Inner City Gazette

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Est 2009 Issue 8 - 2015

26 February - 5 March 2015

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Eco-guides for green city Members of eight NGOs are undergoing a fivemonth training initiative in critical green issues to benefit their communities Staff Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za

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s part of the City of Johannesburg’s commitment to create a sustainable green culture, the Environment and Infrastructure Services Department (EISD) is equipping community-based environmental education facilitators with knowledge and skills to transform their communities, according to the Joburg Environment and Infrastructure Services department.

About 50 members of eight NGOs active in community and schools initiatives throughout the city are currently undergoing a five-month training initiative in critical green issues to benefit their communities.

The Eco Guides Training Project, as the initiative is called, was launched at the Johannesburg Botanical Gardens on January 15. The department says its focus is on environmental themes such as World Wetlands celebrations, Water Week awareness, water and biodiversity, energy and climate change, youth and the environment, and the promotion of green living.

Environment and Infrastructure Services MMC Matshidiso Mfikoe says once the eco guides graduate, they will become environmental ambassadors,

Some of the NGO members involved in the city’s Eco-guides Training Project. and with the assistance of the city and through their NGOs, will be involved in community education and environmental awareness. “We hope that by the time the participants return from the training, they will be equipped with the knowledge to change their communities

in a positive way,” MMC Mfikoe adds.

She says to reach a wider audience the facilitators will take the project to schools, homes, shopping malls and other public and private amenities.

Some of the accredited modules the NGO representatives are being trained

in are separation, handling, storage, treatment and transportation of waste; recognising and identifying basic functions of the ecological environment; and nature conservation.

Environment and Infrastructure Services department’s Executive Director,

Tiaan Ehlers, says environmental specialists from the City will also be involved in the training of the eco guides through the sharing of their day-to-day experiences and lessons. “Many site visits and practicals are also incorporated into this learning experience.”

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Inner-city Gazette

26 February - 5 March 2015

Distribution – Free copies door to door delivery weekly to all households and businesses in the Joburg inner-city.

Inner-City Gazette welcomes editorial contributions from readers. They may raise new issues or respond to articles published in the paper. Contributions may be sent to the editor’s address below.

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

Councillors Mzwandile Tyobeka (left) and Phineas Madisha at the accident scene.

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Over the past few years, South Africa’s matric pass rate has shown an increase - from 60.6% in 2009 to 75.8% in 2014. While as a country we are celebrating this growth and hoping it is a reflection of improved teaching and teaching methods, we also recognise the serious problem in the overall education and training system in relation to a lack of capacity to train and educate for a skills-intensive economy.

Ignoring for a moment the fact that less than half the students that began Grade 1 twelve years ago made it to Grade 12 and further ignoring for a moment that these young people need access to occupational skills and training, it remains a fact that more often than not learners need to further their matric education in order to acquire knowledge and practical skills that, together with their matric, will allow them to enter the job market. Matric is a year fraught with tension, competition, and very hard work. Learners leave this year absolutely worn out and oftentimes ill-equipped to deal with the battles that lay ahead in terms of securing a viable future for themselves and their future families.

“Thousands of matriculants do not pass with university exemption due to various factors beyond their control,” says Natalie Rabson, Marketing Manager at Boston City Campus & Business College. “As an institution specialising in occupational and higher learning, we register many learners for further or higher education and we set them on a pathway to arm themselves with skills and make them work-ready. Of course, many learners do not meet the entry requirements for various occupational and higher education programmes and I can tell you that from a counsellor’s point of view it can be very disheartening and frustrating.”

Boston recognises that too many youth are not reaching their full potential at school and are not prepared to enter the job market. It’s for this reason that Boston has created series of exciting access programmes, including a range of Higher Education Gateway Programmes offering prospective students various access options into tertiary education without the need to repeat Grade 12.

“We started these programmes with a purpose of providing students a path that both leads to credits awarded towards our various accredited and registered higher education programmes, as well as entrance to the career of their dreams,” says Rabson.

Boston’s tertiary Gateway programmes offer a range of alternatives, including programmes such as Marketing Management, Business Management, Financial Accounting and Event Management to name but a few.

The accident victim’s body lies covered at the edge of the street.

Pics: Inner-city Press Agency

‘Fourteen people have died here since last year, and since the beginning of this year this is the fifth person to die in this part of the street. That is why we were out to picket today to call for measures to be taken to prevent more losses of lives’

Man dies in taxi crash Staff Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za

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speeding taxi hit and killed a man on Wednesday morning in Claim Street, Hillbrow. The accident happened at a time when Ward 123 Councillor Mzwandile Tyobeka and other councillors in the area, together with some residents, were out on a picket to call for measures to be taken to prevent accidents in that stretch of Claim Street.

