Inner City Gazette

Fired-up Nokwazi embarks on a mission to jazz up JOSHCO!

“First at the top of my list is streamlining and driving the strategic vision of the organisation to make Johannesburg Social Housing Company (JOSHCO) an employer of choice,” says Nokwazi Mtshali, JOSHCO’s Executive Manager for Corporate Services.

Nokwazi believes a good starting point is to understand the value chain of the organisation and how one unit or department feeds into another, thus bringing about the best results. “When looking at our vision, I must be able to understand that if JOSHCO is vying for a certain vision, what kind of capacity is required and what the needs analysis within the organisation is to achieve a particular key objectives,” she notes.

Nokwazi is also a strong believer of allowing colleagues the opportunity to own their space and ideas. She is passionate about achieving the vision and mandate of JOSHCO and believes that establishing a fit-forpurpose workforce will do just that.

Her plan is to help accelerate JOSHCO’s response to executing its objectives, which is building social housing units, eradicating the housing backlog and

providing adequate housing.

Nokwazi is not completely new to the city. She previously worked in the office of the Member of the Mayoral Committee for Human Settlement before joining JOSCHO.

She was operations director, which allowed her to have a decent interface with JOSCHO and the Human Settlement Department.

fident and skilled in their work space, this will automatically impact and translate to the rest of the residence within the city,” she notes.

Nokwazi is eager to make a difference at JOSHCO and with her extensive knowledge in the housing space will allow her to bring about great change.

“I was hungry and eager for the position to make a difference in that space. When I applied for the position at JOSCHO the excitement took over and I felt no nerves. I love spaces where I can assist in the development of someone and be able to make a positive impact in other people’s lives.

Before officially taking up office at JOSCHO, Nokwazi was in an acting capacity in the executive manager’s role. This allowed her to see what exists within the organisation and was already at work trying to streamline processes.

“Having been in the city for a while, I understand what the services entails and I understand what kind of ethic and integrity is needed to move the organisation to its next level.

First, my focus includes activating the employees of JOSHCO through training and a decent succession and retention plan to ensure that all business of the day can continue and skills transfer is continuously happening.  Second, once employees are con-

With these attributes I know I could accomplish and achieve in executive manager role,” she says.

Nokwazi is currently studying for a Master’s Degree in performance monitoring and evaluation. She also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in management and a Bachelor Degree in media and communication from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She loves travelling and spending time with her kids.

JOSHCO’s Nokwazi Mtshali

Committing to the time and fees of a tertiary higher education is a big leap of faith. But it’s worth it if you know that your efforts will lead to success in getting the job of your dreams, as well as having promotion potential. Boston City Campus is committed to filling these needs and meeting the skills demand of the workplaces. The Institution is devoted to both our current students and our graduates, and we love to stay in touch with them as they grow in their careers!

The Graduate Support Services Office is mandated to provide a range of free services to all Boston Graduates in the first year after graduating. The staff in this office have years of experience in liaising with the companies and various industries, and are involved in coaching graduates in the skills and traits required to secure their dream job!

These services enhance our students’ journey into the world of work by providing them with the tools they need to assist them in securing employment. These services are offered to all our graduates.

Boston uses state of the art e-learning which means students study anywhere and anytime.

We therefore have students and graduates situated in all provinces, thus Boston Graduate Support Services operates nationally, and offering all the benefits. These include:

• A short course on how to prepare a professional Curriculum Vitae (CV).

• A student may submit their CV to our Graduate Support Services for an expert review.

• Guidance on how to prepare an effective cover letter/motivation when applying for an internship or employment.

• Boston will further assist our graduates with advice on how to conduct a job/internship search effectively.

• Graduates are also provided with tried and tested methods or techniques to prepare for the all-important job interview.

• Graduates who have successfully completed the Boston Employment Readiness Programme will be added to the Boston Graduate Services Database.

• Boston will put forward the names of gradu-

ates in the Boston Graduate Services Database when approached by organisations or businesses seeking graduates for internship or employment purposes.

The focus of this service is to assist our graduates to enter the workplace and not as an employment agency to assist graduates in finding alternative employment.

In addition to the above value add, Boston has introduced the Graduate+ initiative to our student body. This initiative is designed to motivate our students to articulate from Short Learning Programmes to Higher Certificate studies, through to Diploma Studies into Degree Studies and with the vision to encourage those learners to achieve outstanding academic performance.

Find more at this information on the Boston website for details, in which it explains that students who do not find a job placement after gradation may get their next Higher Education Qualification free!

