Inner City Gazette

Support for promising start-ups

Almost 170 tech businesses initially applied for AlphaCode’s Incubate programme. Only eight were selected to participate in the initial three-month programme that provided funding, guidance from performance coaches and a panel of advisory experts, access to AlphaCode’s co-working space and opportunities to apply for further early-stage investment.

Johannesburg - Tech start-ups which were founded during the pandemic went head to head at a recent virtual demo where they had just 10 minutes each to convince judges that they should remain part of the next phase of the AlphaCode Incubate programme.

Five of the eight start-ups which just completed a three-month programme were selected to receive R500 000 grant funding each, an additional six months of mentorship and expert execution support.

Head of operations at AlphaCode

Amina Patterson said what was remarkable was that there were seven female founders across the eight start-ups.

“Several of them have run successful businesses prior to these startups which we know makes for more successful entrepreneurs. Women are grossly underrepresented in the start-up ecosystem globally. Representation matters, and by having a diverse AlphaCode team and selection panel, we have an inclusive and diverse cohort. Female founders are eager to engage and contribute to the start-up sector and it helps

when they are given the platforms to be acknowledged and appreciated. Another point to highlight is that every year the businesses focus on getting to know their customers, solving their customer problems and getting traction, but this cohort blew the lights out. I believe the pandemic forced the founders to work extra hard getting to know their customers, and they had to be incredibly resourceful, resilient and creative on how they validated their products with customers,” Patterson said.

In addition, these start-ups will be able to apply for seed capital from AlphaCode’s fund that invests in early-stage start-ups.

Fintech Abela is a mobile payments platform that allows the underserved to make and receive payments. Tom David and Amery Winter are the co-founders. Legaltech BriefCo is a legal cost consultancy leveraging technology to digitise and automate preparation of bill of costs and oppositions, cofounded by Catherine-Jane Paulse, Yusha Davidson, Carlton Ngwenya and Dhanyal Davidson. Fintech

Sizanani is a stokvel management platform providing the first Whatsapp stokvel solution. Founders are Makabongwe Gambushe, Sinqobile Mashalaba and Thandolwethu Hlongwane.

Datatech Vocalysd transforms conversations into actionable insights by leveraging AI for call monitoring, analysis and reporting, founded by Kelly Hoffman. Healthtech Welo is an on-site healthcare services, home medicine delivery and pathology services for individuals and corporates, founded by Zanele Matome.

Head of AlphaCode and a Rand Merchant Investments (RMI) executive Dominique Collett said they are in the seventh year of this programme and it was clear this year how the standard has raised.

“We were so blown away by the talent of the entrepreneurs that RMI awarded additional budget for a fifth business to move forward to the next phase. Our initial intention was four. We will also offer mentorship to the three businesses that did not make it to the next round as they are so promising,” Collett said.

Almost 170 tech businesses initially applied for AlphaCode’s Incubate programme. Only eight were selected to participate in the initial three-month programme that provided funding, guidance from performance coaches and a panel of advisory experts, access to AlphaCode’s co-working space and opportunities to apply for further early-stage investment.

The judges included Collett and Abu Cassim from AlphaCode as well as Per Lagerstrom, CEO and co-founder of Mavens and YellowSpot, an entrepreneur and angel investor Raj Wanniappa, founder and MD of Agile Venture Holdings. All have previously invested in startups.

The programme has disbursed R36.7 million in funding to 50 tech-enabled start-ups over the past seven years; viewed as South Africa’s most prestigious fintech startup initiative.

AlphaCode Incubate awards entrepreneurial packages to most promising financial services start-ups through AlphaCode, supported by Rand Merchant Investments.

AlphaCode head of operations

Amina Patterson

Cyber crooks target SMEs

Tech Reporter

BoHe - secondary tecHnology driven solutions

Private institutions accommodate approximately 5% of the population with a growing number of private institutions offering an online education. Home schoolers have more than doubled over the last 20 months, making up some 300 000 students or 2.5% of the school learners since the start of COVID-19.

