owetan In the know on the move R5.70 (Eswatini, Bots 5.20 incl tax) Tuesday April 7, 2020 www.sowetanlive.co.za
Peers mourn iconic
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Lockdown Day
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Coronavirus Watch
Game reserves ready to quarantine the sick page 4
Can you get virus more than once? page 15
We thank corona pandemic for this water page 2
Soccer stars face Covid-19 pay cuts
Cash woes haunt Celtic again as boss says business that sustains club is struggling due to lockdown page 3
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CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
Farmer bailout to boost food security Targeted focus for R1.2bn fund By Zingisa Mvumvu
Agriculture minister Thoko Didiza yesterday said a R1.2bn allocation to assist farmers grappling with the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic was to ensure food security for the next six months. However, not every farmer would qualify for funding. Didiza said applications would be open from April 10 until April 22, and only applications received during this period would be processed. The fund would prioritise women with 50% of the support, and assist the youth with about 40% of the support. Farmers in the category of people with disabilities would
get 6%, and only SA citizens who had been farming for at least 12 months were eligible. “It is also important for me to indicate that this intervention excludes mechanisation infrastructure and other overhead costs,” said Didiza. “This is not comprehensive support but an intervention. With regards to the challenge the country is facing, farmers who are preparing for the 2020 summer production season will not be supported because they would not be going into production immediately. The aim is to secure food for the coming six months while the country deals with Covid-19.” Farmers who were beneficiaries of other government financial support would not qualify for the R1.2bn allocation, said Didiza. Farmers hoping to use the money to pay their debts would also not be
considered. These farmers would have to approach the Land Bank, which had set aside R100m to mitigate the impact of the pandemic. “The department has ringfenced about R400m for farmers with the proactive land acquisition strategy, and the remainder will be channelled towards all farmers in the following criteria. “In poultry, old chicks, point of lay. Feed medication and sawdust on vegetables, the seedlings, fertiliser, pesticides, herbicides. And soil correction on fruits. The final spraying programmes for fruits that are already being harvested... “Livestock we will support with feed and medication to ensure we maintain our animal health. On the winter food crops, soil correction, fertiliser, seeds, herbicides and pesticides,” Didiza said.
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Words of Faith “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God[a]; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?
Premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane and deputy minister of water and sanitation David Mahlobo try out running water from a new tap in a community in White River. / M A N D L A K H O Z A
‘We thank virus for water’ Rural areas say they had waited long
John 14: 1-2 NIV By Mandla Khoza
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The communities of Jerusalem and Mshandza in White River, Mpumalanga, yesterday said they are thankful to the coronavirus, as a result of which they finally have clean water. This after deputy minister of human settlements, water and sanitation David Mahlobo and Mpumalanga premier Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane handed
over six boreholes and six 10,000l water tanks to the residents. Mahlobo said the delivery of water was to make sure that the public could better adhere to the health precautions and curb the spread of Covid-19. Community members told Sowetan that they only had one communal tap which was about 1km from their houses. “We thank the coronavirus for this,” community member Smith Malumane said. “Though they (government) had promised us water a long time ago, but now that we have this virus we see fast delivery.
“Now we have water about 500m from each house, in a space of a week,” Malumane said. In total, 440 water tanks and 26 trucks were handed over to various Mpumalanga communities. “We are now handing over this infrastructure to the Mbombela municipality and the province of Mpumalanga to be safeguarded,” Mahlobo said. Mtshweni-Tsipane asked the community to protect the water assets beyond the coronavirus period. “Please take care of them; don’t steal the tanks,” she said.
Tuesday April 7 2020 Sowetan
Permits bring no joy for vendors Traders decry lack of customers By Tankiso Makhetha and Yoliswa Sobuwa
Gadzanani Ndlovu will be able to provide for her three children again after the government gave spaza shop owners and informal street traders the green light to start operating again. Ndlovu was one of hundreds of traders who queued at Thuso House in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, yesterday to collect temporary permits. “We are happy about this change that the government has made. We were starting to suffer, our families were starting to grow hungry and we didn’t have any means of taking care of them,” Ndlovu told Sowetan yesterday. Ndlovu said she supported her family with a daily income of R500 that was split between family and stocking up. “I have been selling fruits and vegetables for over 10 years in Hillbrow. It’s the only thing I know how to do.” Ndlovu and thousands of informal traders will be able to trade again after cooperative governance minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma announced last week that informal traders could again start earning a living during the lockdown. She said some of the 21-day lockdown regulations could change, with some being relaxed and others tightened. Sizwe Mabizela, a spaza shop owner from Zola, Soweto, said the continued lockdown would have crippled their businesses further and they would have faced shutting their doors for good. Meanwhile, some informal traders are calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to compensate them so as to be able to pay for rent and buy groceries for their families. Thulekile Ndiweni, 49, who sells vegetables in Cosmo City, north of Johannesburg, said they’re in a dire situation. “There should be a grant for informal traders because we are not coping at all. We appreciate that we have been allowed to sell again but who are we going to sell to if people are on lockdown. For instance, this morning I haven’t sold much and I can only buy bread for my family and nothing else,” she said. Another informal trader, Dumazile Khabo, 43, said she only made R10 by 1pm yesterday. “I’ve been here for five hours and have only sold one bunch of morogo for R10. This period has been very hard on us, our kids are hungry.”
Sowetan Tuesday April 7 2020
CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
News
3
Celtic players face salary cuts again Stalled business due to Covid-19 adds to club’s financial woes By Neville Khoza
Bloemfontein Celtic have become the first Premier Soccer League club to concede they might have to ask their players to accept salary cuts as a direct result of the coronavirus crisis. As world sport has ground to a halt due to the deadly novel coronavirus, with top European clubs announcing salary cuts or freezes, Celtic owner Max Tshabalala has revealed to Sowetan his already financially distressed club might not be able to afford to pay full salaries at the end of this month. Tshabalala, a Mangaung businessman who two years ago put the club up for sale as he accepted it was too costly to run, says his cash reserves are now fast depleting due to Covid-19. He heavily relies on his property business (Ika-
Max Tshabalala
Khumbulani Konco
heng Projects) and the monthly PSL grant of R2,5m to fund Phunya Sele Sele. Celtic’s financial woes in recent years have been reported widely in the media as well as Tshabalala’s struggles to pay salaries, which in 2018 led to protests by fans and a strike by players and technical staff. “Let me be honest with you... because of this virus now, things [are] more difficult for us,” Tshabalala told Sowetan. “When I say us, I mean teams who don’t have spon-
sors. A team that doesn’t have a sponsor relies on the business of the chairman. Now my company is trying to develop us. We are developing a lot of properties around the Free State and all over the country. “But now we are not working [because of the lockdown], that means the team doesn’t have money; we won’t have money even to pay for other things. The grant from the PSL [R2.5m per month] is just 55% to 60%. The rest of the money is coming from a sup-
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The payment of players is a personal issue
the world. We just pray that we get a solution.” It’s unclear if Celtic are able to meet their current financial obligations after previous challenges, with a source yesterday claiming some players may not have received their full pay, an allegation dismissed vehemently by the club. “They find themselves in a difficult situation now. Some of their players were not paid in March, and we don’t know what will happen now with the league being stopped,” said a source who spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not mandated to speak to the media. But club chief excutive Khumbulani Konco maintained all players had received their salaries. “It’s not true [that we have not paid players],” Konco angrily said. “That is k**k... every month I have to answer the same question. “We have been paying the players this year. Since the [beginning of] season everybody has been paid. “What is new, what has changed?”
UNITED A P A R T NOW IS THE TIME FOR US TO COME TOGETHER AND UNITE, APART This is an unprecedented moment in South Africa’s history. Lockdown is in full effect, businesses have been temporarily closed, and we’re all adjusting to this new normal for as long as it may take. But what does life in lockdown look like? Well, that’s up to you. Show us how you’re getting through, and what lockdown means to you, by submitting video clips, images, voice notes, or anything else that captures the essence of this extraordinary event, to:
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porting company. So it is very difficult for us really, that I can’t deny it.” The Celtic boss, however, said everything will be decided during their meeting with the players if the situation worsens. “The income and the remuneration of players is a personal issue. Those players are looking after their families and stuff like that. “If this thing is ongoing we can’t help it, we have to sit down with the players and have a formal meeting whereby we talk. Like when we started when you sign a contract and we need to discuss. Fortunately, they are also seeing what is happening around
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Each day, we will choose our favourite submissions to be featured as a daily snapshot of lockdown life and share them to our social channels under #UnitedApartSA and #LoveChange, and one submission per day will receive a prize worth R700. Then, when all this is over, our favourite submission will receive a prize valued at R5,000, and we will use all the content we have collected to create a documentary, so the world can see our story.
