Inner City Gazette

Y OP

Special from 10 - 17 May 2012

C EE R F

10 - 17 May 2012 TEL : 011 023-7588 / 011 402 - 1977

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ANTI-DRUGS INITIATIVE SWINGS INTO ACTION

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STORIES FROM THE AFRICAN CONTINENT PAGE 7

GOD KNOWS ALL MEN

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City Kidz funding boost PAGE 3

AFHCO officials, school staff and learners pose in the computer lab during the handover of the funds. See page 3.

PIC : ANGELA RIVERS

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INNER-CITY GAZETTE

NEWS

10 - 17 MAY 2012

PICS : INNER-CITY PRESS AGENCY

Top left : Records manager Matshediso Dlamini speaks during the launch.

Bottom left : Dr Mphalane Makhura addresses the audience.

Above : The Kaalfontein school choir entertains the audience.

Seminar highlights major role of archives In March the Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory digitalised thousands of Mandela archival documents Sizwe Mathe sizwem@inner-city-gazette.co.za

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reservation of records and archives came under the spotlight during the official launch of annual National Archives Week at the Workers Museum in Newtown, Joburg.

The archives week creates aware-

the future, the official launch of the week-long activities was attended by different archivists and records managers. It highlighted the consequences of non-compliance and poor record management practices in public administration.

Records Manager at the Auditor General office Matshediso Dlamini emphasised the importance of safeguarding records.

“We must make sure that these records are preserved eternally. All organisations must have a records manBRIGHT FUTURE ager because DRIVING ACADEMY CC without them it is imposOpen 7 days a week sible to imFrom 6am to 6pm Professional Learner plement and & Driving Tuitions sustain sound

ness to records managers, the public, as well as other information and archives users about the critical role played by the national archives in preserving the country’s heritage.

It also aims at reaching members of the public who do not know records and archives existence.

Celebrated under the theme Archives for the past, the present and

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records management practices.

Their primary duties are to regularly monitor the management of records in their organisations to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of record-keeping system and processes.”

It is important for every organisation to undertake monitoring activities of records regularly, added Dlamini. “They must also asses their conformity with the obligations of legislation regulating records management. Educate all employees about records management to ensure clean administration.”

Gauteng Libraries and Archives deputy director, Elizabeth Mbatha said records ensure transparency and accountability in organisations.

“They help to expose corruption as well.”

She revealed programmes targetingt high school learners to educate them about keeping records and ar-

chives. “We will also make learners aware of the available career opportunities,” she added.

In March this year Nelson Mandela Centre of Memory, Google Cultural Institute digitalised thousands of Nelson Mandela archival documents, transforming them into a searchable collection that can be browsed through seven online displays. Mbatha conceded that there is still a long way to go before all records can be digitalised.

Dr Mphalane Makhura, Records Manager at Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) reiterated the significance of preserving records. “These will help us secure the future of our children.”

National Archives deputy director Lebogang Mokoena said technology poses a threat to the preservation of records.

“Archivists always have to keep abreast of the latest developments in technology,” he added.

Armed robber nabbed Crime Reporter crime@gazettelive.co.za

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his week Hillbrow police arrested a 24 year-old man in connection with an armed robbery that was committed at the corner of Kotze and Claim streets in Hillbrow on Monday.

Police spokesperson Sgt Jenny Pillay says a complainant parked his car in the street to visit a friend.

“When she returned to the car she was approached by a man who pointed a gun at her and got into the car. The woman screamed and the suspect grabbed her cellphone and fled.”

Sgt Pillay adds that the complainant then reported the incident to a police pa-

trol that appeared in the area.

“She then drove around the streets with the police and eventually located the suspect at corner Soper and Catherine streets in Berea. He was arrested and charged with armed robbery.”

In the same period police arrested a man for possession of suspected heroine in Braamfontein, Sgt Pillay says.

“Officers searched the man at the corner of Leyds and Harrison streets and found a white substance suspected to be heroine in his bag. The estimated street value of the drug is R500.”

Sgt Pillay says yet another man faces drug charges after was arrested in the same area when found in possession of suspected drugs worth about R450.

