Inner City Gazette

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Est 2009 Issue 21 - 2020

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4 - 11 June 2020

Website : www.inner-city-gazette.com Inner City Gazette

Campaign to get small businesses create jobs

‘With our high unemployment rate and the steep rise in job losses over the past few months, we encourage entrepreneurship and assist small business owners in need of capital to start or get going’ Johannesburg - A partnership has launched a year-long initiative to get small businesses working and creating jobs.

The partnership is composed of ProfitShare Partners, community radio station Hot 91.9FM, and the Getlion mobile app.

The mobile app is designed to support SMEs in managing and growing their businesses, and ProfitShare Partners, the disruptive Fintech provider, will invest R100 million to support SMEs to deliver on their contracts this year. A R1 million prize will be given to the business that creates the most jobs during the campaign period from 1 June 2020 to 31 May 2021.

The Get South Africa Working campaign is an initiative introduced by ProfitShare Partners’ founder and CEO, Andrew Maren, to help small and medium sized businesses create jobs and keep them going.

Maren said this is to help boost the economy by accelerating SME business growth and development.

“With our high unemployment rate and the steep rise in job losses over the past few months, we encourage entrepreneurship and assist small business owners in need of capital to start or get going. Unfortunately, many of these businesses do not have the financials, security or track record and are turned away by the banks. How do you develop this

track record or get a set of financials if you cannot access capital? Our model is to provide this capital to get them going, so they can get a track record, cash in the bank, and ultimately financials so that they can graduate to getting capital from traditional funders such as banks,” Maren said.

From 1 June 2020, the Get South Africa Working initiative will provide up to R10 million to SMEs per month, to grow by partnering with them on their contracts or valid purchase orders they have, or are trying to get with large corporates and certain government departments.

“The net jobs referred to are permanent jobs created by the entrepreneur or small business until the end of May 2021. All information supplied will be audited and verified using our technology and reporting processes, because our aim is to assist our country in alleviating poverty by helping to create jobs and mobilise the development of SMEs,” Maren added.

To enter, SMEs and entrepreneurs must download the ‘getlion’ mobile app, available for iOS and Android devices, to track their business performance and apply for capital support via the ProfitShare Partners website. Details are also available on the Get SA Working website.

Co-founder of Getlion Mathew Marsden

said the app is a purpose-built platform of services, tools and resources from various industry-leading companies, to help small businesses grow.

“Through the app, business owners will be able to access the tools to make running business easier, from accounting to online sales. As the virtual partner of the Get SA,” Marsden said.

In the final month of this initiative, ProfitShare Partners will give R1million cash prize to the small business that would have created the most net jobs in the period.

Community radio station, Hot 91.9FM will run the news and announcements for the campaign.

Hot 91.9FM managing director Lloyd Madurai said: “We are passionate about development and survival of small businesses, which is why we partner in this campaign.”

Together with Hot 91.9FM, ProfitShare Partners will give away R10 000 in vouchers every month to help existing and wouldbe business owners and SMEs to start up or keep going.

To enter, download the getlion mobile app, send what the business would do with R10 000 to Hot 91.9 FM WhatsApp line 084 221 2 919 and listen to Hot 91.9FM for more.

For more information on the businesses initiative visit www.getsaworking.co.za

ProfitShare Partners founder and CEO Andrew Maren

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Inner-city Gazette

News

Boston

rocks with free concerts as students continue with uninterrupted studies

As our communities grapple with the realities of living in #LockDown, businesses and schools have had to come up with innovative ideas to serve the communities, maintain contact and work #TogetherApart.

Boston started off the LockDown with a concert from Soul Candi recruit Holly Rey, letting people know that we are here, we are available and we are looking for ways to make them feel part of the greater community, while in their lounge at home!

The concert was great, Holly Rey done with her outstanding music and warm and bubbly personality. “The cancellation of events due to Covid-19 has affected us badly because that is our main source of income a artists, but luckily for me I still have some income, so I just wanted to give people a free concert during these difficult times” she said. Her free live concert has been viewed nearly 8000 times!

“Our intention is to continue as much as we are able, to communicate with, engage with and entertain our audience” says Anne Hollamby of Boston. “Our partnership with the Soul Candi brand has allowed us to promote artists as well as provide live concerts,” she says.