Why do have the Graduate+ initiative?

Because we all have the same goal with Higher Education – we want our graduates placed in employment, and more than that we believe the academic excellence and broader skills that Boston Students acquire will ensure that they do get placed! The main purpose of the Graduate + Initiative is to help graduates GET A JOB!

What are some of the T’s and C’s the graduate on the Graduate + Initiative has to meet? Things such as completing the qualification in the minimum time, having fees paid up, being unemployed and passing our free Work Readiness Course.

And by the way, we support ALL Boston graduates and help them with their job-hunting – not just the ones that meet the criteria for Graduate +

Please visit one of our Student Support Centres or www.boston.co.za for more information on the terms and conditions pertaining to the Boston Graduate+ initiative.

The Inner City Gazette is deeply saddened to report the passing of Harrison Ndlovu, an esteemed journalist, silub editor, and graphic designer. Harrison was a dedicated and talented member of our team, and his contributions to the field of journalism will be sorely missed.

Harrison's passion for journalism was evident in everything he did. He was a gifted writer and editor, and his attention to detail and eye for design made him an invaluable member of our team. His work touched the lives of many, and his commitment to excellence inspired us all. To Harrison's family and friends, we

offer our deepest condolences. The loss of such a talented and compassionate individual is a great tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.

As we mourn Harrison's passing, we take comfort in the words of the poet John Keats, who wrote, "A thing of beauty is a joy forever." Harrison's work was truly a thing of beauty, and it will continue to bring joy to those who read it for years to come.

Rest in peace, Harrison. Your legacy will live on in the work you leave behind, and in the hearts of those who knew and loved you.

Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa appointed as new Electricity Minister!

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa as the new Minister in the Presidency for Electricity.

The announcement of the newly established position was made by the President during an address to the nation on Monday evening (6 March 2023).

President Ramaphosa said in his new role, Ramokgopa’s primary goal will be to drive government’s programme of significantly reducing the “severity and frequency of load shedding as a matter of urgency” and to expedite government’s work to ensure the full implementation of the Energy Action Plan.

“To effectively oversee the electricity crisis response, the appointed Minister will have political responsibility, authority and control over all critical aspects of the Energy Action Plan. This will help to deal with the challenge of fragmentation of responsibility across various departments and Ministers which, while appropriate under normal circumstances, is not

View the City’s Valuation on your Property!

Most Johannesburg property owners and interested parties use the online system to view and/or object against the entries contained in the City of Johannesburg’s General Valuation Roll (GVR) 2023.

With an average of more than 3000 daily users on the GVR2023 online system, majority are those who have opted to use the system from the comfort of their homes or offices, rather than physically visit any of the selected 13 Customer Service Centres.

The City recently opened its Valuation Roll, inviting residents to view, inspect and/or object against any category or new property value. Residents and interested parties have the option to object by either using the online system or at any of the dedicated Customer Service Centres, where they will be assisted by the valuers.

Interested parties have until 31 March 2023 at 15:00 to object against any category or new values of their properties.

Kgamanyane Maphologela, the spokesperson for the City’s Group Finance Department says, since the online system has been opened, the City has noticed more people embracing the online system over the traditional walk-in customer service centres to log their objections.

“We have seen a spike in terms of the residents using the online system. We continue to urge our residents not to wait until it’s too late, to object to categories and new values of properties should they have the evidence to support their view,” says Maphologela.

According to Maphologela, on the 24 February 2023, a total of 3683 users were recorded on the day. Out of the total users, at least 877 objected to the new values of their properties online, while only 137 objected at the walk-in centres.

The GVR2023 Centre in the inner-city: Thuso House Customer Service Centre, 61 Jorissen Street (Region F only).

conducive to a crisis response.

“The Minister will be expected to facilitate the coordination of the numerous departments and entities involved in the crisis response, work with the Eskom leadership to turn around the performance of existing power stations, and accelerate the procurement of new generation capacity,” he said.

At the time of his appointment, Ramokgopa held the position of Head of the Investment and Infrastructure Office in the Presidency - a position he held since 2019.

The new Minister of Electricity in the Presidency will be empowered to carry out his duties through the transfer of certain powers and functions from the President in terms of the Constitution.

President Ramaphosa added that the new Minister will stay in office “for as long as it is necessary to resolve the electricity crisis”.

Before ascending to national government, Ramokgopa worked as the Member of Executive Committee (MEC) for Economic Development, Agriculture and Environment in Gauteng.