10 - 17 MAY 2012

I NNER-CITY GAZETTE

The school choir entertains the audience during the ceremony.

PIC : INNER-CITY PRESS AGENCY

Funding boost for CBD school Property company commended for its community building initiatives and creating a ‘decent school’ in the area

Principal Pierre de Lange, Renney Plit, Sarel van der Walt and Richard Goodchild display the cheque.

PIC : ANGELA RIVERS

Moses Moyo moses@inner-city-gazette.co.za Urology Hospital of Pretoria has donated R250 000 to the City Kidz school in the Joburg CBD. The school was established in January 2008 as a social initiative by property company AFHCO, with the aim of improving the poor state of education and facilities for inner-city learners.

Sarel van der Walt, representing Urology Hospital during the handover ceremony, commended AFHCO in its community building initiatives, and for creating a ‘decent school’ in the area.

“We are happy to join AFHCO in making City Kidz school a centre of excellence.”

AFHCO chairman and chief operations officer Renney Plit said the donation would help with the expansion of the

school’s science laboratory, buildings and other facilities.

He added that AFHCO is a leading provider of quality affordable rental accommodation to residential and commercial clients in the Johannesburg inner city.

“Working closely with other development agencies, the SAPS and major financial institutions, we are involved in uplifting all aspects of inner city living.

“Through our social responsibility projects, which are directed at the upliftment of residents and workers of the inner city, we decided to raise the standard of education for children, by providing good education in a pleasant environment.”

Plit explained that the City Kidz school is situated on an acre of ground, which, in addition to 10 classrooms, offices, computer laboratory, sick room and hall, provides over 3000m² of open playground area.

NEWS

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Part of the City Kidz school.

PIC : ANGELA RIVERS

“This allows ample space for outdoor activities, climbing and play equipment, as well as parking for teachers. It accommodates about 260 pupils and is open to the general public. To date the school has been refurbished through donations from different organizations and individuals.”

He added that his company secured a R2 million capital outlay to acquire and fit out the school.

“In addition we oversee the day to day operational and financial management of the school and ensure all repairs and maintenance is carried out; and also to fund any operational shortfalls for three years.”

He added that teaching and care is provided by qualified staff under the guidance of experienced principal Pierre de Lange.

The school contact details are tel: 011 334 6631; fax: 086 550 8600; email: info@citykidz.co.za

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INNER-CITY GAZETTE

LEADER

10 - 17 MAY 2012

The best eviction ever COMMENT The current debate in social circles about the abuse of alcohol by the youth continues to reveal interesting information. At one moment it was revealed that school-going youths have unrestricted access to alcohol in nearly all places that serve the intoxicant.

This means that they can get into any pub and drink without anyone bothering them, as long as they buy their own beers. Onother implication that was raised was that they also have easy access to the red-light districts; and therefore get exposed to adult behaviour, HIV infection and death.

In one radio interview a liquor dispenser said he could not be sure whether a customer was within the legal age limit to be served or not; and if he asked for birth certificates customers would just go somewhere else.

What the questioner missed saying was that it would obviously not make any business sense for the liquor dealer to ask for age verification from every customer. But when it comes to young people below the age of 18, in most cases he would simply be suspicious at the face. It is normally easy to tell from mere facial features whether a person is too young to be over 18 or not. Consideration may as well be given to the fact that some of the youths started drinking when they were 10 years old, and at the age of 17 their puza faces make them look over 40.

Parents are sometimes involved in intriducung teenagers to alcohol. In some cases most of the contents of the home fridge are beers, which may tempt the youths to ‘try them’, and from there they may venture into the nearest tavern.

It is a parental duty to help youths grow free from alcohol, so that they take their studies seriously and grow up to become responsible citizens.

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Published by Inner-City Gazette 149 Pritchard Street, Johannesburg 2000 Tel : 011 023 - 7588 011 024 - 8210 011 402 - 1977 Fax : 086 609 8601 Email : info@inner-city-gazette.co.za Website : www.inner-city-gazette.co.za Printed by Paarlcoldset(Pty)Ltd

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Get rid of dangerous creatures

I

would like to remind property owners to take the issue of rat infestation a little more seriously.

