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8 - 15 October 2020

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Partnership imparts job skills The grant will enable Afrika Tikkun to focus on recruiting jobseekers to be reskilled and positioned to access opportunities in the job economy; assess the jobseekers, identify and implement appropriate learning pathways

Afrika Tikkun Services CEO Onyinye Nwaneri

Johannesburg - Microsoft SA has provided over R2,5 million to the Afrika Tikkun NPO in a partnership linked to its Global Skills Initiative, to provide critical digital skills to 25 million people worldwide by the end of the year 2020. Since its launch three months ago the initiative has reached 10 million engaged learners in 231 countries and over 83 000 in South Africa. So far Software Developer, Customer Service Specialist, and Data Analyst are the most popular learning paths. The initiative aims to bring new digital skills to underserved populations and reskill workers impacted by Covid-19 and the economic crisis it precipitated. Afrika Tikkun Services CEO Onyinye Nwaneri says: “Hardest hit has been young people, particularly in poorer and more remote areas.” Africa Tikkun group CEO Marc Lubner says youth unemployment is too significant of a challenge for any organisation to tackle in isolation. “It requires collective effort from civil society, corporates and government, and this Global Skills Initiative provides the leverage to make a difference. Afrika Tikkun is already committed to integrating such stakeholders to optimize outcomes impacting youth employment,” Lubner says. Microsoft SA said they committed to work with NPOs like Afrika Tikkun to assist the

people who need it most, to reskill and pursue an in-demand job using resources from LinkedIn, Microsoft and GitHub. Afrika Tikkun helps young people from underserved South African communities through its cradle-to-career model, which includes skills development and work readiness programmes; while also helping meet nutrition, health and social needs. The grant will enable Afrika Tikkun to focus on recruiting jobseekers to be reskilled and positioned to access opportunities in the job economy; assess the jobseekers, identify and implement the most appropriate learning pathways based on their existing skillset and in-demand skills and jobs in South Africa, identified through data and analytics. It will also provide free access to curated learning pathways for in-demand roles within the economy across LinkedIn Learning, GitHub and Microsoft Learn; support as many job seekers as possible to achieve certifications by completing exams offered on the digital platforms; source work experience and job placement opportunities and provide employability tools and connections to jobs offered, including connections to workbased learning, coaching and mentoring; and also provide post-placement support through the organisation’s alumni network up to 31 March 2021. Afrika Tikkun aims to recruit 50 000 jobseekers into the Global Skills Initiative pro-

gramme; assess 14 500 to determine the best learning pathway for them and support them to access and complete at least one learning pathway, while enabling the remaining jobseekers to benefit from selecting their learning pathways on their own; enrol 1 000 for formal certification and help 500 get formally certified; assist 500 land a job, work experience or economic opportunity and help 50 become entrepreneurs. Microsoft South Africa legal and corporate affairs director Siya Madyibi says: “Partnering to bring resources that reimagine how people learn and apply new skills to prepare for the workplace, as well as create opportunities to equip unemployed South Africans with much-needed digital skills is a priority for Microsoft.” Microsoft also partners with corporate companies and customers who commit to make training labs with connectivity available to jobseekers, co-fund some Microsoft certifications and market the programme on their social media channels to raise awareness. Interested individuals can register for the programme on Afrika Tikkun’s website or learn more on the Microsoft microsite. Microsoft is offering certification exams at a discounted fee until the end of the year, and participants have until 31 March 2021 to complete it. All resources for the Global Skills Initiative are available at www.aka.ms/jobseeker.

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Inner-city Gazette

The

power of the pandemic – digitisation of our workspaces An interview with Nadine Botha, Registrar Academic of Boston City Campus

1. How has the pandemic changed the workplace in terms of fast tracking digitisation? Imagine shifting a physical office into cyberspace. That’s what we had to do virtually overnight. Hold meetings at a digital table, share documents digitally, communicate efficiently with email and WhatsApp, and ensure products were digitised. In the case of a tertiary institute, it means lectures online, and lecturers available online too. Whatever your business, you had to make sure to continue to service your customer needs seamlessly. We had to learn apps like Teams and Zoom. Let’s take an example of travel agents who were simply shut down, long term. Pivoting their business was not even an option; they had to develop new businesses from the bottom up. Many have gone into sales of either their own produced goods or they have sourced goods to sell. Either way, they had to immediately become digital sales people. They had to market themselves and their product (marketing) create an online presence (branding, web design, knowing your market and how to reach them) and find a way for safe payment and delivery. 2. What new digital skills are employees going to need in order to be able to add value in the digitised work environment? We no longer have the luxury of putting a digital skills course such as social media, web design or digital communications on our bucket list or to do list, we were thrown in the deep end and needed these skills immediately! Digital skills are essential skills for everyone, and also lifelong skills that need to be updated. All employees need to be computer literate, they need to be able to promote business, service and products. They need to function on LinkedIn, and all social media. They will need a com-