“As a pioneer in private higher education specialising in online and distance learning over the past 30 years, the Boston Group realises the challenges faced by parents who select to home school their children. Together with corporates that include Arena holdings and a banking institution, BOHE has reached out to sponsor learners.

Our mission is to create new opportunities for home education parents and learners.

• We give parents their own log-ins so they are always able to monitor progress and participation.

• We use gamification to motivate participation and progress.

• We identify knowledge gaps with the artificial intelligence platform we use, and work to close the gaps before further progress is made in the syllabi

• We are a registered Cambridge Associate, and can assist students in the ‘how’ of assessments, mak-

ing the examination journey way more successful.

• It is important for learners to be registered with an institution that is recognised by Cambridge so that the institution has access to the Cambridge Support Hub. This will ensure that the learners are being taught in terms of the specified guidelines and assessment objectives

• We work to provide an international aspect to schooling, making our students global players when it comes to work, further studies and networking.

BOHE creates an aspirational online learning experience by offering support to the Cambridge Assessment modules, i.e. International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) and Advanced Supplementary (AS) Levels, or group awards, i.e. International Certificate of Education (ICE) and Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE),” says Eli Katz, CEO Boston Online Home Education. “In partnering with Arena, we will make the homeschooling experience alive, successful, academic as well as sociable.”

Covid19 caused borders around the world to close, but at the same time opened them in terms of digital working and digital learning. Thus, the Arena group sees the value in selecting a knowledge base that is international, as our school leavers must be able to communicate, work and study on an international level. BOHE supports Cambridge Assessment. Renowned globally, the Cambridge qualifications are recognised by over 1 400 universities worldwide, including all UK universities, 600 US universities (including Ivy League universities) and other top student destinations including Canada, Australia, Singapore, South Africa, Germany and the Netherlands.

Cyber security researchers have indicated that disregard for IT security is being exploited by cybercriminals.

They say this often happens when small business owners face many responsibilities at the same time, and cyber security may appear complicated and unnecessary.

Security researcher at Kaspersky, Denis Parinov says with the shift to remote work and introduction of advanced technologies in the daily operations of even small companies, security measures need to evolve to support these sophisticated setups.

“Cybercriminals are already way ahead, so much that every organisation will experience a breach attempt at some point. For small companies it is not a matter of whether a cybersecurity incident will happen but when. Having trained staff and an educated IT-specialist is no longer a luxury, but a must-have part of business development,” he says.

Kaspersky researchers assessed the dynamics of attacks on small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) between January and April, and the same period in 2021, to identify threats that pose increasing danger to entrepreneurs.

In 2022 the number of Trojan password stealing ware (Trojan-PSW) detections in South Africa increased by 69% when compared to the same period in 2021; 20 922 detections in 2022 compared to 12 344 in 2021.

Trojan-PSW

malware steals passwords along with other account information, which then allows attackers to gain access to the corporate network and steal sensitive information. Another popular attack tool is Internet attacks, specifically web pages with redirects to exploits, sites containing exploits and other malicious programmes or botnet C&C centres. While in South Africa the number of these attacks decreased in the first four months of 2022 by 13%, (419 506 infections in 2022 compared to 483 846 in 2021), the amount of attacks remains high.

With the shift towards remote working, many companies have introduced the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP), technology that enables computers on the same corporate network to be linked and accessed remotely, even when the employees are at home.

While the number of attacks on RDP has decreased in South Africa, this is still a challenge globally. In the first trimester of 2021 there were about 47, 5 million attacks in the US, whereas for the same period in 2022 the number had risen to 51 million. Having a special security solution enables attack visualisation and provides IT administrators with a convenient tool for incident analysis. The faster they can analyse a leak, the better they can solve consequences.

Security researcher Denis Parinov

Region F to benefit from new facility

Johannesburg - One of the city’s oldest suburbs is set for a R240 million facelift, including a multipurpose centre and an urban farm, according to Mayor Mpho Phalatse.

The Johannesburg Development Agency (JDA), which is managing the project in Bertrams, has said the appointment value for Phase One will be R35 million.

