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Inner-City Gazette

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30 July - 6 August 2020

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Inner City Gazette

Cloud support for SMEs

Cloud computing enables the smallest of businesses to access the reliable power and expand their business across Africa and the world Manda Banda

Amazon Web Services SA director Prabashni Naidoo

mazon Web Services (AWS) supports entrepreneurs and start-ups by providing offerings to innovate, scale up or down as much as they need to, and paying only for what is consumed. AWS offerings do not require any upfront investment, every start-up and SME can get started quickly on their cloud journey. Any business with an internet connection can gain access to the same technology infrastructure that was previously only available to the world’s largest enterprises. If ideas don’t work out, they can shut them down without any wasted investments. Amazon Web Services SA director Prabashni Naidoo said AWS provides services to help any business accelerate innovate, build new products and services, and launch applications as well as scale at any stage of their business. “At the core of their business, nowadays start-ups need to have a cloud strategy in place. In today’s competitive business landscape, migrating business systems to the cloud offers advantages such as agility, cost savings and elasticity,” Naidoo said. Leveraging the right solutions and services enables the small players to compete with the big players as cloud computing has evened the playing field. Larger enterprises which typically have the budget for sophisticated technologies

to streamline their business processes had more technological advantage. Cloud computing enables the smallest of businesses to access the reliable power and expand their business across Africa and the world. Naidoo added: “To help grow the next generation of entrepreneurs across the African continent AWS introduced the AWS Activate Programme, providing technology resources to help start-ups in Johannesburg, Accra, Cape Town, Lagos and Nairobi. In addition it offers start-ups access to cloud computing infrastructure, and helps them leverage AWS services to innovate and succeed while optimising performance and keeping costs down. Working with the venture capital community, angel investors, accelerators and incubators, AWS helps startups get started on the cloud platform. This includes business support, AWS credits, coaching and mentorship, in-person technical support and resources to help start-ups launch their businesses and go global.” One such accelerator is SW7 which aims to support the early growth of about 4 000 to 5 000 businesses in the next five years; the longest running tech accelerator platform in South Africa. SW7 helps tech startups by providing business growth support, without requiring equity in exchange. With the largest tech mentor pool in Africa, of more than 100 CEOs, the accelerator has benefitted over 300 tech businesses to date. Together with AWS, the company

launched the first of its kind Virtual Business Accelerator for B2B tech businesses in Africa. An example of a start-up which has leveraged AWS to ensure the success of its unique business model is Pineapple, an insurance provider operating by means of a mobile app platform that provides users with a unique insurance offering. Using the Pineapple app, users upload pictures of items for cover, instantly getting a quotation and in little time, their items are insured. Pineapple uses AWS services such as Amazon EC2 for secure, resizable compute capacity. AWS has allowed Pineapple to manage high load requests. Additionally, solutions like AWS Lambda let them run code without provisioning or managing servers. Pineapple pays only for the compute time they consume; there is no charge when their code is not running. Another showcase of start-ups leveraging the AWS Cloud is iHouzit, an online property and lifestyle services that provides consumers with an integrated shopping experience from a wide variety of premium products and trusted services. iHouzit built its e-commerce platform on Amazon Route 53. Naidoo said that leveraging cloud technology is one way of cementing a successful digital future for start-ups and AWS is providing them with support at every stage of their business in order to increase their chances of success. Intelligentcio

Inner-city Gazette

News

A Broad Based BCom

gives you the edge in business

“Opportunities don’t happen. You create them,” says Chris Grosser. I believe this quote to be 100% authentic as it truly illustrates my personal journey with Boston. So, says Oriellah Davis, BCom of graduate of Boston City Campus. “After school there are so many opportunities staring students straight in the face, however, there always is that daunting question about “What it is you really want to do after school?” How many of us really have the answer to that question? I’m guessing not many. It is because of that daunting question that I found myself enrolling at Boston to begin my tertiary schooling career, and although having no clue as to what it was I wanted I was able to find it through my educational journey at Boston.” Oriellah continues that no matter where you stand on the academic scale, “I found that by doing my BCom degree in Management Marketing that it was an outstanding way for me to secure my future endeavours, whatever they were to be. I think when it comes to getting a job, it’s all about your interpretation of how you can make all those years of theoretical studying into something practical. I really felt that Boston gave me that chance. They very much encouraged me to work hard and follow my passion. As I began to study more and more, I realised that there was so much room to implement the theories and concepts I had learnt in my textbooks into real life situations.” Oriellah continues saying that she is so grateful to Boston as “I had the opportunity to work for 3.5 years and study my BCom simultaneously. In October 2019 I was offered my first Marketing Internship

