Inner City Gazette

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Est 2009 Tel : 011 402 - 1977 Inner-City Gazette

Fax: 086 609 8601

Issue 40 - 2019

Email : info@inner-city-gazette.co.za @ICG_Sales

10 -17 October 2019

Website : www.inner-city-gazette.com

072 824 3014

Inner City Gazette

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Joburg hosts investment conference

‘Although brimming with investment opportunities, financing Africa’s development needs will require between $200 billion and $1.2 trillion yearly. Of this, about $130-$170 billion a year is needed for infrastructure’ Johannesburg - The second edition of the Africa Investment Forum will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre from between November 11 and 13, according to the organisers.

In a statement they said the event, organised by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and its partners, is the largest multi-disciplinary marketplace aimed at raising capital, advancing projects to the bank-

able stage and accelerating financial closure of deals.

The AfDB indicated that there is an urgent need to bridge the gap between Africa’s available capital and bankable projects. “Although brimming with investment opportunities, financing Africa’s development needs will require between $200 billion and $1.2 trillion yearly.

Of this, about $130-$170 billion a year is needed for infrastructure.”

Some of the delegates during the previous edition of the event.

The bank is working with other stakeholders to ensure that the forum becomes the continent’s key springboard for investment to meet the massive infrastructure and development needs.

Similar to the first edition, the 2019 forum will bring together project sponsors, pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, private investors, policymakers, private equity firms, and heads of government to advance

Africa’s economic transformation agenda, the organisers said.

The inaugural event in 2018 featured some 63 projects from across 24 countries and seven sectors valued at $46.9 billion.

African Development Bank president Akinwumi Adesina said: “We want investments in Africa to land on a smooth investment runway.

No bumps. The forum has positioned itself as an honest broker be-

tween governments and private sector stakeholders including project sponsors, investors and transaction facilitators.”

Preparations for the 2019 edition are well underway. Roadshows have been held across the continent and further roadshows are scheduled for investors in North America, Europe and the Middle East.

For more about the forum visit https://africainvestmentforum.com/

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For further information contact Boston on 011 551 2000 Email: info@boston.co.za Visit www.boston.co.za, or Facebook

Holly Rey, chart topper, producer, artist and all-round hard-worker has decided to register at Boston City Campus & Business College for the Music Production Course.

Holly initially approached Boston to secure a Bursary for one of her Dancers who wanted to study music production. Boston then offered both girls the opportunity to complete the course together. “Yes, I am excited to be joining my Dancer particularly since the qualification will add such huge value to my career and ability as a producer and artist”, she says. She added that she was extremely grateful to Boston for generously affording her dancer Sanelisewe Njoko the opportunity to realise her dream to become a producer too. “It is important to me that the people who work with me are enriched and grow through their time and experience with me.”

Holly Rey’s ‘Deeper’, a compelling Afro-House track streaked to Number One on every major radio chart. In the build-up to the SAMAs, the video for ‘Deeper’ smashed through 5.5 million views.

This artist is dedicated, filled with perseverance and not scared of hard work!

At the annual South African Music Awards, Holly Rey says, “I sat there with no idea what was about to happen”. “Record of the year is decided by the public through votes. It could have gone either way.” ‘Deeper’ was named in the top spot! She was the first female artist to win this accolade in 20 years.

Holly Rey has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry of South Africa (RiSA). With all this going on, how will she fit in her studies? “The fact that this course is online will enable me to study on the go. I will be able to work in

Holy Rey hotel rooms and airports, whenever and wherever I can find the time.

Sanelisewe and I can work on the run.”

What character traits enabled her to become such a trail blazer?

“Fearlessness. I am not afraid to stand up for my creative vision and I have found a way to be firm without being pushy or “difficult” as most female artists with their own vision and plans are often labelled.

Hard work is the only key to success, and beats talent when talent does not work” She also believes that women can be industry leaders. “Have the confidence to put yourself out there. You will find that you are surrounded by men who have had

more opportunities to exercise and hone their skills. Do not let it intimidate you. Approach everything with an open mind and a boundless need to learn and grow. Take the criticism and use it to build a strong foundation. Keep on keeping on.