Witnesses said the taxi hit the man in Kapteijn Street and dragged him about 20 metres up to Ockerse Street. The man died on the spot; and passengers in the taxi sustained minor injuries.

Councillor Tyobeka said he was shocked by that the accident happened at a time when they were out to picket about the very same thing that happened at that time. “After hitting the victim this same taxi came bearing down on us and nearly hit us too,” he added.

At the accident scene Councillor Tyobeka and Ward 54 Councillor Phineas Madisha called for traffic calming measures to be implemented in that stretch of Claim Street.

Councillor Tyobeka said many people have died in traffic accidents in that street. “Fourteen people have died here since last year, and since the beginning of this year this is the fifth person to die in this part of the street. That is why we were out to picket today to call for measures to be taken to prevent more losses of human lives,” he said.

Councillor Tyobeka suggested that traffic lights be erected in Kapteijn and Ockerse streets to improve safety in that street. “The only traffic lights in this area are between Esselen and Smit streets. When taxi drivers find the lights green in Esselen Street they increase speed aiming at beating the Smit Street lights, and that is the main cause of the deadly accidents here,” he added.

These are bridging courses that can provide you access to higher education programmes at Boston. On successful completion thereof, you will have met the entry requirements to a range of higher education Diplomas and secured future vertical access to a degree programme, achieved without having to redo Grade 12! Rather than repeating matric, Boston believes that a better option is to move forward with one’s tertiary education by completing a Gateway course.

The advantages of participating successfully in a Gateway access route is that not only will one then have access to Boston diplomas (and degrees after that), but because there are various pathways one also gets a ‘taste’ of one’s chosen career and the opportunity to find out if it really is your preferred career choice, or whether you should be looking at alternative careers. For example, you may choose the marketing management gateway programme and decide marketing is not for you, but you really enjoyed the financial management side of things.

Then you also get a taste of the time, commitment and effort involved in tertiary or higher education, and you can see if you are suited to something that is very academic or perhaps whether you should investigate a programme that is more practically oriented towards a specific occupation. Continuing with your chosen career path into the original degree or diploma of your choice, will further give you a head start of credits towards your degree or diploma.

“A good education system ensures not only the development of human endeavours, but guarantees the maintenance of adequately functioning social, political and economic systems. Over the past few years, the country has seen a doubling of the education budget, yet the resources invested have not resulted in a dramatic increase in the quality of education and the merit attached to a matric certificate. While government alone might not have the solution, we at Boston believe that this dilemma must be made a national challenge that invites tertiary institutions to step up. Our learners deserve a chance at higher education, and a chance to prove themselves. In establishing the Gateway Programme they have now been given that chance,” concludes Rabson.

Contact Boston College Johannesburg city centre for more information about this exciting opportunity and start your Education for Life at 011 331 2455/5195 or visit the branch during office hours at 1st Floor 130 Main Street (Opposite Carlton Centre).

26 February - 5 March 2015

Inner-city Gazette

The metro bus rests on its nose after falling off the bridge.

Bus falls off bridge It ploughed into the side of the bridge and broke through a large section, crashing all the way down to the bottom of the structure Johannesburg - A Joburg metro bus crashed and went off the Queen Elizabeth bridge in Braamfontein on Wednesday morning. It ploughed into the side of the bridge and broke through a large section, crashing all the way down to the bottom of the structure, just a few metres from Park Station.

The vehicle’s front part was planted firmly into the ground in the Park Station area. The section of the road around the wreckage was cordoned off while the

road leading to the accident was also closed off.

JMPD officers, emergency services and Johannesburg Road Agency (JRA) officials attended to the accident scene.

ER24 spokesman Russel Meiring said the bus was not carrying any passengers. “There was only the driver, who suffered minor injuries,” he added.

JMPD spokesperson Edna Mamonyane said the accident caused traffic backups throughout the city.

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26 February - 5 March 2015

News Briefs from around SA Cops injured chasing youths

Council spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene

Load shedding disrupts city’s water supplies Polokwane - The Polokwane municipality says its reservoirs have dried up due to Eskom’s load-shedding, and some parts of the city have been experiencing water shortages since the weekend.

Municipal spokesperson Tidimalo Chuene says they are engaging with the power utility not to apply load shedding during peak hours at the water plants to enable the water provider. The problem has hit several suburbs in Polokwane.