In many buildings in the city there are thousands of rats that roam the passages at will.

Whenever I see the rodents I remember the incident when a child was bitten to death by the rats in Hillbrow. After having heard that I was later informed that this was not the first incident

in which rats had killed someone.

I therefore ask property owners to take this more seriously and ensure that their buildings are free of rats and other dangerous creatures.

In some buildings there are also millions of mosquitoes which threaten the residents with diseases that include the deadly malaria.

There are also millions of cockroaches in the buildings, which the property owners have to get rid of.

Sometimes the owners say residents have to deal with the pests themselves, but in the contracts they make them sign they state that they will provide security and ensure their safety.

If they do not remove the rats, mosquitoes and the cockroaches, they are in breach of contract and may as well be taken to court.

Thandazile Dube Yeoville

It was heartening to read the story about the tenants who had been evicted from a dilapidated building in Bertrams, being moved to better accommodation. This does not happen many times when people get evicted.

It was the best eviction I ever heard about. This time the Red Ants were not sent in to conduct a violent eviction, in which they often assault tenants, throw their things out and even get suspected of stealing some items.

The tenants would then be kicked out into the streets to spend the cold nights out there without any food or shelter for their children.

In this rare eviction the tenants were treated in a humane way, just the way human beings must be treated, never mind whether they are right or wrong.

Having observed this I would hope that all those property owners out there who are thinking of evicting some people, at least use this example of getting them alternative accommodation, to minimise their suffering. If they do this, they may realise that they may not even need to hire the Red Ants to evict the people. It also has to be obvious to them that people resist eviction because they do not want to be kicked out into the streets without any hope for some form of shelter.

Lindi Maphanga Newtown

Man who watches over city finances

MPAC chairperson Sicelo Gcabashe

Kgopi Mabotja

T

he chairperson of the Municipal Public Accounts Committee (MPAC, Scelo Gcabashe is working hard to get Joburg City’s finances back into shape.

The MPAC is a Section 79 committee that performs a watchdog function over legal and policy compliance and service delivery in the City. Established in 2006, its focus is on Joburg’s financial governance, including financial governance in its municipal entities.

His office is in B Block of Metro Centre in Braamfontein, where visitors find him down to business as usual, and meetings take up a large part of his day.

Gcabashe is a finance man having cut his teeth in the finance department from his previous employer Eskom. He has been in the job for almost a year, after being welcomed with a baptism of fire: the billing crisis was just but one

We check annual reports, make recommendations, examine, and consider, review and study with the intention of making informed recommendations to council

of the many issues that he had to tackle. A well-spoken perfectionist, he has put in place clear objectives.

“Our intention is to make sure that the City’s monies are efficiently spent, and whether we are getting value for money in our spending.

We check annual reports, make recommendations, examine, and consider, review and study with the intention of making informed recommendations to council. We examine financial statements and audit reports,” he explains of the committee’s many tasks.

The MPAC also regularly reviews investigations into municipal finances and the finances of its departments and entities, according to Gcabashe.

MPAC has the authority to hold the executive accountable and to ensure that its recommendations are implemented. “We utilise the implementation of council resolution report to track and ensure that

its recommendations are implemented, further to this we utilise the matrix’ this a return report given back to the MPAC by the council , showing which recommendations have been implemented and which are still outstanding and the reasons for this.”

Gcabashe writes on a white board to illustrate how the matrix model works through interactions between the council, the accounting officer and the MPAC. “The committee can hold everyone accountable, irrespective of their position.”

Gcabashe recently tabled a set of recommendations to help the City get its finances back into shape. The recommendations were drawn from the financial report of 2010/11, for which the City received a qualified report from the auditor-general. They were adopted by the council.

One of the recommendations ensures that residents receive correct

Inner-City Gazette subscribes to the South African Press Code that prescribes news that is truthful, accurate, fair and balanced. If we do not live up to the code please contact the press ombudsman on 011 484-3612 or 011 484 - 3618 or ombudsman@presscouncil.org.za .

If you have news stories or tips please contact Sizwe on 073 490 1905.

service bills, Gcabashe says.

“The accounting officer must report bi-monthly to the MPAC about the progress that has been made in the implementation of the billing roadmap,” explains Gcabashe.