With graduates of Soul Candi blazing music trails, they are showcasing their skills learned through Soul Candi qualifications. One of the budding graduates from the program is Dwson – who has released an album on Stay True Sound. “A former student who did the Digital

Nizhe DeSoul

Music Composition and Production course, he is making the most of all work opportunities,” says Blanka Mazimela, Head of Department at Boston. Others include Vinny Da Vinci, DJ Christos and Liquideep.

And of course Holly Rey! Have you considered a career in music? Many people have a passion for music but believe that it is a hobby and that they will not be able to earn a living from it. Boston believes that including your passion in your career makes you more successful. “Most budding musicians struggle to create a career in music.

In order to create a music career, look into one of the qualifications available at Boston in the music industry”, says Blanka Mazimela, Head of Department at Boston.

Another successful Soul Candi Graduate is Neo ‘NayPalmNeo’ Mahao, from Khumalo Valley in Katlehong. She spoke to us virtually, raving about the Soul Candi qualifica-

tions. “I am glad to be considered a successful graduate after the amazing time I had at SoulCandi. I truly consider SoulCandi to be a place where you go to musically thwasa, with some guidance and freedom to indulge in the art. It brought people together, exposed a ton of potential, and is truly symbolic as a safe space for creatives and creative outlaws, and I’d be happy to answer some questions.”

Aside from free concerts, Boston advises students, colleagues and employees to stick to a regular schedule and try continue with previous tasks and projects. “This virus has taught us all the importance of flexibility and adaptability” says Anne,” and Boston has made all necessary changes to keep our academic lives running smoothly!

We appreciate that this is a challenging time for all. Now more than ever, it is imperative to keep up with your studies from home and/ or work. By focusing on your education, you are investing in yourself, and contributing to the critical human capital and leadership that will be required to move our country forward in the days and years that lie ahead.”

From the social media team, we just wanted to make that extra effort to avoid burnout when working or studying from home, and so we have organised the free concerts. Watch out for the next one featuring ‘Nizhe DeSoul’!

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Google site to counter cyber-crooks By 2025 cyber crime is expected to cost the world economy over US$27-billion Luis Monzon

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ver opened your emails and received a poorly-worded message about a payment that you were not expecting?

What about the one proclaiming that you have won a competition you never entered. “Congratulations!” it reads, beneath, a sinister attachment that you probably should not open.

This is becoming more common, and now Google has unveiled a website to teach people how to spot and avoid online scams. Digital hoaxes, malware and cyber-attacks have been surging during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The website, Scamspotter.org, tries to show users how to identify things such as false stimulus checks, fake vaccine offers, or other fake medical information. The site also attempts to make clear certain patterns that are typical of hoaxes, like a romance scammer asking a target to wire them money or buy them a gift card, in order for users to recognise them before it’s too late.

Google launched the tool in partnership with the Cybercrime Support Network NPO focused on helping victims of online fraud.

The website includes a quiz that runs through common scam scenarios, like getting a message about winning a trip to a tropical destination, even if the recipient didn’t enter a contest.

Americans have lost more than $40

‘Father of the Internet’ Vint Cerf

million because of Covid-19-related scams, according to the Federal Trade Commission. The agency projects more than US$2 billion will be lost due to scams across the board this year, coronavirus-related or otherwise.

By 2025 cybercrime is expected to cost the world economy more than US$27-billion.

The new website is also specially tuned to targeting and teachings seniors, who disproportionately lose more money than other demographics because of scams, Google says.

The website urges to share information form the website to the elders in their lives.

A pioneer in the development of the Internet, as well as a Google VP; Vint Cerf says it will take a cross-generational effort.

“If we learn how to spot the bad actors, we can spend our time focusing on those moments that matter,” Cerf says.

Cerf, who is 76, recognized as one of “the fathers of the Internet,” says seniors should feel like they can use the internet comfortably, because “we invented” it. ITNews Africa

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Children’s school feeding

programme to resume

Johannesburg - The Equal Education and the Department of Basic Education have announced that children who previously qualified for the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) will receive school meals or food parcels when schools reopen.

This was after civil rights activists raised concerns over the discontinuation of the NSNP during the lockdown period.

Equal Education spokesperson Leanne Jansen said nine million children ordinarily benefit from school feeding schemes, which for some is their only guaranteed meal for the day.

“The national lockdown has deepened food insecurity for South Africans across the country.

This has had particularly severe implications for the wellbeing and development of children, who are guaranteed the right to basic nutrition under section 28 (1) (c) of the constitution,” Jansen said.

The Department of Basic Education said provincial education departments would be responsible for developing appropriate mechanisms for the collection or delivery of meals and food parcels to the schools. This is expected to include measures such as staggered collection times and social distancing to ensure the safety of pupils from Covid-19 infection.