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CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
‘Cop beat us for going to shops’ ‘He dragged my wife by her hair’ By Yoliswa Sobuwa
A devastated Sima Booi had to watch helplessly as his wife was turned into a punching bag, allegedly by a police officer, on Saturday afternoon. Booi, 34, alleged he was also assaulted when he tried to stop the officer who was beating his wife Madonna Booi, 32. The incident happened at Komani police station in the Eastern Cape after the two were arrested while walking to Checkers to buy groceries. “We came to town to do our groceries as we only have spaza shops at Mlungisi township where we are staying. We
first went to the Engen garage to buy electricity and we also bought chocolate and chips. As we were walking to Checkers we were stopped by a police car and the officer said we were being disrespectful of the lockdown laws. We explained that we were on our way to Checkers to buy groceries but he would hear none of it. He said we should get inside his van and took us to the police station,” said Booi. He said that was where the beating started in front of other police officers. “He dragged my wife by her hair and started slapping her. I tried to stop him but he turned on me. He was very angry, calling us by names. I have never felt so embarrassed in my life to see a police officer turning my wife into a punch-
ing bag,” Sima said. Madonna said when the officer turned to her husband, she thought he was going to die. “I kept asking him why was he beating us and the answer was that we think we are better. At some stage my husband passed out. After the beating the police officer said he will take me to a women’s cell to be raped by other women.
‘‘
After the beating officer said he will take me to women’s cell to be raped
Minnie launches range of sanitisers Part of essentials in food packages By Emmanuel Tjiya
Celebrity businesswoman Minnie Dlamini-Jones is helping fight Covid-19 with the launch of her own range of hand sanitisers. In an effort to reduce the spread of the coronavirus pandemic, the TV personality has added sanitisers to her signature MD Skincare range. The products launched last year already include body wash, soap and lotion. The MD hand sanitiser is alcohol-based. “It is something that was in the pipeline as a way to grow and diversify the MD product offering,” Dlamini-Jones said. “With the emergence of the pandemic, we sought to steamroll the rollout of the sanitisers to help with prevention and further the efforts by government and other business to create access to them
and promote hygiene. “We were very lucky to work with Diageo on this project who has been instrumental in supplying the Minnie Dlamini Foundation with R1m worth of spirits to produce the sanitisers. Our sanitisers have an alcohol base of 70%.” The first production of the MD hand sanitiser will be distributed for free to underprivileged communities identified by the Red Cross to assist with a shortage in supply. Once the lockdown is over, she will explore ways to supply stores so the public can purchase the product. “Right now our efforts are focused primarily on getting these products to underprivileged communities and to ensure everyone has sanitiser as an arsenal against this virus. “We know water is a big issue of concern in many parts of the country. It’s very important for me to bridge that gap and assist where we can to really try to flatten the curve
and keep people safe.” The MD hand sanitiser is part of the essentials found in the food packages that the Minnie Dlamini Foundation has been delivering to underprivileged communities. The first 200 food packages were delivered in Knysna two weeks ago.
“My husband was taken to a cell but he let me go at 9pm and at that time there were no taxis and I had to walk for an hour and a half all by myself. My life was at risk because anything could have happened.” Madonna said her husband was released the following day and the policeman changed his statement, saying they were in possession of drugs. “However, when asked why did he only release me at night if we were both in possession of
Tuesday April 7 2020 Sowetan
drugs, he could not answer. He also could not show the drugs he was talking about. He could have just fined us if we were wrong but not assault us.” The couple met with the station commander yesterday who advised they should first go to a doctor and then go back to the station to open a case. Independent Police Investigative Directorate spokesperson Sontaga Seisa said he had requested Eastern Cape officials to assist the victims to lay criminal charges.
Madonna Booi and her husband Sima Booi were allegedly assaulted by a police officer. / S U P P L I E D
“Our food packages will cater to communities in need during this time who may have a temporary loss in income due to the lockdown. “These packages will include essential foods from Nutriwell which include five meals and shakes – all you have to do is add water. These
packages will be able to feed one person for one month.” During the national lockdown Dlamini-Jones has been at home and using the time to bond with her family. “I’m trying to re-centre and use this time to relax and enjoying time away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.”
Minnie Dlamini having fun with kids in Knysna where he delivered food and other goodies. / S U P P L I E D
5 nature reserves ready to be used as quarantine sites in Mpumalanga Additional beds at boarding schools By Nomahlubi Jordaan
The Mpumalanga department of economic development and tourism has identified five nature reserves that will serve as quarantine sites for those who
test positive for Covid-19. MEC Pat Ngomane visited the Kromdraai camp at Songimvelo Nature Reserve, just outside Elukwatini on Saturday to check its readiness to receive people who might need to be quarantined once they have tested positive for Covid-19. The camp is one of the five
provincial reserves approved by the national health department as possible Covid-19 quarantine sites. “I visited the camp to check if everything was in order to receive people who may require to be quarantined once they have tested positive for the Covid-19 disease. “I can thus confirm that all
is in order; we are ready as Mpumalanga to receive people who may be referred to us, to be quarantined. “In total, the five approved sites have a combined bed capacity of 675,” said Ngomane. The other four reserves approved as quarantine sites are: SS Skosana, Zithabiseni Resort at the Mabusa Nature
Reserve, Andover, and Manyeleti. “In case additional beds are required, we have also identified the MRTT Hotel School in Kanyamazane, the Royal Hotel in Pilgrim’s Rest, the Graskop Lodge and all boarding schools in the province as possible quarantine sites,” Ngomane said.
Page 5 — 7 April 2020 — Sowetan
CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
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Tuesday April 7 2020 Sowetan
Taxi ranks to be sanitised every 3 days Gauteng transport, sponsors launch initiative to fight pandemic at ranks By Penwell Dlamini
The Gauteng department of transport has launched a groundbreaking initiative which will see all taxi ranks in the province being sanitised and given support in the fight against Covid-19. The initiative willl see taxi ranks being disinfected every three days and each taxi sanitised and so will be the commuters and drivers. The programme was launched by Gauteng transport MEC Jacob Mamabolo yesterday in Sangweni taxi rank, Tembisa. It involves, Outsurance, SA Taxi, AngloGold Ashanti, Clinix Health Group, Armsco and MTN. Mamabolo said Outsurance will provide 120 people to work as pointsmen and have been trained to disinfect facilities. The department will provide these workers with transport and they will move from one rank to another, disinfect-
ing the facilities. The Outsurance team has been trained by other partners, Clinix Health Group, which will also supply with sanitisers and disinfectant. Armsco on the other hand, will test all the material that will be provided to the taxi ranks to ensure that it meets the required standards. “This programme will go to the entire province. We want to touch every taxi because one taxi left out, can be very dangerous. If one commuter gets inside, it can be very dangerous. The programme started last week and we are intensifying it. We are really grate-
All taxis in the Gauteng will be disinfected
ful to all our partners who have come on board to help fight the virus. “This is going to have a big impact. I can say now that with the work we are starting today, no taxi will be a risk, obviously not 100%,” Mamabolo said. Taxis will be sanitised daily. Gloves, masks and sanitisers will be distributed to the drivers and commuters will also be sanitised. The taxi ranks will also be installed with 200 litres-tanks of sanitising liquid which have been supplied by AngloGold Ashanti. SA Taxi, which provides finance to the taxi industry, has donated R3m to the initiative. Matsidikanye Moswane, SA Taxi Corporate Affairs executive, said: “We saw it as an imperative as a key strategic partner to the taxi industry. We could not sit back and not do anything.” National Taxi Alliance spokesperson Theo Malele said the industry was really excited with the intervention that has come through the partnership. “We are really happy with the support that we are now
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The Gauteng department of transport launched the initiative to fight the spread of Covid-19 in the province. / T H U L A N I M B E L E getting. Finally, all taxis in the Gauteng province will be disinfected and also passengers will be sanitised. We would have been happier if what is happening in Gauteng could be emulated in all other
provinces…” Malele said. The issue of sanitising public transport has been a concern to the public as there was no one willing to take up the cost of providing equipment for the taxi industry.
Varsities react to Covid-19 fallout Academic year rejigging likely By Sisanda Aluta Mbolekwa
A common reopening date‚ online learning and reconfiguring the academic calendar to align it with that of the northern hemisphere – these are all possible scenarios for SA tertiary institutions dealing with the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. This is according to Universities South Africa (USAf)‚ which released a statement ahead of a scenario planning meeting by the Covid-19 departmental task team established by higher education minister Blaze Nzimande. The departmental task team is led by deputy minister Buti Manamela and is set to make recommendations around how to deal with the academic year and Covid-19. According to the statement‚ the debates that arose in the meeting held by vice-chancellors recognised that universities may be forced to stay totally closed until the national lockdown is lifted and might consider reopening around August or September alongside the university system in the northern hemisphere. In the statement‚ the vicechancellors expressed con-
cerns around how the academic year would play out considering that most institutions had an early recess, which then got extended by the subsequent lockdown. Head of USAf professor Ahmed Bawa said they would be guided at all times by the evidence and science available to them and by the decisions of the national government. “This means that as we head towards April 20‚ we will monitor the changes in the trajectory of the pandemic and we will shape and reshape our approach to completing the academic year accordingly‚” Bawa said. South African Union of Students spokesperson Thabo Shingange‚ who is also a member of the task team‚ said the students agreed with the vicechancellors on a possible reconfiguration of the academic calender. “If online learning were to be declared tomorrow‚ we wouldn’t have sufficient time to be able to address the different socioeconomic challenges that characterise each institution and their ability to implement this change... We know that some institutions are better equipped to provide the online service and this will also have long-lasting implications for employment prospects for those set to graduate in the 2020 academic year.”
