Pretoria News Weekend July 11 2020

PRETORIA NEWS | Saturday, July 11 2020
3
It is an eternal obligation toward the
human being not to let him suffer from
hunger when one has a chance of
coming to his assistance
SIMONE WEIL
ICYMI | IOL.CO.ZA
HUNGER LINKED TO COVID-19
COULD CAUSE 12 000 DEATHS A DAY
As many as 12 000 people could die per day
by the end of the year as a result of hunger
linked to Covid-19. Potentially more than
could die from the disease, warned Oxfam
in a new briefing published.
Go to: www.iol.co.za/lifestyle/health/diet
MMETRO
• LOCKDOWN DIARY
GAUTENG OVERTAKES WESTERN CAPE
LAID BACK
FRIDAY, MARCH 27
Day 1 of national lockdown level 5.
FRIDAY, MAY 1
Lockdown moves to level 4.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 13
Lifting of restrictions on e-commerce.
Sale of alcohol and tobacco banned.
SUNDAY, MAY 24
President Cyril Ramaphosa announces
further reopening of the economy.
THURSDAY, MAY 28
Co-operative Governance Minister
Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma announces
changes for level 3 restrictions. Tobacco
sales still banned.
MONDAY, JUNE 1
Lockdown moves to level 3.
Queues to buy alcohol.
Basic Education Minister Angie
Motshekga postpones reopening of schools
as not all are ready.
TUESDAY, JUNE 2
Gauteng High Court rules in favour of
Liberty Fighters Network’s challenge to
lockdown regulations.
THURSDAY, JUNE 4
Cabinet agrees to extend the State of
Disaster to July 15.
MONDAY, JUNE 8
Schools reopen for grades 7 and 12.
Domestic flights between Joburg, Cape Town
and Durban resume for business travel.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 10
Case brought by the Fair Trade
Independent Tobacco Association against
the ban on tobacco sales in court.
A WORKER stands next to a freshly-dug grave at the Honingnestkrans Cemetery, north of Pretoria. The graves are being prepared in the
event that many people may die over a short space of time because of the coronavirus. | SHIRAAZ MOHAMED AP
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 17
Amendments to level 3 for personal
care services, hotels and restaurants
announced. President condemns rise of
gender-based violence during lockdown.
THURSDAY, JUNE 18
Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja
Kganyago warns of economic downturn.
TUESDAY, JUNE 23
Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize warns of
the “storm” of rising cases.
Directions for reopening of schools
published.
Wits screens participants for the
South Africa / Oxford Covid-19 vaccine
trial which will be led locally by Professor
Shabir Madhi.
The Housing Company Tshwane (HCT) is an entity of and owned by the City of Tshwane (CoT) Metropolitan Municipality. Established in 2001
and registered as a housing institution, the HCT received its mandate from the CoT to implement the CoT’s institutional housing programme
in general; and social housing in particular. The HCT’s mandate includes the development and management of affordable rental housing for
the lower income market as an integral part of the CoT’s efforts to provide housing solutions to its communities. The HCT is accredited by the
Social Housing Regulatory Authority (SHRA). The HCT is accountable through its Board to the CoT.
The HCT seeks to fill the following vacancies on a five-year fixed-term contract.
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Ref: 001/07/2020
Remuneration: Negotiable
MAIN PURPOSE: The Chief Executive Officer will establish the HCT as a credible implementation and delivery agency of affordable housing, provide strategic leadership, compliance, financial
sustainability; and support to HCT’s Board, management team and staff.
KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:
• Develop, implement and monitor new strategies to create opportunities for long-term financial sustainability.
• Lead the implementation of the HCT’s long-term sustainability business case/model.
• Implement the business plan in line with the provisions articulated in the HCT’s strategic plan.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable laws, regulations and codes (e.g. Municipal Systems Act, MFMA, Companies Act, and King IV etc.).
• Ensure sound corporate governance within all facets of the HCT.
• Foster a high performance culture across the operational areas within the HCT.
• Implement the Board strategy and Board resolutions.
• Account to the Board on key management and strategic priorities.
• Develop and lead a diverse executive management team.
• Develop and implement a stakeholder engagement and management strategy.
