Table of contents for Wednesday, December 2, 2020 in Post

ACCUSED BOYFRIEND ‘THOUGHT SHE WAS SLEEPING’ Make-up artist dead in bathroom THANDEKA MGQIBI thandeka.mgqibi@inl.co.za Additional reporting by Nadia Khan Facebook NADIA KHAN TWO days before her death, Sherne Pillay told her mother she planned to break up with her boyfriend. Last Saturday, the day she told her mother she would inform him of her decision, she was found dead. The 27-year-old, who was a make-up artist, told her mother about her decision while they were together for her son’s sixth birthday. The son lived with his grandmother. "She said that Saturday was going to be her last day with him. She was going to leave him for good,” recalled Nadira Pillay. “She said to me, ‘Mom, I am going to leave him. I made a promise to God that I…

COMPLAINT AGAINST EFF LEADER Advocate charges Malema for anti-police comments JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za A PIETERMARITZBURG advocate has opened a criminal case against EFF leader Julius Malema, for threats recently made to the police while addressing residents in the Free State. Advocate Ashin Ashok Kumar Singh, 51, said it was time Malema was held accountable for hateful and racial utterances. He laid the complaint in his private capacity last Tuesday, at the Mountain Rise SAPS. Malema was recorded as saying: "If South African police want a fight, they must declare it. We will treat them the same way we treated them in the ‘80s. “We will not only fight them in the picket lines, we will go to their homes and fight them in their houses with their own families. We…

SOME HAVE WAITED 50 YEARS Joy as 250 residents receive title deeds CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za SIBONELO NGCOBO African News Agency (ANA) ZUBEDA Beebi Haniff was one of 250 residents who received title deeds to their council flats in Shallcross from the Department of Human Settlements on Saturday. “I never dreamt that at the age of 74, I would be a homeowner,” said Haniff. “I only wish my husband, Mohammed Sadick, was still alive to enjoy this moment with me.” When Haniff got married more than 50 years ago, they moved into a one-bedroom flat in Overport. The couple lived in the flat for three years before moving to another rental flat in Greyville. “At the time, I had two children. Our home in Overport was too small for a growing family,…

FRIENDLY SERVICE OPINION Tribute to ‘Durban’s best-known restaurateur’ YOGIN DEVAN MONTY Moodley endeared himself to thousands of people, with feelings of connection and happiness, by cooking for them. Thus, when Moodley, unquestionably Durban’s best-known restaurateur, passed away after a short illness last week, those who attended his funeral bore ample testimony to his popularity as a people’s person. Tributes delivered at the funeral service all had a common thread – Moodley lived to make those around him happy. He died at his Musgrave home last Wednesday. He was 71. His funeral took place at the Clare Estate Crematorium on Sunday and among the mourners were those who travelled from Gauteng, Port Elizabeth and Cape Town. He was born on November 15, 1949, the eldest child of Moonsamy and Minatchi “Bangar” Moodley,…

UNLAWFUL ARREST Dad awarded R4.5m after ‘vicious assault’ JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za NINE years ago, Kaylan Chetty, of Shallcross, had started the legal process to sue the minister of police after his unlawful arrest. He was recently awarded R4.5 million for damages and legal costs. Chetty was arrested at his home on April 26, 2011, by two policemen from the Durban Flying Squad. His hands were bound with cable ties and he was taken to the Silverglen Nature Reserve in Chatsworth, on suspicions he was a drug dealer. While there, Chetty, who was 24 at the time and a car salesman, said in court papers he was “viciously assaulted” on his head and other parts of his body. He said he was also suffocated with a plastic tube. As a result,…

SUSPECT ARRESTED Neighbour hears little boy’s shout for help CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za FOUR days after South Africa began observing 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children, a nine-year-old boy was allegedly raped. On Saturday, the child, who cannot be named to protect his identity, was with his friends in Glen Hills, KwaDukuza. His dad said they were near a tuck-shop in Pluto Street when his friends went into nearby bushes to look for honey. “My son does not like bees, so he said he would wait for them. While he was alone, a man from a nearby home approached and asked him if he was okay. “He offered my son a banana and wanted to know if he wanted roti to eat. My son refused but…