At local government level, Ramokgopa became one of the youngest mayors to head up a metropolitan municipality in South Africa when he took up the mayoral chains at the Tshwane municipality in 2010, holding that position for at least five years.

Ramokgopa was also the CEO of both the Metropolitan Trading Company and the Johannesburg Market and was Deputy Chairperson of the board of Trade and Investment in Limpopo.

He earned his Doctorate (PhD) in Public Affairs in 2019 with a dissertation titled: Leadership in establishing the Gauteng City-Region: the Case of the City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, a Master’s degree in Public Administration and a Master’s Degree in Business Leadership.

The Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) brings to the attention of the public, the re-emergence of an impostor posing as the Chief Electoral Officer, Sy Mamabolo.

The IEC first became aware of the impostor in October 2022 and issued a public alert and reported to the matter to police for investigation. Indications of the South African Police Service are that investigations are still continuing. The activities of the imposter receded in December 2022 but have now resurfaced recently.

The impostor uses the cellphone number 084 577 9791. The impostor appears very active on WhatsApp wherein he or she is conversing with unsuspecting professional contacts and acquaintances of the Chief Electoral Officer. The WhatsApp account linked to the 084 577 9791 bears the photographs of the Chief Electoral Officer. These pho-

tographs are easily accessible from news sites and publications on the internet.

“Members of the public are encouraged to contact the police should they encounter anyone claiming to be the Chief Electoral Officer. Furthermore, members of the public are also urged to contact the Commission to verify any information,” the IEC spokespersonm Kate Bapela explains.

The Commission strongly condemns the impersonation of the Chief Electoral Officer as this is damaging to the reputation of the institution, a feat we can least afford as we scale up the preparations for the 2024 National and Provincial Elections.

“We urge the South African Police Service to intensify the investigation and apprehend the culprit as his or her criminal conduct undermines electoral democratic processes of the country and the Commission as a foremost election management body on the African continent,” said Bapela.

Government shape future by providing basics to children!

“The Gauteng Department of Social Development has given school uniform to more than 2 million vulnerable children in the last ten years, through the Gauteng Provincial Government Bana Pele programs,” writes Teddy Gomba

The Gauteng Provincial Government embarked in the program of school uniforms to give less fortunate children a start so that they are inspired and one day become, to name a few, engineers, accountants, artisans, and technicians.

Among its many uses, the uniform serves to standardise children wear in schools and concealing their economic background and class. The financial situations of some families are so dire that a decent uniform is considered a luxury.

Gauteng Government’s efforts are aimed at ensuring that the child can receive free education, from the Department of Basic Education, free health care from the Department of Health as well as scholar transport from the Department of Transport and school nutrition.

All these are made possible through the Bana Pele program, aimed at children on the support grant database as well as orphaned and vulnerable children.

Each year the Gauteng Department of Social Development rolls out school distribution.

This year the department will be handing out 200 000 school uniforms. Each contains a pair of shoes, a pair of socks, a pack of underwear, a vest, a jersey, a skirt, a shirt, a tunic, and a dungaree depending on the gender of the child and type.

Through this program, the government also strives to achieve the vision set out in the constitution with regard to appropriate care, and the provision of basic education.

Due to South Africa’s long history of oppression and generational repercussions, the government has a mammoth task in restoring dignity to those who find themselves in poverty.

Government does not only give them school uniforms, but also provided dignity packs that contain sanitary pads, toothpaste, body lotion, toilet roll, and bath soaps. As we all know and acknowledge that adolescents come with new hygiene complications.

If these issues are not dealt with this may affect learners’ self-esteem and their progress as they will be compelled to skip school when on menstrual periods or do not have proper toiletries.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development distributes 196 796 dignity packs to 1320 throughout the province and plans to distribute 1 180 776 by end of March next year.

There sewing of school uniforms and manufacturing are done by unemployed women that had come together into cooperatives to produce the goods, thus creating employment for them. This confirms the saying that it takes a village to raise a child.

Indeed, Gauteng Government continues to put the needs of children first by responding with socio-economic interventions that seek to ensure that all children are given equal learning opportunities despite their family backgrounds and fulfilling a constitutional obligation on children’s right to quality, safe and equitable education.

Teddy Gomba works for Gauteng Social Development

Teddy Gomba

Commission warns members of the public of an impostor posing as the Chief Electoral Officer!

GFIS offi cials suspended!

The City has placed senior officials from Group Forensic and Investigation Services (GFIS) department on precautionary suspension pending an investigation into allegations levelled against the officials.

