Publisher

Online exposure introduces the work of artists to an international audience.

The arts sector is moving online at a more aggressive rate as the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to be felt across South Africa.

Keaoleboga Motlhankane (19) of Rustenburg in the North West believes that it is important to save the academic year in order to avoid future economic challenges.

She is a second-year social work student at North-West University’s Potchefstroom campus.  

Pule Ratsoma, a young emerging artist based in Tembisa, is not letting the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic take away his passion for art.

Ratsoma (30) was in his last month of an internship as a gallery assistant at the Artist Proof Studio in Newtown when the virus brought everything to a halt.

Thabang Ntima (20) of Virginia in the Free State says the COVID-19 Social Relief of Distress Grant has helped reduce some of the stress he has been under as a result of the national lockdown.

He is one of the unemployed South African youth to benefit from the new social grant that is being rolled out by the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA).

He completed matric last year and has been looking for a job without luck for six months.

Minister of Basic Education, Angie Motshekga, says no school that will resume if not ready to do so.

The Minister was speaking at a media briefing on Sunday in Pretoria, on the readiness for schools to reopen for matrics and Grade 7s.

She said most of the country’s schools were ready to receive learners.

Parents who are not comfortable with their children going back to school can apply to the Department of Basic Education (DBE) to have their children home schooled.

However, according to Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, in terms of the relevant section of the South African Schools Act, parents or guardians need to get home schooling approval from the education authorities.

Fashion business owner Dumi Mahlangu's hard work and creativity is an inspiration to young entrepreneurs, especially those who may have been affected by the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic.

Mahlangu (35) is the owner of one of South Africa’s hottest up-and-coming fashion brands – Chepa Streetwear. In 2017, he made the move from an insurance and investment company to follow his passion for fashion.

After starting the business from scratch, the entrepreneur began selling his clothes on WhatsApp and through word of mouth.

The Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) Cluster has announced measures to enforce South Africa’s coronavirus (COVID-19) Level 3 regulations.

Police Minister Bheki Cele said the JCPS Cluster will ensure that the public adheres to the Level 3 regulations that were announced by Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma.

“Under Level 3, the responsibility of preventing the spread of the disease will be in the hands of every member of society,” Minister Cele said.

Permits for movement

The City of Tshwane is appealing to residents to digitally submit their comments on the drafting of the Integrated Development Plan (IDP).

This is due to lockdown restrictions that do not permit mass gatherings.

“The review of the IDP provides the platform for laying down strategic interventions for the next three years. This allows for a public participation process through which the communities are able to comment on the developments they require in their respective wards and on the proposed tariff increases, which come into effect on July 1 2020.