You will get stronger and better at your craft with every twist and turn.”

While some parents may be concerned sending off students into the music industry to seek a career, Holly Rey advises, “To the parents I say “stop it”.

Stop undermining the power of the creative industry to provide happy healthy space for your kids to prosper. The industry has evolved so much and creatives are able to own their power in the industry. Empower your creative kids to gain the knowledge they need to be business people in the industry.

To the students I say “do not chase fame”. If you come into this industry wanting to be famous it will eat you alive. The predators will see you as prey. Come into this industry because you want to be the best at what you do. Come into this industry because you want to constantly grow, improve your craft and become a person who contributes to our cultural and creative economy.

I paid for my entire degree and post graduate degree through music.

This is a business. Learn the business, respect the business and you will prosper.”

Holly Rey finishes, saying, “Never underestimate the power of hard work. There is no such thing as luck. For 10 years I had people telling me I did not belong and I would never make it. My belief was stronger than their doubt. Believe. “

10 -17 October 2019

Workshops to usher businesses into the 4IR Johannesburg - Vodacom has introduced a series of business acceleration workshops targeting all sizes of enterprises, to help them perform better in the digital age.

The sessions, called the Fast Forward Series, are aimed at driving growth and change within the South African business sector.

The mobile operator says the series target small, medium and large enterprises, public and global organisations, and offer industry trend updates and workshops, innovation sprints, developer series and hackathons.

Vodacom business managing executive Fatima Hassim says the objective is to create an environment that will address key business challenges, focusing on helping to develop strategies to survive and thrive in today’s digital economy.

“We want to help them understand and prepare for the fourth industrial revolution by adopting the technology that is being made available to optimise their business processes and efforts,” Hassim says.

Vodacom says this series aims to create a collaborative environment with partners, to develop tailored plans to facilitate skills development and information transfer to promote business growth and strategic decision-making. The first part of the series is in collaboration with Samsung and an ecosystem of partners, including business mentor for small businesses Business Doctors, innovation think tank WeAreMonsters, Google and Facebook.

Vodacom says this is the first time

Vodacom executive Fatima Hassim

Google is collaborating with a telco to provide skills to small business owners in South Africa. This phase will see up to 480 businesses given free access to content and receive hands-on training from experts to grow their digital skills.

Hassim says they have partnered with digital pioneers to pave the way for South African businesses looking to undergo a digital transition. “We look forward to a successful initial phase and are certain there will be room to grow in the future. Our ambition is to connect and grow South African businesses so they are able to take part in the fourth industrial revolution,” she adds.

CEO of Business Doctors, Steve Sutton says: “As a support network for small businesses, we’re dedicated to helping SMEs and larger businesses integrate into the digital economy and grow.”

Director of product and marketing at Samsung Mobile South Africa, Justin Hume says they are looking forward to being part of this programme.

“There are some exciting surprises throughout the series that will be announced in due course. It is this type of progressive leadership that will make the biggest contributions to the change we need to see within the SA landscape,” Hume says.

10 -17 October 2019

‘There was no way they could enter through the door, windows or the roof. So the people who did it knew exactly what they were doing as they targeted a small portion of the wall which was not secured’

Inner-city Gazette

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City warns residents

to use water sparingly

Dam levels are low; with the Vaal Dam currently just over 53-percent full

Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi

Crooks steal R3m school items Soweto - Last Friday burglars broke into Esithebeni Primary School in Zola and made off with items worth over R3 million.

The items that were stolen included smart boards, tablets and computers.

Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi visited the school on Saturday after an urgent meeting was convened with the parents.

“We hope the community will help us and police in getting those involved arrested or recovering some of these items. This was one of our best schools in terms of ICT technology. This is a step back, now the learners must go back to using pen and paper,” Lesufi said.

Security personnel said nine

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people raided the school and targeted a storage room, which was built inside a classroom, and the principal’s office.

Lesufi said the school is highly secured, with several security measures in place. “There was no way they could enter through the door, windows or the roof. So the people who did it knew exactly what they were doing as they targeted a small portion of the wall which was not secured,” he said.