He has held responsible positions in his previous jobs, while still young. He plied his trade at the power utility Eskom from 2002, where he was a shop steward until February 2012.

At the same time, he was a parttime ANC councillor and the chairperson of the MPAC. He resigned from Eskom after the Minister of Corporate Governance and Traditional Affairs Richard Baloyi ordered that all chairpersons become full-time councillors.

A trade unionist by political leaning and a member of the South African Communist Party, Gcabashe was the deputy regional secretary in the National Union of Mine Workers, as well as the deputy chairman of Cosatu in Gauteng.

10 - 17 MAY 2012

INNER-CITY GAZETTE

The police vehicle was damaged when it collided with a bakkie in Soper Road.

NEWS

PIC : INNER-CITY PRESS AGENCY

Cop car wrecked in crash Moses Moyo moses@inner-city-gazette.co.za

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Hillbrow police VW Golf vehicle was seriously damaged on Tuesday this week when it collided with a private vehicle in Soper Road, Berea. The occupants of both vehicles were not seriously hurt in the accident.

A community member at the scene said the police officers were apparently speeding to collect a bribe from drug dealers in Fife Street, Berea. The community member, who

declined to be named, also detailed the abusive behavior of police officers at the accident scene.

However, police spokesperson Sgt Jenny Pillay refuted the allegation and accused the private vehicle driver of negligent driving.

“He did not comply with the road markings in the street. He turned into a direction which the arrows did not permit him to do so. Our police officers were not at fault in this accident,” she said.

Sgt Pillay added that the police officers concerned were on routine

patrol when the accident happened.

“The allegations that they were rushing to collect a bribe are false.

The police have opened a case of reckless and negligent driving and circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated.”

Sgt Pillay could however not reveal the number of police vehicles that have been damaged in the past six months.

Tell us what you think via twitter: @inner_gazette, facebook: InnerCity Gazette or via email: news@ inner-city-gazette.co.za

Police want this murder suspect Police are appealing for information that could lead to the arrest of the suspect pictured above who is wanted in connection with a murder that occurred on 6 May 2012

in Berea. Anyone with information may contact the Investigation Officer Detective Constable Collen Ramputla on 083 685 7932 or Hillbrow SAPS 011-488 6511.

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NEWS

INNER-CITY GAZETTE

10 - 17 MAY 2012

Drugs initiative swings into action Activities include door-to-door campaigns in identified hotspots Sizwe Mathe sizwem@inner-city-gazette.co.za

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ollowing its launch two months ago the Hillbrow Drug Action Committee has unveiled plans to fight drug abuse in the area.

Committee chairman Johan Robyn (pictured left) says the plans include the formation of groups to

focus on specific tasks in fighting drugs. The prevention and education group mandate will be on community awareness campaigns in the neighbourhood.

It will outline prevention measures and provides education about the dangers of substance abuse.

The group will also engage the community through various initia-

tives about the effects of drugs in a human body. The communication will also involve door-to-door visits and a distribution of pamphlets to communities.

The committee was formed in February in response to a growing trend of substance abuse among young people in Hillbrow and surrounding areas. It involves various

stakeholders such as schools, local NGOs, property companies, SAPS, City of Johannesburg and community members.

Robyn says the community development group will focus on supporting and linking up with existing initiatives in the community.

“This strategy will begin with a crime prevention initiative to be hosted by Hillbrow CPF this week Saturday. These plans form part of a national strategy and will accelerate the fight in drug abuse.”

Part of the committees’ plans is to also focus on the recovery and treatment of drug addicts.

“A system providing therapy to victims has been devised. About 10 community members are under going training through SANCA Phoenix. Their training will ensure better understanding of mentoring and assisting victims recovering from drug abuse,” adds Robyn.

Another group will ensure that enough research and information is gathered about the latest trends in the drugs manufacturing field.

“This will give the committee an upper-hand in understanding the extent of drugs that the individuals use. It will also give us an understanding of the latest manufactured drugs,” Robyn says.

Other initiatives lined up throughout the year include door-to-door campaigns in Hillbrow in identified buildings and hotspots. “The organisation is planning to expand its operations to other areas in the inner-city,” adds Robyn.