Inner-city Gazette

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News

Experts advise on planning

before getting Covid-19 illness The key for mild cases is to keep the sick person comfortable and treat symptoms, but it may be useful to locate the nearest health facility or health provider in case of a more severe case.

Elna Schütz

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s the coronavirus pandemic spreads, planning for the possibility of getting sick is worth taking seriously.

Professor Shabir Moosa, a family physician with the Johannesburg Health District and University of the Witwatersrand, says while about 80% of people will get mild symptoms, it is important to plan in case there is a need for hospitalisation, and especially if one is living alone.

Professor Shahana Rasool of the department of social work at the University of Johannesburg, says thinking through the details can be beneficial if it helps someone feel more prepared in the face of uncertainty.

“For some people who want a sense of control, it could actually help, but for others it could increase anxiety,” she says.

Moosa says the isolation area is a particular problem. He recommends that every household designate a room or part of the house where a sick person could stay separated, but acknowledges that this will be very difficult for many South Africans who live in crowded conditions. If

this cannot be accommodated, he recommends wearing masks inside the home and moving particularly vulnerable but healthy family members to another household if possible.

For single parents or those living alone, Moosa says there is vulnerability from that isolation and that support systems matter greatly.

Rasool says it would be important that there is someone who has regular contact with the ill person who maybe lives alone. She recommends designating a person for this and asking them to check in once a day or regularly via text or a call.

Rasool says there should also be someone “who maybe has a list of things that you have put in place that they are aware of”. This includes having the details of medical schemes or other important documents. The person should know about chronic medication and whether there is a preference for which hospital the ill person would want to go to.

She also advises for those people who live alone to have an extra set of keys available somewhere, in case they get sick and are not mobile. This may include speaking to neighbours about what to do in an emergency sit-

uation. If there are children, the contingency plans should be explained to them, and the person who would take care of them in an emergency should be someone the children trust.

Practical precautions could include making sure that there is some basic medication in the house, such as painkillers, as well as reasonable amounts of non-perishable foods that would lower the need to restock while sick.

Moosa says: “Just have a little bit extra in the house, assuming that you may be stuck for two weeks, if not a month.”

The key for mild cases is to keep the sick person comfortable and to treat symptoms, but it may be useful to locate or decide on the nearest health facility or health provider in case of a more severe case.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) advises that the primary point of call during the illness is one’s local clinic or general practitioner. The NICD says: “If you have any warning signs, you or a member of your household should call your nearest hospital or emergency services immediately.”

These emergency warning signs include chest pain and coughing up

Professor Shahana Rasool

blood, but Moosa advises that there is one key symptom to look out for: “If they have even an inkling of shortness of breath, they should get to the hospital because that can deteriorate very quickly.”

Rasool says one can prepare for this by keeping a small clothes bag ready, in case there is need for hospitalisation.

While there are designated hospitals in each province for managing Covid-19 cases, Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Kwara Kekana says one can approach any hospital in an emergency, because most of them have dedicated Covid-19 wards.

“If they cannot treat you or handle the case you will then be taken to another facility,” she says.

Moosa says this may also be a time to think about estate planning and drawing up a will. GroundUp

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Inner-city Gazette

News

Thieves steal booze worth R300 000 in bizarre operation

Car thieves head back to work Johannesburg - Statistics from the vehicle-recovery sector show that crime levels are getting back to normal as the lockdown is relaxed, says Charles Morgan, operations executive at Netstar, a company operating in the vehicle recovery space.

Morgan said Netstar has first-hand experience of trends around hijackings and car theft in the country.

“At the beginning of the lockdown, these crimes dropped to almost zero,” he said.

Netstar’s data agrees with that from vehicle-tracking company Tracker.

“Our recovery partners reported that for the first time in decades, entire days would go without a single car being stolen in South Africa. This was largely because there were simply not many cars on the road. We all retreated to our homes, heeding the call to isolate and limit transmission of Covid-19,” he said.

Morgan said the lockdown also meant that during the traditional vehicle theft times, 11:00 till 12:00 and 18:00 till 21:00, there was no business activity.

Gyms, restaurants, and businesses were closed, and social visits were curtailed, giving criminals no opportunities to steal vehicles.

Morgan said the lockdown meant

4 - 11 June 2020

The thieves avoided the mall’s main entrance and used electrical and storm-water tunnels beneath the shopping centre to gain access to the area beneath the store.