In August, the department said over 250 Gauteng schools had been hit by theft and vandalism this year alone, with the cost of the damage exceeding R121million. In total, there had been 262 incidents of theft and vandalism since the start of 2019.

Johannesburg - The City of Joburg has urged residents to use water sparingly and adhere to restrictions.

The City warned that dam levels are low; with the Vaal Dam currently just over 53-percent full.

Joburg Water communications and marketing manager Isaac Dhludhlu said: “The dams, especially the Vaal where we are getting our water supply from doesn’t look good. Fifty

three percent is not a good number, since we haven’t had any rains since spring started.”

He encouraged residents to use water wisely in order to prevent the city from throttling water supply.

The Lesotho Highlands Water Project will not be pumping water for the next two months due to maintenance that is ongoing on the water services infrastructure.

Joburg Water’s Isaac Dhludhlu

Robotics curriculum for January Pretoria - The government will start rolling out a coding and robotics curriculum for Grade R-3 and Grade 7 in January next year.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga said they have developed the Grade R-3 robotics curriculum, and development of Grade 4 to 7 one is at advanced stage.

“We are ready for the skills of the future as part of the disruptive fourth industrial revolution. We will be trialling this curriculum starting January 2020 in Grade R-3 and Grade 7. Our teachers are be-

ing trained in computer skills, including new teaching areas such as robotics and coding, among others,” she said.

The department believes the coding and robotics curriculum will develop learners’ ability to “solve problems; think critically; and work collaboratively and creatively; function in a digital and information-driven world; apply digital and ICT skills; and transfer these skills to solve everyday problems”.

Earlier this year, Motshekga said the University of South Africa

(Unisa) agreed to partner with the department by making available 24 ICT laboratories throughout the country for the training of 72 000 teachers in coding. The department is also working with civil society, academic institutions and businesses, such as Africa Teen Geeks.

“The rest of the provinces are to be covered in this financial year.

These training teams are responsible for the roll-out in their provinces, and are also provided with resources to distribute to all teachers,” Motshekga said.

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10 -17 October 2019

Murder case against pupil withdrawn Sebokeng - The murder case against the learner, aged 15, who allegedly stabbed a schoolmate to death with a pair of scissors, has been provisionally withdrawn, according to police.

Captain Fikile Funda said that was for the police to complete outstanding investigation. “When the inves-

tigation is complete the matter will be taken back to court,” said Funda.

The 14-year-old pupil was killed at Thuto-Tiro Comprehensive School on Monday.

Gauteng Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi said the stabbing with a scissors took place inside a classroom.

Some inmates during a study session.

Jailed matriculants to write exams Johannesburg - The Department of Correctional Services says nearly 200 inmates from 13 schools are expected to write their National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations from October 16 to November 28 this year.

Correctional Services spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said the jailed matriculants are ready for the examinations and the department is satisfied with the preparations.

“The department has tested its system in terms of providing a safe and secure environment for the examinations. The 183 inmates who will

be writing exams are housed separately from the general inmate population, in order to ensure no disturbance for the entire duration of the NSC examinations,” said Nxumalo.

He added that his department worked closely with the Department of Basic Education to increase the number of schools in prisons.

“Formal education is however a programme of choice for inmates,” he said.

Nxumalo suggested that the pass rate will be above the 77.3% achieved in 2018. “All schools have long completed their syllabi and are

wrapping up revision work with the assistance of educators. The winter school programme has also been one of the best working mechanisms to prepare inmates for the final examination,” Nxumalo said.

Correctional Services Commissioner Arthur Fraser said education is strategically to eliminate illiteracy, under-qualification and absence of critical skills, which are a vital requirement to source employment or be self-employed.

“I wish all the inmates the best of luck and I am confident that a 100% pass is achievable,” he said.

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Education committee calls for safety in schools Rajaa Azzakani

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he chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Basic Education Bongiwe MbinqoGigaba has expressed shock and sadness at the death of a 14-year-old learner, who was allegedly stabbed to death by another learner at Thuto Tiro Comprehensive School in Sebokeng this week.

Mbinqo-Gigaba extended condolences to the family, friends and community, where the young learner died.

