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Est 2009 Issue 28 - 2020

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23 - 30 July 2020

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Inner City Gazette

Mayor calls for stronger action against GBV perpetrators ‘We need to condemn in the strongest crimes committed against women and children in general by men’

Joburg Mayor Geoff Makhubo

Johannesburg - Mayor Geoff Makhubo has called on the state to mete out harsher punishment for perpetrators of gender-based violence (GBV). Makhubo has also encouraged Joburg residents to fight the scourge of GBV. The mayor was speaking outside the home of 61-year-old Juliette Dakada, who was allegedly assault-

ed, raped and stabbed to death during an armed robbery at her house in Dobsonville Soweto, last Friday. He visited the bereaved family on Sunday, accompanied by Community Development MMC Margaret Arnolds and Health and Social Development MMC Eunice Mgcina. The suspects are alleged to have also raped her 21-year-old granddaughter, who was hospitalised.

“We need to stop the killing of women and children in our society. We need to condemn in the strongest terms the crime committed against this family, and crimes committed against women and children in general by men,” he said. Makhubo said the granddaughter who survived the ordeal will receive all the necessary therapeutic support from the municipality. He

added that government needs to act strongly against femicide. “We are saddened by what happened to the Dakada family, we wish them well.” Johannesburg Council Speaker Nonceba Molwele has called for more police visibility, and also an increase in the protection of women and children from the perpetrators of gender-based violence.

Inner-city Gazette

News

Legal

knowledge of workplace regulations becomes a vital aspect of continued business in SA By Dr Hendrik Botha and Dr Janet Viljoen

What better foundation for a career in business and management than a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree. Tried and tested, the BCom in Law offers a core skillset that puts you on track for managerial positions in organisations, or toward successfully owning your own business. Boston’s BCom degree is supported by a team of educators and expertly crafted learning material - both of which ensure a well-rounded introduction to any business setting and instil the confidence that every leader and business owner needs to demonstrate. The BCom is an excellent springboard into your management and business future, why not take your education a step further and register for the BCom degree with a specialisation in Law (BCom Law)? We all know about Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) regulations that all businesses must adhere to. You’ve heard of Labour Law and the regulations surrounding employment conditions both for the protection of the employee as well as the employer. Since March 2020 we have all been made very aware of the regulations pertaining to COVID-19 that all workplaces are required to adhere to, particularly for the return to the workplace, post-lockdown, as we grapple with the very real need to keep everyone safe from the contagious virus, and simultaneously ensure that the economy can function. Whether your business is based in a warehousing facility in the Western Cape, or in a high-rise building in Sandton, the formula is the same: there are strict workplace regulations to which each business must adhere. Who interprets these regulations, ensures that no contravention takes place, guides compliance on behalf of the organisation, and ultimately sees to it that employers are acting according to the law, and that employees adhere to COVID-19 regulations? Someone who understands the legal frameworks: the BCom graduate who has specialised in Law. Holding a BCom in Law does not

23 - 30 July 2020

Crooks exploit brands to target clients Organisations are concerned about web domain, brand exploitation or site spoofing attacks Tech Reporter

S make you a lawyer, but the programme does prepare you with a well-rounded knowledge of the South African legal system, various fields of law, the relationship between the fields of law, and the impact of legal principles and rules on commercial activity and broader society. Moreover, the qualification offers an integrated knowledge of the underlying principles, legal instruments, concepts, and procedures of South African Mercantile Law, as well as the ability to apply such knowledge in commercial contexts. The BCom Law includes modules such as: Intellectual Property Law, Environmental Law, Insolvency Law, Law of Property, Contract Law, Cyber Law, etc. If your goal is to enter the courtroom or to practice law full-time, the degree for you is an LLB, offered over a minimum of four years as an undergraduate qualification in South Africa. Graduating with a BCom specialising in Law does ensure that you could fill general management positions, important liaison positions with the external legal team, as well as more specialised roles such as: Contract Manager, ISO (International Standards Organisation) Compliance Officer, Risk Identification and Compliance Officer, or Physical Asset Manager and many more exciting vocations. This qualification is also recognised by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSCA) as

Generic under all Categories and SubCategories for occupational/professional purposes. The world of work has changed and candidates with multi-faceted skillsets are extremely valuable in the workplace. As a successful BCom Law graduate you offer both business and legal knowledge – a potent combination of talents. Your future dreams don’t end here: further study after completing a BCom Law is not only possible, but can take the form of postgraduate studies in many commercial fields (for example Management, Business Administration, Corporate Governance, Leadership, Risk Management, Finance, Investments, Taxation, etc.) or take the form of legal specialisation. Your interest in commerce, business and the law might be a relatively new one today as you choose your first degree: imagine having the choice to pursue the avenue that best suits you once you have experienced the subjects’ content. It’s really all about your individualised learning journey and ensuring that you are afforded the best education possible, as well as the widest range of options for future study, or entry into the workplace. Chat to a training advisor on 011 551 2000 or visit www.boston.co.za for more info.

