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.

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.

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