To report any substance abuse contact Alcoholics Anonymous SA on telephone 011 436-0116 or SANCA on 011 482-7187.

HILLBROW POLICE ARRESTS 30 APRIL 7 MAY 2012 Kidnapping and assault 2, shoplifting 5, theft 4, house breaking and theft 1, possession of dagga 3,assault common 21, drunk and driving 6, robbery common 1,malicious injury to property 10, assault GBH 10, intimidation 2, crimen injuria 3, warrant of arrest 1, theft out of motor vehicle 1, possession of suspected stolen property 4, murder 2, possession of counterfeit money 1, possession of drugs 11, fraud 3, driving without license 8, armed robbery and possession of unlicensed firearm 1, dealing in drugs 2, possession of dangerous weapon 2, armed robbery 3, theft under false pretense 1, child neglect 1, kidnapping and rape 1, rape 1.

10 - 17 MAY 2012

I NNER-CITY GAZETTE

NEWS

FOCUS ON AFRICA

Life jail for Taylor sought Monrovia - Following ex-president Charles Taylor’s recent war crimes conviction in The Hague, prosecutors have said he should get an 80-year sentence.

The 64-year old Taylor was found guilty on 11 counts, including rape and murder, relating to the Sierra Leone civil war. He will be sentenced on 30 May. During the 1991-2002 civil war Taylor backed Revolutionary United Front rebels who killed tens of thousands of people. In return, he received ‘blood diamonds’ collected by slaves.

The prosecution team said he ‘planned the bloodiest chapter in Sierra Leone’s war - the Freetown invasion’ and was instrumental in supporting the rebels in their strategy of ‘murders, rapes, sexual slavery, looting, child soldiers... and other forms of physical violence and acts of terror’. The prosecutors claim that the sentence would reflect the severity of the crimes and the central role in facilitating them. Taylor became the first former head of state convicted by an international court since the Nuremburg trial of Nazis after World War II. Taylor may appeal against the conviction, but if he loses he is expected to serve time in a British prison.

Charles Taylor

Call for Gaddafi probe

Aisha Gaddafi

60 die in market carnage Maiduguri - Gunmen threw bombs and opened fire on a cattle market in Yobe state, killing at least 60 people and wounding 30.

It is not clear who was behind the attack in the town of Potiskum, and there was no claim of responsibility. Some reports suggest it was robbers angered by a crowd burning one of their colleagues alive earlier in the day. Police spokesman Toyin Gbadegesin said gunmen armed with assault rifles threw explosives and shot indiscriminately, killing lots of livestock and wounding many people, mostly cattle dealers.

Witnesses said the violence began earlier in the day when gunmen started shooting at the market.

Three people were killed, and it ended when the attackers ran out of ammunition and all but one of them fled. People then beat the gunman, doused him in petrol and set him on fire.

As the market closed for the night, the gunmen returned, setting fire to cattle holding pens and cars parked around the area.

Gangs often seek to provoke panic at markets, forcing traders to flee so they can steal their wares.

Algeria - In a letter submitted to the UN Security Council, the daughter of late Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi has asked prosecutors to investigate her father’s and brother’s deaths as war crimes.

Aisha Gaddafi, who fled to Algeria, asked International Criminal Court Prosecutor Luis MorenoOcampo last year to open an investigation.

The letter said Moreno-Ocampo had earlier replied to the initial request, ‘indicating that he would announce his strategy concerning such an investigation on the occasion of his next report to the Security Council in May 2012’.

“The Rome Statute founding the International Criminal Court obliges the Prosecutor to investigate all aspects of the Libyan situation referred to him by the Security Council,” she said.

The ICC initially demanded that Libya hand over Gaddafi, but he died with his son Mutassim.

Aisha Gaddafi is an ex-UN goodwill ambassador, and a lawyer who assisted in defending ex-Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein, who was hanged in 2006.

Her father, who had ruled Libya for nearly 42 years, was initially captured alive, according to Mahmoud Jibril, Libya’s then interim PM.