LIKE A SON Man shot three times after argument CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za A MEREBANK family want justice after their loved one was shot outside their home on Saturday. Katherine Naidoo said Rishay Maharaj, 24, who her family were caring for, was on Nasik Road when a man known to him and two others arrived. “I was in the house with my daughter and grandchildren when we heard a commotion. My daughter and my husband, Donovan, went outside while I watched from where I was. "Donovan was trying to keep them calm and the next moment, Rishay was shot three times – twice in the chest and once in the arm. My daughter shouted at them and they jumped into their car and drove off." She said her husband put Maharaj…

MUNICIPALITY RESPONDS City’s plea to residents CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za IN A STATEMENT to the POST, Msawakhe Mayisela, the city spokesperson, said they were not aware of the report that was emailed. The POST then forwarded Ron Naidoo’s email to the city's communications department. Mayisela said they would send each incident raised to the respective units so it could be attended to speedily. “Most issues mentioned in the (photo) essay are perpetrated by residents themselves. This includes illegal dumping, which then leads to issues such as rat infestations and other health and ecological issues. We continue to plead with residents to report those who they know are responsible for such acts.” Mayisela said the city would send a team to collect the rubbish in the area but if illegal dumping continued,…

THINK OUT OF THE BOX For the children LATOYA NEWMAN latoya.goldstone@inl.co.za IT HAS been a stressful year for youngsters: having to stay home for a large part and spending the bulk of that time online, with all the virtual school adaptations for learning. To top it off, Covid-19 social distancing restrictions have meant that, although they are now back at school, interaction with other children is still limited. This Christmas, aim to gift items children can share with family and friends – within Covid-19 protocol. Get kids outdoors, playing and exercising, while soaking up vitamin D in the sun (but safely, with sunscreen). • Medalist 3-in-1 Outdoor Kids Games. It contains three fun field day games. The set includes 4 x potato sacks, 4 x colourful eggs, 4 x colourful…

18 YEARS IN THE MAKING Writer explores the history of Indian nurses in SA NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za Supplied RABIA Khan spent 18 years researching and interviewing nurses for her PhD studies and this has finally culminated in the launch of her first book, Truro Nurses: A South African Community Calling. It delves into the history of Indian nurses in South Africa – those who worked in hospitals and others referred to as “bag nurses”. Khan lectures nursing students at the Chatsmed Candlelight Nursing College and oversees students at RK Khan Hospital. She said her late mother, Amina, was a matron at the same hospital she is based in. “My mom worked for 37 years as a nurse. When she died in 2002, the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa asked…

CALL TO BOYCOTT BUSINESSES Why Indians should ‘Park by the Pozie’ KAROU CHAROU THE Park by the Pozie (literally translated as “stay at home”) initiative was launched by the National Indian Congress of South Africa (NICSA). It is not a political party, but an activist movement. Its sole intention is to create a sense of awareness of issues that affect mainly Indian citizens in South Africa. The premise upon which such an initiative rests is simply that as Indian citizens, our role in South Africa is not recognised or appreciated when we contribute to the development of this country in every way. Considered a minority, the Indian citizen is, in fact, a major player. Outside the motherland of India, Durban (eThekwini) is home to the largest Indian population in the…

Why the double standards on racism? THE South African Equality Rights Movement (Samrem) laid charges against Julius Malema for his anti-police rants. However, it laid the charges in 2011 for racial rants and it dropped the charges with no valid reason. Samrem then invited Malema to an event, placed a garland around his neck, fed him sweetmeats and gave him a copy of the Bhagavad Gita. Here we see how Indians show their double standards. Then we had the incident with the horse trainer Frank Robinson. He made insensitive comments on Facebook during Diwali. I did not see Visvin Reddy, who was a councillor at the time, throw his toys out of the cot and ask Malema to pay a fine as he did for Robinson recently. I did not…

Racism must be fought with wisdom I CANNOT find the words to express my disappointment and disgust when I read the front page stories on Diwali (the POST, November 18-22). The headlines were “Durban horse trainer suspended” and “Family told to go back to India.” I was recently a proud South African, flying my flag high as we displayed a spirit of unity. Today, I hang my head in shame. Once again racism has reared its ugly head. After democracy in 1994, there was an expectation of a better and free South Africa. How wrong were we? While freedom of speech is enshrined in the Constitution, it is equally sad that people have not evolved to accept the founding value of a non-racial South Africa. This is despite knowing that…

