Inner City Gazette

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Inner-City Gazette

Issue 21 - 2019

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

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30 May - 6 June 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

Shocking HIV stats

Other interesting data was that the highest prevalence in Africa was that in Johannesburg, almost half-a-million (466 000) adult residents between the ages of 15 and 49 have HIV Katharine Child

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Assistant professor Dr Laura Dwyer-Lindgren

he Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) at the University of Washington has created data visualizations of HIV epidemic in Africa; which indicates that almost one in five (17%) of South African adults aged between 15 and 49 have HIV; a five percentage point increase from 2000.

A total of 5.3 million South Africans under the age of 50 are HIVpositive, according to a study by the University of Washington’s Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), recently published in the journal Nature.

IHME tried to break down the number of people living with HIV across 46 African countries to help policymakers focus their

efforts on fighting the epidemic.

The study found South Africa’s HIV adult prevalence rate was much higher than most other countries, including Kenya (5.6%), Nigeria (3%), Namibia (13.8%), Zimbabwe (13.5%) and Mozambique (11.9%).

But South Africa’s high rate is partly because more people are living longer with HIV due to antiretroviral therapies.

Wits University professor Francois Venter said the epidemic was not worsening. “Seventeen percent sounds about right for South Africa. More people on HIV treatment are living longer.”

University of KwaZulu-Natal pharmacologist Andy Gray agreed. “I do not think SA’s epidemic is getting worse. Prevalence would also be expected to

increase as mortality drops because of antiretroviral therapy.

More persons living with HIV are living longer. The more important figure is the incidence, or the number of new cases.” Gray said.

Gray said localised data would “help us to focus on areas of greatest need and to identify ‘hot-spots’ where specific groups might be missed”.

Other interesting data was that the highest prevalence in Africa was that in Johannesburg, almost half-a-million (466 000) adult residents between the ages of 15 and 49 have HIV. KwaZulu-Natal has the most residents in the age bracket living with HIV - 1.4 million.

Provinces with the highest prevalence rates are Mpumalanga (20.9%), Free State (21.3%), and

KZN (24%). The W Cape (10%), Northern Cape (11.5%) and Limpopo (13.2%) have lowest rates.

The research also showed how few Africans have access to antiretrovirals.

According to Unicef, 34% of HIV positive people in East and Southern Africa and 60% of people in West and Central Africa are not currently on treatment.

The study also highlighted how bad the epidemic is, in the face of decreased funding.

IHME’s Health Metrics Sciences assistant professor Dr Laura Dwyer-Lindgren said: “Global funding for HIV/AIDS has declined since 2013, but our research shows the substantial burden that still exists and reveals where geographically targeted interventions might make a big difference.”

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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

Practical workplace experience gives Boston students the edge Author Carol S. Dweck is known for her work on the mindset psychological trait, where the ‘fixed mindset’ approaches learning from the point of view that you are born with certain skills and abilities. The other side of this coin is the growth mindset. From this perspective, skills are viewed as competencies which can be learned and further developed.

Boston City Campus & Business College embraces the growth mindset. Implementing the principle of subject-specific and soft skills development, Boston students engage in the academic institution’s programme of Work Integrated Learning. Playing a key role in providing practical, onthe-job training in a student’s particular field, the programme provides skill learning in an actual work context.

“Our focus is on equipping Boston students with top workplace skills, as well as vital professional and interpersonal skills, in order to facilitate ease of employment on completion of their studies at our campuses,” says Boston CEO, Ari Katz.

“Work integrated learning is the basis of everything we do. Boston students are encouraged to get work experience during their degree. This is done at companies who host a particular student, enabling them to apply the skills and competencies learnt in their degree,” says Katz who emphasizes the importance of harnessing industry related skills in order to secure employment.

“We prepare our graduates with training and graduate competencies that put them in a position to walk straight out of their studies and into a job. Our focus is on incorporating WIL into all degrees and higher education, ensuring that our students are work ready,” says Katz.

The practical part of certain programmes is overseen by Jeannette Campbell who manages the work in-

Ari Katz tegrated learning on a fulltime basis.