REQUIREMENTS:
• A highly accomplished individual is sought for this role and must have a bachelor’s degree and or an equivalent qualification in Engineering, Built Environment and or related fields.
• A minimum of 6-10 years proven senior management experience and some executive management experience at local government level and in the infrastructure planning environment.
• The role requires an individual with a deep understanding and experience of the social infrastructure needs of South Africa and in particular, Tshwane
KEY COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS:
• Knowledge: Functioning of the public and local government sector, built environment/construction industry, performance monitoring and evaluation, applicable legislative prescripts and
corporate governance codes, intergovernmental relations framework; and municipal land holding and management legislation and regulations.
• Skills: Strategic capability and leadership, strategic planning, problem solving and analysis, managing conflict, service delivery innovation, programme and project management, financial
management, performance management, contract management, change management, the ability to engage and manage diverse stakeholders, negotiation and communication (written and
verbal); and computer literacy.
• The role requires a flexible work schedule to meet the demands of executive management, and work hours may be long and irregular. This position is based at the HCT’s Head Office in Tshwane.
The HCT offers competitive remuneration within the context of the local government sector, based on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
Ref: 002/07/2020
Remuneration: Negotiable
Closing date for applications is 17 July 2020.
It’s in the air that we
breathe, scientists
tell WHO
MAIN PURPOSE: Reporting to the CEO, the Chief Operating Officer will provide strategic leadership, direction and support to the Housing Company Tshwane’s core operational units which include
Property Development and Property Management in delivering its affordable rental housing mandate in the City of Tshwane. S/he shall provide the effective implementation of the entity’s annual
business plan and achievement of annual service delivery targets.
KEY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide leadership, direction, support and advice to the core operational units. Oversee and ensure the provision of strategic and effective operations to the entity.
Oversee and facilitate effective social housing development and management. Provide leadership, guidance to the entity’s operational staff members. Manage and coordinate engagements with
key stakeholders in relation to research.
REQUIREMENTS:
• Must have a bachelor’s degree and or an equivalent qualification in Engineering, Built Environment and or related fields.
• A minimum of 5 years technical experience in a senior management in local government;
• Experience in the preparation and management of strategic plans, operational plans, reporting and management of budgets as per the prescribed legislation;
• Post Graduate Degree in Built Environment will be added advantage;
• Knowledge and understanding of all relevant human settlements development policies;
• Extensive knowledge of local management leadership and management at a metropolitan level;
• Knowledge of the MFMA Treasury Regulations, SHRA, National Development Plan (NDP), KING IV and the Companies Act. Knowledge of all relevant legislation, policies and procedures relating
to local government, human settlements, affordable housing and social housing development;
• Knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation principles. Project and programme management and implementation processes and practices;
• Knowledge and understanding of communications and stakeholder management requirements and processes; and
• Must be able to: monitor & evaluate the organisational performance level, ensure compliance with all statutory & regulatory requirements, and use performance information to plan, and give
effect to the organisation’s strategy.
KEY COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS:
• Knowledge: Functioning of the public and local government sector, built environment/construction industry, performance monitoring and evaluation, applicable legislative prescripts and
orporate governance codes, intergovernmental relations framework; and municipal land holding and management legislation and regulations.
• Skills: Strategic capability and leadership, strategic planning, problem solving and analysis, managing conflict, service delivery innovation, programme and project management, financial
management, performance management, contract management, change management, the ability to engage and manage diverse stakeholders, negotiation and communication (written and
verbal); and computer literacy.
• The role requires a flexible work schedule to meet the demands of executive management, and work hours may be long and irregular. This position is based at the HCT’s Head Office in Tshwane.
The HCT offers competitive remuneration within the context of the local government sector, based on the qualifications and experience of the successful candidate.
APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
Interested applicants are invited to apply by submitting their CVs’ clearly marked with the reference number of the position in a Microsoft Word format to shatadimo@tshwane.gov.za.