Army seizes North Kivu

King Mswati III

No media freedom in kingdom Mbabane - The country is positioned at 168 among 197 for media freedom, in a survey published by Freedom House, a US based NGO that supports global freedom and concrete assistance for democratic activists worldwide.

The kingdom, ruled by King Mswati III, is at number 40 among 49 African countries. Freedom House concludes that media free-

dom does not exist there.

Freedom House says King Mswati exerts strict control over the media. The government routinely warns against negative news coverage, and journalists are harassed and assault by both state and non-state actors. The media is marked by a high level of official and self-censorship on political and royal matters.’

Last week, a survey by

Romaana Naidoo Joburg Joburg residents can be assured that they are drinking the best wahas the ter in the country, after the city 98.92 percent in this year’s best water scored Blue Drop report.

The Blue Drop certification system awards South African municipalities that have the best water quality.

Addressing the Water Institute of Southern Africa Conference on 7

Swazi Media Commentary, concluded that two dominant themes in the 12 months to May have been censorship of mainstream journalism and government attempts to silence social media like Facebook.

May, the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, Edna Molewa said 98 municipalities were awarded Blue Drop status this year, up from last year’s 66. The average national Blue Drop status score jumped from 72.9 percent last year to 87.6 percent this year.

The scores have increased yearby-year since the first Blue Drop report was released in 2009, when municipalities jagged up a national average of 51.4 percent. In all, 153

Gen Bosco Ntaganda

Kinshasa-The army says it has regained the entire eastern area of Masisi from warlord Bosco Ntaganda’s rebels, after weeks of fighting in which thousands of civilians fled their homes.

Gen Ntaganda, known as “The Terminator”, is wanted for war crimes by the International Criminal Court, which accuses him of recruiting child soldiers for the same rebel group as Thomas Lubanga, who in March became the first to be convicted of war crimes by the ICC. His troops deserted the army last month and authorities want to try him themselves. Gen Ntaganda had seized two towns in Masisi; but army chief LtGen Didier Longila said the whole area had now been secured.

Born in Rwanda, Gen Ntaganda fought with the ethnic Tutsi rebels who brought President Paul Kagame to power and ended the 1994 genocide.

Congolese army sources say Rwanda backs Gen Ntaganda. However Kagame denies this, saying North Kivu is purely a Congolese issue.

of the country’s 287 municipalities and 931 water systems were audited for this year’s report.

She explained that even though certain municipalities were not awarded Blue Drop status, it did not mean that their water was unfit for consumption. Blue Drop certification goes beyond just the quality of drinking water; it also includes aspects such as risk management, operations and asset management of the entity’s water services.

Blue Drop is an incentive-based regulatory initiative that requires water services institutions to provide information in line with the legislative requirements of section 62 of the Water Services Act. While other countries that have water audits only focus on the quality of water, South Africa’s Department of Environmental and Water Affairs also looks at risk management and asset management in its Blue Drop report. joburg.org.za

RESTAURANT ATTRACTS VARIETY OF CUSTOMERS Mamgo’s Restaurant, situated right at the edge of End and Pritchard streets attracts a variety of customers during the week and over weekends.

It officially opened in November last year after initially doing business in Bree and Nugget streets. Since its opening, the eatery has turned the previously grime-ridden End Street into a dynamic street. Before, police vehicles could only be seen around the street to arrest criminals or for routine duties, but they now enjoy a luncheon in the restaurant daily.

With its diverse menu of African dishes, the restaurant also attracts learners from schools around the area for a kota treat.

“My clientele is largely school kids, police officers, taxi drivers and workers in factories around the area. How-

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ever, at time celebrities do come as well to enjoy a live chicken,” says the restaurant manager and owner Mercy Mpofu.

The restaurant offers only African dishes, she says. “I do not compromise with my African food. That’s why you will have kotas here; it’s what my customers want.”

Mpofu also owns a restaurant under the same name in Bree and End streets which was recently opened.

She adds that that moving her restaurant from Nugget Street cost her large clientele base. “I used to have plenty of customers but moving from Nugget cost me a lot. When this one was under operation I had to cater for my

previous taxi driver customers. The shop is right over the road from my previous one,” she adds.