As businesses reopen car thieves also resume their operations

suspension of operations for all, including the vehicle-theft syndicates.

“Now that we’ve all adjusted to the new reality, our records show we are heading back towards business as usual, in the mainstream and the illicit economy,” he said.

Netstar’s data has shown a slow increase in the numbers of stolen and hijacked vehicles.

“This may be because criminals are becoming desperate, or are becoming more brazen, and accustomed to lockdown conditions. It’s also true that all of us have followed a similar trajectory in our daily behaviour.

Where initially a trip to the supermarket was a rarity fraught with apprehension, now we are far more

confident about leaving the house, armed with our face masks and hand sanitisers,” said Morgan.

Netstar said heavier road traffic has led to levels of vehicle crime rising to approximately 60% of where they were prior to lockdown.

“The patterns also indicate that during the lockdown, many vehicles are not being stolen by professional syndicates, but by amateurs, often on impulse. But as the lockdown has progressed, we have seen the established syndicates getting back into business, becoming more brazen and ambitious. Trends indicate that this would see vehicle crime levels returning to what they were before the lockdown,” said Morgan.

Newtown - Burglars recently stole alcohol products from a Shoprite liquor shop at the Newtown Junction in bizarre fashion, when they tunnelled through a solid concrete floor to gain access.

Shoprite Group’s Loss Control manager Oswald Meiring said the suspects were first recorded on CCTV cameras on May 21, 10 days before liquor sales were allowed.

Footage from inside the store shows three suspects, although more may have remained in the tunnel to help move the large quantity of liquor stolen.

“They made off with whisky, brandy, gin, cider, vodka, and beer with an estimated value of R300 000,” Meiring said.

The robbery took place while the shop was closed due to the Covid-19 lockdown, while the sale of alcohol was prohibited.

The shop’s manager discovered the theft, and a large hole in the

ground, when she entered the store on Friday. She was returning to prepare for the store’s reopening on Monday under the easing of lockdown regulations to Level 3.

The thieves avoided the mall’s main entrance and used electrical and storm-water tunnels beneath the shopping centre to gain access to the area beneath the store. They then tunnelled through the solid concrete floor directly into the liquor shop to gain access undetected, Shoprite said.

It was unclear how the thieves knew where to tunnel and how long it took them to get through the thick concrete floor, but they returned a few times to steal a large amount of stock.

A R50 000 reward, subject to terms and conditions, has been made available for information which leads to the arrest of the suspects.

Those with info can call 0800 118 879 or email service@asesa.co.za.

US delivers 600 kg ventilators to SA

The ventilator donation is in addition to previously announced US support to South Africa for its Covid-19 response

US ambassador Lana Marks at the airport

Johannesburg - United States ambassador to South Africa Lana Marks recently visited the OR Tambo International Airport to oversee the arrival of 600kg of respirators donated by the US to support the recovery of Covid-19 patients.

Worldwide Flight Services (WFS) welcomed Marks at its cargo terminal at the airport.

Marks was joined by the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) manager for cargo

security, Andrew Dhlakama, and USAID mission director John Groarke to witness the first shipment of US-made ventilators.

The US government is supplying up to 1 000 ventilators and accompanying equipment to South Africa to assist with its response to the coronavirus as part of a $40 million donation.

The ventilators are specialised medical equipment used in ICU to support individuals whose lungs are not working adequately de-

spite receiving oxygen, assisting them with their breathing as they recover.

The ventilator donation is in addition to previously announced US support to South Africa for its Covid-19 response.

That has also included multimillion dollar funding from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and USAID, as well as donations of personal protective equipment from the US department of defence.

4 - 11 June 2020

Inner-city Gazette

City Power identifies

‘load rotation’ hotspots Johannesburg - City Power has announced that it has identified hotspots where electricity load rotation would be implemented to preserve the supply infrastructure.

The power utility’s spokesperson Isaac Mangena said there had been an increase in the number of unplanned outages that result from the high demand for electricity, and damage to its infrastructure had stretched the infrastructural capability.

“We urge residents to use electricity sparingly to reduce the risk of power cuts as the winter season sets in,” he said.

He added that some of the hotspots where there has been an increase in illegal connections include Region A, in Rabie Ridge, Region E, which includes Alexandra and informal settlements and Lenasia.

“We are going to intensify dealing with the illegal connections through some of the operations we have initiated,” he said.