Phalatse said Bertrams will soon boast a new facility offering all the city’s social development products and services to Region F.

“The skills centre has been serving the community for many years with sewing, cooking, baking and early childhood development, among other offerings. The new centre will include smart libraries, community halls and community spaces for both young and senior citizens. It will also include a bakery and the return of urban farming,” Phalatse said.

The project is to be conducted in two phases, with the first one taking place after the soil turning, focused on demolition and earthworks, expected to run until the end of October. Phase two is set to begin on in November, with the project expected to be complete by 30 June 2023.

Three children die from poisoning

Johannesburg - Last week three children died after eating poisoned meat in Ivory Park on the East Rand.

The meat was reportedly laced with rat poison by their grandmother intending to trap rats later that evening. The siblings ingested the poison when they returned from school on Tuesday.

Gauteng Education Department spokesperson Steve Mabona said the grandmother returned from church to find the children complaining of stomach cramps, and the children were later declared dead in hospital.

“The learners gained access to their grandparents’ house and consumed the poisoned meat. Upon arrival from church, the grandparent found the children watching television until she realised that the container she had left on top of the refrigerator was now in the sink,” he said.

Man held for raping woman

Johannesburg - On Tuesday police arrested a 22-year- old man for alleged rape at corner Rahima Moosa and End streets.

Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said the suspect allegedly raped a

20-year-old woman at the Kwaka building. “The woman had been enjoying herself with a friend, and when she went to her room the suspect assaulted and dragged her to his room, where he allegedly raped her,” Mbele said.

Johannesburg Central station commander Brig Perumal commended the police and said men must not take advantage of a situation because a woman is under the influence of liquor. “Real men protect women and children,” he said.

Mayor Mpho Phalatse during the launch of the project

Youths participate in innovation challenge

Johannesburg - Gauteng high school learners recently took part in a challenge to innovate transition to a netzero future in the global energy decarbonisation Just Energy Transition (JET) hackathon, hosted by Siemens Energy in Midrand.

Siemens Energy SA director Thabo Molekoa welcomed 28 students from seven high schools to the challenge. He said their contribution to development of green energy technologies is critical for the stability of the global economy.

“The energy transition is gaining speed with world economies rushing to create that foundation needed to shift energy systems. Such a shift requires innovation and revolution; our youths

must be made part of the process as early as possible. Such initiatives provide this next generation of energy professionals with opportunities to lead in the energy transition,” Molekoa said.

The hackathon involved Grade 11 and 12 learners from Parktown High School for Girls of Parkview, Leap Science and Maths schools of Diepsloot and Alexandra, St Barnabas School of Specialisation of Randburg, John Orr Technical High School of Milpark, Curro Academy Parkdene High School of Boksburg, Midstream College of Midrand and Woodhill College of Pretoria.

Contestants had the task to solve a data centre energy challenge puzzle. Each team had to find innovative ways to power up as many servers as possible in a virtual data centre, maintain-

ing adequate energy generation and employment levels. Their virtual data centres could be powered by a combination of renewables, hydrogen and gas energy.

Woodhill College won the challenge, followed by Parktown High School for Girls, with Leap Science and Maths School in third place.

Molekoa said Woodhill College impressed the judges with its phased approach away from coal, the clever mix of jobs and skill levels they built into their renewable energy plan, and the combination of technologies they used, including solar, wind, biomass and specifically biogas waste to produce silicone. Their plan also carefully considered the costs of their proposed technologies.

Prizes included Siemens Energy bursaries for the winning team and all participants received a certificate of participation.

Molekoa said such events inspire youths to use new technologies and collaborate on development of green technologies.

“The green economy could provide skilled jobs, social justice and poverty eradication. The renewable energy industry needs more youths with an interest in science and engineering,” he said.

He added that South Africa has enormous potential, as well as a great responsibility to become a global force for positive change in the global climate crisis.

“The transition requires that we use resources we have to meet the world’s energy demands. Without energy, people can’t live safe and healthy lives, and economies can’t move forward.

Without clean energy the planet won’t survive. These students will soon join in tackling the energy challenges of the future,” Molekoa explained.