CONDITIONS OF SERVICE:
The HCT is an equal opportunity employer • Appointments will be made in accordance with the HCT Employment Equity policy • The HCT reserves the right not to make an
appointment. Please do not send certificates, diplomas or testimonials. We thank all applicants for their interest. Communication will be conducted with short-listed applicants
only. Should you not be contacted 4 weeks after the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
Finance Minister Tito Mboweni
delivers extraordinary supplementary
Budget to a joint sitting of Parliament
to address the Covid-19 pandemic.
THURSDAY, JUNE 25
Regulations for reopening of
leisure activities including restaurants,
coffee shops, casinos, and hotels
published. Travel allowed but
restricted to one’s home province.
MONDAY, JUNE 29
Restaurants reopen with sit-in
service allowed.
TUESDAY, JUNE 30
World Health Organization (WHO)
head Tedros Ghebreyesus warns
the spread of Covid-19 is speeding
up. An assessment of its handling of
Covid-19 will be done.
Dlamini Zuma is granted leave to
appeal the high court judgment that
set aside lockdown regulations.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1
Gauteng High Court turns down
application by Mmusi Maimane and
his One South Africa Movement for
schools to remain closed.
Ramaphosa, on a virtual imbizo,
says schools need to reopen and the
cigarette ban is not for ever.
• CRIME
THURSDAY, JULY 2
Gauteng Premier David Makhura
warns that the Covid-19 storm has
hit the province while Dr Mkhize is
worried about the public letting down
their guard.
Motshekga announces only
grades R, 6, and 11 will return to
school to join grades 7 and 12, with
other grades returning later.
SATURDAY, JULY 4
Day 100 of lockdown.
MONDAY, JULY 6
The High Court rules that early
childhood development programmes
may reopen. Grades R, 6 and 11 go
back to school.
Amendments published around
sports and the opening of libraries,
museums and theatres.
Gauteng provincial spokesperson
Thabo Masebe urges compliance
with level 3 lockdown rules.
According to the National Institute
for Communicable Diseases, onethird
of patients admitted to hospital
with Covid-19 had at least one
comorbidity.
In a letter to the WHO, 239
scientists in 32 countries outline
evidence that they say shows floating
virus particles can infect people with
Covid-19.
TUESDAY, JULY 7
Amendments to the staggered
return of other grades published.
Grades 3 and 10 due back on July 20,
grades 1 and 2 on July 27, grades 4
and 9 on August 17, and grades 5 and
8 on August 31.
Media24 announces the
closure of five magazines and two
newspapers as a result of the impact
of Covid-19 on the economy.
The Western Cape and Gauteng
now each have 33% of the cases. The
death toll tops 3 000.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 8
Ramaphosa addresses the
International Labour Organisation
global summit on Covid-19 and the
World of Work.
Mkhize warns again that the
Covid-19 storm has arrived, with
Gauteng preparing mass graves at a
site north of Pretoria.
FRIDAY, JULY 10
Gauteng premier David Makhura
becomes the third premier to test
positive.
South Africa is in 13th spot
globally and Gauteng now has more
infections than the Western Cape.
Professor Salim Abdool Karim
says the virus might be airborne, but
there isn’t enough information yet.
Residents urged to be vigilant
SAKHILE NDLAZI
sakhile.ndlazi@inl.co.za
SINCE the national lockdown
regulations were relaxed, Centurion
residents have seen a spike in
crime, especially vehicle-related.
With the recent increase in
crime, ranging from petty to more
serious forms, Lyttelton police
have urged the community to take
precautions and actively join the
fight against crime.
Spokesperson Captain David
Miller said that in the past two
months a large number of vehicles
had been stolen and broken into
at various shopping centres.
He said police had stepped up
visible patrols across all areas.
“Unfortunately, we cannot be
everywhere all the time and as
such, we are requesting the community
to work together with us
by not leaving valuables visible in
vehicles,” said Miller.
Lyttelton police issued safety
tips regarding vehicle-related
crimes, among them making sure
that when drivers locked their
vehicles, they physically tested
the door handle to make sure it
was locked.
“We know that a great number
of thefts out of motor vehicles
occur by suspects using remote
jamming devices.”
Drivers should remain vigilant
of their surroundings and of
anyone loitering nearby or
watching them.
“Get into the habit of putting
valuables in your boot at
the beginning of your journey,”
Miller added.
