Picture (Courtesy of Citizen): Deputy Minister Buti Manamela 

By BAKANG MOKOTO

Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, Buti Manamela is expected to visit various tertiary institutions across the country to assess the state of readiness for the phased return of students and staff to campuses, the department said in a statement on Thursday.

Manamela will kick-start his series of visits on Friday by visiting the University of Johannesburg (Kingsway campus) and makes his way to the Ekurhuleni West Campus in Germiston later on. The department’s media liaison officer, Mandla Tshabalala said Manamela will visit the Vaal University of Technology in Vanderbijlpark next week Monday before heading to the Sedibeng College in Vereeniging.

“Manamela will visit institutions of higher learning to monitor the state of readiness for the phased return to campus of students and staff under Level 3. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe impact on all aspects of life and work, including the Post-School Education and Training sector.

“Specifically, teaching and learning have been severely impacted as a result of the suspension of contact classes. On 23 May 2020, Minister Blade Nzimande announced the phased re-opening of campus activities. As a result, the sector has to continue to implement a risk-adjusted strategy which will support Teaching and Learning and Campus Readiness Plans,” said Tshabalala.

He added that Manamela will conclude his visit to the Gert Sibanda FET College (Standerton campus) in Mpumalanga.

Universities and TVET colleges have begun preparations to welcome back students to campuses. The Deputy Minister will visit institutions to monitor readiness.

taungdailynews@gmail.com

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

The National Assembly speaker, Thandi Modise is the latest public figure to ‘suffer’ in the hands of scammers. This comes after the circulation of a fraudulent email, purporting to be from Modise requesting people to deposit money into some account.

The National Parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo said the email claims that Modise is having problems with her bank account and is unable to make withdrawals, and asks prospective donors to deposit money into a cousin’s account.
“Ms Thandi Modise has noted with concern the circulation of a fraudulent email. We urge the public, including the acquaintances of Modise to remain vigilant and not fall prey to these repugnant scam merchants.

“Any email or text, including those usually sent from fake social media accounts, requesting or promising money must immediately be treated with suspicion and be ignored,” said Mothapo.
He added that similar scams aimed at duping unsuspecting people into donating money into a fraudulent “European Development Fund” did the rounds last year. Mothapo said other scammers promised email recipients that Modise will connect them to “international funders” in exchange for an upfront payment.

Many people including celebrities are victims of cybercrime. However, the best thing people could do is not to respond and report when they see something they think is a scam.

taungdailynews@gmail.com