The young learner was allegedly stabbed to death in a classroom with a pair of scissors by a fellow 15-year-

old learner at the Sebokeng school.

According to media reports, the schoolboy was stabbed in the chest and was declared dead at the school.

The incident happened in front of other learners and staff.

“Although according to a recent presentation by the Department of Basic Education to the committee on violence in school, statistics seemed to be on the decline, I am extremely concerned about such incidents in our schools. One life lost, is one life too many,” said Mbinqo-Gigaba.

She said education is a societal matter, one that all South Africans should play an active role in, to ensure that

schools remain safe spaces.

“What is happening in schools is a reflection of the society in which pupils live. This violence tends to play itself out on school grounds when learners think violence is the only way to solve problems or to address challenges,” added Mbinqo-Gigaba.

She urged the relevant authorities to ensure that trauma counselling services are provided to learners and staff.

“We call on all role-players and stakeholders to play an active role in keeping our schools safe in order for them to be conducive to quality education and learning,” she said.

Chairperson of the Parliamentary Portfolio Committee on Basic Education Bongiwe Mbinqo-Gigaba

Technology expo returns to Joburg The report indicated that 280 people were killed after being hit by trains during the past financial year, and about 220 were injured.

Untu spokesperson Sonja Carstens

Union ‘shocked’ by rail safety report Johannesburg - Transport union the United National Transport Union (UNTU) has expressed shock at the State of Railway Safety report, which was released

by Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula on Tuesday last week.

The report indicated that 280 people were killed after being hit by trains during the past financial year, and about 220 were injured.

The report also revealed that injuries resulting from operational incidents, which included derailments and accidents, increased to 2 660, a 23 percent increase from

the previous financial year. The report also highlighted the risks on commuters’ lives; and that the rail system faces problems that include broken infrastructure, arson, and vandalism.

UNTU spokesperson Sonja Carstens said: “The Railway Safety Regulator is basically reckless in allowing the Passenger Railway Agency of South Africa to continue with train services when fatalities have increased by 36 percent. We will always say, one life lost is one too many, and that is totally unacceptable to us.”

Woman dies as bakkie crashes into wall

Booysens - On Saturday morning a woman was killed when a bakkie she was travelling in crashed onto a wall and a metal post off the M1 north in Booysens‚ according to paramedics.

ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring said paramedics‚ along with the provincial fire services‚ arrived at the scene to find the bakkie on the side of the road against a wall.

“The paramedics found the body

of a woman‚ believed to be in her 30s‚ trapped inside the bakkie. Unfortunately‚ she had already succumbed to her injuries and nothing could be done for her and she was declared dead. The driver of the bakkie fortunately escaped injury‚” Meiring said.

He added that provincial fire services personnel had to use specialised rescue equipment to free the victim’s body from the vehicle.

Johannesburg – Telecoms company MTN has announced the return of TADHack Johannesburg, which will be hosted at the MTN Innovation Centre Campus in Fairland.

TADHack is a hackathon that helps people learn about the latest Internet, IT, and telecoms technologies; and use those technologies to solve problems that matter.

The TADHack, in its fourth year, will be from 12 to 13 October with a prize of R15 000 awarded to the winning solution. The 2019 TADHack theme is Localised and Contextualised – Battle of the Bots.

MTN’s chief information Phinda Ncala says TADHack offers an engaging way to unlock the innovative talent that already exists in SA. “It brings together our entrepreneurs, budding technologists and community ambassadors to leverage technology to solve the pressing issues we face as a country. We cannot think of a better expression of com-

mitment to the future of SA.” TADHack runs simultaneously in over 30 locations and encourages young minds to build solutions to problems using telecoms and other Application Programming Interfaces (API).

The teams are judged on how they use resources available, which include APIs and content from global and local TADHack sponsors.

User-centricity is a key factor as the solution needs to actively involve the user and put them at the forefront of the solution.

Last year’s TADHack Johannesburg was hosted at the MTN head offices and had 175 participants with 40 projects submitted.