Sowetan Tuesday April 7 2020
New test for anti-GBV organisations Abused women could be trapped in their homes as lockdown restricts NGOs’ work By Kgaugelo Masweneng
Organisations dealing with gender-based violence (GBV) have said they are being forced to find new ways to respond to complaints during the lockdown. Siyabulela Monakali, Ilitha Labantu’s spokesperson, said the lockdown has placed them in a peculiar position due to the limitations as many survivors are not able to receive adequate support. He said the government, in its introduction of lockdown regulations, did not properly think through the consequences for victims and survivors who are forced to stay at home with their abusers. “In many cases, it is the NGO sector that addresses these matters, and in doing so require a network of partners like the courts [for protection orders], the police, other NGOs, essential services providers and so on,” Monakali said. “If this chain is interrupted it becomes problematic because we do not operate alone. It is a network of services.” He said they were aware the lockdown was “filled with heightened stress and anxiety, particularly in the household environment in which we all find ourselves”. “However, regardless of the difficulty this period may present, no one has any right to misuse their powers and inflict pain on others.” Since the lockdown, his organisation has received about 24 new cases. “Our social workers have had to come up with creative ways to deal with clients through telephonic counselling and the use of WhatsApp,” Monakali said. Bafana Khumalo, acting co-director of Sonke Gender Justice, said a lot was needed to properly respond to survivors. “In my experience, not a lot is done when survivors call the police. We are usually the first people they call, but now we have no capacity to receive calls and place survivors at centres. “This opens up a conversation about removing the perpetrator instead of the abused person having to find a refuge. Shelters are not a good place for children. What if the person running away is a parent with children?” Jeanette Sera, social worker at People Opposing Women Abuse (Powa), emphasised that its shelters will remain open. “If a woman needs a place of safety during this time, we can accommodate them. Even though us not being an essential service has reduced our ability to respond, we rely on police to take the women out,” she said. Since the start of the emergency lockdown, Sera said she had received only one request from a woman seeking a place of safety. “Not a lot of people have asked for placement. Maybe it’s not safe to risk it since they are stuck together for the remainder of the period.”
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Tormented women could be suffering in silence in their homes and without help during the lockdown as their abusers are also home around the clock, says NGO Ilitha Labantu. / MARK ANDREWS
8 News
Tuesday April 7 2020 Sowetan
She died in her sleep at her Mams home – dad Ex-Jam Alley host V-Mash mourned By Emmanuel Tjiya and Patience Bambalele
Former Jam Alley presenter Vinolia Mashego, pictured, popularly known as V-Mash, has died, her family confirmed yesterday. Mashego’s father Collins and younger sister Prelley Seale told Sowetan they found Vinolia’s lifeless body in her bed at her home in Mamelodi, east of Pretoria, yesterday morning. Collins said it was believed that she died of natural causes in her sleep. She was 57 years old. “We got a call from the neighbours this morning [yesterday] that they had not seen her at all today. They were worried as she is someone that always wakes them up in the morning. Initially, I thought
she was filming a TV show as she was someone that will do those things,” Collins said. “I informed my wife and we called the police. The police broke into the house and there she was in her bed sleeping forever. The paramedics were called and said she died of natural causes. No foul play is suspected.” Seale, who stays in Meadowlands, Soweto, was still shaken when she confirmed the news to Sowetan late yesterday. “It’s true. We got the news this morning. We are still shocked and we don’t know what happened to her. Please call my father, he has more details,” Seale said. Mashego is the oldest of three children. She is survived by one son, Oratile, who is in his 20s.
After falling on hard times after leaving Jam Alley, Mashego had recently started to bounce back. She was last year cast in SABC2’s starstudded first Tsonga telenovela Giyani: Land of Blood, opposite Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Ndivhuwo Mutsila and Candy “Tsa Mandebele” Mokwena. Mashego was also recently the host of TV show Bheka Mina on Moja Love. In 2014, she hosted music show PLS Call Me that aired on Mzansi Magic Music. She also had small acting roles in daily drama shows such as Muvhango and Isibaya. Her acting career kicked off on SABC1 soapie Generations, playing the role of Hilda Letlalo. Mashego featured in TV documentary Had It All which detailed her rise and fall. After learning about Mashego’s death, actress and musician Linah Ngcobo said:
“I’m really shocked. Her death is a big loss for the country because she was talented. We had time to speak while shooting [Giyani] and she got along with everyone on set.” Musician Mercy Pakela, who started in the music industry with Mashego, praised the late singer and presenter as a great talent. “People who don’t know V-Mash ... she was a very intelligent human being. She was knowledgeable and knew the world around her. She was very vocal about issues of artists’ exploitation. She was vibrant and hyperactive.” The two singers started together, singing bubble gum music in the 1980s. “We started together with Brenda Fassie and VMash, and we were very stout [naughty] together.”
Soshanguve blaze the second since lockdown began
Man killed for backpack Three men were arrested in Walmer‚ Eastern Cape‚ after allegedly killing a man following an argument about a backpack and a speaker‚ police said. Police spokesperson Col Priscilla Naidu said Xolani Maneli‚ his younger brother and other men were at a house in a township in Walmer when an argument broke out about the items. Naidu said Maneli and his brother left the house, but were followed by three others who allegedly attacked the brothers with sticks and knives. Maneli’s brother managed to escape‚ Naidu said‚ but the 21year-old was beaten and stabbed to death. Three men aged 28‚ 30 and 48 were arrested and are expected to appear in the Port Elizabeth magistrate’s court. – Iavan Pijoos
Baby found next to murdered mom An 18-month-old baby was found alive next to the body of her murdered mother at their home in Willowvale‚ Eastern Cape, at the weekend‚ police said. Captain Jackson Manatha said a Mahasana community member, who went to visit the woman, discovered her body. The 47-year-old woman was found with bullet wounds in her upper body. Manatha said her baby daughter was found unharmed next to her. The woman was murdered on Friday afternoon. Manatha said the motive for the murder was not known‚ and no arrests have been made. – Iavan Pijoos
By Isaac Mahlangu
Two schools in Soshanguve, north of Pretoria, have been set alight in similar suspected arson attacks since the national lockdown started. Yesterday, Amogelang Secondary School became the latest school in the area to be damaged by fire. Police are still investigating the cause of the blaze. Phuthanang Primary School was gutted by fire in a similar fashion last week, residents told Sowetan. Sowetan has also learnt that another school in nearby Winterveld, Tswaing High School, was also attacked last week. The entire administration block of Amogelang Secondary burnt down yesterday, damaging hundreds of documents, several electrical appliances and computers. Police spokesperson Mavela Masondo confirmed that this was the second suspected arson attack on a school in Soshanguve in as many weeks. Gauteng police commissioner Lt-Gen Elias Mawela said in a statement: “The attack and burning of schools will not be tolerated and police will make sure that those who are behind these criminal acts are hunted down and brought to book.” When Sowetan visited the school yesterday, parts of the roof of its administration block had even caved in, as the fire had damaged the ceiling and the supporting timbers.
Briefs
Fisherman’s body recovered School governing body chair Piet Maphanga inside the staff room of Amogelang Secondary School which was gutted by fire. / I S A A C M A H L A N G U
Another school fire hits area The staff room, the principal’s office, kitchen, staff toilets and the reception were among the parts of the block that were damaged by the fire, which residents suspect had started in the early hours of the morning. By late afternoon there was still smoke coming out of the windows of what was the staff room, which was the worst affected part of the block. It is believed that the fire started in the staff room. Piet Maphanga, the chair of the school governing body, told Sowetan yesterday their security guard, who only works during the day, found the
administration block in flames when he got to the school at around 5am. “What burnt down here is the engine of the school. Everything which the school needs to run was damaged,” Maphanga said. “All our paperwork, our computers, printers, a stove and a fridge all burnt down. We still don’t know what caused the fire.” Maphanga said the school had been relying on community patrollers to keep an eye on the school building, especially at night. They were paid a stipend by the provincial department of
community safety. “We were reliant on patrollers and when their contract ended on March 31, we could only have a security guard during the day and at night nobody is working,” he said. He said it was unclear if the school would be able to operate when schools are set to reopen in just over a week’s time. Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi appealed for anyone with information to share it with the police. “It is disappointing that yet another school has been destroyed by fire,” he said.