Oriellah Davis at a Digital Marketing Agency called CBR Marketing. It’s truly been an unbelievably fulfilling experience for me and I hope that all those other hard-working graduates get to experience the same feelings that I was able to experience.” Nonhlanhla Dube, counsellor at Boston, says that “B.Com. Graduates are preferred in the H.R. Department in all areas of Corporate Sector, Tourism, Hospitals and Hotel Industry —because they have the fundamental knowledge of finance, marketing, operations and systems, budgeting and business planning.” Commerce graduates having studied marketing and marketing management can also look at positions in management, consultation, product management, market research, and public relations — in

the Promotional and Advertising Sectors. Banking is an option for graduates of the BCom Management Marketing and the Bachelor of Accounting. Bankers are now involved in customer services, investments, advice and more. Do you enjoy dealing with numbers daily? Can you take pressure? Consider stock broking. There are a whole lot of people involved in the field including the dealing room, the operations, compliance, research, and sales. The Insurance Sector is an area with almost unlimited potential. The Insurance Industry is emerging as one of the largest employers in the country today. Commerce graduates will also find profitable openings in this field as agents or in other capacities. Start generating ideas and let your mind be open to all possibilities. Entrepreneurship is about initiative, imagination, flexibility, creativity and the capacity to see change as an opportunity. Commerce graduates are well suited to entrepreneurial opportunities as they will need the ability to plan and act with a financial background. Nonhlanhla concludes that commerce graduates gain good employment prospects. “The choice is yours, look at all the opportunities, ask questions and seek advice. There is almost no area of business today where your analytical, accounting, marketing, and H.R. skills cannot be used. No other degree has the advantage you have in the job market. You will learn a variety of subjects and develop skills best suited for today’s globalised business requirements”. Call 011 551 2000 www.boston.co.za

30 July - 6 August 2020

Some tips on safeguarding online identity Devon Delfino

reating and maintaining secure passwords is a modern necessity to keep your information safe. The core characteristics of a strong password is length and an unpredictable mix of upper and lower case letters, numbers, and symbols, with no ties to obvious personal information. It shouldn’t include something easy to guess, like names of children, birthdays or house numbers. Never use commonly used passwords, or variations. Avoid the likes of “password” and “PaSSw0rd,” or “123456” and “123456-Devon,” for instance. Don’t reuse passwords; using different passwords for different accounts is always a good idea. That way, if one account is compromised, the breach is contained. Don’t write your password down; while it may seem a good idea to have a physical copy of your usernames and passwords for quick reference, this can open you up to security issues in the real world. Use a password manager; a solid tool that can help keep you organised. These store your passwords in a secure account, and provide a simple solution for easily storing, managing and filling in your passwords. Some examples of password managers include NordPass and LastPass. There are many web-based tools that can help rate your password strength, but it’s important to choose one that you trust with your credentials. An industry-trusted password checker is the one from NordPass, a password management tool by the VPN service provider NordVPN. To understand how NordPass rates password strength, it’s important to learn the main methods hackers use to steal passwords. These include brute

Devon Delfino

force attack; when someone tries to simply guess your username and password using trial and error. This allows a hacker to try many combinations of your login information. Dictionary attack is a systematic way of guessing passwords, and typically employs commonly used passwords (like variations of “p@ssworD.”) Phishing techniques are when someone tries to get you to reveal your personal information, like your social security number or passwords, via email or text message. The key here is that phishing scams can look like they’re coming from a company you trust or know. Credential stuffing; when a company’s security is compromised, users are left potentially open to credential stuffing. That’s when people purchase your compromised information off the dark web, and then use the login to try to access other accounts on popular websites. So if you reuse your passwords for multiple accounts, you can leave yourself open to this method of digital theft. To use NordPass’s online strength checker tool go to the Nordpass secure password page and click “No, use online strength checker.” Input your password in the text bar. Nordpass will rate it for you, and provide information about your password composition, an estimate of how long it would take someone to crack your password, and also if your password had been previously exposed in a data breach. Business Insider