“Parts of the city have been without water for the past few days and the situation got worse over the weekend. Lepelle Northam water has been unable to pump sufficient water into our reservoir when load shedding happened. There are times that it put back the entire system of pumping water into the reservoir,” says Chuene.

The municipality says it is supplying temporary aid with tankers to the affected areas. Residents at the affluent suburbs of Ster Park, Bendor, including Seshego, have expressed frustration about the situation. The municipality says it is supplying temporary aid with tankers to the affected areas.

The municipality also appeals to residents to use water sparingly by stopping to water gardens and washing cars with hoses.

Cape Town - Two metro police officers were injured in a crash during a high-speed chase with two teenage motorists on Jakes Gerwel Drive near Goodwood at the weekend.

The officers were on patrol in the area when they spotted two vehicles speeding down the road and gave chase.

As they attempted to pull over one of the vehicles, the driver hit the patrol vehicle, then fled the scene.

Members of the Traffic Services’ Ghost Squad cornered the two motorists at Gunners Circle in Epping and the teenagers, aged 18 and 15, were arrested for reckless and negligent driving, as well as fleeing the scene of an accident. The officers received medical attention after the crash.

Safety and Security MMC JP Smith said: “Illegal street racing is one of the biggest headaches we face in this city, and we take a lot of flak for our enforcement efforts. It’s time to take parents to task because I cannot fathom how an unlicensed young person is able to be out at all hours in a vehicle that is not theirs, without any consequences.”

MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dlomo

Damage to the crops is extensive, says Grain SA chairperson Louw Stytler

Threat to regional food security Mbombela - Grain SA has warned that hot and dry weather is threatening food security in the whole Southern African region.

The organisation has called on civil society and policy makers to come up with ways which will ensure South Africans will not be compromised during drought periods. It has reiterated that rain is needed in the next 10 days to avert a below average crop production. Damage to maize crops particularly in the North West and the Free State, is already visible. In Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape, the grain crops are looking generally

good, however follow up rain is crucial to ensure that crops are not damaged as is already the case in most provinces.

Grain SA chairperson Louw Stytler says: “Damage to the crops is extensive; we are perturbed and food security is under threat.”

The current weather has also resulted in a surge in the prices of maize. They posted a two week increase, rising by 40%. Head of research at Nedbank, Mohammed Nala, says this will push food inflation higher. This means that hard-pressed consumers will have to pay more for certain food items.

Govt bid to close ‘unsustainable’ schools Bisho - Premier Phumulo Masualle says schools with dwindling numbers make it difficult for government to allocate adequate resources, and they are likely to be closed.

The premier says government is moving towards creating sustainable schools. “The state is further engaging with relevant stakeholders to discuss the future of schools that are not viable.”

According to Masualle, there are instances where in one school, there would be only two matriculants, meaning if both of them pass, that school would have obtained a 100% pass. “I think we are moving sustainable schools and have the necessity to shut down

Premier Phumulo Masualle

those that are not sustainable. It’s being pragmatic and it’s also about using the taxpayers’ money wisely. “It’s an investment that must be made so that we do not make unwise investments with public resources.”

The Public Service Accountability Monitor says it is concerned about complexities surrounding the proposed process. Education researcher Zukiswa Kota says some learners have to travel greater distances to get to schools, which may be further removed from their areas. “We are also concerned by that the process is slow and will impact on the extent which completion of the accelerated infrastructure initiative is going ahead.”

Health MEC visits ‘butchery’ hospital Durban - Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo has met staff of Stanger Hospital, which has been called a ‘butchery’ after the death, allegedly owing to negligence, of two maternity patients.

Dhlomo conveyed his condolences to the families of those who died. “Any incident that results in a loss of life is regrettable, irrespective of the circumstances that might have led to it.”

This follows reports of the death of a woman who allegedly fell violently ill after her bowel was accidentally punctured during a Caesarean section delivery. Another woman is reported to have died after giving birth in the toilet at the hospital last year.

On Friday Dhlomo visited the hospital and tasked the deputy director-general of the KZN Department of Health, Mfowethu Zungu with leading an investigation into the state of affairs at the hospital.

Dhlomo’s visit followed that of Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) health spokesperson Ncamisile Nkwanyana, who demanded that Dhlomo, ‘urgently implement measures to limit negligence in provincial hospitals, following reports that patients are dying due to negligence’. Dhlomo took issue with Nkwanyana’s visit, saying it was made without his prior knowledge. Daily News

Hillbrow landlord in service fees scam The landlord challenged the tribunal’s ruling in the High Court, but the court upheld it Roxanne Henderson

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he owner of an apartment building in Hillbrow has been ordered to pay back almost R2 million to his tenants after illegally overcharging them for electricity for some years.