The youths who participated in the challenge display their certificates

Bid to have children raised in non-violent environment

Johannesburg - During the recent Child Protection Week humanitarian aid organisation Save the Children said everyone in society has a role to play for children to be safe.

The organisation’s Child Protection Programme manager Divya Naidoo said children face violence every day.

“Our focus is around violence in the home and school, in the form of corporal punishment as that type of physical abuse is the most common and acceptable form of violence,” she said.

Naidoo added that they are training some organisations on how to teach positive parenting skills, so that children could be raised in non-violent ways.

“SA is a very violent country and it is because we start normalising violence from a very young age. So when children just touch something, you smack them on their fingers, so children start to believe this is acceptable and they grow up believing that violence is acceptable and it works,” Naidoo said.

She added that they also run programmes to help teachers manage situations without using violence.

“We see violence in schools. When a child hits another we call them a bully, but if an adult hits a child we call it discipline, but it is both violent actions and children have learnt it from adults,” Naidoo said.

Hijack suspect shot dead

Johannesburg - A suspected hijacker was shot dead during a high speed chase and shootout with police in the CBD on Monday.

Gauteng police spokesperson Lt-Col Mavela Masondo said one suspect was fatally wounded while two escaped following the shootout with police and security officers. He said a team consisting of SAPS Crime Intelligence, Gauteng Highway Patrol Unit, Gauteng Traffic Saturation Unit, Tracker Connect, BadBoyz Security and Vision Tactical followed information about suspects committing armed robberies and hijackings.

“The team spotted the suspects’ vehicle with three occupants in Mayfair. The suspects sped off and shot at members and a shootout ensued. Two suspects jumped out of the moving vehicle and fled on foot. The suspects’ vehicle crashed onto an electricity pole in the Joburg CBD. One suspect with gunshot wounds was found inside the vehicle and paramedics certified him dead,” Masondo said.

He added that the vehicle was fitted with false registration plates and was reportedly hijacked in Kempton Park in May. “An unlicensed firearm and ammunition were found inside the vehicle. None of the members of law enforcement or the public was injured. There is a search for the suspects who fled,” Masondo said.

Lengthy jail time for man found with four guns

Johannesburg - The Johannesburg magistrate’s court has sentenced a 28-year-old man to 55 years imprisonment for possession of four unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said

the man, Zakhele Mchunu, was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. “Police noticed a suspicious man carrying a bag at corner Plein and Smal streets. They searched him and recovered four firearms and ammunition, and he failed to

produce a license for them,” Mbele said. He added that conviction resulted from diligent work by Sgt Lehong of Johannesburg Central Trio Detectives. “We hope this warns others from carrying unlicensed firearms,” he said.

Save the Children’s Divya Naidoo

Arts centre renamed after renowned poet

His poetry addressed themes of black solidarity, displacement and anti-colonialism with an uncompromising directness

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) has announced that the UJ Arts Centre Theatre has been renamed after renowned poet Professor Keorapetse William Kgositsile.

Chosen by the UJ Transformation Committee after a robust consultative process, UJ honours South African Tswana poet, journalist and political activist, best known by his pen name Bra Willie (1938-2018).

Kgositsile lived in exile in the United States and later in Tanzania, and was one of the first poets to bridge the gap between African poetry and black poetry in the United States. He returned to South Africa in 1990 and wrote of his experiences in the new South Africa.

Kgositsile was named South Africa’s first National Poet Laureate in 1996. He went on to receive the National Order of Ikhamanga for his contribution to literature.

UJ vice-chancellor Professor

Tshilidzi Marwala said: “It is a fitting tribute to announce the Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre, in honour of Bra Willie’s memory and impact he had on the arts. Bra Willie was a loved and prominent figure who stands out as a representation of this intersection. His poetry addressed themes of black solidarity, displacement and anti-colonialism

Skills programme for film makers launched

The summit is also aimed at assisting film makers in the shift from creative to entrepreneur, benefitting not only themselves but the local film economy in general, by creating employment and business opportunities. The summit will provide funding pipelines, access to the market, mentorship and collaborative opportunities.

with an uncompromising directness. These are themes that still hold great weight today. Indeed, his art continues to transcend and hold lessons.”