30 July - 6 August 2020

Inner-city Gazette

News

Rights commission to monitor provision of materials and nutrition during schools break “Every effort should be made to ensure that the disadvantaged have access, and therefore we welcome that some schools have made learning materials to be delivered to them during this period, so that schooling doesn’t stop” Commissioner Chris Nissen

Sanitising the hands and following other safety measures are vital against Covid-19 infection

Mayor calls on teamwork to curb Covid-19 Johannesburg - Mayor Geoffrey Makhubo has called on residents to shake off the stigma around the Covid-19 pandemic. The mayor acknowledged that the city is now the country’s epicentre for the corona virus pandemic, but committed the City resources and expertise to curb the spread. “I urge you to look after each other. Our colleagues who have tested positive for Covid-19 are still our friends and workmates. We should not shun them or treat them like lepers.” According to the mayor, the City has

already lost six officials to Covid-19, and he feels that the destigmatising beliefs around the virus will help people tackle the virus, as the country did with HIV/Aids. “A colleague in my office recently tested positive for Covid-19. We all rallied around them and gave our support at this crucial time, and they have returned to work stronger and more resolute to ensure that our residents get services delivered on time,” he said. Makhubo added that only a committed, united effort between the City,

the public, business and all other role players can win the war against Covid-19. “We will win the war against the corona virus. We might lose battles along the way, but we need to face the enemy together and present a united front,” he said. The mayor emphasised that pharmaceutical companies are working to produce a vaccine, with a breakthrough expected around 2021. Meanwhile, the he advised all to practise good hygiene, observe social distancing and sanitise often.

Johannesburg - The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) says it’s keeping a close eye on the rolling out of school nutrition programmes and distribution of learning materials as pupils are on a four-week break. Owing to the Covid-19 pandemic all public schools are closed for a month from Monday, with matriculants taking a week off; while Grade 7 learners will return after two weeks. The Basic Education department said this is in response to the spread of Covid-19. However, the SAHRC said the decision is regrettable and un-

justifiable, citing the closure of schools as a channel that will further deepen disparities within the education system. Commissioner Chirs Nissen said they will ensure the delivery of food to all nine million learners who qualify is implemented; and that pupils receive necessary learning materials at home. “Every effort should be made to ensure that the disadvantaged have access, and therefore we welcome that some schools have made learning materials to be delivered to them during this period, so that schooling doesn’t stop, whether it is in the school or outside the school,” Nissen said.

Inner-city Gazette

News

Dagga included in Covid-19 vaccine trials Government in partnership with universities and traditional healers, is evaluating whether six herbs used in African traditional medicines could be effective in fighting the disease, which has killed over 6 000 people in the country and more than 623 000 worldwide. Johannesburg - Dagga and African wormwood (Artemisia afra, umhlonyane, lengana) are among the six herbs government is trialling against Covid-19. Some of the medicines were already being evaluated against HIV, and about R15 million has been diverted from indigenous knowledge projects to fund the research. Officials will not disclose the other medicines for fear that people will overharvest them in the wild, use them unsafely at home, or “steal” the knowledge. Dagga is one of the herbs that South Africa is trialling against Covid-19. There are currently no medicines or vaccines against the deadly disease, which is caused by the novel corona virus. The SA government, in partnership with universities and traditional healers, is evaluating whether six herbs used in African traditional medicines could be effective in fighting the disease, which has killed over 7 000 people in the country and more than 623 000 worldwide. African traditional medicines are a fundamental part of South Africa’s healthcare system, with many people using both medicines from traditional healers and drugs prescribed

Dr Hlupheka Chabalala

by medical doctors. One study estimates that about three-quarters of the country’s black population uses African traditional medicines.

Women held for unlicensed gun Johannesburg - Police recently arrested two women for possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition at a building at corner Helen Joseph and Nugget streets in the CBD. Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said on 21 July police received a tip-off from a community member about two females in possession of a firearm. “Police

rushed to the place and recovered a firearm with live rounds, and arrested two women aged 24 and 29,” he said. Mbele added that preliminary investigation revealed that a man was robbed of his firearm on 16 July in the same building. “He failed to report it stolen and will be charged with firearm negligence,” Mbele said.