The owner of the Plettenberg building in Bruce Street, Min Shan Young was paying R337.50 a month in service fees to City Power but charged each of his 106 tenants R385.

This meant that Young was making a monthly profit of more than R40 000, which the Johan-

nesburg High Court last week ruled illegal.

Fikile Jele, 48, who has lived in the building for 18 years, said that relations between Young and his tenants had always been amiable. But in May 2009, when the electricity service charge was introduced, the relationship became strained. The tenants were unhappy that they had to pay money over and above what they paid for the electricity they consumed.

A representative of City Power said at a meeting in March 2012 that Young was ‘robbing’ the tenants and demanded that he stop sur-

charging the service fee. Young said he used the surcharge for maintenance and to recover costs. Jele and other tenants took their grievance to the Gauteng Housing Rental Tribunal and in May 2013 it ruled in their favour. They then stopped paying the additional fee.

The tribunal found that Young was not entitled to profit from the electricity he provided to his tenants and must repay the difference. Young challenged the Gauteng Housing Rental Tribunal’s ruling in the Johannesburg High Court but on Friday the court upheld it. Timeslive

CBD murder suspects held Staff Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za

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n Saturday Johannesburg Central police arrested a 22 year-old suspect for alleged murder at Selby Hostel, according to Communications Officer Warrant Officer Xoli Mbele.

He says it is alleged that the suspect stabbed a 32year-old old man once in the upper body at Selby hostel on 21 February. “The suspect had an argument with the victim. He pulled out a knife and stabbed him; paramedics certified him dead on the scene. The knife used in the commission of the crime was recovered. The motive for the murder is not yet known, and investigation is under way.

Warrant Officer Mbele adds that police arrested another murder suspect at a tavern in corner Goud and Anderson streets on Sunday. “The suspect allegedly stabbed 24-year-old old Mzwandile Walter Mbatha at corner Albert and Nugget streets on 31 January. The victim was stabbed twice in the upper body and paramedics certified him dead on the scene. A knife used in the commission of the crime was recovered on the scene on the day of the incident. The suspect was on the run until community members informed the police about his whereabouts. The motive for the murder is not yet known and police investigation is under way.”

26 February - 5 March 2015

Inner-city Gazette

Cultural precinct on show Newtown Initiative to showcase cultural precinct Own Correspondent Newtown’s creative community will join forces on 14 and 15 March to remind residents what Jozi’s cultural precinct is all about.

Artist Proof Studio (APS) is one of the oldest training organisations in Newtown, and in 24 years has produced a plethora of South Africa’s leading printmakers and fine artists.

APS is also the driving force behind the Open Newtown Initiative - a two day programme of performances, exhibitions and information sharing, supported by Department of Arts and Culture’s Mzanzi Golden Economy.

Artist Proof Studio director Kim Berman says Newtown is a very important creative hub.

“The Open Newtown initiative is a collaborative effort to expose the public to what goes on in Newtown. It’ll be an exciting two days of art and creativity. It will also offer details about the many different training and creative organisations operating here.”

Open Newtown takes place on 14 and 15 March. The weekend will centre around two main display areas, the famous Bassline music venue and the new Newtown Junction shopping mall. The initiative will also showcase the activities of long standing Newtown stakeholders, such as Nikki’s Oasis and Kaldi’s Coffee, who will be running their own programmes.

Berman says the event is perfect for the whole family.

“Special care has been taken to offer visitors secure parking and comprehensive on-street security. There will be something on offer for all tastes, and we’re really looking forward to showcasing and reminding the public of the incredible work our artists and organisations are doing.”

The Bassline will feature a two day interactive exhibition featuring live music, dance, art, spoken word and much more. “This segment of the Open Newtown Initiative will present an ever-moving, ever-changing showcase of work created by the region’s artists, young and old. Everything at the two day Bassline experience will ebb and flow, change and re-adapt, giving viewers the opportunity to observe and absorb dance, drama, fine art, music, photography, printmaking and beautiful craft.”

The Newtown Junction shopping centre will provide an information and education hub over the two days, and offer detail as to what goes on in Joburg’s cultural precinct. The Junction will also display the complete programme and map for the Open Newtown weekend.

Organisations operating in the region will present overviews of their programmes and structures, while educational and craft creation workshops will cover areas such as printmaking, textile printing, acting classes and more.