Meanwhile, on a small holding
in the north of the city, an elderly
woman was shot and killed and
her husband was assaulted, all for
a cellphone.
Alan and Martie Wolmarans
became the latest victims of the
shocking rise in farm attacks in
the north of Pretoria.
Maksimum Responders were
called to the scene in Grootvlei
Oos, a smallholding area, after a
woman was shot and killed.
“On Sunday evening, security
responders reacted to a call out
to a property where an elderly
woman was pronounced dead, following
an attack around 9.30pm,”
emergency services said.
Hillel Coetzer, AfriForum’s
head of safety for the northern
region, said the incident was
alarming.
“A senseless crime. Just a cellphone
was taken and a woman
had to pay for it with her life.”
Coetzer said four suspects were
allegedly involved in the attack.
Juan du Plessis, the spokesperson
for GAC Risk Solutions, said
the group of suspects had gained
entry to the property by jumping
over a wall.
He said it was not known what
exactly happened.
SCOUNDRELS
DUCK AS ALARM
BELLS RING
FOR US ALL
JOUBERT MALHERBE
BEING naturally suspicious of authority,
I didn’t ever think I’d say that I
am sometimes glad that Big Brother
is keeping an eye on me.
But so it was that I returned from
Brooklyn the other day to an empty
house. My wife had gone out and
she had set the alarm, as we have
been doing for over the more than
20 years that we have been living in
funky Doringkloof.
I had gone to the CD shop to see
if I could get hold of the new Bob
Dylan CD, Rough and Rowdy Ways,
some of which I’ve heard and which
is superb. Rightly said to be his best
work since 2001’s Love and Theft.
Personally I’d go back even a little
further, but Theft featured the ballad,
Mississippi, which alone made ownership
of the album obligatory.
The new album, very bluesbased
from the few songs I’ve heard,
features some instant classics, like
Crossing the Rubicon and Murder Most
Foul, the latter which is about the
assassination of JFK in 1963.
Sadly, I was unable to get hold of
the CD as it hadn’t been delivered –
or even ordered – yet. I’ll try again
later in the week, I said to myself, but
decided to buy a “sale” CD by David
Crosby for the princely sum of R20.
I have had the vinyl edition of the
album, If I Could Only Remember My
Name, for many years.
On the way back from Brooklyn,
I played it on the car CD and it was
great. It features a bit of a who’s who
of the folk-hippie era, such as Graham
Nash, Neil Young, Joni Mitchell
and Jerry Garcia.
Anyway, I digress, this where the
Big Brother thing comes in. I got
home and, of course, the alarm gave
its 40-second warning bleep which
is ample time in which to punch in
the four-digit code to switch it off.
This I did, numerous times, to no
avail, and after the 40-second grace
period, the alarm started sounding
at the back of the house. I was mortified
as I kept on punching in the
code, thinking of how much I hate
it when one of the nearby alarms in
the suburb goes off and bleats for
hours on end.
Ten seconds after the alarm
began, I got a call from the alarm
company who wanted to know what
the score was. Without them even
asking, I gave them the rock musicbased
(natch) password I had chosen.
I called my wife and she quickly
put me to rights. I punched in the
right code (along with the hash key)
and, mercifully, the alarm stopped.
Was I relieved? You bet.
I felt a right prat. I know I didn’t
have to, but I called the alarm company
and asked to speak to the geezer
I had dealt with to explain to him
that all was cool. He sounded baffled,
but wished me well.
Meanwhile, I had to laugh when
I read this week when ANC honcho
Ace Magashule said it was unfair
to blame his guru JZ for the state
capture and self-enrichment era that
prevailed when he ran the country;
it had to do with “collective responsibility”,
he told a TV news channel.
He had no compunction about
throwing other ANC leaders under
the bus when he said Zuma operated
in the company of fellow ministers
and the ruling party’s NEC when the
coffers were looted. He even cited
Animal Farm when he gave the wellworn
ANC line about “not guilty
unless proven otherwise”.
Different context, I know, but I
thought of a much earlier Dylan song
on which he proclaims “patriotism is
the last refuge to which a scoundrel
clings…”
Maybe he can give “collective”
instead of patriotism a go in future.
Sigh.