The body of the missing fisherman who fell off his makeshift raft in a Tongaat dam north of Durban has been recovered‚ emergency services said yesterday. IPSS spokesperson Paul Herbst said the man fell of his raft in the Dudley Pringle Dam on Friday. A joint effort between IPPS Search and Rescue (SAR) division‚ police divers‚ Durban metro police‚ Durban and Umhlali K9 SAR and NSRI station 41 resulted in the discovery of the body on Sunday. “Teams created a pathway through the dense floating hyacinth weed to launch a vessel to assist in search efforts. K9 Dante and K9 Ghost were utilised in the search for the fisherman. “A short while into the second day of the search‚ K9 Dante located the body of the fisherman partially submerged and entangled in gill nets‚” Herbst said. – Iavan Pijoos
Page 9 — 7 April 2020 — Sowetan
10 News
Tuesday April 7 2020 Sowetan
Homeless people in Cape Town were removed to a temporary shelter at Strandfontein sports field on Day 10 of the national lockdown on Sunday. According to media reports, the housing of the homeless will be serviced by the disaster operations centre and the city’s disaster management to ensure social distancing and provide services like water and sanitation.
Covid-19 through the lens
P H OTO S / B R E N TO N G E AC H / GA L LO I M AG E S
Cape Town disaster management officials moving homeless peopple to a temporary shelter at Strandfontein sports field.
A homeless person walkng during the Day 10 of the national lockdown. The homeless people where moved to a shelter in Strandfontein on Sunday.
Homeless people in Cape Town queueing as they were moved to a shelter in Cape Towm at the weekend.
A man wearing mask was part of the homeless peopple who were moved by the disaster management to a temporary shelter.
A temporary shelter at Strandfontein sports field in Cape Town will housed homeless people who were displaced by the city’s distaster management and distater operations centre officials at the weekend.
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12 Lifestyle
Good Life Easter yummies
Tuesday April 7 2020 Sowetan
Food blogger Vanessa Dossi loves her space in the kitchen trying new dishes. / S U P P L I E D
Home-cooked meals the best during lockdown By Londiwe Dlomo
It is amazing how quickly life has changed under the national lockdown. Some might even say we’re still adjusting but others have settled into a routine. This new normal involves eating home-cooked meals for most people. People now have the time, and don’t have the always readily available fast food takeaway options. So there has been a burgeoning new set of lockdown cooks. Some are trying it for the first time while others are merely reviving rusty skills. Honestly, the change from the madcap pace of the rat race is welcomed. The speed of our lives before lockdown has caused lots of people to eat on the go and not even look at what they’re consuming. Busy urbanites like social media manager and food blogger Vanessa Dossi strive to find the perfect balance with work and healthy eating. Her routine before the lockdown consisted of juggling work, traffic and her outside work commitments. Dossi was a busy young woman. In conjunction with running her website Vanilla Scented Kisses, she caters and hosts biannual monthly cooking workshops in Fourways. During the cooking class, the attendees will work through four recipes, where she demonstrates and the class cook for themselves. It is R550 per class and all ingredients are included in the cover charge. With the lockdown, Dossi has taken to her social media, notably her Instagram account, to share recipes with her audience. “I have been sharing recipes more on my Instagram stories, instead of sending links. I’m also tapping into easy healthy nutritious recipes,” she says. She’s currently working from home and says she’s finding it very productive. For those who find it a bit of a problem to cook every day and to help get you into a routine that is sustainable after lockdown, she recommends meal prepping. Dosi herself meal-preps on Sundays to save time and says she avoids cooking red meat as it takes too long to cook. Her
Time for mastery in the kitchen go-to is white meat, mainly chicken or fish. “I would usually roast a whole chicken and have it in different ways throughout the week. “I’d take the chicken breast and put it in a salad or a curry sauce or just have it in a pie, it just minimises the amount of work I have to do during the week eating something that is already prepared.” Her multitasking tip is to make a tray bake, this is where you put all your ingredients on a tray, vegetables on one side and protein on the other, and put it in the oven and let it cook while you’re busy with other things. “Another thing I like to make is meatballs, I find them easy and quick to make. I like to make salad as well, a salad doesn’t have to be lettuce, tomato and cucumbers ... it could be anything that you can find in the fridge. “Sometimes I’ll have a bunch of root vegetables and I’ll put that in the oven to make a warm salad. “And then I’ll add them to a grain of sorts, sometimes it’s couscous, sometimes it’s brown rice,” she says. Part of her work as a food blogger is developing recipes. She says the biggest mistake young professionals make is in assuming a quick dinner means takeaways and deliveries. “You have to want to cook meals for yourself and you have to be dedicated. A change in mindset and secondly another mistake we make is not preparing, not weekly prep but meals by prep. I also find it odd that people don’t like leftovers… you can re-purpose the meal and that means you are not cooking every day.” Her parting advice to people is that they shouldn’t be attached to a recipe. “People become attached to their initial experience of a recipe and become unsettled
• 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes (in olive oil) • 100g brown mushrooms • 250g cream • 1 Tsp. flour • 2 Tsps. dry oregano • 1 Tsp. paprika • 2 Tbs butter • Salt &pepper
Sweet potato & ground beef hash
Slice chicken breast into bite size pieces Mince your garlic cloves Slice mushrooms Prep – 5min
when something is substituted for another. I’m struggling to convey to my audience that recipes can be refined and that is fine.” Dossi has shared some recipes to do when you’re pressed for time but don’t want to compromise on taste.
Recipes with permission from Vanessa Dossi Sweet Potato & Ground Beef Hash One pot brunch meals are my go-to recipes on lazy days. This recipe is hearty and filling. What You’ll Need • 1 Large orange sweet potato • 1 medium onion • 1/2 red & green pepper • 300g ground beef • 2 Tsp paprika • 2 garlic cloves • 2 Tsp dry oregano • Salt & pepper
Prep – 10min Method: Peel and dice the sweet potato into bite-size cubes. Cook the sweet potato in some boiling water for 7-10 minutes until they are al dente (Cooked with a little bite left to them) While the sweet potato is cooking, dice the onion and the garlic cloves. Dice the red and green pepper
Let’s Get Cooking – 15min In a large pan, heat some cooking oil. Add the ground beef to the hot cooking oil and begin to break it up into smaller chunks. Cook the ground beef until it’s been browned. Add onions, peppers, garlic and combine. Add the paprika, oregano and stir until the onions have wilted. Add the cooked sweet potato and combine, making sure they are also coated in the spices and herbs. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve with fried or poached eggs and some greens like baby spinach (Optional) Chicken & Sundried Tomato Pasta Sun-dried tomatoes add a sweetness and tang to usual pasta dishes. If you find the sun-dried tomatoes that aren’t preserved in olive oil, you can make your own. Soak the sun-dried tomatoes in hot water for 30 minutes. Remove from water and place in a jar with a lid and cover in olive oil.
Let’s Get Cooking – 15min Cook the pasta as instructed on the packaging While the pasta is cooking, melt butter in a large saucepan. Add the chicken pieces and brown to add colour. Add the mushrooms and garlic and fry until the mushrooms are cooked Add the sun-dried tomatoes (without the olive oil) and combine Season with paprika, oregano, salt & pepper Add the teaspoon of flour and combine Add the cream and bring to the boil Add the snap peas (or spinach) and allow to simmer on a medium heat for 5 minutes. Add the cooked pasta and combine Serve with a sprinkle of feta cheese. Now enjoy.
What You’ll Need – Serves 3-4 • 250g pasta • 2 chicken breasts • 4 garlic cloves • 1 cup snap peas/ sugar snaps (You can use spinach as well)
Chicken pasta dish
Entertainment 13
Sowetan Tuesday April 7 2020
Your
Your Stars
Tv Guide
What kind of day will tomorrow be? To find out what the stars say, read the forecast given for your birth sign
14:00 till late
Aries March 21 — April 21
SABC1
Take it easy today, especially when dealing with partners and close friends. Don't agree to anything important. Despite your enthusiasm for something, give everything a sober, second thought.
14:00 Break Da Beat 15:00 Degrassi 15:30 YO.TV 16:30 Yilungelo Lakho 17:30 Siswati/Ndebele News 18:00 Nyan'Nyan 18:30 Skeem Saam 19:00 Xhosa/Zulu News 19:30 Selimathunzi 20:00 Generations: The Legacy 20:30 Uzalo 21:00 Cutting Edge 21:30 Cutting Edge 22:00 Nyan'Nyan 22:30 The Chat Room
Taurus April 21 — May 21 Today is a mixed bag. One moment, you're enthusiastic about something; the next moment, it's tough dealing with the boss. This is a poor day for important decisions.
Gemini May 21 — June 22 Today is a good day to coast. It's a poor day to shop or make important decisions, especially in the morning. Just keep it together.
Cancer June 22 — July 23 Today you will be involved in discussions with family members or someone where you live, probably a female. Caution! Don't volunteer for anything and don't promise more than you can deliver.
