Inner City Gazette

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Est 2009 Tel : 011 023-7588 / 011 402 - 1977 Inner-City Gazette

Fax: 086 609 8601

Issue 12 - 2019

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

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28 March - 4 April 2019

Website : www.inner-city-gazette.com

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Inner City Gazette

Distributed free to households, churches, schools, clinics, government departments, police stations, libraries and businesses in Bellevue • Berea • Bertrams • Braamfontein • City and Suburban • City West • Crown Gardens • Doornfontein • Fairview • Fordsburg • Hillbrow • Jeppestown • Jules • Johannesburg Inner City • Kensington • Lorentzville • Malvern • Marshallstown • New Doornfontein • Newtown • North Doornfontein • Park Meadows • Rosettenville • Selby • Troyeville • Turffontein • Village Main and Yeoville .

Safety initiative

reduces crime

“The key to our strength is recruiting mostly reformed gang members and inmates, and most of them actually grew up on the streets, they know how the streets work Jacqueline Landey

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afety wardens in Joe Slovo Drive, Berea have significantly improved security in the area, community members and motorists have stated.

Captain Richard Munyai of Jeppe police said it has been long since they received a report of an incident from the area, which had been a major smash-and-grab spot. “Since they have been there the smash and grabs are very low,” he said.

Leader of the initiative, ex-offender Collin Khumalo, who had been jailed for armed robbery and murder, said in his remaining years in prison, he concentrated on church and education and formed a committee called Fear Free Life, a programme started by inmates addressing the core of rehabilitation of offenders.

He wrote modules on moral regeneration, understanding gangsterism, how to leave gangs and adopting a

positive lifestyle. After presenting the programme to prison management, Fear Free Life began classes.

In 2013 he was released on day parole and launched Fear Free Life as an NPO, setting up offices near Joe Slovo Drive. He met local property owners who wanted to reduce crime in the area.

“Propertuity, Jozi Housing, Trafalgar, Mafadi all contributed something towards the project. It reduced crime at that intersection to 0,” he said.

This branch of the project, Urban Initiatives, now works in several areas of the city.

“More than 250 people are now employed in the NPO, mostly former offenders, paid through the support of City Improvement Districts, property owners, business people that need our services,” Khumalo said.

Chairperson of the local Community Police Forum Zola Dambula said: “The community around Berea is

very appreciative of their presence there.”

Despite its apparent success, the initiative raises questions about the possible threat of violence to deter criminals. But according to Urban Initiatives finance manager, Darlington Radebe, the team of safety wardens stays in close contact with a security company, the city’s JMPD and SAPS. “The key to our strength is recruiting mostly reformed gang members and inmates, and most of them actually grew up on the streets, they know how the streets work,” said Radebe.

If criminals are armed, they use radio communication to call on security officers and a response team.

“We’re not a security company. We mainly do patrolling, cleaning, and

Some of the safety wardens in Joe Slovo Drive.

other jobs that our clients might require us to do within the ambits of the law,” Khumalo said.

Community member Frank Leya said he used to witness regular smash and grabs there. “But ever since those guys came, there isn’t any smash and grabs. Workers walking through Yeoville used to get mugged at that intersection, but a lot of that is not happening any more. And they’re

Pic: Tshego Mmahlatji

still there late at night when community members walk to and from the taxis. The problem is we don’t have a lot of them so there’s only so much they can do.”

One of the safety wardens, Bennett Ranthoka said: “They come with toy guns, real guns, I don’t care, I chase them away. Sometimes I think about looking for another job but I can’t leave here, I need to keep it safe.”

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Inner-city Gazette

News

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

Interview

Nonhlanhla Dube – CRM (Social Media) Manager Career Compass Guides the way to Success

with

1. Why is it so difficult for school leavers to decide on a career to follow?

Recent research has indicated that prospective tertiary education students are not confident about their career choices.

Schools do not have the resources they need to assist learners with career investigation, and in addition they have to focus their time and efforts on the academic material for exams –they don’t have the luxury of spending time advising on careers.

It is in this environment that learners have to make a choice and finalise applications!

I can also say from experience – when you are in first year you are overwhelmed, studies are very difficult at a tertiary level, and we land up questioning whether the effort required matches our passion for the industry we have selected!