Marvellous meals Nilesh Sewnath, aka Chef Nilo, of Durban, an internationally-acclaimed chef, shares his contemporary twist on classic recipes. Follow him on social media: Instagram: @chefnilo, Facebook: Chef Nilo, Email:chefnilo13@ gmail.com Roast Chicken Platter ROASTED chicken, roasted corn, carrots and onion, and wilted spinach accompanied by a green salad ROAST CHICKEN: Whole chicken, cleaned and ready to roast. Season with salt and pepper only. Roast in the oven for 35 minutes on 165ºC. Remove from the oven and use a store-bought basting of your preference. Roast in the oven for an additional 10 minutes on 190ºC to form a crispy crust. When you insert a skewer into the chicken, the juices should run clean. Then the chicken is cooked. CORN: Add the corn in the oven for 25 minutes while…

Frustration for Reds while Spurs remain top ESHLIN VEDAN eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za LIVERPOOL played out to a dramatic 1-1 draw against Brighton and Hove Albion after conceding a last-minute penalty. Spurs remain atop the Premier League standings on goal difference after drawing with Chelsea. As much as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been getting criticised lately, the Manchester United manager pulled off a masterclass by introducing Edinson Cavani when his side was trailing Southampton 2-0 in the Premier League last weekend. Cavani went on to set up a goal for Bruno Fernandes before scoring a brace to help United earn a memorable come-from-behind 3-2 win over the Saints. Liverpool played out to a frustrating 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion. Not only did the Reds have two goals cancelled by VAR, they…

PREM BASDEO WAS ON TRIAL FOR ALLEGEDLY KILLING HIS SECOND WIFE Murder accused killed CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za Supplied ON MONDAY, Prem Emmanuel Basdeo was to stand trial in the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria for the alleged killing of his wife, Dawn Basdeo. However, on Sunday afternoon, he was shot and killed in what police are investigating as an armed robbery. Basdeo, 60, a former superintendent at Sydenham SAPS in Durban, was with his son, Jordan Basdeo, at the time of the shooting. Albert Herman, his Legal Aid attorney, said Jordan sent him a message at 1am on Monday to inform him of the incident. “In the message to me, Jordan said his father was shot and killed. He was traumatised. I have not spoken to Jordan." Captain Kay…

eThekwini Municipality responds... JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za MSAWAKHE Mayisela, the eThekwini Municipality spokesperson, said the area in question was a vacant piece of land and not a park, as claimed by the residents. He said the land was earmarked for a private residential development and not low-cost housing as alleged. “This land is located within a fully developed context, which encompasses residential, mixed-use and commercial developments. A key feature of the existing site’s context is the limited topographic constraints, which permit the site being utilised for higher density residential development.” He said it was untrue that the land would be developed for low-income housing. “The city is calling upon residents to lodge comments on the city’s proposal for the Subdivision, Public Open Space Closure and Rezoning of the aforementioned site to…

HOMEOWNERS INVEST IN SECURITY Survey: residents don’t feel safe at home CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za DESPITE homeowners installing added security at the start of the lockdown, they don't feel safe, a State of Security research survey by the AA has found. The aim of the recently conducted survey was to gauge the level of safety and security experienced by South Africans before and during the lockdown. Before the lockdown, Ajin Hanuman, 48, of Reservoir Hills, had an electric fence on his boundary wall and outdoor security beams but, in May, robbers gained access onto his property. “At 3.30am, I heard the neighbour's dog bark and I got up to see what was happening. I saw that the sliding door to my entertainment room was open.” He activated the panic button and…

BROTHER SAYS HIS SISTER SAVED HIS LIFE 40-year milestone for kidney transplant siblings JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za Supplied WHEN Sheila Delomoney heard that her brother's kidneys were failing 40 years ago, she was the first to volunteer her kidney. Decades later and Delomoney, 74, said she would do it all over again. Her brother, Phillip Rajendra Naiker, now 67, is living what he calls his best life and he cannot be more grateful. Since the transplant on December 11, 1980, the siblings have travelled the world, and have had more children and grandchildren. Later this month, the siblings and their families will celebrate the 40th anniversary since the transplant, with a getaway to the Kruger National Park. Naiker sobbed as he recalled the day his sister said she would give him…