Pap, chicken and beef and a variety of salads will not cost more than R30 per dish. “In addition to this I also offer different kotas such as chips, French and cheese, chips, French, Russians and various burgers.”

The restaurant is open from 7am until 9pm. “We close it late because most of my customers dismiss late, especially taxi drivers,” adds Mpofu.

For more details contact supervisor Charity on cell number 073 894 2330 or Busisiwe on 083 691 1789.

Above left : Manager and owner Mercy Mpofu displays some of the meals that are served at the restaurant.

Above : The Mamgo’s Restaurant in End Street.

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COMMERCIAL

INNER-CITY GAZETTE

10 - 17 MAY 2012

10 - 17 MAY 2012

INNER-CITY GAZETTE

THE ARTS

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Expo on plight of migrants

The music was layered with innuendo as it descriptively portrayed township life during an era when people were faced with apartheid’s ugliness

Exhibition inspires action to aid vulnerable migrants Arts Correspondent

Accompanying Bra B in the show is award-winning actress Velaphi Khumalo.

PIC : RUPHIN COUDYZER

The Market presents 1950s shebeen style Arts Correspondent

F

ollowing sold-out performances at the Victory Theatre last year, Kwela Bafana+ is once again about to take Jozi by storm, starting on 25 May at the Market Theatre.

Bra B Ngwenya and the Kwela Bafana Band will deliver vibrant tunes reminiscent of South African townships in the 1950s.

A distinctive style of music was born from the shebeen scene in the 1950s. It was funky and audacious and could liven up a dance floor in a moment. It was also layered with innuendo as it descriptively portrayed township life during an era in the country when people were faced with apartheid’s ugliness, which included the devastation of forced removals.

To survive these adverse times, music became an escape and, al-

though it was often uplifting, the undertones of tragedy and fear were always evident. The hauntingly evocative penny-whistle or kwela – meaning “get up” or kwela kwela describing the police vans - was made famous through kwela music during these times.

It was this fabulous 50s street music, with its magical jazzy undertones, which had revellers living up the night life inside the noisy walls of the shebeens, where kwela sounds, non-stop action and the never-ending flow of beer kept people’s hopes and dreams alive.

Kwela Bafana+, A Night in a 50s Shebeen, is an engaging musical story, which brings to life the unforgettable sights and sounds of South Africa during a decade known for producing a distinctive flavour in song and dance.

Directed by renowned Sibikwa Art

Centre founders Phyllis Klotz and Smal Ndaba, with musical direction by the multi-talented Themba Mkhize - who has among his many accolades arranged and composed the music for both the Confederations and World Cup - and choreography by the internationally-acclaimed Todd Twala, Kwela Bafana+ will warm the hearts of an eclectic and multicultural audience.

Boy Ngwenya, an original member of the Woodywood Peckers and the famous King Kong cast, brings authentic 50s flair and personality to his performance. Then, accompanying Bra B, audiences can look forward to the award-winning talents of actress Velaphi Khumalo, who has, in previous Kwela productions, become one of the show’s biggest attractions. Khumalo is a “tour de force” to be reckoned and brings some seriously powerful vo-

cal talents to her performance.

The Kwela Bafana Band, supports the Kwela cast through the talents of Lunga Mgcina on saxophone, Sabelo Masondo on bass, Wandile Molefe on piano, Siphiwe Kubheka on drums, and led by the inimitable Bra B himself who also plays keyboards.

This fabulous musical theatre features numbers from the classic, King Kong, songs by Victor Ndlazilwane of the Woodywood Peckers and Dambuza Mdledle of the Manhattan Brothers. These kwela songs became a hallmark sound in the South African township jazz genre and were sadly lost in the intense political history of those times.

Kwela Bafana will pay homage to the rich heritage of this definitive 50s style, urban township music, presented from 25 May to 24 June at the Market Theatre in Newtown.

This week Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) South Africa opened a dynamic and thought provoking exhibition titled Solidarity for Survival.

In a press statement MSF says the exhibition brings attention on the plight of thousands of people who survive displacement and migration; and come to South Africa in the face of discrimination and healthcare exclusion. Solidarity for Survival portrays the plight of African nationals fleeing their home countries and is informed by what MSF has witnessed while providing emergency medical care.