outh African organisations are growing wary of cyber criminals exploiting their brands to target their customers, partners or the general public. According to the latest Mimecast State of Email Security Report, 84% of South African organisations are concerned about web domain, brand exploitation or site spoofing attacks by criminals. Cybersecurity expert at Mimecast Mikey Molfessis says cybercriminals are acutely aware of the ease with which they can register look alike domains, and launch sophisticated attacks impersonating trusted brands that are nearly indistinguishable from the real thing. “It has become common for malicious actors to use our favourite retailers or other loved brands and services, to trick people into handing over money or sensitive information. And it is becoming harder for these brands to continue to avoid responsibility,” Molfessis says. He adds that local concerns over cyber attacks outweigh global averages, with 43% of local organisations admitting that they are concerned about an attack that directly spoofs their email domain, compared to a global average of 37%.

Cybersecurity expert a Mikey Molfessis

The report also found that chief information officers (CIOs) and chief information security officers (CISOs) are most likely to control the budget for securing the organisation’s corporate brand from web or email spoofing or other forms of exploitation and impersonation. “There is an argument to be made for the chief marketing officer to take ownership of this budget, since they are typically responsible for their brand’s reputation, but our research revealed this is the case at only 10% of South African organisations,” says Molfessis. He adds that considering that nearly four in 10 South African organisations expect the volume of web or email spoofing attacks to increase in the next 12 months, it makes sense to have a dedicated senior resource looking after the organisation’s online brand integrity. “Worryingly, 16% of organisations we surveyed didn’t even know if a web or email spoofing attack had used their domains or look alike domains. This could have devastating effects on the organisation’s brand and reputation if this is left unchecked,” Molfessis adds.

23 - 30 July 2020

Inner-city Gazette

News

Youth ‘hustle’ an alternative to job creation Many young people who want to go into entrepreneurship are unsure about how to move forward with ideas Johannesburg - Today’s youth are starting businesses from a young age to combat the effects of a challenging economy. Client solutions head - small enterprises at Standard Bank Belinda Rathogwa says with high levels of youth unemployment, emphasis must be on entrepreneurship as an alternative avenue to job creation and economic growth. “A ‘side hustle’ could be turned into a main hustle; a viable business that becomes the main source of employment. This cannot be

achieved without dynamic support for young entrepreneurs. There is a great need for information on how to run a business, how to secure funding as well as how to meet gain access to tools and systems that make it easier to run a business,” Rathogwa says. Research shows that many young people who want to go into entrepreneurship are cautious and unsure about how to move forward with their ideas. “We know that many young entrepreneurs face challenges when

starting their own business, and these have been exacerbated by the Covid-19 environment,” she says. However, the crisis has initiated acceleration of technological adoption, and this favours young entrepreneurs who want to quickly get a product or service to market. Standard Bank launched the SimplyBlu e-commerce solution in 2019 to make it easier for entrepreneurs to do business online. This allows entrepreneurs to set up an online store and accept payments securely, for a nominal fee.

Through this solution, entrepreneurs are able to send invoices, accept online payments and integrate into appropriate social media channels in a secure way. SimplyBlu also helps entrepreneurs to keep track of sales activity, in real time, through a management dashboard. “This demonstrates efforts to help young entrepreneurs turn a side hustle into a main hustle, by providing them with tangible banking solutions to help them grow and sustain their businesses under the new normal,” Rathogwa says.

Client solutions head Belinda Rathogwa

WHO offers support to curb Covid-19 infections

Dr Richard Mihigo

Johannesburg - The World Health Organisation (WHO) has offered to provide technical support to help curb the spread of Covid-19 infections in the country. WHO program manager for immunization and vaccine development, Dr Richard Mihigo said the offer was made in light of the surge of infections in SA, which has the largest number of infections on the continent. On Saturday SA had the fifth highest number of cases worldwide, according to statistics on Worldometers. Mihigo said Joburg is of particular concern, given how densely populated it is. “We will be working through

our country office in SA to make sure that there is a decentralised approach to the outbreak and to make sure that in the provinces, the activities are well decentralised. We shall make sure that lifting some restrictions is done in a careful manner to avoid getting back to a situation where the country will be forced to re-impose such measures. “WHO has offered to deploy additional capacity to provide technical support to the SA health department in trying to provide people who can support the infection prevention control,” Mihigo said. He applauded SA’s testing capabili-