Dr Hlupheka Chabalala, who heads the indigenous knowledge-based technology innovation in the Department of Science and Innovation, says: “The African Medicines Covid-19 Research Team began by evaluating 20 different herbs, but has whittled that down to six.” These include cannabis and African wormwood, also known as Artemisia afra, the chief ingredient of the unproven Malagasy Covid-19 “cure”. In May Science Minister Blade Nzimande said SA would assist Madagascar’s government in evaluating the tonic. Earlier this month, Nzimande said the country would divert R15 million from its existing indigenous knowledge systems programmes to fund traditional medicine evaluation for Covid-19. The research team is also looking at South Africa’s existing projects that evaluate antivirals, such as those being tested against HIV, and immune modulators, which boost the immune system. Chabalala would however not disclose the other herbs under scrutiny. “The minute we say we’re working on it, everyone will hit the forest to unsustainably harvest them; and prepare them in the incorrect way. People will start researching them without benefit sharing and thinking of the wisdom keepers. Also, if we put them into the public domain, there won’t be anything novel and it will be difficult to patent them,” he says. He cautions people against using dagga and African wormwood to treat Covid-19 at home. “People are talking about cannabis as a panacea, but it is not like you use it alone, Artemisia too. No healer has said that these plants in isolation treat Covid-19,” he says.

30 July - 6 August 2020

Facebook in drive against fake news The campaign, called ‘Three Questions to Help Stamp out False News’, aims to inform users about how to detect potential false news, created in consultation with third-party factchecking partners. Facebook’s public policy manager Aïda Ndiaye

Tech Reporter

ocial media platform Facebook is rolling out an on-platform campaign across a number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa to connect people to accurate news sources and combat misinformation. The campaign, called ‘Three Questions to Help Stamp out False News’, aims to inform users about how to detect potential false news, created in consultation with third-party fact-checking partners. On the platform users will see advertisements featuring a link to a dedicated website, www.stampoutfalsenews.com, which asks users to challenge the information they see on posts by asking themselves the following: Where’s it from? If there’s no source, search for one; What’s missing? Get the whole story, not just the headline; and How does it make you feel? People who make false news try to manipulate feelings.

This campaign comes on the heels of last month’s context notification update, which lets people know when the news articles they are about to share are older than 90 days, providing greater visibility and context to help make informed decisions about what to share on the platform. Facebook’s public policy manager - programs and campaigns, Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA) Aïda Ndiaye says: “We know misinformation is an on-going challenge, which is why we have invested heavily in addressing misinformation in general, and more recently around Covid-19. This campaign is another step in taking our responsibility of improving accuracy and quality of information on Facebook seriously. We remain committed to working with industry experts and the community on our platforms, to tackle misinformation and empower people with resources that help them decide what to read, share and trust.”

30 July - 6 August 2020

Inner-city Gazette

News

Workshops for girls go virtual “This is also the first year that boy learners have been included in an effort to make sure that no learner is left behind. The educational initiative, now in its 18th year, is one of South Africa’s largest collaborative acts of volunteerism, aimed at encouraging corporates to empower and provide guidance to girls on career development”

A building on fire in Joburg CBD

EMS shares fire safety tips Johannesburg - City of Joburg Emergency Management Services (EMS) is concerned with fires in the city and the safety of residents. Home fires occur more in winter months than at any other time of the year; and Acting EMS chief Rapulane Monageng has urged residents to practice extreme caution when it comes to heating their homes. The City shared the following winter safety tips as it’s vital to keep fire safety in mind when using heating appliances: • When using an electric heater, place it on a flat surface, away from anything flammable. • Plug the heater directly into an outlet, not an extension cord and never leave a heater unattended. Turn it off before going to bed. • Choose an electric heater that has an automatic safety switch that turns the heater off if it is tipped over. • When operating a gas heater, don’t use aerosols or solvents in close proximity to the heater as they’re highly flammable. Always ensure that the room is well ventilated. • Only move the gas heater when it is off, moving it while it’s on may cause gas leak and an explosion. • Ensure all parts of the gas heater are in good condition and serviced regularly. Always replace worn-out or defective tubing and regulators. • If you suspect that you can smell leaking gas, chances are it is. Shut

off the gas at the cylinder first and get it checked. • Braziers, or imbawula, or coal stoves can result in fatal gases emitted into the room such as carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide, which are not easily detected. Take the brazier out when getting to sleep. Never leave the brazier burning, always extinguish the coals with water when not in use. In case of a fire call EMS on telephone number 011 375 5911 or 112.