Providing a bridge between the host company and the student, opportunity is created to harness key skills through experiential learning. In this capacity, Jeannette further solidifies corporate relations, underpinning Boston’s pivotal role in supplying top graduates in various industries. This service is performed for students who require practical experience as part of their qualifications, such as the Media students on the campus where Jeannette’s office can be found. And in addition, Jeannette will assist graduates to find employment post their qualifications.

“Students are assisted with their CVs. We play an active role in guiding them where to go and what to do, but the onus is on them to get the placement,” says Katz.

The WIL programme allows the host

company to gain insight into the skill level of the student. “Our programme has proved so successful that there are instances where the work integrated learning has resulted in permanent employment at the host company,” says Katz.

Northern Cape graduate, Elton Kagisho is one such example. “Boston goes all out to help students develop key skills through on-the-job training within qualifications. In this way we are ready for the workplace from the day we leave,” says Kagisho who is now part of the prestigious State Information Technology Agency (SITA).

“My lecturers at Boston gave me a chance to grow in the IT field, helping me to go beyond my selfimposed limitations,” he says. “I was fortunate to receive an exceptional standard of education with internationally-recognised qualifications,” says the graduate who to this day believes in unceasing study and improvement of his technical qualifications.

“The current workplace environment demands a high level of education matched with a high skill level. We believe that it is essential to provide our students with a balance of knowledge and skills complemented with the practical understanding of how to apply them,” says Katz.

“As educators, we are committed to ensuring that our graduates are equipped to make a valuable contribution to the workplace, while furthering their careers. This means adopting a growth mindset, where developing and refining skills is a natural means to achieving competency in a particular industry,” concludes the Boston CEO. To find out more about the qualifications offered by Boston, or to schedule an appointment with a career advisor, call 011 551-9000, e-mail info@boston.co.za,

30 May - 6 June 2019

Warning on cellphone insurance policies ‘There is usually one specific

number linked to a device. If you don’t inform the insurer of the number change, your claims may be declined’ Helena Wasserman

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ost cellphone insurance policies include a proviso that if you change your number and SIM card, or even just move to a different network, you have to inform your insurer.

Senior assistant ombud at the Ombudsman for Short-Term Insurance (OSTI) Ayanda Mazwi says insurers can decline your claims if you don’t do that.

Cellphone-related complaints against insurers are on the increase, new numbers show. If you changed your cellphone number, your insurer may refuse to pay out when your phone is later damaged or stolen.

This proviso is contained in most cellphone insurance policy documents, but many consumers don’t pick up on it, until it is too late, warns Mazwi.

These policies require that you inform the insurer if you change your number and SIM card, or even just move to a different network, says Mazwi. “There is usually one specific number linked to a device. If you don’t inform the insurer of the number change, your claims may be declined,” she explains.

Senior Assistant Ombud Ayanda Mazwi

Mazwi says the ombud is receiving an increasing number of complaints related to cellphone insurance claims. For example, many people just assume that their new phones will automatically be insured after an upgrade, which is not the case.

The ombud recently released its report for 2018, which showed that it received almost 10 000 complaints in total from South African insurance clients.

Like the issue with cellphone numbers, many of these disputes could have been avoided by the careful reading of an insurance policy. In fact, more than a third of all complaints have to do with policy exclusions or warranties, says Mazwi.

With car insurance, a common example is with “named driver” policies where the insured did not understand that the policy was underwritten to only cover persons listed on the policy schedule.

A claim involving an unnamed driver may be declined. The ombud does, however, demand that the insurer demonstrates that clients were made aware of these exclusions and warranties, and that they were relevant to the circumstances of the loss, says Mazwi. Business Insider

30 May - 6 June 2019

Inner-city Gazette

Safety department Premier appoints new executives applauds bogus cops arrest

‘The suspects were arrested after allegedly stopping and demanding passports from three foreign nationals’ Johannesburg - The Gauteng Department of Community Safety applauds the arrest of four suspects for allegedly masquerading as police officers in the City of Johannesburg.

In a statement the department said the suspects include three women and one man aged between 27 and 45.