SOUTH AFRICANS UNINTERESTED Foreign truck drivers willing, ready to work CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za TRUCK operators are unhappy with the outcome of a meeting with the KZN premier concerning the road freight industry. Last week, the All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied South Africa (ATDFASA), together with local truck drivers, protested against the employment of foreign national drivers. In a statement, the group said truck owners preferred employing foreign national drivers because they did not want to comply with the labour law and the main collective agreement of the National Bargaining Council Road Freight Industry (NBCRF). They added that they wanted all the drivers to be South African. Last Monday, Sihle Zikalala, the KZN premier, said he would meet with the members of the ATDF-ASA and truck operators to discuss a…

CASE ADJOURNED Murder accused denied bail JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za ZAHEERA Boomgaard, charged with the murder of British man Jamnadas Harkant Nathvani and his friend, Lynette Mustapha, will spend the festive season in jail. On Tuesday, Boomgaard was denied bail in the Vereeniging Magistrate’s Court. Lumka Mahanjana, National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, said the case was adjourned to January 29. Boomgaard was charged with two counts of murder and kidnapping, theft and fraud. Mahanjana said more charges were expected to be added. The body of Nathvani, 71, was found in a veld in March. It was burnt beyond recognition. He was identified months later by his teeth. Nathvani was allegedly found after Mustapha's charred body was found in Walkerville close to where the accused lived. She was identified using fingerprints. It is…

TIGHT BUDGETS More people expected to shop online POST REPORTER COVID-19 has changed much of what we have come to know and enjoy over the past few months and Christmas shopping is expected to be no different. Rioma Cominelli, director at First Loyalty Plus, a rewards programme, said: “Stringent household budgets, coupled with Covid-19 regulations, will spearhead buyer behaviour changes this year.” She shared tips on what to expect this festive shopping season: • More people are expected to shop online: The lockdown period allowed people to explore online shopping more often than usual. Data and insights company, Nielsen, found 65% of South Africans shopped less at physical supermarkets because of Covid-19. Of the existing online shoppers, 29% of them increased their online shopping. It is an indication that more…

Your Stars SHARRON DUFF ARIES (March 21 – April 19) Aries are known for their commitment to making things work, and being a fire sign they have the spunk to go with it. This week brings a new energy of change and taking control. Plans that you have been making in the work field are about to come full circle and recognition is on its way. Share the spotlight and the credit where it is due. Lucky colour: orange TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) This week is about connecting with people who serve you. This means to form partnerships with people who will add value, especially in the workspace. If you are waiting for your love connection, then make sure that you are on the same page. Lucky colour:…

PROVED THEM WRONG How Papwa’s drive (and driver) kept him going The book Out of the Rough: Papwa, a Player Denied by Selvan Naidoo, the curator of the 1860 Heritage Centre, will be launched on Friday at the Mount Edgecombe Country Club. This is an extract from the chapter ‘Unbridled talent …’ IN THE world of career golf, only professionals qualify to play on the tour circuit. The biggest tour circuit with the most prize money is the PGA Tour of America. The next biggest is the European Tour, followed by the Asian Tour. Here in South Africa, we have the Sunshine Tour. If you are lucky enough to be called a tour professional, winning a tournament means that you have fulfilled your lifelong ambitions. In Papwa’s case, winning a…

Indentured women were the foremothers A NUMBER of events, exhibitions and books during this difficult time of the Covid-19 pandemic have marked the 160th anniversary of our forefathers to this country. May I add foremothers and thus give a separate identity to our first womenfolk? The indentured women of various ages and backgrounds arrived in Natal for various reasons and ended up also slaving on sugar cane fields, as domestic workers and they even worked in coal mines. This needs to be researched, perhaps more fully. After all, they were our first mothers. Thank you to the POST for having encapsulated over many weeks the social and political history of the 1860 Indian settlers. PREM SINGH Pietermaritzburg…

Pray hard for the country’s survival ANALYSIS from surveyors of the political scene, that the ANC will probably lose the next general election in 2024, is reason for concern. The ANC is today a pale shadow of the thriving organisation that was catapulted into power with a two-thirds majority. Internecine warfare has sapped the party of the energy and dynamism needed to compete to retain and expand power. Factional feuds will destroy its power base resulting in the formation of a coalition government in 2024. There is no guarantee that the party can revive its fortunes after it was associated with corruption that destroyed a world-class economy. If the ANC does not have some kind of internal rejuvenation, they risk perpetual irrelevance. The internal power struggles for supremacy could grind…