Johannesburg – Network provider Cell C has held its first virtual workshops for 2020’s Take a Girl Child to Work Day (TAGCTWD) initiative. Last year’s theme of #MoreThanADay promoted the concept that one day is not enough to help motivate and inspire school-going girls. In a statement the company said it has implemented it again for 2020; so that workshops will be available over three days. “This is also the first year that boy learners have been included in an effort to make sure that no learner is left behind. The educational initiative, now in its 18th year, is one of South Africa’s largest collaborative acts of volunteerism, aimed at en-

Man stabs wife to death

Newtown - A 32-year-old man has been arrested after he allegedly stabbed and killed his wife at Heritage Flats in Newtown, according to police. It is understood the couple, who had been married for four years, had earlier been drinking with a friend. Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said the friend left them drinking, and went to sleep. “In the morning the friend saw the husband leaving his flat, with blood all over his clothes. He then told the security guards to check on the wife. The security guards called the police and stopped the man from leaving the building. Police later arrived and found the body of his wife in the bedroom; having been stabbed several times. Paramedics arrived and certified her dead on the scene, and the motive for the murder is not yet known. The knife used in the stabbing was recovered, and he was arrested and charged with murder,” Mbele said. Johannesburg Central station commander Brigadier Irvin Perumal condemned the incident as a ‘heinous crime against women’; and urged women not to keep silent when being abused by their partners. He also urged men to stop treating women as their property, and seek counselling if they fail to solve their problems amicably.

couraging corporates in South Africa to empower and provide guidance to girls on career development,” it said. It added that TAGCTWD workshops are operating virtu- Cell C transformation officer Juliet Mhango ally, with learners given access Cell C chief officer for human to computers or one large broad- capital development Juliet Mhango casting screen. “Rather than being welcomed the learners, then they hosted at corporate offices, campus- were put through their paces, coves or government buildings, learn- ering topics that included Finance, ers gather at classrooms and media Marketing, Information Technolcentres, with all Covid-19 precau- ogy, Customer Experience, Comtions being observed.” munications and more. The launch of the 2020 Take a “This is an important agent for Girl Child to Work Day workshops change in South Africa’s workplactook place at Orange Farm second- es, promoting gender equality and ary school and John Orr Technical empowerment. It is a vital initiative High School, with 10 learners in and we’re glad to have been able to press ahead with it,” Mhango said. each school attending the event.

Inner-city Gazette

30 July - 6 August 2020

Inner-city Gazette

Production to establish common points during the Covid-19 pandemic Lusanda Zokufa

resh from working with Young Artist of the Year Jeff Tshabalala on his commissioned work for the National Arts Festival, Kwasha! Theatre Company is rehearsing on a performance devised for the Zoom app, featuring artists from seven countries in Africa, South America and Europe. This unique theatrical experience, titled The Art of Facing Fear, is an international collaboration conceived by Rodolfo García Vázquez and Ivam Cabral from acclaimed theatre company Os Satyros in São Paulo. After the first version’s success in Brazil, this new iteration will premiere on 31 July and run from Friday to Sunday throughout August at 20:00. The Art of Facing Fear is set in a dystopian world, 5555 days in the future, while the global pandemic still rages. In this world in which lockdown continues to be a reality, many things are not available to people. Despite the government’s absolute control on digital communication, a group of friends still have a chance to keep in contact with each other via the internet. This group don’t understand how it’s still possible to have electric energy and web access because all the TV channels and newspapers have vanished, and the cities have been abandoned. The main themes are depression, loneliness, hatred, the fear of infec-