SABC2 14:00 15:00 15:15 15:30 15:45 16:00 16:30 17:00
Magnum Dinopaws Dinopaws Yo.TV Mini - Yo TV Land YO.TV Ilitha Lethu Epic Hangout Hectic Nine-9 Dragon Ball Z Kai The Final Chapter 17:30 Venda/Tsonga News 18:00 7de Laan 18:30 Nuus 19:00 DEKATv 19:30 Melody 20:00 Sesotho/Setswana News 20:30 Nhlalala Ya Rixaka 21:04 Muvhango 21:30 Lithapo 22:00 Gospel Superfest Holiday
Leo July 23 — Aug 24 This is a tricky day because an element of "false confidence" exists. Initially, you feel gung-ho about something, but then quickly you realize you were wrong. Tread carefully!
Virgo Aug 24 — Sep 23 Keep an eye on your money today. For starters, this is a bad day to shop. (Except for food, gas and entertainment.) Be careful about overestimating something.
Libra Sep 23 — Oct 23 This is a classic day where a person can make a wrong decision. Initially, things look very appealing and very good. However, if you take a second look, you will see some drawbacks -- big drawbacks! Caution.
Scorpio Oct 23 — Nov 23
SABC3
Basically, this is a loosey-goosey day. Avoid important decisions. Don't shop. Save your money. Keep your head down and your powder dry.
This might be a popular day for you! You will enjoy schmoozing with others and talking to people, as well as relating to groups and clubs. But don't volunteer for anything.
14:00 The Wild 14:30 Peppa Pig 14:35 Care Bears: Unlock the Magic 14:50 Care Bears: Unlock the Magic 15:00 Disney Elena Of Avalor 15:30 DreamWorks Dragons: Riders Of Berk 15:55 Pokémon the Series: Sun & Moon... 16:20 Judge Judy 16:45 Days Of Our Lives 17:30 Bittersoet 18:30 news - COVID-19 Update 19:00 Rhythm City 19:30 Scandal! 20:00 e.tv News 20:30 Chicago Fire 21:00 The Powerball Draw 21:02 Chicago Fire 21:25 e-Insert 21:30 Imbewu: The Seed 22:00 Checkpoint
SOWETO TV
Birthdate of:
Pisces Feb 20 — Mar 21 Katee Sackhoff (Actress)
What toWatch Uzalo Nkunzi’s (Masoja Msiza) suspicious about a certain coincidence, Gabisile has Nomcebo exactly where she wants her, and Sbu worries Fikile is losing her mind. SABC1:20:30
16:00 Kasi Vibes Babize Bonke 17:00 Debaters' Assembly 18:00 Soweto Business Line 18:30 Soweto TV News 19:00 Al Jazeera The Stream 19:30 Life Clinic 20:00 Al Jazeera Documentaries 21:00 According To The Bible 21:30 My World 22:00 Apostle Mohlala
1Magic
14:00 Kasi Vibes
12`3`4~5`6`7` ~`~`~`~`~`~`~ 8`````~90```` ~`~`~-```~~`~ ~`~`~`~~`~~`~ =`````~q`w``e `~~`~`~`~`~~` rt``y`~u```i` ~`~~`~~`~`~`~ ~`~~op``~`~`~ [``]``~\````` ~`~`~`~`~`~`~ a`````~s`````
Your relations with parents, teachers, bosses and the police are confusing today. Therefore, don't stick your neck out. Don't be overconfident. Don't volunteer for anything.
This is a poor day for important decisions about inheritances, shared property or insurance disputes. Nevertheless, this is where your focus is. Just do your homework.
etv
mosimanem@sowetan.co.za
Capricorn Dec 22 — Jan 21
Aquarius Jan 21 — Feb 20
Unfiltered Battle Of The Versus Hectic On 3 Judge Jenkins Afternoon Express Top Chef Junior Isidingo: The Need Tropika Island Of Treasure Curacao 20:30 Special Assignment 21:00 News 21:30 MotherFatherSon
Crossword 3148
Sagittarius Nov 23 — Dec 22
You want change and adventure today! Actually, this is a poor day for important decisions. Explore your own backyard, but do so carefully.
14:30 15:00 16:00 16:30 17:00 18:00 19:00 19:30
ACROSS 1 Seventh planet from the sun some; times visible to the naked eye (6) 5 Greatly productive; fertile (6) 8 Large feline mammal of the Americas, similar to the leopard (6) 9 A person; something that exists or is thought to exist (1,5) 11 Verge (4) 12 _ out of the market (6) 13 Thomas _, US inventor described as America’s greatest inventor (6) 16 Slang word for prison (6) 19 Genius (6) 21 Hand over (4) 23 Absence of emotion (6) 25 Close at hand (6) 26 Large orderly piles of hay for storage in the open air (6) 27 Backpacking (6)
14:30 Mixed-Ish 15:01 Black-ish 15:30 The River 16:00 The Talk 17:00 Half & Half 18:00 Ready To Love 19:00 Life After Lock Up 20:00 The River 20:31 God Friended Me 21:30 All American 22:30 How To Get Away With Murder
DOWN 2 A person who is fond of reading (6) 3 Relating to, or involving ships, navigation or seamen (8) 4 Shredding machine (6) 5 Standard (4) 6 Coronal Mass Ejection (3) 7 Papal ambassador to a foreign government (6) 10 Globule (4) 12 Polar Stratospheric Cloud (3) 13 Settle (8) 14 Foolish and irrelevant talk (4,4) 15 Egg of a louse (3) 17 Act of production or manufacture (6) 18 Every one of two or more considered individually (4) 20 Stunted (6) 22 Organs of sight (4) 24 Tit Table Test (3)
YOU BORN TODAY You are an optimist, seek balance in life and are cautious about big decisions. Because this is a year of teaching and learning, you will learn something that sets you in a new direction, crucial to your success next year. Why not explore meditation, yoga or any discipline that will help you get a better understanding of who you are?
Pantsula
Patricia Arquette (Actress)
Taylor Kitsch (Actor)
Tomorrow’s Weather Pretoria 14-22
Sifiso Yalo
Johannesburg 12-20
Nelspruit 14-20
Phone: 082 162 www.weathersa.co.za | @SAWeatherservice
Polokwane 14-21
Mafikeng 11-27
Bloemfontein 3-23
Kimberley 4-26
Cape Town 10-20
East London 13-21
Durban 15-21
Tuesday April 7 2020 Sowetan
14 Opinion Your SMS views
Send your comments to 33664 Each sms costs R1
EFF members are hypocrites The EFF is the last party to criticise big companies which contributed to the solidarity fund. They forget that some of their members looted VBS and that their election campaign was funded by cigarette smugglers. – Langa Blose
Rev Dube misleading his flock The Bible teaches us not to hate but to love each other unconditionally. However, Reverend Musa Dube teaches his congregation to hate. Please reverend, do the right thing as a man of God. – Lucas Baloyi, Rustenburg
Cele give us Empangeni cops Big-ups to Empangeni police for enforcing lockdown rules no matter the event. Would Bheki Cele please send us those cops here in Phola Park in Ekurhuleni to deal with illegal road blockades by unruly locals, as local cops look on. – Anon
Why virus confusion, SABC? Many who watched the movie about a virus on SABC 3 on Sunday thought it was about the current pandemic, though ‘Contagion’ was released in 2011. Now tell us SABC commissioning editor, why sow the confusion? – Mandla ka Nyanda
IMF, Finch care about money only
The IMF and Finch agency have shown us as Africans their true colours – that life is not essential but money is. How can they downgrade SA when we are faced with challenges like coronavirus? – Lucas Baloyi, Rustenburg
Sowetan Says
Fake news fans panic over virus The spread of fake news about the novel coronavirus online is reversing the work done by the health department in educating people about the outbreak. Several videos claiming Covid-19 does not kill or does not exist, or some conspiracy theory about what the authorities are supposedly not telling the public have been shared widely on social media platforms. Swift police action has led to the arrest of people behind the spread of false information. A man was arrested last week after he claimed there was “nothing called corona here” in SA. The 36-year-old was apprehended in Hammanskraal, Pretoria after posting a recording of himself making a mockery of efforts to prevent the spread of the virus with more than 100 others at a street party. Another man was nabbed yesterday after he called on residents to refuse to be tested for Covid-19. The man, who had identified himself as Stephen Birch from Cape Town, claimed the testing kits were contaminated. His arrest came after a weekend where a string of videos bizarrely claimed that people were not dying of Covid-19 but were being killed by radiation from the 5G network. All these are carrying false information and are causing unnecessary panic among the public and we hope the arrests will send a strong message to our communities that if you spread lies about the virus, you will go to jail. Our government has done very well in communicating about the pandemic. From when the first case was confirmed there has been transparency and since then we have been getting daily updates on the coronavirus. Yes, you are mostly bored and stuck in your houses but there are many things to do to keep yourselves busy other than spreading fake news that will leave you with a criminal record. Covid-19 is real. By yesterday statistics released by the World Health Organisation showed that it had infected more than 1.2 million people worldwide, killed more than 70 000 and about 270 000 had recovered from it. These included local stats of 11 lives claimed and over 1 600 people who have tested positive. The proper channels for authentic information about the virus are the department of health, WHO, and your trusted news platforms. Stay at home, wash your hands and be safe.