Crime prevention and healthcare were among the areas of interest. The solution that emerged the winner at TADHack 2018 Johannesburg was #SkratchLab. The mobile application uses, artifi-

MTN’s Phinda Ncala

cial intelligence (AI), push notifications and location services to send distress signals to authorities or family when your mobile device is shaken, or panic button is pressed either in an event of criminal activity and an emergency.

Visit https://tadhack.mtn.co.za/.

Study aid scheme open for applications Johannesburg - The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) says it has been inundated with over 140 000 applications since the beginning of September.

NSFAS said it is receiving over 4 000 applications a day. “The number is going as high as 6000 a day on peak weeks. By 30 September, an additional 27 455 applications had been received,” the statement said.

NSFAS applications are open for Grade 9 - 12 learners and outof-school youth who wish to further their studies at any South African TVET college in 2020.

Prospective applicants have until November 30 to

apply for funding for their studies.

Applications are submitted online after creating a myNSFAS account on the NSFAS website. Applicants with an existing account may sign in using their user-names and passwords; or Facebook/Google accounts.

Students can also submit their applications using their smartphones.

Applicants should have working cellphone numbers and valid email addresses before applying.

Those wishing to apply for funding may visit www.nsfas.org.za.

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10 -17 October 2019

Inner-city Gazette

Gospel queen in U-turn on retiring Gospel queen Rebecca Malope

Masego Seemela

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aking a U-turn, gospel queen Dr Rebecca Malope has said she was not completely quitting producing gospel music.

Malope says although she was releasing her last album, it is not the last that gospel lovers will hear from her. She explained that she wanted to dominate the digital music market to keep up with the times.

Malope is doing a U-turn on her word after she recently announced that she wanted to retire from the music industry because she wanted to give way to young talent in the gospel music industry.

“How can I retire from the word of God? I cannot retire from the word of God; I can only retire from doing too much. I will only retire when my

body tells me it’s time to retire. It’s not really the last time I will be releasing music, but it will be the last time I release a full album with 14 plus songs,” she said.

She added that she was making the album a last one because times are changing. “Music has become more digital; releasing a full album will be me asking for too much from my fans. I just want to release one or two songs on streaming platforms when God inspires me,” she said.

Malope released her 36th album, Lord You Are Good on October 4.

“In my 36th album I have collaborated with my children and powerful gospel musicians such as Dumi Mkokstad, Lebo Sekgobela, Amadodana aseWesile, Soweto Gospel Choir and many more. People are going to love this album,” she said.

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he National Arts Festival (NAF) has appointed Rucera Seethal as its new artistic director; to officially take up the position in January 2020.

She will be engaging in festival curation processes in the interim.

In her new role, Seethal will work closely with NAF executive producer Nobesuthu Rayi, who works on the festival’s programming and is also responsible for its arts education projects.

Seethal’s appointment is a key move in the recent restructuring of NAF’s artistic team, which is responsible for formulating the artistic vision of the festival.

Rucera said it is a dynamic time for the arts in South Africa and continentally. “I am excited to be joining the artistic team at this pivotal moment in the National Arts Festival’s history. I look forward to working with the artistic committee, the board, and engaging with the community, towards building the festi-

val’s artistic vision for our emerging future.”

NAF board chairperson Ayanda Mjekula said: “I’m delighted that Rucera will be taking the artistic reins of the festival and leading our already strong artistic team. Under her guidance, the team will be responsible for defining and leading our artistic vision, creating multiple platforms for our artists to tell their stories and opportunities for audiences to share those. She brings with her a strong and steady vision of continent-wide and global collaboration, and a deep commitment to forging the partnerships and networks we need.”

NAF artistic committee chairperson Brett Bailey said the artistic director works closely with the artistic committee to curate a vision for the festival’s programme.

“Our team is looking forward to working with an artistic director with a strong vision to reshape the festival programme,” Bailey said.

Artistic director Rucera Seethal

Seethal is currently programme manager at Pro Helvetia Johannesburg, where she is responsible for the performing arts portfolio across Switzerland and SADC, and for coadjudicating its Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation regional grant programme.

She was art director and production manager at Chimurenga, the awardwinning arts, culture and politics magazine between 2004 and 2011.

