video-conference call, FIFPRO shared its Raising our Game report, which charts recent progress in women’s football, and makes recommendations to achieve growth by bolstering the conditions of female soccer players.
FIFPRO is working towards these improvements together with its network of national player unions and the FIFPRO Global Player Council. FIFA discussed the impact of Covid-19 on the women’s game, and how it is working with stakeholders to help provide support to the industry. FIFA is currently investing in several programmes to develop the women’s game on and off the pitch. As part of the US$1 billion to be invested by FIFA into women’s football between 2019 and 2022, these programmes aim to develop a range of areas in wom-
en’s football, including competitions, capacitybuilding, governance and leadership, professionalisation and technical development. Recognising the impact of Covid-19 on the women’s game, FIFA is also working on providing further assistance to women’s football as part of an on-going assessment into the financial impact of the pandemic on the wider football Women’s football officer Sarai Bareman community, FIFA said. confederations and member asBoth FIFA and FIFPRO have agreed to support and strengthen sociations, we look forward to the women’s game, with discus- overcome the challenges womsions to cover topics including en’s football faces,” she said. FIFPRO chief women’s footplayer conditions, competitions and the women’s international ball officer Amanda Vandervort said they keep working on behalf match calendar. FIFA chief women’s football of players and their union repreofficer Sarai Bareman said this is sentatives to improve the woma positive step to ensure support en’s game through a global set of is given to professional players labour standards. “The corona virus presents new at all levels of women’s football and to develop the women’s challenges for women’s football and the best way to confront game around the world. “Together with key stakehold- these is with a strong and united ers across football, including vision,” Vandervort said.