Letters Churches and schools are not shelters, Mr Lesufi Gauteng MEC for education and currently acting MEC for social development, the officious Panyaza Lesufi, once again put his foot in it when he sanctimoniously castigated the SGBs of schools which refused to house homeless people at boarding facilities during the nationwide lockdown. In his effort to mobilise support against the predominantly white SGBs, Lesufi went on a rant on social media that, “as the Gauteng government, we will defend the right of the poor to survive through these 21 days because they are human beings as well”. On the SGBs he fulminated, “They are selfish in their nature and in their approach. Is it because homeless people are half human.” His attempt to vilify SGBs within their rights to refuse to accommodate the homeless backfired spectacularly when most social media users disagreed with his views, which are motivated by ethnic chauvinism. It is obvious he was trying to make the issue about race which has become his preoccupation, if not his obsession. Some users even mocked him by suggesting he try to seek accommodation at the currently unused hotels. Judging by the experience of the refugees at the Methodist Church in Cape Town, the school governors took a considered stance about the interest of pupils. Police had to break down doors
Letters to the editor Sowetan, PO Box 6663, Johannesburg, 2000 E-mail letters@sowetan.co.za Fax 011-340-9637
to remove refugees from the church. Schools are places of teaching and learning; churches are for worship. They are not shelters for the homeless. Lesufi can be well advised to heed the words of the great philosopher Socrates to “hold his tongue and know how to use it”. In addition, he must learn to put his mind in gear before he puts his mouth in motion. Since the coronavirus has brought into sharp focus the extent of the problem of homelessness, the government needs to start exploring sustainable solutions. Experts cite lack of affordable housing, unemployment, poverty, mental illness and substance abuse, among some of the causes. Any government that has a genuine interest in the welfare of its citizens and is not merely concerned about selfenrichment should be able to intervene. The patronage dispensing of the RDP free housing scheme is open to abuse. Fighting and winning the war against poverty will depend mainly on the creation of jobs. The government will have to work to reverse the culture of dependence and entitlement it has entrenched. The problem of homelessness is a sad indictment on any self-respecting government. As the American singersongwriter Raheem DeVaughn says, “We live in a world where there is so much wealth. There shouldn’t be a homeless person. That’s crazy.” It is indeed. With SA being the most unequal country in the entire world, Mahatma Gandhi’ words are particularly instructive, “Earth provides enough to satisfy everyman’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” I could not agree more. Nathaniel Lee
Rename SA Azania to rubber-stamp our quest for true African identity It must always be known that during colonial-apartheid, the African life was generally overhauled by the externally imposed social, political, economic and cultural synergies, which sought to define and distort the lives of Africans. But our humanity, culture and identity have remained constant and unyielding. Decolonisation of Africa is the fundamental mission in our struggle for liberation. The impetus is gaining momentum. The notion of uplifting and sustaining the African identity is real. It is here to help us to restore the African self-pride and ensure selfdetermination of Africans. The aim of our struggle is to return land to its rightful owners (indigenous people), the promotion of African identity and the restoration dignity to the Africans. Renaming Republic of South Africa to Republic of Azania shall leave behind an imprint that our struggle was real and with purpose. In a nutshell, Pan Africanist leaders fought for Pan Africanism, African nationalism, African identity and African renaissance. It will be wonderful for our visitors and friends to be welcome by the giants of our struggle in Azania through our airport being named after them. Moreover, universities, colleges, hospitals, railway stations, names of towns and prominent buildings must be renamed in honour of our heroes and heroines. Nyameko Sinandile, Khayelitsha,
Opinion 15
Sowetan Tuesday April 7 2020
Recovered patients must still follow same protocols as those not infected Hand washing and social distancing still recommended as it is not yet known if people can be re-infected
Wanda Markotter Corona viral disease (Covid19) is caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (Sars-CoV-2) from the coronavirus family. This virus family consists of over 200 different viruses that can infect mammals, birds and even fish. In general, infections with these viruses are mild and even asymptomatic, with most people not even seeking medical care. In humans it is mostly a respiratory disease, affecting the upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nose, and throat) or lower respiratory tract (windpipe and lungs). This is in contrast with infections in animals that are mostly gastrointestinal. Coronaviruses spread most efficiently by droplet transmission when a sick person coughs or sneezes and droplets containing the virus can spray as far as six feet. If you breathe them in or swallow them, the virus can get into your body. You can also get the virus from touching a surface or object that the live virus is on and
then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes. Coronaviruses can live for several hours on a surface they land on. This is why social distancing and hand washing helps prevent infection. The first known human coronaviruses were HCoVOC43 and HCoV-229E that cause common colds every year worldwide. Except in high-risk groups such as the elderly and infants,
infections are mild with infected people probably unaware it is a coronavirus infection. Until the severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) outbreak in 2002 and Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers) outbreak 10 years later, coronaviruses were not considered important disease-causing organisms. However, these two viruses were both new in the human population,
originating from animals, with a 10% and 30% mortality rate respectively. Sars-CoV originated in China and spread to four continents infecting 8,096 individuals and claiming 774 victims before it was contained and has since vanished. Mers infections is still continuing in the Middle East. Other coronaviruses have also spilt over from animals but with less severe outcomes including OC43, a transmission from cattle to humans, and 229E, a potential spillover from bats. Two new human respiratory
The coronavirus family consists of over 200 different viruses that can infect mammals, birds and even fish. Coronaviruses can live for several hours on a surface they land on. / 1 2 3 R F
coronaviruses, HCoV-HKU1 and HCoV-NL63 have also been identified in the past decade with no proven animal link. The most devastating coronavirus is by far the current global Covid19 outbreak with infections ranging from asymptomatic, mild to serious and a mortality rate of around 3%. The effective viral transmission rate and high percentage of mild and potentially asymptomatic cases, make control of the outbreak extremely difficult. As Sars-CoV-2 infects new people, it will change (mutate) and this is normal, especially in viruses that have RNA as genetic material. These changes are, however, so small and there is no evidence it is changing into a more “aggressive” virus. Several changes need to happen to cause more severe disease and the probability for this is very low, especially in a short time period. Covid-19 causes a low mortality with the majority of people recovering. Studies have shown that in recovered patients a protective immunity does develop but it is not sure how long it will last and it is also very variable between individuals. We simply don’t know yet if you will be protected against reinfection of Covid-19 and the same recommendations to prevent infection apply for recovered patients. ■ Markotter is a director in the Centre for Viral Zoonoses in the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria
Learn from other countries, minimise risks of economic crisis
Lorenzo Fioramonti
As the coronavirus pandemic spreads to SA, there are some important lessons that can be learnt from other countries, including China and Italy, which have so far been the global epicentres. Researchers tell us that Covid-19 has a fatality rate hovering around 1%, which means that of every 100 people infected, one of them dies. Possibly, by the end of the pandemic, when data will be more complete, we may discover that the rate is actually lower, perhaps 0.5%. We also know that the majority of infected people do not show the symptoms and are therefore unaware of having been infected: this is a problem because they can infect others unknowingly, but it’s also a strength because it means most people simply are not affected by the disease. Covid-19 exerts the most severe impacts on the elderly population (65 years and older) and on patients with previous chronic conditions. SA should learn from other
countries (including their mistakes) to tackle the pandemic and minimise the risks of a devastating social and economic crisis, which may result in more damage than the disease itself. First, restrictions should be as targeted as possible. Elderly people should be kept separate from the rest of the population. Infected people should be treated in separate healthcare facilities, because ordinary hospitals, which house a large variety of patients with previous conditions, can indeed become areas of further contagion to the vulnerable population, thus increasing fatalities. In Italy and China, ad hoc facilities were built to treat Covid19 patients. Second, remember that panic can kill more than the coronavirus. This is why targeted measures informed by scientific evidence can be more successful than blanket restrictions, which exasperate the population and are difficult to
implement. Moreover, the social and economic consequences can be more devastating than the disease, especially in poorer communities, where you cannot keep people at home without an income for too much time. Providing financial safety nets to the poor is paramount, but it is also important to send a forwardlooking message to the population, with indications as to how economic activities may gradually resume. One way in which research is helping in other countries is
Investing in better health for all is the best economic policy
through the rollout of blood tests for coronavirus antibodies. As indicated above, the number of people that have encountered the virus and may have already developed antibodies is much higher than official statistics indicate. Governments are now trying to identify these people and gauge the extent to which they may have become immune to the infection so that they can gradually resume work. Third, we need to learn the lesson for the future. The countries that are dealing most successfully with Covid-19 are those with the strongest public healthcare systems, which can endure external shocks and avoid the economic consequences of a prolonged lockdown. Investing in better health for all is the best economic policy a country can develop. ■ Fioramonti is professor at the University of Pretoria and Italy’s former minister of education, university and research
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JobMarket Passion drives designer Kuda Matiza fuelled by different cultures By Thango Ntwasa
Matiza is part of a campaign which has seen him create face masks like this one to help curb the shortage of masks and gloves in SA. / S U P P L I E D
With a nomadic upbringing that saw young designer Kuda Matiza’s move from Zimbabwe to SA, he found himself falling in love with an artistic passion fuelled by an assortment of cultural influences of many worlds. When it came to creating tangible art that he could turn into a business, Matiza looked to the world of fashion to make a meaningful impact. “I looked at the market and looked at what was not there and then conceptualised House of Hohwa,” says
Matiza, who explained that the name derives from where he grew up in Zimbabwe. “The diversity of the culture and the colours hit home when I looked at African stories and I was really interested in portraying and conceptualising them into collections.” Matiza is currently part of a campaign with the Newtown Junction Mall which has seen him create face masks and gloves in the wake of the Covid-19 outbreak. The initiative also helped create awareness by educating people on how to stay safe. While the masks and gloves might not prevent contraction, they aid as protective gear which Matiza has found to pull in a large young audience. “We have a lot of people that are running up and down the streets and in order for us to achieve the flattening of the curve and nipping the pandemic in the bud we have to find ways to do it. We are just contributing as a piece of the puzzle of the solution.” While the story of the brand’s growth is a shining beacon of hope for other designers faced with the pandemic, Matiza had great difficulty starting the business. “I started this business with my last salary from my last job. Ever since then it’s been difficult to put things together
and to keep the business afloat,” says Matiza, “to also reinvest in yourself is difficult as well. There are so many things I’ve had to deprive myself of because the aim was to build the business.” While many hurdles have stood in the way of Matiza’s success, none shook him quite like the recent xenophobic attacks that shocked the nation late last year. Johannesburg CBD has been the business hub for suppliers and buyers, so it took a toll on operations. “Our suppliers could not operate as usual, our clients could not access us because they were afraid of what was happening in Joburg central and that already just killed the business,” says Matiza, who finds that the national lockdown has been less of a hindrance and somewhat familiar. “Nobody is doing anything and that is quite damaging for a business. But, I think overcoming it is being prepared for whatever might come to happen. The life of an entrepreneur changes on a daily basis. You never know what is going to happen on a daily basis. Our quest is to build our business but the journey towards that is solving problems.” With retailers currently closed, the masks are not currently available for purchase but can be ordered.