2. So Boston realized that there was a gap in career education at school level, and addressed it with a computerized programme?

Well, recent research indicates that 73% of matric students believe they are still in need of comprehensive career guidance and 84% believe there are many career opportunities they do not even know of.

Sadly, only 21% believe they have the resources within their area to guide them towards their ideal career.

Learners need clarity!

Boston invested in the development of a computerized assessment that can be delivered on a national basis, and made sure it is offered free as part of our corporate social responsibility to education.

A decision on careers is a life-changing decision and we have to keep in mind it involves a commitment to fees too, so we believe that we need to try and assist in the matching the most appropriate skills and interests to studies.

It is offered at no obligation or cost to any learner.

Nonhlanhla Dube 3. Tell us about the career compass assessment?

This is a hi-tech and brief career insight evaluation that is aimed to help students reach career maturity. It will help you explore things such as: Do you want to work regular office hours or extended hours?

Work with numbers?

Work with people?

Work alone?

Work as a member of a team?

Are you creative? Do you wish to enter the working world as a technician, web designer, programmer or administrator?

The answers to these pertinent questions guide the student towards the ideal study programme.

4. And when the aptitude assessment is complete - what do you get?

Results are available immediately, produced in a graph that ranks the individual’s results from the most suited career options to the least, based upon the individual’s interests.

Appropriate career choice is important - it has been proven that students are more likely to succeed if they are

studying subjects that they enjoy.

‘Statistics show that there is a 15% - 25% throughput rate at South African universities and colleges (Source: High university drop-out rates: a threat to South Africa’s future – HSRC, 2008). This means that only about 1 quarter of all students who start a programme complete it.

“This shows career choice requires research and self-evaluation with a consultant. And if you start a degree and you are not happy –investigate your options!”

5. What other advice do you have for learners about to make a career decision?

Education is not static – which is why Boston maintains a liaison with various industries, updates course material, and introduces new courses such as Cloud computing to keep graduates in demand from the workplace. Our research, for example, showed that there was a gap for a qualification that covers skills such as skills in the social media and digital marketing fields and so the Boston BCom Management Marketing degree was introduced.

Other degrees and diplomas available include the BCom Law, Bachelor of Accounting, Bachelor of Social Science, the Postgraduate Diploma in Management and diplomas in Networking and Systems Development, all designed to meet new skills demands in industry.

Keep in mind if you choose something like IT it will involve lifelong learning as it is a constantly evolving field.

Another important aspect is to check that the right government and industry body accredits both the course you’re interested in as well as the college that is offering the course.

For more information, contact Boston City Campus & Business College on 011 551-2000, E-mail info@boston.co.za, visit www.boston.co.za, or Facebook.

28 March - 4 April 2019

UJ doctorate for Chinese president Staff Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za

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he University of Johannesburg (UJ) will soon confer a doctorate degree to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the first SA university to grant the honour to a Chinese leader.

In a statement the institution said the conferral will be on April 11 at the university, and the honour is to be accepted by Chinese ambassador to South Africa Lin Songtian, on President Jinping’s behalf.

“The Chinese leader is the second foreign high profile figure to receive a doctorate from UJ during the current graduation season, after the institution recently conferred the same honour to former US ambassador to the United Nations, Andrew Young,” the institution said.

Young supported the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa and was instrumental in ensuring the isolation of the apartheid regime during his tenure at the UN. Chinese and South African relations strengthened post-1994 when the democratic South African government opted to establish diplomatic ties with China instead of Taiwan.

President Xi Jinping

Both countries are members of the political bloc for developing nations, the Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (Brics).

China is one of the two economic world superpowers with the USA, after it grew its economy over the years, overcoming poverty and underdevelopment. It is currently the largest steel exporter in the world, and its manufactured products are found all around the world.

The university said its conferring the honorary doctorate degree upon President Xi Jinping demonstrates that SA academia recognize Xi as a visionary statesman.

“This is the first time for President Xi to accept an honorary doctorate degree given by a foreign university.

South Africa is the only country in the world that President Xi has paid three state visits to. This event is of great and far-reaching significance to China-South Africa relations,” the institution’s statement said.