Nadine Botha bination of new skills such as social media, search engine optimisation, presentation skills and project management, together with ‘older’ skills such as marketing, brand management and reporting. Team leader and management skills have to be learned and adapted to remote working environments, and a way of ‘socialising’ digitally as this is an important aspect of productivity in the workplace. 3. What is the significance of upskilling employees rather than letting them go and how can businesses go about doing that? Do what is best for your business. That is increased revenue and increased productivity. How do you achieve that? • Decide how you can pivot your business, based on what you have available to you, and include em-

ployees in this discussion. They have been on this pandemic journey too and they will have excellent ideas of market place demands as consumers. • Decide what skills will be needed to put the new business plan in action. • Assign roles to people, • Upskill the personnel. The advantage of upskilling existing employees is that they know your business and your product, and they are already a team who know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. They will be able to work together, assign tasks, and work towards the overall success of the company rather than individual success. 4. What are some of the new jobs demanding digital skills? Social media, online sales, web design, project management, presentation skills, communication, supply chain management and logistics, graphics, IT security, networking, A+ and N+, CCNA (cisco certified network associate) , mobile app development 5. How can people future proof their job or career? We used to say that IT was a career of lifelong learning, and that if you didn’t want to always be learning, that you shouldn’t do that career. We have now realised that EVERY career is lifelong learning. To future proof your career you should always be doing a new skill and a new qualification. The fourth industrial revolution skills and traits that were already in demand before Covid-19, (as seen in the skills in the Bachelor of Social Science), are more in demand than ever. These include flexibility adaptability; critical thinking, creative problem solving and people management. See short courses including mobile app development on www.boston.co.za

8 - 15 October 2020

Cyber crooks target Facebook relief grants This can be used in a variety of malicious ways for instance, to trick a person’s friends and ask them for money, or even to steal someone’s identity Security expert Vladislav Tushkanov

Tech Reporter

arlier this year, as a means of assisting businesses that have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, Facebook announced a grant of $100 million for small businesses, according to the company’s official blog. However, a Kaspersky analysis shows that as the news was picked up by media outlets, malicious users started exploiting the bait. The trick was simple; scammers presented the news as if Facebook was handing out money to all of the social network’s users who had been affected by Covid-19. Samples indicate that potential victims viewed an article, seemingly from a prominent media outlet, claiming Facebook is giving grants to users hit by Covid-19, along with a link to apply for the grant. The potential victims, having clicked on the news link, were taken to another charity-related portal. Its URL does not contain facebook. com, so it clearly has nothing to do with Facebook. Nevertheless, to accept the appli-

cation, the site requires a lot more information, supposedly to verify the account, such as the victim’s address, social security number (for US citizens), and even a scan of both sides of an ID. When the form is submitted, the site displays a confirmation message that the application has been accepted. While of course this results in no grants being given away, the collected information allows the scammers to gain access of their victims’ Facebook accounts. This can be used in a variety of malicious ways for instance, to trick a person’s friends and ask them for money, or even to steal someone’s identity. Security expert at Kaspersky Vladislav Tushkanov says to stay safe from such phishing scams you need to look carefully at the URLs of the sites that you visit. “Never enter personal information on a site that seems suspicious. Also, pay attention to the grammar and layout on the Web page. Finally, be naturally wary of any forms that want personal information. These simple rules could save your personal data,” Tushkanov says.