The Newtown Junction segment of the weekend will include live performances and presentations from Newtown’s educational organisations, as well as pop-up stores and art displays from Assemblage Artist Studios, Bag Factory artists, the Market Photo Lab and Artist Proof Studio, among many more artists.

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Imbali Visual Literacy

Members of the Hillbrow Theatre project

Mhayise Designs

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Inner-city Gazette

Medical Directory Dr David Ekanem Specialist Urologist

Tel: 011 336 2375 / 8700 Lower Ground Sanlam Building Cnr Jeppe & Von Weilligh Str Johannesburg

Tel: 011 933 5057 Fax: 011 933 1605 Room 35 Nembula House Zone 6, Diepkloof

Men’s Health services

* Circumcision * Male infertility * Weak Erection * Premature Ejaculation

Inner-city Gazette publishes this Medical Directory every monthend.

Medical practitioners wishing to feature in this section may contact 011 402 1977 or Email: hr@inner-city-gazette.co.za.

MBBS, FCS (SA) Urol

PR No. 0054011

* Bladder, Kidney & Prostrate problems * Difficulty in passing urine * Burning urine etc

Emergency: Dr D. Ekanem 082 959 7874

26 February - 5 March 2015

New HIV identified David McNamee

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variant of HIV that is much more aggressive than other known forms of the virus has been documented in Cuba. Patients infected with this new variant progress to Aids so rapidly that they may not even know they are infected, with Aids symptoms occurring within three years of infection.

HIV anchors itself to proteins on the membranes of cells before it is able to penetrate the cell.

If a person contracts multiple strains of HIV - typically by engaging in unprotected sex with multiple infected partners - then these strains can recombine into a new variant of HIV within the host. The new Cuban variant of HIV is one such recombinant version of the virus.

HIV anchors itself to co-receptors - proteins on the membranes of cells - before the virus is able to penetrate the cell. The first co-receptor that HIV anchors to is known as CCR5. Then, after a number of years of normal health, the virus switches to the anchor point CXCR4, which results in a faster progression to Aids.

In the recombinant form of HIV identified in Cuba, HIV makes the transition to CXCR4 shortly after infection, reducing the healthy phase and initiating the progression to Aids.

An international team of researchers compared the blood of 73 recently-infected patients with this recombinant form of HIV - of whom 52 had been diagnosed with Aids - with blood from 22 patients who had progressed to Aids after the normal “healthy” period of infection with HIV. The patients with the recombinant HIV were found to have abnormally high doses of the virus and defensive molecules called RANTES, part of the human immune response and binds to CCR5 - the co-receptor that HIV initially anchors onto after infection.

Because RANTES is present at higher concentrations in these patients than normal, it suggests

Suite No 1004 10th Floor Lister Medical Centre Johannesburg 2000 Malusi Educational Centre 42 The Boards Road Mulbarton 2190

Speech - Language Therapist & Audiologist

* Hearing test * Pre-employment hearing screening * Diagnostic hearing test for compensation purposes * Hearing aids

Tel: 011 333 9198 Cell: 082 752 7552 Email: wandinkosi@yahoo.co.uk

An indication of the HIV attacking a cell. that most of the CCR5 proteins were unavailable as anchor points for HIV. Therefore, the recombinant HIV would have to bypass its usual anchor point, heading straight to CXCR4 instead.

One of the HIV subtypes implicated in the recombinant variant was also found to contain a protease - an enzyme that cleaves proteins in new viruses - that enables the virus to replicate in greater numbers. The researchers suggest that this protease makes it easier for the transition to CXCR4 to occur.

Normally, say the authors of the study - which is published in the journal EBioMedicine - the transition from CCR5 to CXCR4 is “very difficult.”

Recently, Medical News Today reported on a study published in the journal Cell that explored the theory that pools of dormant HIV lurking in DNA may hold a potential cure for the infection.

We also looked at a new smartphone accessory purportedly capable of diagnosing HIV and syphilis from one finger prick of blood within 15 minutes. This accessory - or ‘dongle’ - has been piloted among health care workers in Rwanda, with 97% of patients recommending the device.

With a manufacturing cost of just US$34, the dongle is much more affordable than the standard forms of diagnostic testing, which typically cost US$18,450. Medical News Today

26 February - 5 March 2015

Inner-city Gazette

Cancer risks in soft drinks Markus MacGill

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he chemical process during manufacture of the caramel colouring used in soft drinks such as cola produces a carcinogen that could be raising the risk of cancer to above the accepted threshold of one extra case in every 100 000 people consuming the drinks, suggests an analysis. The colouring is not necessary for the production the drinks and is included purely for aesthetics.