ty, as over two million tests have been done, which he said is lacking in most African countries. WHO Africa is also concerned with the countries surrounding SA which are recording more infections. “The number of cases is increasing quite rapidly in some countries after a slow pace in the beginning. The first group is countries like Lesotho, Eswatini and Namibia. We have seen a lot of imported cases in Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe. We are working with those countries to make sure they are on high alert, because there are many cases that are imported into them. In countries like Madagascar,

after a period of calm, now have an exponential number of cases leading to locking down the capital cities again,” Mihigo said. The organisation has contracted the services of the SA Centre for Epidemiological Modelling and Analysis, which provides projections for three weeks at a time, which partly guide WHO Africa’s strategy and advice to countries. Nigeria, Senegal, Ivory Coast, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia are also becoming Covid-19 hotspots. Comment on the issue from the Department of Health had not been obtained by the time of going to print.

Inner-city Gazette

News

23 - 30 July 2020

Professor Martin Veller takes a trial vaccine during the event A reclaimer rides one of the ‘trikes’ carrying recyclable materials

Pic: Daniel Born

Pic: Zoë Postman

Residents donate ‘trikes’ to reclaimers Wits clinicians participate in Covid-19 vaccine trial

Zoë Postman

bout 20 reclaimers in Johannesburg will soon be carting their recyclable materials around with the prototype “trikes”. The bikes with a trailer attachment were donated to the reclaimers who are members of African Reclaimers Organisation (ARO) by Sunninghill residents with help from businesses. Dave Braithwaite, an engineer from Euro Steel’ who designed the trike, said the width and height of the trailers were effectively smaller than the reclaimers’ trolleys because it had enclosed sides; to comply with City bylaws on the road. Reclaimers are currently able to load about 250kg on the tolleys. Braithwaite said the trike had the capacity to load more, but pulling the weight uphill may be a challenge. He said the trike was designed to avoid overloading. Sunninghill residents Sean Jory-

Burgess and Shaun Slabber from the Green Buffaloes organisation showcased the first prototype to reclaimers. It forms part of a project to formalise reclaimers in the neighbourhood. The reclaimers were also given uniforms with their names on it. Steven Leeuw, from ARO, said this initiative is crucial to bridge the gap between residents and reclaimers in Sunninghill. “There have been many instances where residents called the security company to remove reclaimers from the neighbourhood because they thought reclaimers were criminals or were responsible for leaving rubbish around their houses,” he said. He said Green Buffalo and ARO would still engage on how to improve the prototype according to reclaimers’ operational needs. Slabber admitted that he was one of the residents who had called security on reclaimers. “Unfortunate-

Scammers pose as municipal agents Johannesburg - The City has warned residents to be on the lookout for scammers posing as municipal agents. The municipality says the scammers threaten to cut off services unless consumers pay them. City of Joburg spokesperson Nthatisi Modingoane said there

are currently no municipal agents assigned to disconnect water or electricity supply. “Credit control has been suspended during the national lockdown, and the City will not be entering homes to suspend services, even if the account is in arrears,” Modingoane said.

ly, reclaimers are blanketed with criminal activity by residents in the neighbourhood because they are not informed about their work,” he said. Jory-Burgess said now that reclaimers had uniforms and the trike, they would be easily identifiable and residents would know that they are working in the area. Jory-Burgess added that they would manufacture about 20 trikes within the next few weeks to distribute to the reclaimers. Stanley Itshegetseng from the City of Johannesburg’s Environmental, Infrastructure and Services department said the City supports such initiatives because it recognises reclaimers’ role in the City’s waste management. “In Johannesburg we have three years before our landfills sites are full to capacity. The work these reclaimers are doing is assisting us to expand the lifespan of the landfills, so that we can open up alternative landfills spaces,” he said. If organisations and residents ensure that reclaimers have uniforms, a database for people who work in the area is created and residents start to know the reclaimers’ names, they will start to embrace them, Itshegetseng said. “The City of Joburg has identified reclaimer organisations and invited the leadership to be a part of the City’s projects. Collaboration between the City, communities, corporate companies and reclaimers is necessary,” said Itshegetseng. GroundUp