8 - 15 October 2020

Inner-city Gazette

City rolls out Wi-Fi network Once a fully-fledged Smart City, Joburg will have an advanced, digital economy, manage the environment, utilities, transportation, health, planning, governance, public safety, urban disasters, finances, and people through technology Johannesburg - The City is deploying the next-generation of WiFi across various sites to pioneer a digital future for telecommunication within the municipality. Joburg’s Finance MMC Jolidee Matongo says: “The new normal has prompted the City to revisit the rollout of free Wi-Fi as a priority on an equal footing with other essential services such as the provision of water and electricity.” With a cash injection of over R40 million for the 2020/2021 fiscal year, Joburg is on its way to become a Smart City and Wi-Fi access is essential for this goal, says Matongo. “The City has demonstrated its commitment to assist residents who have limited access to the Internet. This is done to give residents free access to municipal services, economic opportunities and academic materials through online platforms,” he says. Through the City’s broadband network entity, the Metropolitan Trading Company (MTC), the Wi-Fi has been rolled out in Braamfontein and several parts of northern and southern Joburg. MTC network operations manager Neani Mulaudzi says the Wi-Fi will

Finance MMC Jolidee Matongo

also be installed at Rea Vaya stations and inside buses. “The first 84 Wi-Fi hotspots providing free access to the Internet are already operational and this is expected to grow over the years.” The Wi-Fi offers each device 500 megabytes of data a day, allowing users to surf and download at a

speed of five megabytes per second. Mulaudzi says the City wants to use its 1 000 kilometres of fibre optic wire to enable broadband connectivity and Wi-Fi access to all its citizens. “It is hoped this will improve municipal services and drive economic growth, particularly in light of the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown, which have fostered a new digital normal for socialising, conducting business, as well as working and studying,” Mulaudzi says. Once a fully-fledged Smart City, Joburg will have an advanced, digital economy, manage the environment, utilities, transportation, health, planning, governance, public safety, urban disasters, finances, and people through technology. The overall strategy is to enable innovation in the City while bridging the digital divide through improving access to technological connectivity. “We have set up the best fibre network that enables high-speed connectivity. Rich or poor, all must have access. To distribute it as much as possible has become essential because the need is there, that has been proven,” says Mulaudzi.

News

Cabinet approves industrial revolution blueprint Johannesburg - On what her department said were material developments in her portfolio on Tuesday, Communications Minister Stella NdabeniAbrahams said her department wanted South Africans not only to innovate, but also manufacture the technology they designed. She said Cabinet has approved the fourth industrial revolution blueprint that was presented to President Cyril Ramaphosa last month. “In last year’s announcements we said we had established a presidential fourth industrial revolution commission, which was appointed by President Ramaphosa. We re-

Minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams

ported to the country that they have started their work and the report has been gazetted,” she said. Ndabeni-Abrahams added that a project management office has been established to coordinate various arms of government to implement the new developments.

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Inner-city Gazette

Mayor warns forums not to delay projects

Commuters at a ReaVaya bust station

Group to launch cyber-security academy

The new academy is expected to include Fortinet’s Network Security Expert (NSE) certifications, helping participants build cyber-security awareness skills and ultimately tackle the global cyber-security workforce shortage Jenna Delport T-Systems and Fortinet have teamed up to launch a cyber-security academy to be accessible to South African youth. The new academy is expected to include Fortinet’s Network Security Expert (NSE) certifications, helping participants build cyber-security awareness skills and ultimately tackle the global cyber-security workforce shortage. ICT Academy manager at T-Systems South Africa, Marcus Karuppan says cyber-security has become a top C-level priority across the globe, with skills in high demand. “With the addition of this focus to our ICT Academy, we are empowering participants with new skills that will make them even more employable. T-Systems has been a Fortinet partner for many years. Building on our relationship, we are now collaborating with them

ICT Academy manager at T-Systems SA Marcus Karuppan

to focus on cyber-security skills development and awareness. We see the benefits in their programme first-hand as many of the students that graduate from the ICT Academy are employed at T-Systems South Africa, and we see the value

8 - 15 October 2020

in having our technicians hold these certifications. This means that the participants have excellent potential for employment with us and other ICT firms at the end of their learning period,” Karuppan says. The ICT Academy offers learners the opportunity to study toward an NQF4 qualification in their first year, which includes technical support, CompTIA and ICDL. The second year offers an NQF5 qualification to earn their national certification in Telecommunications Network Operations, Systems Support or Systems Development. Collaborating with the Fortinet’s Security Academy Programme, T-Systems hopes to enable participants to complete Fortinet’s NSE certification level 4 (NSE4) qualification. The new Cyber Security Academy, incorporating the Fortinet NSE Training Institute certifications, is launching this October.