Skilful sculptor happy to be his own boss Masina sells his wooden art at popular tourism spots By Promise Marupeng
After nearly three decades of creating wooden art craft pieces, Wanda Masina keeps falling in love with his work , and says he would never trade his skill as a sculptor for anything. Masina, 43, sells his art to tourists and locals at popular tourism sites in the Sabie area in Mpumalanga. His main work spots are at Mac Mac Falls and Sudwala Caves. Masina said after realising the scarcity of jobs in the village, he asked his late uncle to teach him sculpting with wooden, the basic material which is abundant in his area. “There were no jobs here, if you wanted a better life you had to go to Johannesburg and find a job. But I decided to stay behind when my peers went to the big city because I had to take care of my mom. I managed to pay my school fees with the little I made from trading,” Masina said. “I create wildlife, from bugs and birds to bigger animals. My inspiration comes from rich natural surroundings of my home province of Mpumalanga. “I have cut myself a couple of times because it [knife] can slip when I’m etching corners and edges, but I put on a bandage and soldier on. “When I grew up, I wanted to be my own boss and I have achieved it over the years.” Masina said he dropped out of school in grade 11 due to financial problems at home. “But all my children’s schooling is a priority and I want all of them to finish school and go to varsity because I
couldn’t,” said the father of four. Masina conceded business had been very slow since the national lockdown was put in place. His art pieces sell from R50 to R1,500, depending on the size. “I cannot wait to go back to business as usual; staying at home is warm, but I need to put food on the table.”
Artist Wanda Masina is inspired by nature and beautiful surroundings of his Mpumalanga home province. / S U P P L I E D
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Mayambela not ready to retire Veteran says he has been in talks with three clubs By Vuyokazi Nkanjeni
Evergreen Mark Mayambela says he still has some fuel in the tank and his hunger for top-class football has far from diminished. The 32-year-old former Chippa United midfield general and captain is now a free agent following his short stint at Cape Town City earlier in the season and says retirement
is but a distant thought at the moment. Mayambela has been around the block a few times, having played for the likes of Orlando Pirates, Bloemfontein Celtic, Ajax Cape Town and Swedish side Djurgardens, just to name a few. However, he is not ready to pull the plug yet and believes he still has plenty to offer in football. He said his fans should keep an eye out for him. Fleet-footed and more talented than most, Mayambela sees some light at the end of the tunnel in terms of his career once the Covid-19 global
pandemic has cleared. “There are three clubs who I have been in talks with, one is local, one in Asia and one is a European team,” Mayambela said. “So, we will see how things turn out after all is well. “There is really nothing we can talk about regarding football because we are not even sure when football will come back.” Recently, Mayambela tweeted a picture of himself in seven jerseys of some of the clubs that he has played for, with a caption reading: “A blessing to be part of this, I owe this game everything.”
The tweet had his fans questioning whether or not he was retiring from football. “It’s not a secret that I have been in the game for a long time. Sooner or later my ties with football, in terms of playing, will come to an end. “But for now I am not retiring. I am still going to play. For how long? I think my body will decide that. “However, I am still in shape and I feel good,” he said. “I am home because of the lockdown and I am just complying with that. Trying to keep fit at home is not easy because you are restricted to one place.”
Mark Mayambela in Cape Town City colours . / C H A R L ƒ LO M BA R D/GA L LO I M AG E S
Fifa advises players to take pay cut Move aimed at mitigating virus’s economic impact Lausanne – Fifa yesterday urged clubs and players to reach agreement on wage reductions to protect clubs suffering financial damage due to the coronavirus crisis, sources said. The call from world foot-
ball’s governing body comes as English Premier League clubs are locked in talks with players and their representatives about taking pay cuts after government ministers in the UK called on players to “play their part”. Italian top-flight football clubs on Monday agreed to cut the salaries of players, coaches and staff. Clubs in other countries, including Barcelona, have also
cut player wages. Fifa is also recommending that players’ contracts be extended until the end of the interrupted football seasons and that the transfer window does not open until that time. The source said the health crisis had had “a major impact” on clubs’ revenues and that, like other sectors of the economy, football had to find “fair and equitable solutions” to protect jobs.
Therefore Fifa “strongly encourages clubs and players to work together” to find agreements on a range of issues, including salaries. Given that the European seasons are suspended and there is no fixed date to resume at the current time, the source said Fifa proposes that player contracts should be extended “until such time that the season does actually end”. – AFP
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Extra time for PSL players to recover from their injuries Suspension of games a relief There is a silver lining for some footballers at the end of the coronavirus lockdown. PSL games have been suspended indefinitely, and the postponement has given some players extra time to recover from their injuries. Gomolemo Motshwane looks at who could benefit from the Covid-19 enforced football break Mauricio Affonso: Mamelodi Sundowns Affonso underwent a groin operation in early March which has ruled him out for three months. The injury-prone Uruguayan has made an impact whenever he has played for his team. He, after all, was the hero when Downs clinched the Telkom Knockout earlier in the season. Should the season be extended to after June then he could return with a bang.
Nkanyiso Zungu: Orlando Pirates The midfielder is yet to make an appearance for the Buccaneers after arriving from Stellenbosch with a groin injury. The left-footer could boost the team in their seven remaining
Kermit Erasmus of Cape Town City FC / GA L LO I M AG E S / L E F T Y S H I VA M B U
Mauricio Affonso of Mamelodi Sundowns. /A N E S H D E B I K Y/ G A L LO I M AG E S
league games and will also offer his coach Josef Zinnbauer some option on the flanks. Willard Katsande: Kaizer Chiefs The tough tackling Chiefs enforcer limped off the pitch after a knee injury during the Soweto derby in February. Katsande, 34, has recovered quicker than expected. The Zimbabwean is completing his rehabilitation at home and has posted pictures of himself training on social media. Oupa Manyisa: Mamelodi Sundowns After suffering an ankle injury earlier in the season during the Helix Cup against Kaizer Chiefs, many expected the veteran to return next season. Manyisa has however made a return to training. The 31-year-old, however, will still find it difficult to break into the starting lineup with Andile Jali and Hlompho Kekana dominating the midfield. Kermit Erasmus: Cape Town City The diminutive striker could provide a much-needed boost to the Citizens who have been blowing hot and cold. Erasmus has recovered from a hamstring injury earlier than expected. He missed the last two games due to the injury.