Matching laboratory tests conducted

by Consumer Reports on 11 different soft drinks, first reported last year, with an analysis of average consumption by Americans, the researchers found that one can a day could be enough to expose them to potentially cancer-causing levels of the chemical known as 4-MEI (short for 4-methylimidazole).

The potential carcinogen is formed during the manufacture of the familiar caramel colour that is added to many widely-consumed beverages.

Testing on 110 samples of soda brands by the Consumer Reports researchers; led by a team at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Liveable Future in Baltimore, MD, found that drinks contained levels ranging from 9.5 mcg per litre (mcg/L) to 963 mcg/L. Concentrations of 4-MEI varied considerably by soda brand and state of purchase, the researchers concluded, “but were generally consistent across lots of the same beverage purchased in the same area.”

They add: “Routine consumption of certain beverages can result in 4-MEI exposures greater than 29 mcg a day” - the level that triggers a new case of cancer in every 100 000 people consuming the

drink, toxicity that was established by previous studies in mice and rats conducted by the US National Toxicology Program.

The researchers say there was not enough data from individual drinks samples to recommend one brand over another in terms of carcinogen exposure, but suggest: “State regulatory standards appear to have been effective in reducing exposure to carcinogens in some beverages.”

Lead author of the study Tyler Smith, a program officer with the Johns Hopkins Center for a Liveable Future, says 4-MEI levels can “vary substantially across samples, even for the same type of beverage.” Smith explains: “For example, for diet colas, certain samples had higher or more variable levels of the compound, while other samples had very low concentrations.”

To estimate consumers’ exposure to the potential carcinogen, the researchers took the laboratory readings and analyzed soft drink consumption using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES).

The authors say: “We analyzed con-

sumption of all sodas, and further categorized soda into five mutually exclusive categories: 1) cola, 2) diet-cola, 3) root beer, 4) pepper cola and 5) other (non-diet) cola.”

They found the proportion of the population consuming each type of soft drink varied, with “colas being the most popular and root beer and pepper colas being the least popular.” Adolescents and young adults consumed the most of any soft drink compared with young children and older adults. Average consumptions of any soda were: Between 550 and 1,070 millilitres drunk each day by 16- to 20-year-olds; Between 457 and 864 milliliters drunk each day by 45- to 64-year-olds.

Lifetime cancer risks “This study sought to answer a critical question,” says Urvashi Rangan, PhD, executive director of the food safety and sustainability center of Consumer Reports: “This new analysis underscores our belief that people consume significant amounts of soda that unnecessarily elevate their risk of cancer over the course of a lifetime,” Dr Rangan says.

Keeve Nachman, PhD, a senior

Medical Services

author of the study and director of the food production and public health program at the Johns Hopkins Center for a Liveable Future, says: “Soft drink consumers are being exposed to an Researchers claim cancer risks in drinks. avoidable and unnecessary cancer risk from an ingredient that is being added mation about 4-MEI in soda drinks.

Daily consumption of sugar-sweetto these beverages simply for esthetic purposes. This unnecessary exposure ened soft drinks is widely linked to diaposes a threat to public health and rais- betes and obesity, but less well-known es questions about the continued use of include a link to girls starting their periods earlier and being put at a higher caramel colouring in soda.”

Consumer website ConsumerReports. risk of contracting breast cancer. org has produced a video giving infor- Medical News Today

Newtown Junction Medical Centre A new medical facility, the NEWTOWN JUNCTION MEDICAL CENTRE has been established on our doorstep at the Newtown Junction Mall. The goal of the centre is to provide comprehensive medical and auxiliary services to meet a variety of health needs in our community.

The aim of the centre is to provide accessible, convenient and coordinated health services in a patient friendly and patient centred atmosphere where the needs of the patient comes first.