Allegations of serious misconduct have been levelled against the officials that include but not limited to circumventing council processes and thereby preventing council from exercising oversight in accord with applicable with laws and regulations.

Some of the allegations have resulted in financial prejudice while the City has been hard at work de-

vising strategies to reduce unauthorized, irregular, fruitless and wasteful expenditure (UIFW).

Furthermore, in light of the recent efforts put by the City in stabilizing its finances, these acts of maladministration cannot be tolerated, especially within a department that is mandated to fight maladministration, fraud and corruption with the City of Johannesburg.

The City has decided to place the officials on precautionary suspension because of the seriousness of the allegations and to allow due process to unfold without any hindrance.

Protect your kids against Measles

The Gauteng Province has to date reported a total of 86 confirmed measles cases. There are 62 cases from Ekurhuleni district, 9 from Johannesburg district, 11 from Tshwane district, 4 cases from West Rand District and none from Sedibeng.

To date, over 1 371 055 children have been immunised across the province (As at 3 March 2023). Parents and caregivers are en-

Floyd Brink is the new Joburg City Manager!

Braamfontein - The Executive Mayor of the City of Johannesburg, Cllr. Thapelo Amad, has appointed Mr Floyd Brink as the new City Manager of the City of Johannesburg.

Mr Brink is a former Chief Operations Officer (COO) of the City having served in the role from August 2018 on a four-year contract and having acted as City Manager since the departure of the former City Manager in February 2021.

couraged to sign consent forms permitting school health teams to administer measles immunisation to their little ones.

Measles is a serious disease that can have devastating consequences, but there are steps that parents can take to protect their children. Parents with little ones who are not yet at early childhood development centres or schools can take them to their local clinics for immunisation.

"The appointment of Mr Brink signifies the beginning of an era of bringing certainty and stability to the City by filling critical management positions which had been left vacant for a considerable period. The City has been without a City Manager, Chief Operations Officer and Group Chief Financial Officer for a considerable period of time. These are three critical positions in the life and work of the City that have been irresponsibly left vacant by the previous administration, jeopardising the City’s administrative capacity and service delivery” said Mayor Amad.

"As a consummate professional, Mr Brink's leadership qualities, management skills and experience will prove invaluable in our quest to stabilise the finances of the City, accelerate service delivery, find solutions to the energy crisis and help create jobs” added Mayor Amad.

The Executive Mayor wishes Mr Brink well in his new role and is confident that working with him, the Government of Local Unity (GLU) will be able to make decisive advances towards the realisation of the World Class African City envisioned in the City’s plan for Growth and Development Strategy (GDS 2040).

Mr Floyd Brink

Five reasons SMMEs owners should come to the Rand Show!

Apart from being South Africa’s longest-standing and largest consumer exhibition, the Rand Show has become a permanent calendar feature for most families looking for something to do during the Easter break.

This year, the spectacle is taking place from Thursday, April 6 and ends on Monday, April 10 at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec.

This is only one of many reasons to exhibit at the annual event. Here are four more:

Visitors shop at the show

One of the quickest and most engaging ways to get your brand in front of thousands of people is at an expo. This event not only sees tens of thousands of people through the doors, the visitors that come, come to buy and be entertained.

They are ready to talk, see and shop and are highly interactive.

“We’ve seen this for decades at The Rand Show. Visitors come for the fun and entertainment, but also for show specials on products from homeware to furniture, make-up to sunglasses and more,” says Didi Okoro, Head of Sales Rand Show.

Visitors to an exhibition have chosen to be there and are in the right frame of mind to connect with exhibitors.

It’s a haven for SMMEs looking for business

This year the Rand Show not only sees a dedicated hall for SMMEs but also includes a Summit for SMME exhibitors free of charge.

The SMME Summit will allow SMMEs to connect, listen to and network with the people who can help build their companies; the Rand Show is offering significant opportunities for growth, development and operational improvement in the SMME space. The best part is that all of this is included in the price of signing up an SMME for a stand, with no additional charges.

Woza Albert rewinds clock back to dark days of Apartheid

Getrude Mamabolo

Theatre lovers have less than a week before the classical play, Woza Albert, ends its short run this Sunday, 12 March 2023.

Theatres is a way of rewinding back to the most vibrant examples of satirical anti-apartheid South African theatrical plays.

Added to this, one incredible SMME will win R 50 000 towards their business. This will be voted on by visitors to the show. Not only do visitors enjoy retail therapy at the show, but leads are also made and deals are signed.