Johannesburg - During a recent oversight tour of the Rea Vaya Phase 1C (a) route in Wynberg, Joburg Mayor Geoffrey Makhubo warned business forums not to interfere in service delivery projects. “The stopping of service delivery projects by business forums delays the completion of projects and the provision of much-needed service to the people. Business forums should follow proper channels to raise their grievances regarding any city-led projects,” he said. The Mayor was accompanied by Transport MMC Nonhlanhla Makhuba and Development Planning MMC Lawrence Khoza. The Rea Vaya Phase 1C (a) new route will connect Phase 1A and 1B from the Joburg CBD to Alexandra and Sandton; under construction and to be completed in 2021. “The introduction of Phase 1C (a) will bring safe, affordable and reliable transport to the residents of Berea, Yeoville, Orange Grove, Cheldondale, Norwood, Balfour

Park, Bramley, Wynberg, Alexandra, Marlboro, Athol, Sandton, Sandown, Longmeadow and Greenstone,” said Makhubo. The Watt Interchange is expected to form a key link connecting the bus rapid transport (BRT) systems from other metropolitan areas. The project will also have new BRT lanes and an underground station with associated structures. “Transport is one of the backbones of the city’s economy, and plays a significant role in connecting residents safely and affordably to education, business and work opportunities. The Watt Interchange forms part of the Rea Vaya BRT system’s greater public transport connectivity in Wynberg and Alexandra for easy access to minibus taxis, Rea Vaya and Metrobus,” he said. Once completed, the Watt Interchange will consist of underground basement loading and off-loading bays; a commuter information area; a designated trunk route; and a universally accessible facility.

Man found guilty of murdering his son The court found that the father assaulted the children at their flat in Hillbrow for some time, and the mother failed to report the abuse

Johannesburg - The High Court in Johannesburg has found a Hillbrow father guilty of murdering his son and the mother as an accessory to the crime. The couple’s names have been withheld to protect the identity of their surviving child, who was abused. The court found that the father assaulted the children at their flat in Hillbrow for some time, and the mother failed to report the abuse. He attacked them in 2018 in the absence of their mother, but the court found her to be complicit. Judge Ratha Mokgoatleng found

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that over two months the children, aged five and eight, suffered abuse at the hands of their father. The surviving daughter testified that they were beaten with a stick and fists. Judge Mokgoatleng said though the mother was not part of the abuse, she failed to protect her children. He therefore found the father guilty of murder and the mother of being an accessory. The father was also found guilty of attempted murder of the girl as well as child abuse. The matter was postponed to 29 October for sentencing.

Motorist shot dead Braamfontein - On Tuesday morning a motorist was shot and killed in his vehicle in Braamfontein, according to police, who are investigating a murder. Police spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said officers responded to the scene at corner Rissik and Smit streets around 10am. “On arrival they found the body of an unknown man inside a white Toyota Corolla vehicle, which had multiple bullet holes. According to a witness the deceased was shot by four unknown males in a white Ford Ranger,” Peters said.

8 - 15 October 2020

Inner-city Gazette

News

Partnership pilots modular Covid-19 screening Johannesburg -The International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, has announced a partnership with South African-listed Imperial to develop a modular screening and treatment healthcare infrastructure programme in sub-Saharan Africa to respond to the Covid-19 pandemic. Imperial, an integrated market access and logistics provider including healthcare infrastructure, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies, is developing a pilot project in South Africa to manufacture and deploy modular healthcare units that will provide screening, treatment and other healthcare services to Covid-19 patients. The programme’s aim is to expand services in densely populated, lowincome urban areas where access to

healthcare is limited, according to Imperial. Imperial will further partner with IFC to develop additional pilots in other countries in the region, including Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana, identifying country-specific needs and approaches that can be scaled up with the assistance of private healthcare service operators and government partnerships. Imperial Group CEO Mohammed Akoojee says: “There is an urgent need to increase diagnostic and treatment capacity, improve healthcare infrastructure, and provide medical supplies to underserved communities throughout sub-Saharan Africa. This partnership will create a much-needed model for doing so rapidly and effectively, and for supporting communities at a time of great need.”