“The exhibition seeks to provoke debate and inspire solidarity with people left most vulnerable in their struggle to access medical care and who face a denial of dignity. Solidarity for Survival probes the reasons for people leaving their countries of origin, with a focus on four countries where MSF operates in sub-Saharan Africa: the DR Congo, Somalia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

“Every year, violence, collapse of states and disintegration of services force hundreds of thousands of people to leave their home countries to come to South Africa, and developed countries elsewhere, in the hope of surviving.”

It adds that during outbreaks of violence and a denial of access to healthcare MSF responds by providing medical care and bearing witness to the experiences of people in crisis - standing in solidarity with the people our medical teams treat. This was true during the xenophobic violence in 2008, and continues to reflect the daily reality of MSF teams working in Johannesburg’s slums to assist migrants and on the Zimbabwean border area around Musina.

“These MSF teams witness regular harassment, sexual violence, healthcare exclusion and the lack of protection that people experience while seeking refuge in South Africa. The intolerance and indifference to plight of vulnerable migrants in South Africa, and elsewhere, is due to a lack of understanding of why they flee their home countries.”

It adds that in southern Africa, the absence of a coherent national and regional response from both Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the South African state to deal with the healthcare needs of people forced to move, means their situation is ignored and their human dignity denied.

“MSF is concerned about the dearth of national and regional migration and health policy instruments, cross-border programmes and activities that could provide suitable access to healthcare and continuity of care for treatment of communicable and chronic diseases, like HIV and tuberculosis.”

MSF adds that this gap is also evident in the lack of a unified civil society response to prevent and condemn the physical and institutional discrimination and violence targeting migrants in South Africa.

“Solidarity for Survival is an exhibition and a call to action that seeks to inspire collective understanding and responsibility among South Africans to ensure vulnerable migrants do not remain invisible and their healthcare needs ignored,” the statement adds.

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The Busy Bees team

SPORT

The Connaught Matroosburg team

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The Albany team displays the trophy.

Soccer tourney wraps up Exciting display of soccer talent in the Ekhaya Neighbourhood youth football tournament Sizwe Mathe sizwem@inner-city-gazette.co.za

T

he Ekhaya Neighbourhood soccer tournament wrapped-up this weekend in Hillbrow following two weekends of grueling football.

The first round took place last month with other matches postponed due to many teams that had entered the daylong tournament. Forty-two teams registered for this year’s tournament.

The tourney started with a first round of Under 16 teams, followed by knock-out stages. The first semifinal

between Albany and Trafalgar ended in a penalty shootout after the teams finished the match in a deadlock. The Albany team advanced to the finals with a 3-2 win. In another semifinal Supreme sailed to the finals with a 2-1 victory against Rondebosch.

The tournament also featured Under 12 and 16 girls’ teams. The Under 12 Busy Bees beat Thembelihle by 3-1.

The Bees’ Under 16 counterpart stung Thembelihle 3-0.

Bertrams FC put a snag onto Matroosburg fine form with a 4-0 win to claim victory in the Under 12 boys’

final. A few minutes into the match Bertrams scored through Brandon Bunu. Before half-time he increased his tally with a thunderous strike.

Bunu attributed his team victory to team effort. “The tournament gave me the necessary exposure required to play professional football,” he added.

Matroosburg coach Shakes Msimang bemoaned lack of training for his team embarrassing defeat. “They did not get time to gel as a team, but they showed composure and discipline.”

Temperatures flared up in the Un-

der 16 final between Albany and Supreme, when players exchanged The Bertrams team displays the Under 12 trophy. blows and two fied for a silly mistake,” said the were sent off.

Albany won the match by a seven former Highlanders of Zimbabwe degoal margin. They were however de- velopment player.

On 14 July, Ekhaya will host the nied the title for fielding a player beMandela Day tournament, revealed longing to another team.

Bruce Ndlovu, who netted 13 goals co-coordinator Bafikile Mkhize.

“We thank all stakeholders for their in the tournament, attributed his success to hard-work. “I am however support in this year’s Ekhaya football disappointed that we were disquali- tournament,” Mkhize added.