“The suspects were arrested after allegedly stopping and demanding passports from three foreign nationals. The suspects apparently told one of the victims that his passport had expired and demanded an amount of R3000,” the department said.

Department spokesperson Ofentse Morwane said criminals who impersonate legitimate po-

lice officers undermine the levels of safety in the province. “Fighting crime and corruption is one of the priorities of Gauteng City Region. The Gauteng Department of Community Safety condemns such immoral practice and urges the police to continue their fight against unscrupulous criminals who masquerade as police officers in the province,” he said.

The Department of Community Safety also calls upon community members to be actively involved in the fight against crime by reporting bogus police to the authorities to ensure that the rule of law is never undermined in our respective communities, Morwane added.

Johannesburg - Gauteng Premier David Makhura has appointed his executive council, which includes some young leaders.

Gauteng ANC Youth League spokesperson Mbali Hlophe is the new Sport, Arts, Culture and Recreation MEC. ANC provincial spokesperson Tasneem Motara leads the Infrastructure Development and Property Management portfolio. Former Tshwane mayor Kgosientso Ramokgopa is the new Economic Development, Agriculture and Environment MEC. Faith Mazibuko is the new Community Safety MEC, and Panyaza Lesufi has been moved to the Finance and e-Government portfolio; and No-

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mantu Nkomo-Ralehoko is the new Education MEC. The new Health MEC is Bandile Masuku; while Lebogang Maile is the new MEC for Human Settlements, Urban Planning and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs.

The Social Development portfolio has been given to Thuliswa Nkabinde-Khawe; while Jacob Mamabolo takes over as MEC of Public Transport and Road Infrastructure.

Motara said she has several challenges to tackle over the next five years. “Some of the challenges are that a lot of the infrastructure in Gauteng is old. We

Premier David Makhura

have to properly manage the property assets register, build new infrastructure on time and within budget,” she added.

City official steals computer Mondeor - Joburg Mayor Herman Mashaba recently announced that an operations manager at the Glenanda clinic was arrested for stealing a desktop computer.

Mashaba said he was disappointed to learn that there are people in the system who are still involved in corrupt activities. “This is despite that we continuously educate employees about fraud and corruption. Corrup-

tion has no place in this administration and we will work tirelessly in collaboration with the SAPS and the criminal justice system to ensure residents receive quality services they deserve,” he said.

Mashaba explained that the Group Forensic and Investigation Service Department (GFIS) received a tipoff that a computer belonging to the city had been pawned at a shop in

Rosettenville. The GFIS team and JMPD rushed to the shop and identified the stolen computer.

“I thank the Joburg resident for refusing to be part of any corrupt activity and reporting the incident to our team which acted swiftly,” said Mashaba.

He encouraged residents to report any corrupt activities through the city’s 24-hour tipoff hotline.

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Inner-city Gazette

News

‘Follow-home’ robbers jailed

Advocate Vela Mngwengwe of the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform signs the memorandum.

Farm workers march to Constitutional Court

Zoë Postman

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bout 100 people, mostly farm workers, marched to the Constitutional Court last Friday to demand better living and working conditions, as well as land.

The people, mostly farm workers from various provinces, marched from Pieter Roos Park to the Constitutional Court in Braamfontein to demand better living and working conditions for farm workers.

The group also called for the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform to sign a moratorium to stop farm evictions. The march was organised by activist organisation Tshintsha Amakhaya.

Organisations like Women on Farms and Association for Rural Advancement (AFRA) joined the march.

Magritta Prins of Women on Farms in the Western Cape said they wanted to protect the rights of farm workers, stop evictions and secure land. “We want to have our own land so that we can do something for ourselves like growing gardens or sheep farming.

There is a lot of abuse towards us farm workers. It’s really bad and we want it to stop,” said Prins.

Susan Smith used to live and work

30 May - 6 June 2019

on a farm in Wellington in the Western Cape for 20 years before she was evicted four years ago. She said 23 households were evicted from the farm and moved to zinc houses, where she currently lives.

“The farmer threw us out like dogs a week before Christmas. We were moved from proper houses to zinc houses with no flooring. Those places are too small for our families and when it rains, the roof leaks and we get wet,” she said.