Entrepreneurs graduate from incubation programme

Tshwane - A group of 19 South African entrepreneurs recently graduated from The Innovation Hub’s (TIH) flagship Business Incubation Programmes - Maxum Smart, Climate Innovation Centre South Africa, BioPark@Gauteng and eKasiLabs; which was carried out online. The Innovation Hub’s business incubation programmes assist innovative start-ups in the smart industries, green economy and bio economy to grow into sustainable enterprises in their respective fields.

The project is part of IFC’s Upstream business, a new growth strategy to address complex development challenges by supporting market innovations, early stage project development efforts, and regulatory interventions that will unlock opportunities for private investment. The first pilot of the program, which launched in South Africa in September 2020, includes five modular screening and treatment centres for Covid-19 patients. These modular testing units can be deployed in less than a day and have the potential to boost healthcare options and help reduce infection risk among people and their communities. Additionally, the modular treatment facilities created under the programme will contribute to priIn his welcoming address to the attendees TIH acting-CEO Tsietsi Maleho said: “An idea, no matter how important, can’t reach its full potential if left alone. We guide our entrepreneurs and help them turn their potential into action so that they can build a better tomorrow.” Maleho added that TIH provides services that include business mentorship, seed funding opportunities, market access, commercialisation support and other value-added services to assist entrepreneurs who

Deadly lightning strikes Mellville - A woman was struck by lightning and died on Monday afternoon in Melville, according to Joburg Emergency Management Services (EMS). EMS spokesperson Nana Radebe said the woman, aged about 30, was struck by lightning at corner Second Avenue and Main Road in Melville, and was declared dead at the scene. That same afternoon a man, also aged about 30, was struck and also killed by lightning in Elandsfontein, near Alberton. ER24 spokesperson Russel Meiring said paramedics found the man lifeless in a field. “They assessed and found that he had no signs of life and was declared dead,” he said. EMS remained on high alert on Tuesday

with more stormy weather expected. The EMS’s Robert Mulaudzi said they were monitoring the situation in low-lying areas and informal settlements, and personnel had been deployed in areas that included Zandspruit, Sijwetla in Alexandra and Diepsloot, where flooding is often experienced. He advised motorists to avoid flooded roads. “If the road is flooded drive back and find an alternative route,” he said. On Wednesday the SA Weather Service said temperatures were expected to be warmer from Thursday. Spokesperson Forester Fourie said: “We are not expecting any thunderstorms today or tomorrow. The northern parts will remain cloudy but there won’t be significant rain like we have seen this week.”

mary healthcare infrastructure options beyond the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly for underserved communities. IFC’s country manager for South Africa, Adamou Labara says: “Our Upstream work is designed to look for innovative ways to bring private sector financing to where it’s needed most, and we’re excited to be able to partner with Imperial on new avenues for fighting Covid-19 by expanding screening and treatment opportunities, and increasing access to healthcare.” Imperial’s work in the healthcare sector includes market access and logistics services in over 20 African countries, including South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria and Malawi, and specialises in the use of modular medical infrastructure to deliver primary healthcare. represent SA’s future leaders. “Previous business incubation graduates have created numerous jobs for fellow South Africans and have become active participants in the economy. This is made possible thanks to the partnerships with the private and public sectors. The industry, government, civil society, and academic and research institutions have been invaluable to TIH and our entrepreneurs,” Maleho said. TIH alumnus and CEO of Altis Bi-

Imperial Group CEO Mohammed Akoojee

ologics Dr Nic Duneas said: “In the beginning, we established a small laboratory with the help of TIH. We started our first small production line and continue clinical studies into our products to get to market. Altis was incubated for over eight years. Small start-ups commercialising their products in economies is vital. TIH provides the guidance and tools to aspiring entrepreneurs. It is a home where a young start-up company can establish itself in the comfort of a very well-serviced space.”