The Newtown Junction Medical centre provides the following medical and auxiliary services.

contact lens practioners, hard contact lens specialist, Paediatric testing, drivers licence screening certificates, ocular and visual health assessments

General Practioner : Dr A H Cajee- sonars, family planning, ECG, Vaccines, Diabetes Centre, HIV Testing and Counselling, Pap Smear,Blood test, PDP test, Cirumcision

Biokineticist: Fatima Bibi Hoorzook – Orthopaedic rehab, post surgery rehab, obesity management, cardiac management, sports injury rehab, chronic diseases, motor skills for children

Dentisty : Dr SHILPA Ramla - professional cleaning, scaling and polishing, cosmetic Dentistry, specialised Dentistry, restrotrations, extractions, crowns, bridge, root canal, tooth jewellery

Audiology Hearing Services: Shenaz Cachalia- hearing tests and screenings, hearing aids/accerssories/ listening devices, hearing aid batteries+repairs, swim plugs, hearing protection Ampath Laboratory: - blood testing

Psychiatry: Dr Hina Jogi - Treatment and Management of Depression, Anxiety, Biplolar, substance abuse, psychiatric disorders, stress disorders Optometry: Expert Eyes Optometrist, Sumaya Bhyat-

Podiatry: Meesha Purbhoo –diabetic foot care and screening, treatment of nail problems, corns and calluses treatments, flat feet, heel pain, painful joints, sports injuries, paediatric foot care.

Physiotherapy: Fatima Bibi Bera - back and neck pain, arthritis, post op conditions, child development, sports injuries, paralysis, stroke, asthma, pneumonia

All the practitioners at the medical centre are contracted to medical aids. There is safe and secure parking and the centre is not affected by load shedding.

The centre provides after hours services if required.

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Tel: 011 492 3999 Corner Carr & Miriam Makeba St Newtown Junction Shopping Centre (Next door to Clicks)

* General Practitioner * Optometrist * Dentist * Pathology Unit & Ampath laboratory * Physiotherapist

* Biokineticist * Audiologist * Podiatrist * Psychiatrist

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Inner-city Gazette

Focus

26 February - 5 March 2015

on

Africa

Govt lifts Ebola curfew

Some of the migrants who were rescued by the Italian coastguard.

Pic: Reuters

Residents return to ghost town Maiduguri, Nigeria - Residents of Gamboru in Borno state returned to their homes for the first time since Chadian forces retook the town from Boko Haram fighters.

Scores of people crossed the 300-metre bridge that forms the border with Cameroon under military escort to survey the ravaged town and homes looted by the militants.

Boko Haram seized Gamboru in August last year, forcing thousands to flee across the frontier to the town of Fotokol, on the other bank of the river in northern Cameroon.

Chadian forces, who have joined the re-

gional fight to crush the Islamist insurgency, retook Gamboru after intense fighting that left hundreds of insurgents dead.

Gamboru has been repeatedly targeted in the conflict, which has left over 13 000 people dead since 2009 and a million homeless.

It was the first town recaptured by troops from Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon, an operation launched because of fears of threat to regional security. Residents were disappointed as they found their homes empty. But though their possessions were gone, they said the tour was reassuring.

Monrovia, Liberia - Ahead of “The President looks forward to her meeting next week with building a strong and historic partnership with Liberia and US President Barack Obama, President Ellen Johnsondiscussing a range of topics, including the ongoing Sirleaf has ordered lifting Ebola response, the reof the curfew imposed on gion’s economic recovery February 22. plans, and other issues of The President has also ordered the reopening mutual interest,” the White House added. of all the country’s main The nationwide curfew borders that were was imposed as a part of closed during the Ebola outbreak several measures meant to contain the further based on the advice spread of the deadly of the National SeEbola virus disease curity Council of Liberia. President and ensure national security. The MinisJohnson-Sirleaf is President Ellen Johnson - Sirleaf try of Health has also expected to meet been requested to ensure the adoption and Obama at the White House on Friday. implementation of health protocols that will The visit comes at a time of critical cooperation between the US and Liberia, the White prevent the importation of the virus through House noted. Last week President Obama any of the crossing points, while members announced that the US is moving toward of the Joint Security assigned at the borders the next phase of its Ebola response, which are mandated to work closely with the health will be characterized by an intensive effort to authorities to ensure adherence to the health protocols and safety at all times. reach zero Ebola cases in West Africa.

Dutch nationals in suicide bombings Mogadishu, Somalia - Twin suicide bombings at a hotel popular with government officials were carried out by Dutch nationals, Somali intelligence sources said after 25 people were killed.

The intelligence believe both bombers - a man and a woman - were Dutch-Somali citizens who infiltrated the Central Hotel close to the presidential palace. Sources within the Somali National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA) said the man, Ismail Muse, exploded a bomb in a car parked at the hotel while the woman, Lula Ahmed Dahir, detonated her explosive vest inside the hotel’s prayer room. The woman worked in the hotel for four months, a NISA report said. “Her relationship to the man is not yet

known but thought to be very close, if not her husband,” said the report.