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News

Women’s award

nominations open

Busi Nyandeni

T

he Africa Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship Forum (AWIEF) are calling for nominations for AWIEF Awards 2020.

This year marks the fourth edition of the AWIEF Awards, a premier platform to highlight achievements in women entrepreneurship across Africa, the organisation said. “The awards are Africa’s top honours for female founders and entrepreneurs, designed to recognise and celebrate their contribution to the growth of Africa’s economy.”

This year a new award category, the Energy Entrepreneur Award, recognises excellence in the power, oil, gas and renewable energy sector.

AWIEF founder and CEO Irene Ochem said this recognises excel-

lence in female entrepreneurship across Africa.

“We have seen an exponential growth in the quality and number of nominations over the three previous editions. We have an obligation to recognise and showcase those women founders and entrepreneurs who are building solutions and driving change in the African economy,” Ochem said.

Past AWIEF Awards winners included Stella Okolie (Nigeria), Wendy Luhabe (South Africa), Jennifer Riria (Kenya), Soraya da Piedade (Angola); Temie Giwa-Tubosun (Nigeria) and Caroline Pomeyie (Ghana).

Nominations can be submitted for eight categories. Nominees can either be nominated by a third party or be self-nominated for the Young Entrepreneur Award; Tech Entrepreneur

AWIEF founder and CEO Irene Ochem

Award; Agri Entrepreneur Award; Creative Industry Award; Energy Entrepreneur Award; Social Entrepreneur Award; Empowerment Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.

To submit nominations follow this link: https://bit.ly/2ZAO6TA. Nominations close on 30 June 2020.

City Power’s Isaac Mangena

Man held after security

officer is shot dead Cleveland - On Tuesday police arrested a 28-year-old suspect following the fatal shooting of a security officer who was responding to an incident.

Police spokesperson Captain Kay Makhubele said the Seven Arrows Security officer responded to an alarm that went off on Tuesday.

“The suspects started shooting at him and he was hit in the head and died on the scene. One firearm, a Glock 90 with serial number CHR442 was stolen from the deceased. The suspects jumped into a white Toyota Corolla, registration number CM78MCGP and fled. Another Seven Arrow vehicle with the supervisor of the

deceased also came across the suspects about 50 metres from the scene, and the suspects opened fire at him as well. His vehicle was severely damaged and has many bullet holes, but he escaped unharmed. The suspects managed to get away.”

He added that police officers on patrol spotted the vehicle in Bezuidenhout Valley at corner First Street and Gordon Road.

“They chased it and the suspects started shooting at them. The officers shot back until the vehicle hit a wall in Joubert Park at corner Leyds and Quarts streets. The suspects got out of the car and fled on foot. One firearm was recovered inside the car,” Makhubele said.

Taxi passenger dies in M1 crash Johannesburg - Last Wednesday morning a taxi and a truck collided at on the M1 and one person was killed, while two were rushed to hospital in a critical condition.

The person who died on the accident scene was a passenger in the taxi.

JMPD spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar said the driver of the taxi was transported to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital.

Minnaar said nine nurses who

were on their way home from work occupied the vehicle.

“With more and more traffic on the road, it is about drivers now being more cautious. We don’t want accidents such as this to happen; we don’t want people unnecessarily losing their lives. Drivers must be cautious, when they overtake, they must make sure that it is safe to overtake. They must not speed because speed is one factor that contributes to accidents every time,” Minnaar said.

The Gauteng Liquor Forum has advised responsible consumption of alcohol

Liquor forum urges responsible drinking

Johannesburg - The Gauteng Liquor Forum (GLF), which represents taverns in the province, has urged responsible consumption as lockdown regulations allowed the purchase of alcohol from Monday.

GLF president Fanny Mokoena said members operate their businesses responsibly, and comply with the organisation’s code of conduct.

“We call on customers to consume alcohol responsibly, and to report all alcohol-related lawlessness to the appropriate authorities,” Mokoena said.

On Monday alcohol queues gathered outside liquor stores around the Johannesburg and many other parts of the

country as consumers sought to buy alcohol.

“We call on the liquor industry to harness this spirit of collaboration and solidarity in the next phase, to ensure all our businesses are ready to start trading. It will be critical that all members are properly trained in observing the appropriate health and safety protocols. It is up to all of us

to heed the president’s call by taking responsibility; not only for our own health but also that of employees and customers. This includes observing key activities such as off-sales, limited hours of trade on limited days, and operate under strict conditions, including observing social distancing, maintaining hygiene, disinfecting and cleaning,” Mokoena said.