The announcement was paired with the opening of a new South African musical, Hlakanyana, which was developed and coproduced by UJ Arts & Culture, in partnership with Madevu Entertainment.

After a long development journey since the advent of Covid-19, Hlakanyana is set to bring folklore, award-winning music, and magic to the Keorapetse William Kgositsile Theatre at the UJ Arts Centre.

Directed by theatre icon Janice Honeyman, and featuring some of South Africa’s most promising emerging artists, Hlakanyana casts a spotlight on a cunning, unethical creature, depicted in animal or human form, and who is the long-awaited son of the chief of a village, but instead of being a uniting force he leaves devastation in his wake.

For more info visit https://arts. uj.ac.za.

Johannesburg - The Gauteng Film Commission (GFC) has launched the inaugural Discover Summit.

The summit, launched recently at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, will be a three-day event, taking place from 18-20 October at the Sandton Convention Centre.

The Discover Summit is a revolutionary platform aimed at equipping current and next generation local filmmakers with the skills to thrive in an evolving industry landscape. The event will touch on current methods of film making, preparing and guiding local filmmakers on the industry’s evolution, together with steps to keep up with and set global standards.

The summit is also aimed at assisting film makers in the shift from creative to entrepreneur, benefitting not only themselves but the local film economy in general, by creating employment and business opportunities. The summit will pro-

vide funding pipelines, access to the market, mentorship and collaborative opportunities. For this the GFC partnered with the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation (SACR).

Gauteng SACR MEC Mbali Hlophe said development of the local industry creates a pathway to a global audience.

“The summit will be Gauteng’s ticket to the global stage, as not just a filming destination, but a hub of industry knowledge that will ensure survival and development of modern filming practices, allowing us to grow as the world grows,” she said.

GFC chairperson Busisiwe Mhaga said: “Evolving is the most vital aspect of the industry we love. Change is constant, necessary, and should be embraced as we look at developing a more sustainable industry, positioned for local filmmakers to be ready for the prosperous journey ahead.”

With an array of exhibitions, panels, masterclasses and workshops, the summit promises to empower creatives through five key tracks; digital, business funding, marketing, African pop culture, filmmaking and wellness.

GFC acting CEO Keitumetse Lebaka said: “We seek to fulfil our many goals and directives within the film making industry, and empower our talent in their visions as creatives and entrepreneurial masters of their respective crafts.”

Arts MEC Mbali Hlophe

Sneziwe Dube

Late Prof Keorapetse Kgositsile

SAFA committee announces candidates for elections

On Monday the South African Football Association (SAFA) governance committee announced candidates ahead of the SAFA elective congress, which is scheduled for 25 June this year.

The committee spent the past few weeks verifying the eligibility of nominees vying for positions and handed over their findings to SAFA CEO Advocate Tebogo Motlanthe. The committee comprises of Dr Mogajane as chairperson, Tumi Dlamini as deputy chairperson. Other members of the committee are Advocate Anzel Laubscher from the Western Cape, Abel Ramolotja from Limpopo and Shakespeare Hadebe from the corporate world.

Committee chairperson Dr Victor Mogajane said they were hand-

ing over finding of the eligibility of candidates for the position of SAFA president, the national executive committee and the provincial offices.

“We received 65 nominees, for the president’s position four nominees came through in terms of the preliminary representation. This was followed by the national list with 35 nominees and the provincial list with 26 nominees. We also looked at female representation, but unfortunately there are 52 males and 13 females,” Dr Mogajane said. Motlanthe announced the names of the candidates who met the eligibility requirements of the various positions.

“Eligible candidates for the presidency based on information received are Dr Danny Jordaan, Solly Mohlabeng and Ria Ledwaba,” he said.

Safa governance committee chairperson Dr Victor Mogajane and Safa CEO Tebogo Motlanthe during the event

Sports Reporter