Johannesburg - Wits University clinicians in the Faculty of Health Sciences have participated in the current Covid-19 vaccine trial at the Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit (RMPRU) at Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital. Wits vaccinology Professor Shabir Madhi, leader of the vaccine trial, said the vaccines do not necessarily work similarly in different populations, and data applicable to the local context is needed. “Some past vaccines have been effective in high-income settings, but in low and middle-income settings were found less effective, and sometimes ineffective. We have to undertake the clinical evaluation during the start of the programme. Waiting for results from other studies would just lead to a lag, in terms of the timing when vaccines would be introduced to South Africa and other low and middle-income countries,” Madhi said. Wits Professor Martin Veller, Dr June Fabian and Professor Francois Venter were vaccinated after being screened and found eligible at the Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital. Dr Fabian, a nephrologist and research director at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre, said it was about supporting local scientists to enable them to do world-class science. HIV clinician Professor Venter, di-

visional director of Ezintsha at the institution, said he had enough confidence in the science to put himself on the line to help the country find a vaccine. Wits Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Professor of Surgery, Veller said Africa needs to be involved in vaccine development, so there is a moral obligation for the continent to be able to access the vaccine once it is available. “We need to get a trial done quickly, anyone who can enrol, and especially us in the healthcare fraternity who understand the risks, should do so.” Dr Aslam Dasoo, convener of the Progressive Health Forum said the vaccine trial is part of a multi-centre global effort to meet the greatest threat to humanity in living memory. “For those who have expressed anxiety at the trial being conducted here, my enrolment, together with other medical scientists, should provide comfort that the trial is safe. More importantly, it is a signal that South Africa is not only at the forefront of this scientific effort, but also makes it more likely that the people of our continent will benefit from a future vaccine,” Dasoo said. Volunteers who would like to participate in the trial can send an email to vidacov19@rmpru.co.za. They may also call 064 850 0744, Joburg inner-city; 072 055 1249, Soweto, and 074 800 7772, Tshwane.

23 - 30 July 2020

Inner-city Gazette

News

Online education support for learners

‘The platform allows parents to keep track of their children’s progress through personalised reports and notifications’ Johannesburg - Telkom has launched an online education solution for learners that can be used between school and home. The project has been unveiled through the Lightbulb Education platform, which focuses on the goals of the learner and creates a path through a personalised learning journey. Lightbulb Education CEO and founder Allan Mushabe, said technology is transforming learning,

and this partnership with Telkom ushers a new approach to digital education and training. “Currently learners, teachers, and parents are using a combination of platforms and material to continue learning at home and to catch-up on the curriculum. Lightbulb Education combines these learning experiences onto one platform. The platform focuses on mathematics and the sciences for Grade 10 to 12 learners with the addition of

Grades 7 - 9 on 1 August 2020.” Telkom executive for content Wanda Mkhize said: “The service is offered for free to Telkom customers and we have also zero-rated data for all Telkom customers, which means all customers can access it for free both on mobile and fixed line products.” Learners are able to cover specific topics by grade, test themselves, and participate in group tutoring sessions. The platform

Gunmen arrested in CBD Johannesburg - Police have arrested a 55-yearold man for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition after he threatened a security guard at a building in the CBD. Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said on Wednesday the man allegedly threatened a security guard with a gun at the Keten House building at corner Wanderers and Plein streets “The guard saw the man following him, and when he asked him what he wanted; the man pulled out a firearm and pointed it at him. He screamed for help and the community came to his rescue. Police were called from the street and they arrested the suspect. A firearm with live ammunition was recovered. Preliminary investigations revealed that the firearm was reported stolen at the Johannesburg Central police station on 12 March 2020,” Mbele said.

Mbele said police also arrested three suspects for possession of unlicensed firearms. “Two aged between 30 and 34 were arrested at the Wanderers taxi rank, and the third at the Park Station bus terminal. Police on routine crime-prevention duties searched passengers inside a taxi travelling to Harding in KwaZuluNatal, and found two passengers in possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition. Another passenger was also found with an unlicensed firearm on a bus bound for Cape Town. Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspects were once arrested for crimes ranging from attempted murder and possession of unlicensed firearms,” he said. Mbele added that the firearms would be sent for ballistic testing to determine whether they were used in committing violent crimes.

also allows parents to keep track of their children’s progress through personalised reports and notifications. Teachers can also use the platform to prepare lessons, create tests and assessments, and monitor class progress on learning material, Mkhize said. The company has also invested in Lightbulb Education through its FutureMakers investment fund, supporting innovative small technology businesses, Mkhize added.