PSL duo help draft Fifa Covid-19 action plan Ferreira, Murphy serve on Fifa working group By Mark Gleeson
Two prominent Premier Soccer League officials played a role in drafting Fifa’s response to the coronavirus pandemic‚ which is expected to be formally released in the coming weeks and is designed to ensure a smooth return to action. Both executive committee member Jose Ferreira‚ the former boss of Bidvest Wits‚ and
Michael Murphy‚ the PSL’s legal counsel‚ served on the Fifa working group who put together guidelines for the game in the wake of the crisis brought on by the deadly virus. They formed part of a collaboration between world football’s governing body‚ the European Club Association‚ the players union FIFPro and World Leagues Forum‚ who held meetings via video conference late last month and again last week to thrash out solutions to the worldwide suspension of the game. The pair‚ both lawyers‚ were
nominated by the World Leagues Forum‚ of which the PSL is a member. Neither were able to comment. The World Leagues Forum was formed to represent professional football leagues on a world level and all major leagues are members. The Fifa working group has come up with suggestions around the cessation of players’ contracts‚ how Fifa can deal with complaints and appeals over wage cuts for players and how clubs and football bodies can cut costs during the stoppage caused by the pandemic.
Their recommendations are‚ in theory‚ guidance for each country to take on board but Zurich has made it clear that it is to be followed. “As world football’s governing body‚ Fifa has a responsibility and mandate to provide appropriate guidance and recommendations to member associations and their stakeholders to both mitigate the consequences of disruptions caused by Covid-19 and ensure that any response is harmonised in the common interest‚” it said. The major feature of the group’s work was the recommendation that player con-
tracts due to run out in June should be extended to the end of any resumed season – allowing the possibility that unfinished seasons can still be completed in the second half of the year. It also urges clubs‚ leagues and players to reach “appropriate collective agreements” over wages and has put in place mechanisms to deal with possible disputes. The group agreed that transfer windows should be adjusted to reflect the changed dates of seasons‚ with priority given to teams finishing the current season with their existing squad.
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Thobejane backs Kutumela to shine ‘Expect to see more from him’ By Gomolemo Motshwane
Former Baroka coach Kgoloko Thobejane has backed his former protégée Thabiso Kutumela to perform with Bafana Bafana after his surprise inclusion in the squad. Kutumela was one of the inclusions that raised eyebrows in the recent Bafana squad that was named by Molefi Ntseki together with the likes of Thabo Matlaba, George Maluleka and Gladwin Shitolo. The diminutive goal-poacher failed to cement regular game-time at Orlando Pirates and was sold to Maritzburg United last season. After failing to earn a national team call-up at the mighty Buccaneers, he has been able to do that at the Team of Choice. Kutumela has scored nine goals in 25 appearances in all competitions. “That boy is one of the best strikers in the country and he still has a bright future ahead. I think people can still expect to see more from him,” Thobejane said.
“I am happy that he has finally got a chance to prove himself at Bafana. I think he will do well for the national team. He was not given a proper chance at Pirates and I think Maritzburg is the right team for him now.” Kutumela’s chances of making his debut have suffered due to the international suspension of games due to the coronavirus. It remains to be seen when Bafana will finally take on São Tomé in the qualifiers for next year’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). Thobejane is currently the head coach of ABC Motsepe League side Passion FC in Mpumalanga. The former school teacher groomed a number of top players at Baroka, including Kutumela, Mduduzi Mdantsane and Gift Motupa. The 50-year-old tactician is confident that he can also produce star players at Passion. “There is a lot of potential in the team and also in Mpumalanga as a whole. “I think soon we will have PSL players coming from this club, I am sure of that,” confident Thobejane said.
Thabiso Kutumela of Maritzburg United was in the latest Bafana squad. / D I R K KOTZ E /GA L LO I M AG E S
Dladla clears promoter Mahoko over split SA champ left Khosi on his own accord By Bongani Magasela
Newly crowned SA champ Simon Dladla is sandwiched by promoter Lebo Mahoko and mayor of Maluti-a-Phofung municipality Masetjhaba Lakaje. / S U P P L I E D
It has since emerged that Free State boxing promoter Lebo Mahoko had nothing to do with split between boxer Simon Dladla and trainer George Khosi, Dladla has confirmed. This is contrary to Khosi’s claim last week when he quoted Dladla, saying Mahoko threatened to stop giving the newly crowned SA junior middleweight champion fights if he did not leave Khosi’s Hillbrow Boxing Club. Dladla cleared Mahoko of any involvement and also denied talking about Mahoko to Khosi. “I boxed with George from the amateurs and I learnt many things under him but
the time has come for me to leave him and grow as a boxer. The promoter has nothing to do with this. I don’t know what this guy [Khosi] is talking about. I left on my own,” said Dladla, who won both the Gauteng and SA belts under Khosi. A relieved Mahoko said: “At least you got the story from Simon now because I had been put in bad light by George’s comments. It seems there were problems there even before I came into the picture to give Simon a chance to fight
Simon called me to say he had left Khosi
for the SA title in December. “Simon once told me that he wanted to leave that gym because there was drama. I drove to Johannesburg to meet with these guys but Simon was not available. I spoke to George and made a plea that they must resolve whatever differences they had.” Mahoko said the pair had a conflict in public at the weighin for his tournament. “Simon did not want to sign for George’s 25 percent of his purse money because he said George never trained him. Again, I initiated peace and he signed,” said Mahoko. “Simon called me at the beginning of March and said he had nowhere to go because he has left George. “I then said he can go and ask for help and sparring with trainer Vusi Mtolo who trains my other boxer Nkululeko Mhlongo,” Mahoko said.
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Tuesday April 7 2020 Sowetan
By Nkareng Matshe
Pitso Mosimane says the Premier Soccer League should consider doing away with preseason for the next term, should the current hiatus triggered by Covid-19 stretch for longer than a month. There has not been any local football action since March 15 as the PSL was forced to suspend games following the coronavirus-induced lockdown. Next week will mark a month since the suspension of matches and Mosimane, the Mamelodi Sundowns coach, felt it would be pointless to insist on the usual break in the winter. “I think we should do away with pre-season [for the 2020/2021 season]. Once all this is over, we should be back on the pitch then start the new season almost immediately. Players usually require four weeks’ break for pre-season. They are having that recess now,” Mosimane said.
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Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has a radical proposal. / V E L I N H L A P O
Move to save season
Scrap pre-season, Pitso proposes Downs coach feels that 10-day gap is enough The four-time Absa Premiership champion suggested the PSL should only offer a two-week break to allow for transfers to take place, after which the new season should begin, to make up for lost time. “We should get a one- or twoweek break for player movements. It shouldn’t be more than 10 days, really.”
Mosimane’s players, like the rest of the PSL, have been keeping fit at home amid the lockdown, but he says Covid19 exposed SA as far behind in terms of technology. “I saw players at Spurs and Bayern [Munich] engage in a co-ordinated training, all from their homes, at the same time. The coach could see everyone. They were all doing the same thing. We don’t have that type of technology here. We don’t have those TV screens. Some European teams sent gym
equipment to their players to utilise at home. The crisis we have now shows we can improve in that regard.” Sundowns are four points behind Kaizer Chiefs in the Premiership standings with a match in hand and, while Mosimane believes a third league title in succession is feasible, he’s braced for the unknown when the action resumes. “It will be difficult for all the teams. This break came at a good time for others who were struggling, but we had
found some rhythm. So now when we restart you could have three scenarios: continue where you left off, be better, or deteriorate. I’m not sure how my team will react because I’m not training the team. I have to trust players to be professional and follow the programme we’ve given them. We could have a situation where we’ll play three games in a week. “I would like the PSL to inform us timeously about when the games resume so we can go back and prepare.”
Bafana face hectic qualifiers schedule 3 games a week on cards By Mark Gleeson
Bafana Bafana could have to play three times a week later this year to haul in fixtures postponed in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. Bafana now have three matches to catch up on after Fifa at the weekend officially cancelled all international matches set for June. They were to host the Black Stars of Ghana on June 6 in a top-of-the-table clash in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifying group but that game is now
off‚ leaving Molefi Ntseki’s side unlikely to see any action before September. Bafana have already seen last month’s two Group C qualifiers against Sao Tome and Principe – home and away – postponed in the wake of the worldwide sporting shutdown. Fifa are now planning to press national teams to catch up quickly and ensure the international calendar gets back on track before end of the year. As the calendar stands now‚ South Africa must play Sudan away in September in their last Cup of Nations Group C qualifier and then in October and November begin their
World Cup qualifying campaign against Ethiopia‚ Ghana and Zimbabwe. But the fixture list is to be shifted out‚ leaving Bafana having to play Sao Tome (twice) and Ghana in a potentially exhausting seven-day spell between September 2 and 8 and then Sudan and‚ possible‚ their opening two World Cup qualifiers between October 7 and 13. That will put the qualifying calendar back on track with a further World Cup qualifier set for November. Three matches in seven days would mean Ntseki would need to select a bigger squad and use more players.
Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki with Thulani Hlatshwayo during 2021 Afcon qualifiers against Sudan in November. /GA L LO I M AG E S