Artist Jeff Tshabalala

tion, the angst of nearing death, and political extremism. The idea is to establish points in common among different national realities during the pandemic; fears that have taken over humankind during this period globally; effects of social intolerance and political extremism in the world today. At the end of the performance, artists and audiences will be invited to talk freely about the performance, the effects of the pandemic in their countries and ways for a better political future. The producers of this production are Crown Troupe of Africa (Nigeria), Darling Desperados (Sweden), Oddmanout (England), Os Satyros (Brazil), Portuguese Cultural Center of Mindelo (Cap Verde), Village Productions (South Africa), Tell-aTale (Nigeria), The Kwasha! Theatre Company (South Africa), The Market Theatre Laboratory (South Africa) and Unga Klara (Sweden). For more visit www.universe.com/ users/darling-desperados-XLCBPZ

The Arts

This year Women’s Month will be observed under revolting conditions when our country and the global community is witnessing a surge in femicide and gender- based violence (GBV) Music doyen Sibongile Khumalo

Songstress Zonke Dikana

Theatre presents Women’s Month concerts Thakgatso Setseta

n commemoration of Women’s Month, the South African State Theatre (SAST) presents virtual music concerts. The two concerts by music doyen Sibongile Khumalo and acclaimed songstress Zonke Dikana are included in SAST’s Season 03 of online streaming, which also boasts a diverse billing. Dikana’s show, Zonke Live in Concert, will premiere on Women’s Day, 9 August at 15:00, while Khumalo’s concert is set to wrap up the celebrations at 15:00 on 30 August. Fans can stream both concerts on the SAST’s online channel from the comfort of their homes. This year Women’s Month will be observed under revolting conditions when our country and the global

community is witnessing a surge in femicide and gender- based violence (GBV). Mama Sibongile Khumalo is a living legend and a national treasure. Leveraging on her ‘first love for stage,’ time and again the State Theatre borrows her in a bid to celebrate her while she is still alive and to remind the nation of its fortunes. Last year, the National Order of Ikhamanga in Silver recipient was cast in Kwanele, a production based on the wake of 2019’s xenophobic attacks and GBV, written and directed by award-winning playwright Aubrey Sekhabi. Khumalo featured with the team for the premiere of Kwanele in Angola and throughout the homecoming run at the State Theatre. With five albums under her belt, Zonke proves to be an unstoppa-

uotable

uotes

By Prophet Philip Banda

ble force. Her recent album, Love (2018), was certified platinum in November last year. Hit records such as Feelings, Jikizinto, Nameless and more in her enchanting discography, have a reputation to keep audiences on their toes in her sold-out affairs. In this encounter she will be performing live in an empty 1 300-seater Opera Theatre, but streamed on SAST online channel. SAST acknowledges the announcement by Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Nathi Mthethwa, giving arts and culture spaces a green light to open under Covid-19 lockdown Level 03. The theatre however remains closed to safeguard the lives of its stakeholders, but continues to appraise the situation to explore the viability of reopening for audiences.

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Banyana players

join overseas clubs

“They will continue to grow as individuals and bring back all the experience to the national team. They will be good ambassadors and open more doors for other players.” Sports Reporter

ive Banyana players have joined overseas clubs. One of them is Amanda Mthandi, who plays for the University of Johannesburg in the SAFA National Women’s League, where she is also studying. She joined Spanish side CDB Badajoz Femi. She says this move won’t derail her education. “Due to Covid-19 and the lockdown, we have been studying from home and writing exams online, so when I move to Spain I will continue with what I have been doing, the way I have been

doing it. Also, being in a new place will come in handy as I will have more time to study after training or games, so part of my life will not be disrupted,” said Mthandi. Kelso Peskin became the fifth Banyana Banyana player to sign an overseas contract, joining French side Stade Brestois 29 Feminine. She joined other Banyana players who recently found new homes abroad. Jermaine Seoposenwe is with SC Braga (Portugal), Nothando Vilakazi signed for EDF Logrono Feminino and Amanda Mthandi joined CDB Badajoz Feminino (both in Spain), and Janine Van

Wyk moved to Glasgow City FC (Scotland). “This is very good for the future of Banyana because we need all the experience we can get to challenge big footballing nations. In this way, we could compete on an almost equal footing,” Peskin said. Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said: “I wish them all of the best I know they will do the country proud. They will continue to grow as individuals and will bring back all the experience to the national team. I know they will be good ambassadors and they will open more doors for other players to come or to go.”

Banyana player Amanda Mthandi