WhatsApp hotline to report reckless drivers Johannesburg - The City of Joburg has introduced a WhatsApp hotline to report reckless drivers; to be operated by the Metro police.

In a statement the City said drivers would be able to send photos and videos of reckless driving incidents.

Public Safety MMC Michael Sun said there have been requests for more

JMPD deployments. “This is from a lot of frustration by our community.

We receive daily reports of reckless drivers, some even drive onto oncoming traffic and pavements,” Sun said.

The hotline number is 081 470 6338 and it will operate on a 24-hour basis.

There is, however, a 24-hour deadline in lodging complaints via the hotline.

28 March - 4 April 2019

Inner-city Gazette

Ballot paper to be four pages long Johannesburg - The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) says it will have to double the pages on the ballot paper to accommodate 19 more political parties contesting the elections, which are set for 8 May. IEC deputy CEO Masego Shiburi said 48 political parties registered and paid to take part in the national and provincial elections. “This will have a bearing on the IEC’s admin system. The ballot paper will now have four pages instead of two, which may make it difficult for voters to find their party of choice.

Shiburi added that the biggest impact will be in the number of political party agents in a voting station.

“All political party agents each, we are talking about a minimum of 48x2. We will ask political parties to take turns in observing, it is impossible to fit all 32 party agents in a voting station,” he added.

Two men shot dead

Cops warn the crooks

News

‘Our law abiding citizens cannot be held hostage by the criminals; so the police and the public must work hand in hand to root out criminality from our society’ Staff Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za

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auteng police have condemned attacks on members after two separate shooting incidents in which one suspect died.

Police spokesperson Brigadier Mathapelo Peters said a suspect was killed in a shootout with police last Saturday in Emalahleni informal settlement in Tembisa.

“The deceased, who was a wanted suspect opened fire at an officer, who returned fire and the suspect was declared dead on the scene.

Police recovered a firearm that belonged to the suspect. The weapon will be taken for ballistics for possible linkage to other crimes. Some community members at the scene said the deceased was feared in the area and notorious for forcing his way through to get what he wanted,” Brigadier Peters said.

Kensington - Two men were shot dead and a third wounded during a shooting incident on Sunday evening in Allum Road, according to paramedics.

Netcare 911 spokesperson Shawn Herbst said three adult males were shot in what was alleged to be linked to taxi violence. “Two of the men sus-

In another incident on March 23, police opened a case of attempted murder following a shootout between suspects and members of Soweto Flying Squad, in which one police officer and one suspect were injured. The injured police officer was rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention and is currently in a stable condition.

Peters said the suspects then fled, and their vehicle was found abandoned in Finetown, south of Johannesburg. Police have since been able to establish ownership of the vehicle and believe the vehicle could have been involved in other crimes.

Police have also launched a manhunt for the suspects.

Meanwhile, police are also still searching for suspects behind the fatal shooting of a 55-year-old warrant officer on Human Rights Day in Vosloorus, and have called on

tained fatal injuries and were declared deceased on the scene. The third man sustained a gunshot wound to the lower limb and was treated on the scene, and was taken to hospital for further treatment,” Herbst said.

Gauteng police spokesperson Captain Mavela Masondo said they were investigating cases of murder and at-

anyone who might have witnessed the incident to report to Vosloorus police station.

Brigadier Peters said they have implemented the 72-hour Activation Plan, where all necessary resources have been mobilised to ensure the arrest of the suspects.

Gauteng police provincial commissioner Lt - Gen Elias Mawela issued a stern warning to criminals.

“Now that criminals see the police net closing in on them, they attack police thinking that we will be intimidated. Let them watch the space as we corner them. They will be found and arrested. This is the time when we urge community members to report these criminals who live in our communities. Our law abiding citizens cannot be held hostage by the criminals; so the police and the public must work hand in hand to root out criminality from our society,” Lt -Gen Mawela said.

tempted murder, following a shootout between occupants of two vehicles on Sunday evening.

He said occupants of the two vehicles started shooting at each other in Malvern East until they reached the corner of Allum and Cumberland roads in Kensington, where two men were shot and killed. Another man was taken to

Lieutenant - General Elias Mawela

hospital with gunshot wounds to the lower body.