In 2016, Seethal was on the jury of the ZKB prize at Theatre Spektakel, Zurich; and she is currently negotiating curatorial responsibilities with SPIELART Theatre Festival, Munich.

Other members of the artistic team include fringe manager Zikhona Monaheng and fringe assistant manager Sisanda Mankayi.

Rhinoceros debuts at the Market Theatre Lusanda Zokufa

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he Market Theatre Laboratory kicks off its 30-year anniversary celebrations with a production of Rhinoceros, written by celebrated French-Romanian playwright Eugène Ionesco, and performed by Kwasha!

Theatre Company.

Rhinoceros, first performed in 1959, is an emblematic work from Ionesco, one of the foremost figures of the French avant-garde theatre and the Theatre of the Absurd.

The play depicts an imaginary epidemic of “rhinoceritis”, a disease that frightens all the inhabitants of a city and soon transforms them into rhinoceroses. A metaphor for the rise of totalitarianism on the eve of the Second World War, it addresses the themes of conformism and resistance to political power.

Directed by Theatre Duo Mahlatsi Mokgonyana and Billy Langa, who are known for their mastery of physical theatre, the company will combine different registers to bring this metaphor to life, exploring the tragic situation of human politics through the use of fantastical images.

Rhinoceros is a play that is particularly relevant in the current moment, in terms of the global resurgence of fascism and the far-right, and in relation to South Africa’s recent and recurring ‘xenophobic’ attacks, provid-

ing a reflection on authoritarianism, false logic, and free will.

This play allows us to simultaneously honour the Market Theatre Laboratory tradition of making socially relevant theatre, while giving young actors the opportunity to work on classic and stretching texts or adaptations.

Kwasha! Theatre Company, a collaborative project with the Market Theatre Laboratory and the Windybrow Arts Centre, has already garnered international tour invitations, two Naledi award nominations, and two awards at the National Arts Festival since the company was launched in February 2018 to support emerging artists in establishing professional careers, with a focus on Market Theatre Laboratory graduates.

Kwasha!’s work is a fitting way to open the Market Theatre Laboratory’s 30 Years of the Lab celebrations, which will be comprised of a nineweek long festival.

The event promises a diverse offering of alumni productions, storytelling evenings, a performance lecture, an alumni showcase and an exhibition that brings together, for the first time, a Market Theatre Laboratory archive of photographs, film, stories, and other records of its 30 year journey, reflecting on its relationship with South African history, and the shifting performing arts landscape.

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New director for National Arts Festival Arts Correspondent

“How can I retire from the word of God? I will retire when my body tells me it’s time to retire.”

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Mahlatsi Mokgonyana and Billy Langa

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Amajimbos head for 2019 Cosafa tourney Sports Reporter

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outh African U-17 men’s national team, Amajimbos, interim coach, Vela Khumalo, has named his 20-man squad for the 2019 Cosafa championship, scheduled for 11 to 20 October in Blantyre, Malawi.

Khumalo said it was difficult coming up with the final team, because the players they called were very good in their respective positions.

“After a thorough assessment we had to go with the 20 players as per the regulations. I am also confident that they will represent the country well in the Cosafa Cup. I am very positive they will fight to reach the final,” said Khumalo.

He added that he chose much younger players to compete in the

Amajimbos players during a practice session

tournament because the focus is on the future.

“We could have brought in much older players as compared to the U-14s and U-15s we had selected to compete in this year’s Cosafa edition. However, that approach was going to hurt our plans in the long run as we are preparing for next year’s Cosafa tournament,

which will also double up as the 2021 U-17 Africa Cup of Nations which we want to qualify for.

Getting a spot there will give us an advantage as our ultimate goal is to qualify for the 2021 FIFA U-17 men’s World Cup, and we can only achieve that by giving these young players the experience to grow from this year’s

tournament, so that they can get used to this level of competition, come next year’s U-17 Afcon qualifiers,” Khumalo said.

In the tournament Amajimbos are in Group A with hosts Malawi, Zambia and Eswatini.

The top two teams in the first round will proceed to the semifinals of the Cosafa competition.