Lightbulb Education CEO Allan Mushabe

Inner-city Gazette

23 - 30 July 2020

Inner-city Gazette

The Arts

Relief grants in honour of Madiba legacy Sne Mdiya

Part of a performance by the Zip Zap Circus

Pic: Joan Ward

Zip Zap on demand at arts festival

Roxy Mitchell

he Zip Zap Social Circus shows are on demand at vFringe National Arts Festival until 31 July for as little as R50. An imaginative 30-minute production, Once Upon a Circus reveals the possibility of social transformation and youth empowerment through the circus arts. A real member of the Zip Zap circus family, Trompie, represents the array of youth whose lives have been transformed through their discovery

of circus magic, giving them an opportunity to transcend their circumstances. Anticipate circus daredevils that jump, fly, and soar effortlessly through the air in gravity-defying aerials and spectacular acrobatics. Think of them as Picasso painting with bodies, as Newtown defying gravity, they are ordinary children doing extraordinary things. The beauty of these acts is reinforced by the simplicity of the apparel and the crystal voice of Robyn Botha. Journey Beyond - A Symphonic

Circus is an extraordinary artistic collaboration between Zip Zap and the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra, originally performed at the Artscape Opera House in 2018. Circus viewers can expect a mesmerising musical and visual journey that pushes boundaries, and also reaches a crescendo of classical entertainment. The beauty of these daring circus acts is performed in unison with the stirring symphonic performances from performers Dvorak to Shirley Bassey, Vivaldi to Les Misérables.

n honour of Nelson Mandela’s legacy Business and Arts South Africa (BASA) is making 67 artist relief grants for medical assistance available to creatives diagnosed with or hospitalised due to Covid-19. In April BASA announced extension of its Supporting Grant platform by launching a funding campaign aimed at support for South African creatives affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. BASA chairperson Charmaine Soobramoney said: “Covid-19 has forced the world to unite and fight against this invisible enemy. The BASA board of directors acknowledges the continued challenges artists are subjected to as a result of this pandemic.” BASA head of research and development Madeleine Selmer-Olsen said they have raised just over half a million rand, bestowed by a range of individuals, businesses and academic institutions. “This amount has been supplemented with funds redirected from other areas of operation to provide support to 122 artists, with grants to the total value of R1 174 467.50,” she said. BASA head of communications Savannah Feeke-Fortune said a prima-

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By Prophet Philip Banda

Chairperson Charmaine Soobramoney

ry objective is the economic empowerment of South African creatives. “It has been clear during this lockdown the degree to which everyone has relied on the creative sector to maintain a degree of normalcy. As such, we are proud to be providing further relief to the creatives whose livelihoods have experienced severe strain as a result of the pandemic,” Feeke-Fortune said. BASA support grants are made possible through support from the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture. Applicants can visit www.basa. co.za and click the ‘Grants’ tab and navigate to Artist Relief Grants. The grants are awarded on a first-come basis to the first 67 eligible applicants, after which applications close. For enquiries email artist.grants@ basa.co.za or call 066 314 3374 during office hours. For more information visit www. basa.co.za and support BASA’s Artists Relief campaign at https://gogetfunding.com/bizartza/.

For all your Panel Beating and Spray Painting Contact: Charles on

060 738 8851

SAFA completes return to matches processes ‘It was noted that the first week of August is appropriate for resuming NSL matches’ Sports Reporter The South African Football Association (SAFA) has worked on processes outlined in the ‘return to play’ protocol, which was agreed by government. In a statement SAFA said Minister of Sport Nathi Mthethwa advised that they should appoint a compliance officer to oversee the entire process of return to training and play protocols. SAFA appointed Dr Thulani Ngwenya and Mlungisi Ncame as the compliance officers to liaise with the National Soccer League (NSL) on the issue.

“It was further agreed that the two teams from SAFA and NSL, comprising of the chief executive officers and compliance officers, work together on processes for resumption of football,” the statement said. In a report on 13 July the NSL confirmed to have done work to ensure that clubs return to training in compliance with government directives, and in terms of SAFA JLC decisions. “At the meeting on 13 July it was noted that according to the Referees Sub-Committee of the Technical Committee, the first week of August 2020 is appropri-

ate for resuming NSL matches. The choice for Gauteng as the host of training and match venues, as well as hotels, was agreed to by the government and the NSL; while SAFA had no input to that process,” the SAFA statement said. It added that the 110 match officials will be subjected to medical and mandatory fitness testing. “Medical examination specifically entails testing for Covid-19; and those who test negative would be required to undergo a mandatory 14-day fitness test under the guidance of a FIFA approved fitness trainer.

SAFA compliance officer Dr Thulani Ngwenya

A FIFA fitness consultant participated in the discussion. FIFA has accepted that it is government responsibility to approve the return to play date, and we will update FIFA on the progress achieved,” SAFA said.