Inner-city Gazette

8 - 15 October 2020

Inner-city Gazette

The Arts

Theatre to present opera celebration

Singer and Songwriter

The one-hour Cantiamo - Mzansi Opera Celebration will feature music from Bellini’s I Puritani, Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Verdi’s La Traviata, together with a selection of local compositions showcasing South Africa’s contribution to the global opera repertoire. Ntombi Mashaba

oburg Theatre will welcome back arts lovers to the Mandela Theatre on 22 and 23 October for a special evening of world-class opera with Cantiamo - Mzansi Opera Celebration. Directed by Marcus Desando the production will feature internationally renowned voices of Kimmy Skota, Kelebogile Besong, Thesele Kemane and Phenye Modiane, with Paul Ferreira on piano. With Covid-19 protocols in place, patrons will enjoy two live performances of Cantiamo - Mzansi Opera Celebration, while opera lovers worldwide can stream the production on 24 and 25 October. All performances are at 19:30. Already established in the opera, oratorio and concert arenas worldwide, the four South African singers will be joined by the Vivacious Sounds Choir. The Vivacious Sounds programme identifies students with exceptional musical talent throughout schools in Gauteng and trains pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds in all music disciplines. The choir consists of 20 singers from Katlehong, Johannesburg

Singer Kimmy Skota

South and Soweto, aged 16 to 35. The one-hour Cantiamo - Mzansi Opera Celebration will feature music from Bellini’s I Puritani, Mozart’s Don Giovanni and Verdi’s La Traviata, together with a selection

Patience Sekhobo, known professionally as D’mizaar is a South African singer and songwriter.

of local compositions showcasing South Africa’s contribution to the global opera repertoire. These will include extracts from Phelelani Mnomiya’s Ziyankomo and the Forbidden Fruit and Mzilikazi Khumalo’s Princess Magogo. Artistic producer and director Marcus Desando said: “We will have an opportunity to celebrate one of South Africa’s most valuable national treasures, our operatic voices. The idea of Cantiamo was born out of Joburg Theatre’s commitment to present a diversity of art forms and, as our opera talent is sought-after worldwide, I jumped at the opportunity to put together this celebration. In addition we are featuring some beautiful work by local composers including Mzilikazi Khumalo and choral music legend Phelelani Mnomiya, who sadly passed away in August.” Joburg City Theatres CEO Xoliswa Nduneni Ngema said: “We thought it would be timely this spring to celebrate opera, one of the most popular musical genres in the world. We are looking forward to welcoming our audiences back to the theatre.” For more information visit the website www.joburgtheatre.com.

She was born in Sterkspruit in Eastern cape province. Grew up in a place called Phaphazela Malamulele in Limpopo Province, after her grade 7 graduation she moved to Elandsfontein in Germiston. She attended her high school grades from 8 to 12 at Sizwe High School. She is devoted towards getting the body that she has always dreamt of. You might want to know about her journey towards getting her life in order. God keeps her going and believing y=the purpose of being the light to the dark placed people who need her. D’mizaar is a philanthropist who have other people. She is a free spirited soul that gives courage through his music as well and also a perfomer/ entertainer. Her music heals, entertain and gives courage. D’mizaar has performed across the country entertaining the crowd with her moves and songs. For more information contact D’mizaar 011 634 0743. bookings@dmizaarmusic.co.za www.dmizaarmusic.co.za facebook D’MIZAAR Instagram D’MIZAAR

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PSL announces coming football season’s dates

The PSL matches will be preceded by the MTN8 quarterfinals, those matches set for the weekend of October 17-18. Sports Reporter

he Premier Soccer League (PSL) has confirmed that the 2020-21 DSTV Premiership season will start on 24 October. PSL chairperson Dr Irvin Khoza said it gives most clubs more time to prepare for the new season. He added that the prize-money for the new season will remain the

same, meaning the winners will receive R15 million and the trophy. The PSL games will be preceded by the MTN8 quarterfinals, set for the weekend of October 17-18. That will see Mamelodi Sundowns play Bloemfontein Celtic; Orlando Pirates meet Cape Town City; Kaizer Chiefs face Maritzburg United, and Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila against SuperSport United.

Dr Khoza says the PSL hopes that government will relax regulations in the coming months; but for the foreseeable future, matches will remain behind closed doors. He added that there would be no Telkom Knockout competition in the coming season after the telecoms giant pulled out. “But we remain convinced that a new sponsor will be found for the

2021-22 campaign. It is one less competition for this season, but this season only. It could as well be a blessing in disguise as it helps us with the fixture list. We have to finish the season in early June at the latest, and it will be a tight squeeze this season because of the late start. The fixtures are almost ready, we are now just putting the finishing touches to them,” Dr Khoza said.

PSL chairperson Dr Irvin Khoza