“The motive for the shooting cannot be confirmed at this stage, but it is suspected to be related to taxi violence because one of the deceased was identified as a taxi owner. No arrests have been made and investigation continues,” he said.

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Inner-city Gazette

28 March - 4 April 2019

Eskom suspends loadshedding - for now ‘Improved performance came with the return of five units since Friday morning, and an additional four units that were expected to return to service on Sunday’ Staff Reporter news@inner-city-gazette.co.za

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Eskom’s Andrew Etzinger

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n Sunday power utility Eskom announced that power cuts have been suspended for this week, but electricity supply remains tight.

“No load-shedding is expected for the coming week due to the electricity system gradually improving,” said Eskom in a statement.

Eskom added that improvement in plant performance, together with replenished diesel and water reserves, together with the increase of imports from Mozambique’s Cahora Bassa to 850MW, have posi-

tively shifted system performance.

“The risk of load-shedding remains, and will only be implemented when absolutely necessary,” Eskom said.

The power utility appealed for consumers to continue using electricity sparingly by switching off geysers, non-essential lighting and electric appliances to assist in reducing demand.

Eskom said the improved performance came with the return of five units since Friday morning, and an additional four units that were expected to return to service on Sunday. “In addition, we have achieved healthy diesel and water reserves.”

Imports from Mozambique’s Cahora Bassa have increased with the restoration of feed from one of the two lines. However, Eskom said the recent cyclone Idai caused significant damage to the second transmission line, which will take several months to restore.

Eskom acting head of generation Andrew Etzinger said things can change at short notice. “We are not yet out of the woods,” he said.

Etzinger added that Eskom is working to do the necessary maintenance, employ the necessary people and do the necessary training, as well as secure the necessary fund-

ing, but that would take time.

Eskom got 13 million litres of diesel reserves from Petro SA, which helped shift load shedding from Stage 4 to Stage 2. At Stage 4 load shedding, 4 000 MW are shed on a rotational basis while still meeting 80% of electricity demand. At Stage 2 load shedding, 2 000 MW are shed on a rotational basis.

Government recently appointed a technical review team who are reviewing power stations. Although Eskom is trying to attend to issues at power stations, Etzinger said the recommendations of the task team would be taken seriously.

School expels pupil for dad’s conduct Faraday - A learner at St Jeff College has been expelled because of alleged misconduct by her father, who has also been fired as chairperson of the school governing body.

The father of the 12-year-old Grade 8 learner, Sizwe Mahlambi, was accused of sharing a list of job vacancies from government and private schools with his daughter’s class teacher. It is also alleged that he approached several teach-

ers at the school and asked if they were happy with their salaries. As a result, the father said the school’s owner Jeffery Chikanda deregistered the girl from the school.

Chikanda said the father had approached the Gauteng Department of Education (GDE) and his matter was with the MEC for Education Panyaza Lesufi.

Chikanda wrote a letter to Mahlambi, dated February 21. The

main part of the letter read: “We regret to inform you that our relationship with you has been shattered to a degree of no return, your enrolment contract has been terminated and your child deregistered.”

Mahlambi said he removed his daughter from the school because she was being victimised. Comment from the Gauteng Department of Education had not been obtained by the time of going to press.

Education MEC Panyaza Lesufi

28 March - 4 April 2019

Inner-city Gazette

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28 March - 4 April 2019

28 March - 4 April 2019

Inner-city Gazette

Audition call for young dancers Brenda Sakellarides

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he Johannesburg Youth Ballet (JYB) will hold auditions for its 2019 Company on 13 and 14 April at the National School of the Arts in Braamfontein.

There will be separate auditions for junior and senior dancers. Candidates must be 12 years and over and have significant ballet training. Juniors should be at intermediate foundation and intermediate level and aged between 12 and 15.

The first round of junior auditions will be on 13 April. Registration will start at 13:00 at the National School of the Arts and all candidates should be there by 13:30.

The first round of auditions for senior dancers will also be held on 13 April from 15:30 to 16:45. The senior group caters for Advanced Foundation and

Advanced 1 & 2 dancers who are 16 years and over. Senior registration is at 14:30 and candidates are to be there by 15:00. The audition includes pointe work, so girls must bring pointe shoes.