She said she hopes the department will assist with proper housing or land to build their own houses. “On the farms, we were happy. Our kids didn’t know this life of drugs and crime. But now we are living a dangerous life,” said Smith.

The memorandum was accepted by Advocate Vela Mngwengwe from the department, who said the department would respond within 30 days.

The march was also in support of a court case against the department about the slow processing of labour tenant land claims; which was heard at the Constitutional Court.

AFRA spokesperson Nokuthula Mthumunye said AFRA and the Legal Resources Centre (LRC) launched class action litigation at the

Land Claims Court in 2013 because they realised that the department was not processing labour tenant land claims. Some tenants had been waiting for over 20 years.

“We asked the department to tell us how many claims were lodged and how many were processed and how many were outstanding. A court order was given for that but over the years, the department failed to provide us that information,” she said.

Mthumunye said the LRC then applied for an appointment of a Special Master to assist the department with the backlog of land claims. In 2016 the LRC won the case at the Land Claims Court but the department appealed the judgment. The matter went to the Supreme Court of Appeals which overturned the judgment, rejecting the appointment of a Special Master. We were here to appeal the decision made by the SCA and to say that land claims must be processed with urgency, because the department has really been dragging its feet,” she said.

Mngwengwe said the department was sorry for what has happened to labour tenant applications. “Things did go horribly wrong, but they can be corrected,” he said. GroundUp

Kempton Park of the National Four men who were Investigation found guilty of robUnit and the beries targeting Gauteng Protravellers from OR vincial InvesTambo International tigation Unit, Airport have been during an opersentenced to long ation to combat prison terms by the airport-followKempton Park maging robberies, istrate’s court. spotted these National police four men in a commissioner Gensedan on the eral Khehla Sitole R21 highway welcomed the senin the vicinity tencing of Simphiwe of the airport.

Zwane, 42, Thulani In trying to stop Sibanda, 28, Qhuthe suspects, a Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo bani Tshuma, 34 and shootout ensued Stanley Moyo, 40, between the powho were found guilty of charges lice and suspects. The suspects of armed robbery, unlawful pos- were eventually cornered and arsession of arms and ammunition, rested,” Nidoo said. and possession of suspected stoHe added that officers recovered len property, believed to belong to a Z88 pistol, a .45 Calibre pistol, their victims. a .38 Special revolver and several Police spokesperson Brigadier rounds of ammunition and arVishnu Naidoo said Sibanda and rested them for unlawful possesMoyo were sentenced to an ef- sion of firearms and ammunition. fective 30 years each, Zwane 31 “Follow-up investigations were years and Tshuma 15 years on conducted and the suspects were Friday. also linked to armed robbery cases “Their reign of terror ended in Kempton Park, Olifantsfontein when on July 14, 2017, members and Yeoville,” said Naidoo.

Bogus cops arrested in CBD Johannesburg - Last Friday four people were arrested in the Joburg CBD while allegedly demanding passports from foreign nationals, claiming the passports were expired and demanding bribes, according to Johannesburg police.

Police spokesperson Captain Xoli Mbele said the suspects, three women and a man, aged between 27 and 45, were arrested impersonating police officials at corner Twist and Plein streets, and also at corner Noord and Wanderers Street on Friday morning.

“Two female suspects were arrested and police recovered two fake appointment police certificates from them. The other two were apprehended as they stopped three foreign nationals demanding passports. They told one of the victims that his passport has expired and demanded R3 000. Police are on the ground to ensure that people that are damaging the image of the police are apprehended,” Mbele said.

He added that an investigation into the matter is currently underway.

30 May - 6 June 2019

Inner-city Gazette

News

Armed men rob woman, nabbed in shootout with cops

Colonel Lungelo Dlamini

Kensington - Last Wednesday morning three gunmen allegedly robbed a woman of cash and jewellery in her driveway in Nottingham Road, and were later arrested after a shootout with police.

Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Lungelo Dlamini said police K9 members spotted the suspects travelling in a Polo Vivo vehicle in Louis Botha Avenue.