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Inner-city Gazette

4 - 11 June 2020

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Inner-city Gazette

7

The Arts

Sound engineer heads for success Terrena Rathanlall

T

hree years ago, Mojalefa Mashokwe resigned from his job and started his own sound engineering business, RF Junky. He has gone from an unemployed young man to an established businessman with an impressive client list.

Mojalefa was the RF co-ordinator at the prestigious 2018 Global Citizen concert in Johannesburg, which featured artists like Beyonce, Jay-Z, Ed Sheeran and Cassper Nyovest.

He also assisted with technical sound monitoring and evaluation of the sound mix environment for The Voice South African Season 1 and 2.

Mojalefa said the tech space in which he operates is constantly improving.

“I must keep up with the latest technology to give my clients the best service. When I worked at the Global Citizen concert I knew I had to bring my A game because if I got it wrong, the whole world would know I got it wrong, and the converse is true, too.”

He said it all started in church when he volunteered as a sound technician.

“I was curious about the technology

Mojalefa Mashokwe

used. I researched better options and how I could improve the quality. The curiosity became a passion and after school I studied sound engineering because I knew this was what I wanted to do.”

RF Junky provides coordination at events and installations for wireless microphones, multi-channel wireless microphones or in-ear monitor systems design and setup, RF spectrum planning for events or at conference venues, RF spectrum monitoring during events, technical support at venues and support for live performing artists and tours. RF Junky also makes premium cable leads that are used for professional wireless audio antenna systems.

Mojalefa and his trainee complete the technical tasks needed for big productions seamlessly. The other people Mojalefa says were contributors to his success were his mother and Adriaan Van Der Walt, one of the directors of RF Junky.

Belinda Davids

The late Whitney Houston

Greatest Love show postponed Ntombi Mashaba

J

oburg City Theatres and Producer Showtime Australia have confirmed that next month’s season of The Greatest Love of All: A Tribute to Whitney Houston, starring Belinda Davids, has been postponed until August 2021 due to Covid-19 restrictions.

The show was scheduled for a four-week run of special orchestral concerts at Joburg Theatre, starting 5 June, but due to Covid-19 restrictions regarding non-essen-

tial activity and large gatherings, organisers had to delay the season.

Joburg Theatre’s 1 000-seat venue isn’t expected to be reopened, or operating at full capacity, until much later in the year.

Though star singer Belinda Davids is based in Cape Town, many of her support band and crew are foreign performers who are under lockdown or heavy restrictions in their own countries, so international travel bans were another factor in the decision.

The show’s producer Johnny Van

Q

uotable

uotes

By Prophet Philip Banda

Grinsven said this problem is going to be around longer than anyone first thought. “We’re resilient though, and we’ll use this year to keep working on production and behind the scenes elements, so when we come back in 2021 the show will be worth the wait.”

The rescheduled season will run from 6 to 22 August 2021 at Joburg Theatre and tickets are already on sale at www.joburgtheatre.com.

Ticketholders for this year’s concerts will be contacted by the Joburg Theatre box office.

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011 402 1977

CAF disburses aid to

member associations ‘CAF has thus decided to waive the eligibility requirements to access the annual grants, so all MAs can benefit during this difficult period’ Sports Reporter

T

he Confederation of African Football (CAF) Emergency Committee has approved the immediate distribution of financial grants to Member Associations (MA) to support management of soccer at domestic levels hugely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

An amount of US$10.8 million will be transferred to the 54 MAs on the African continent, as part of a relief plan to ease the financial burden on the African football community during these unprecedented times.

CAF President Ahmad Ahmad said due to Covid-19, African MAs have suspended all domestic competitions, which has brought huge financial burdens on their shoulders.

“CAF has thus decided to waive the eligibility requirements to access the annual grants, so all MAs can benefit during this difficult period,” Ahmad said.

CAF is also assessing the opportunity of additional financial support to MAs for the resumption and organisation of their domestic football competitions, Ahmad said.

CAF recently announced the

distribution of US$3.5 million to the participants of the interclub competitions for the 2019/20 season. The two club competitions, Total CAF Champions League and Total CAF Confederation Cup, were suspended after the quarter-final matches due to Covid-19.

Meanwhile, CAF is working with the relevant authorities, including the Wealth Health Organization (WHO) and FIFA, among others on the impact of the corona virus on the African continent, and will announce developments to soccer competitions at the appropriate time.

CAF President Ahmad Ahmad