Male dancers must come dressed in tights or shorts and a T-shirt. All females must wear leotards and pink tights, with their hair in a secure and tidy bun. No baggy clothing will be allowed.

If necessary, there will be a call back audition on 14 April between 10:00 and 12:00 midday, should the artistic director wish to see candidates again.

Successful candidates will be notified of their acceptance by 16 April.

Thereafter they will attend classes and rehearsals on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. They may also be required to attend rehearsals on public holidays and school holidays.

The programme will feature a re-

worked version of Guest Choreographer, David Gouldie’s acclaimed Chasing Tales; inspired by Roald Dahl’s ‘Revolting Rhymes’. The hugely successful production was first created for the Fantastic Flying Fish Dance Company 21 years ago.

This unique youth company has stayed the course through all weathers providing young dancers with the opportunity of dancing in a professionally-run youth company since its launch in 1976; and guiding many a young dancer into tertiary training institutions and into the profession.

For more information on the JYB and the auditions contact Brenda Sakellarides on 082 60 06739, brenda@ thepinkroom. co.za; or visit www.jyb.co.za

Court denies bail for rapper Pitch Black Afro Johannesburg - Pitch Black Afro, accused of murdering his wife Catherine Modisane, appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s court to apply for bail on Monday, which was denied.

The rapper will remain in custody, where he has been for nearly three months.

Pitch Black Afro, whose real name is Thulani Ngcobo, was denied bail at a hearing at the Johannesburg Magistrate Court on Monday.

Magistrate Paul du Plessis told Ngcobo that while the court did not have a mandate to decide on whether or not he was guilty, there would be no bail as so far there is no ‘exceptional circumstances’.

Ngcobo will remain in custody until April 12, when the trial date will be set.

He last appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate

Court at the end of January, where his bail application was postponed. The state said it needed time to respond to a supplementary affidavit submitted by Ngobo’s defence lawyer.

Ngcobo has been charged with premeditated murder and defeating the ends of justice for the alleged killing of his wife, Catherine Modisane, at a bed and breakfast lodge in Yeoville on December 30 last year.

At his last court appearance, the magistrate indicated that he would make a ruling on the bail application, but had been unable to as the defence had failed to prepare relevant affidavits on time.

The rapper smiled and appeared relaxed at the Johannesburg Magistrate Court on Monday, despite the serious allegations he faces.

Rapper Pitch Black Afro

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The Arts

Some youths and instructors at the dance school

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Court delays Semenya verdict The IAAF is looking to force so-called “hyperandrogenic” athletes or those with “differences of sexual development” (DSD) to seek treatment to lower their testosterone levels below a prescribed amount for them to compete as women.

Sports Reporter

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he Court of Arbitration for Sport has postponed its ruling until next month on a challenge filed

by South African double Olympic champion Caster Semenya against the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).

A decision in the controversial case had been due this week, but the world’s top sport court said it would not issue a verdict until the end of April because both sides had filed additional material since the hearing in February.

“No precise date has been set,” said a CAS press release.

Semenya is challenging propos-

als by the IAAF that aim to restrict female athletes’ testosterone levels.

The IAAF is looking to force socalled “hyperandrogenic” athletes or those with “differences of sexual development” (DSD) to seek treatment to lower their testosterone levels below a prescribed amount for them to compete as women.

The court is set to rule on capping testosterone levels in women athletes at five nanomoles per litre (nmol/L) of blood. The athletics governing body argues the moves are necessary to create a “level playing field” for female athletes.

In a statement sent to AFP, the IAAF responded to the delay by saying: “the postponement will not

prejudice the athletes concerned.”

The IAAF also said it was establishing a “special transitional provision” allowing those who “respect the limit of 5 nmol/L, as of the week following the publication of the decision” to be eligible for the athletics World Championships which start in Doha on September 28.

A wide coalition has rallied behind Semenya’s cause, including the SA government and rights activists worldwide.

Some scientific experts have argued that barring Semenya from competition because of naturally high testosterone levels would be like excluding basketball players because they are too tall.

Athlete Caster Semenya