The attack left 25 dead including two MPs, the deputy mayor, the PM’s private secretary and the deputy PM’s chief of staff. Deputy PM Mohamed Arte, the transport minister and minister of port and marine resources were injured. Shebab militants quickly claimed responsibility for the attack.

“Our fighters attacked the Central Hotel,” Shebab spokesperson Abu Musab said.

The Islamist Shebab rebels have staged a string of assaults in their fight to overthrow the country’s internationally-backed government. They have targeted hotels, the international airport, the presidential palace, a UN compound and restaurants. AFP

Court rejects parts of anti-terrorism law

President Uhuru Kenyatta

Nairobi, Kenya - On Monday the Constitutional Court threw out eight sections of an anti-terrorism law passed at the end of last year, including limits on the media and a cap on the number of refugees allowed in the country, ruling them unconstitutional.

It left in place several major provisions of the new law, including extending the number of days a suspect can be held for terror-related offences without charge to 360 days from 90. An opposition coalition and rights groups challenged the law, saying it was hasty and undermined basic freedoms, after it was signed into law on December 19 by President Uhuru Kenyatta, who has been under pressure to boost security after a series of Islamist militant attacks.

Journalist Bob Rugurika

Crowds hail journo’s release Bujumbura, Burundi - Singing and dancing crowds filled the streets after Bob Rugurika, director of the popular independent African Public Radio (RPA), was released from prison on bail.

The arrest of Rugurika for ‘complicity’ in the murder of three Italian nuns sparked protests by rights activists and fellow journalists, who have accused the government of doing all to sideline challengers ahead of elections in May and June, including arrests and a clampdown on free speech.

The radio is seen as close to the opposition.

Rugurika was arrested on January 21 after broadcasting the purported confession of a man claiming he was one of the killers. A court granted him $9,500 bail but his lawyer Lambert Nigarura called for a proper investigation into the ‘real murderers’. For broadcasting the alleged confession, Rugurika was charged with complicity in the murders, ‘breach of public solidarity’ and disclosing confidential information. He faces up to 20 years jail if convicted.

The political climate remains fractious ahead polls in May. Rights groups warn of growing fears of the risk of violence ahead of elections, with attacks including a battle last month between the army and rebels.

President Pierre Nkurunziza is expected to run for a third term despite claims that it would violate the constitution. Reuters

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Netball action during the event.

Pics: Inner-city Press Agency

Members of the Inner-city and Birdhaven netball teams which participated during the opening ceremony.

Sports arena opens

at Berea building Own Correspondent

T

he Trafalgar property group has opened a sports arena at the Helderberg apartment building in Joel Road, Berea.

The facility was opened last Friday in a ceremony in which netball and soccer teams participated in games.

There were two Inner-city and Birdhaven teams that competed in soccer and netball during the event, which provided entertainment for the spec-

tators. Trafalgar Property Management Portfolio Manager John Tshidi said the tennis court already existed.

“It had fallen into disrepair but presented an ideal location for a soccer and netball court, which are popular sports for inner-city tenants. The facility promotes sport which is a great lifestyle activity. Overall it was a good opportunity to add value to the building and our customer service to residents in the building.”

Tshidi added that the facility is in-

tended for the tenants and staff of the Helderberg and other Trafalgar managed buildings, and no fee is charged for the use of the facility. He added that such a sporting facility is only at the Helderberg building for now.

He added that Trafalgar also sponsors the Inner City Soccer League.

“The soccer and netball pitch has been exceptionally busy since the day it was opened, and it has been rewarding to see the use and enjoyment at the new facility,” Tshidi added.

Soccer action during the event.

We’re not under pressure, says Chiefs manager How can we feel under pressure while we are leading by so many points?

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espite their poor start in 2015 in the Absa Premiership, Kaizer Chiefs manager Bobby Motaung (pictured) says they are not feeling any pressure of surrendering their title for the second consecutive season to Sundowns.

Motaung said their loss to Supersport United did not dent their fourth PSL title ambitions as they are still at the summit of the log.

“At the moment we are focusing on the CAF Champions league. We are playing in Botswana this weekend, that’s where we are focusing on now. There is no pressure at all within our camp. How can we feel under pressure while we are leading by so many points? We lost to SuperSport United recently in the league, that’s the nature of football, you win some and you lose some.

But we can’t be discouraged by just one loss.”

Chiefs are currently leading joint second-placed Sundowns and Wits by 10 points. The Brazilians however have a game in hand.

It remains to be seen if the Amakhosi will hold on to their lead and clinch the 2014/15 Absa Premiership crown. Sport24