“A shootout ensued when police confronted them, until their vehicle hit a wall. Two of the suspects were arrested after they sustained bullet wounds, and are under guard in hospital. The third suspect managed to escape,” Dlamini said.

He added that two pistols were recovered, as well as cash stolen from a woman at Bruma.

“It was found that their gateway vehicle had been hijacked in Sandton. A case of armed robbery, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearms, and possession of a stolen vehicle are being investigated,” Dlamini said.

None of the police officers were injured during the shootout.

Part of the accident scene after a truck drove into a wall.

Man killed in wall collapse Johannesburg - One person died and another was injured in a recent incident when a truck drove into a wall, which then collapsed on two pedestrians in City and Suburban.

Last Wednesday Netcare 911 responded to reports of a collision on the corner of Kruger and Mar-

shall Street in City and Suburban.

In a statement Netcare 911 said: “Reports indicate that a tipper truck transporting materials for recycling knocked a portion of a wall which collapsed on two pedestrians. An adult male sustained fatal injuries and was declared

deceased. The second, an adult female had sustained moderate injuries to her lower limbs. She was treated on the scene and once she was stabilised, was transported by ambulance to hospital for further treatment. All necessary authorities were on the scene.”

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Inner-city Gazette

30 May - 6 June 2019

30 May - 6 June 2019

Inner-city Gazette

The Arts

Drama festival calls for applications Eric Thoka

Early childhood development is the most critical time for positive intervention

Drama for Life has announced the call for proposals, participation and attendance of the 11th Drama for Life conference and festival.

Following last year’s 10 days of conference and festival that celebrated 10 years of Drama for Life’s intersectional interrogation of transformation, this year’s conference and festival theme seeks to explore the role arts can play in creating a child-centred society.

Early childhood development is the most critical time for positive intervention, a process by which children from birth grow and thrive mentally, physically, morally, emotionally and socially.

South Africa has made notable progress in developing children’s access to early childhood develop-

ment and learning, nutrition and healthcare.

According to Stats SA as of mid2017, 19.6 million children (0- 17 years of age) are living in South Africa accounting for 35% of the country’s total population.

The Drama for Life conference and festival will take place at Wits University in Braamfontein from 8-17 August 2019.

To apply click on the link for applications: h t t p s : / / w w w. dramaforlife. co.za/pages/ drama-for-lifeconferenceand-festival.

Change

of names I, formally known as Francisca Nneka Akadile wish to be addressed as

Francisca Nneka Okonkwo.

All documents still remain valid.

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Winless campaign ‘bothers’ Banyana

They started the year with a 2-1 home defeat to the Netherlands in a friendly on January 19. This was followed by a goalless draw against Sweden in another friendly at home three days later. Banyana lost three of the four Cyprus Cup games in March, with a draw.

Sihle Ndebele

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anyana Banyana have not won a match this year, leading up to their first ever World Cup, which has somehow triggered anxiety, according to player Noko Matlou.

She said it is a bit worrying that they have not won a match this year. “We are trying to address it by looking at our past games to see where we are getting it wrong,” she said.

Banyana, who are in France for the World Cup finals, are winless in eight games played in 2019.

They started the year with a 2-1 home defeat to the Netherlands in a friendly on January 19. This was followed by a goalless draw against Sweden in another friendly at home three days later. Banyana lost three of the four Cyprus Cup games in March, with a draw.

In the Cyprus Cup, SA lost to Czech Republic (2-1), Finland (30) and Korea DPR (4-0) in group stages, and also drew 2-2 with Finland. It was in the ninth-place play-offs where this European side hammered them.

In their last match, a friendly in California on May 12, Banyana

lost 3-0 to world champions US. A month prior to that, SA had been held to 1-1 draw in another friendly by fellow World Cup debutants Jamaica in Durban.

In their last preparatory match before the World Cup, Desiree Ellis’s charges clash against Norway at Stade Moulonguet in Amiens, France, on Saturday.

Banyana begin their World Cup campaign against Spain on June 8, before facing China in their second Group B encounter five days later.

They end the group phase against Germany on June 17. Sowetan

Banyana star Noko Matlou