It provides great networking opportunities

The expo’s multi-faceted exhibitor base means that SMMEs, Corporates and Public Sector enjoy five days of interaction on the show floor, at lunch and this year at the SMME Summit.

The Rand Show is currently calling on those Corporates and Public Sector entities involved in this to come on board and participate in the Summit, giving them a chance to connect with fast-developing leaders in the small to medium business space.

Those corporate and public sector entities who do come on board will be charged a nominal fee, which gives them an entire SMME contact database, a 30min speaking slot at the Summit, branding throughout the Summit, and an on-camera interview explaining their involvement with SMMEs, which will be used on the Rand Show platforms and on postshow exposure reels.

It offers face-to-face brand building

An exhibition is still the very best place to meet customers, and potential customers, face-to-face.

The Rand Show allows exhibitors this opportunity while supporting relationship management with various people, from visitors to competitors, government officials to the media. It’s the ideal platform to build or introduce a brand.

The Joburg Theatres in collaboration with Ndlondlo productions is currently showing Woza Albert at the Lesedi Theatre stage, taking the audience on an auditory and visual journey of struggles faced by South Africans during apartheid. Woza Albert play unleashes memories of Liberation Theatre. It was written by the theatre veterans Mbongeni Ngema, Percy Mtwa and Barney Simon.

Woza Albert features the multiaward-winning actor Hamilton Dhlamini and Thulani Mtshweni, who appeared in Isidingo, Hhayi Bo Mnakwethu, iNumber Number, Isibaya, and currently he’s on one of the most popular watched telenovelas, Gomorra.

James Ngcobo, the Artistic Director of Joburg Theatres, says bringing Woza Albert back to Joburg

“We continue to extend the belt of celebrating the black narrative by staging this iconic play, Woza Albert.  We want to replant the nature of literature in schools and impart to our youth the history of South African apartheid.

Staging iconic plays like Woza Albert helps us to commemorate our South African playwrights,” he adds.

“The production uses the metaphor of Morena to show what would happen if he came back to South Africa during apartheid.  The play serves as a reminder of who are we and where the country comes from,” says Ngcobo.

If you have not grabbed a ticket for the highly acclaimed piece of theatre, visit Joburg Theatre at https:// www.joburgtheatre.com/ to book your seat:

Didi Okoro,Head of Commercial Rand Show.

Gauteng Sports Awards crown best performers over past year!

For the first time, the annual ceremony was hosted in the capital city and successfully hosted in a township-based venue.

The province’s best sports stars and administrators gathered at the black carpet at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Soshanguve Campus for the Gauteng Sport Awards on Saturday evening, February 18.

The 11th edition saw Banyana Banyana star Andile Dlamini named Sport Personality of The Year, winning the night’s top prize voted for by the people.

Shihan Shabnum Mia received a lifetime achievement award for her stellar contribution in the sport fraternity in Martial Arts.

With 2023 being the year of women’s sport, women dominated in wins for the night across various categories. Irma Reyneke (athletics) won Coach of the Year, Michelle Joubert (hockey), Michelle Joubert was named Technical Official of the Year and Nelly ‘MaNellys’ Kubayi was crowned Sport Fan of the Year, while Retha Ingenbleek won for Online Virtual Sport & Recreation Programme of the Year in athletics.

Primedia’s Palesa Manaleng was named Sport Journalist of the Year, Zalika Methula won Most

Promising Athlete of the Year for diving, wheelchair basketball’s Michelle Mmasefako Mona, pictured, was awarded Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability and Olympic swimming champion Lara van

Niekerk was crowned Sportswoman of the Year.

Furthermore, Fireballs Netball, Titans Cricked (4 Day League) and the Mamelodi Sundowns males and ladies’ teams were recognized as Sport Teams of the Year, receiving the acknowledgment for winning their leagues in the 2021/2022 season.

Other major winners of the night included Titans Deaf Cricket Team for Sport Team of the Year with a Disability, Aquatics Gauteng winning Federation of the Year, Tshwane FM announced as Community Media of the Year and the night’s youngest award recipient was Caleb Levi Levitan, winning Amayanga–Yanga Young Athlete of the Year.

Special guests included sporting veterans, celebrities, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and the MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Morakane Mosupyoe.

The Gauteng Sports Awards’ intent is to reward the province’s sports stars for their efforts in keeping the passion of sport alive. Their aim is to recognize and honour individuals and teams who have excelled both on and off field.