Egoist Trump thrives on attention I RESPOND to the letter, “The root of division in the US today”, by Duncan du Bois, the esteemed historian, in the POST (November 25-29). Du Bois and I are friends, who once shared the same political ideology while being members of the same political party in South Africa but from which we both resigned, so my response to his letter is merely healthy banter between friends on a matter we disagree on, as he challenged me on my views on the US and Donald Trump. I agree with Du Bois that “there is a hiatus in information about America in the minds of all who are influenced by the mass media”. What Du Bois omitted to state was that includes himself. Any information about…

TV GUIDE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 2 Cricket ANZ Bank Test Series: New Zealand v West Indies, First Test, Day 1, 11.30pm, CRI; ODI Series: Australia v India, Third ODI, 5.30am, GSD, CRI Golf European Tour: Golf in Dubai Championship presented by DP World, Day 1, 10am, GOL Soccer UEFA Champions League: Istanbul Basaksehir v RB Leipzig, 7.40pm, SSM, EPL; Krasnodar v Rennes, 7.50pm, VR1; Sevilla v Chelsea, 9.55pm, VR1; Manchester United v Paris Saint-Germain, 9.55pm, SSM, EPL; Juventus v Dynamo Kyiv, 9.55pm, LIG; Club Brugge v Zenit St Petersburg, 9.55pm, VR3; Borussia Dortmund v Lazio, 9.55pm, ACT; UEFA Champions League, Matchday 5 Goals Show: Wednesday, 9.55pm, GSD; Ferencvaros v Barcelona, 9.55pm, VR2 THURSDAY, DECEMBER 3 Cricket ANZ Bank Test Series: New Zealand v West Indies First Test Day 2, CRI 11.30pm,…

ANGLING Plenty of good fishing for offshore guys GLENN SCHOUW GLENN.SCHOUW@INL.CO.ZA Supplied THE Kingfisher’s annual Clearance Sale will take place on the 4-6th December (NB. At 53 Hunter Street only). Samples, Soiled Trade Show Stock, Seconds, End of Ranges etc. All to be offered at massive discounts. A reminder that all branches will be open for trading on all Sundays in December 8-1pm. We will also be open on Wednesday the 16th, 8 to 1pm. Thursdays the 24th and Thursday the 31st, 8 to 1pm. For the offshore guys, the Durban coast has produced some good catches of snoek at Blue Lagoon, tuna at most of the bait spots, dorado at the ships and a host of bottom fish at secret locations. The tuna have favoured a live bait over all…

US-based footballer shares his skills locally Eshlin Vedan eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za Picture supplied US-BASED College soccer player Josh Gounden has been sharing his skills with other up and coming players since returning to South Africa in March. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 23-year-old former AmaZulu and Golden Arrows academy player returned to South Africa for a break and plans to return to the US early in 2021. Gounden, who plays College soccer for the University of Arkansas in the US, has launched the Elite Athletics Association and has been coaching 13 youth on a one on one basis, in compliance with social distancing protocols. He plans to eventually conduct soccer clinics in the Queensburgh area. “Coaching has always come naturally to me. Being a leader and captain of my soccer teams…

HINDUISM TEACHES FORGIVENESS Horse trainer found guilty of racial utterances JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za FRANK Robinson, a Durban horse trainer, has been found guilty of using racist language on Facebook during Diwali. His hearing was held by the National Horseracing Authority’s (NHA) disciplinary panel last Thursday. Robinson, 51, appeared at the inquiry with his lawyer, Mannie Witz. It was subsequently ordered that his licence be cancelled but the penalty was wholly suspended for two years – provided that he not commit the same offence in that time period. He was also fined R25 000. In a statement, the NHA said an inquiry was held after Robinson was charged with a contravention of Rule 72.1.43. The rule refers to using language that could reasonably be construed to be racist to other people…

50TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY Love conquers all hardships NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za DESPITE having a choice of prospective brides in Durban, Ganas Govender only had eyes for Daphne. In 1965, Govender, formerly of Mot-ala Farm, now Motala Heights in Pine-town, met Daphne, of Paulpietersburg, when her elder sister married his cousin. They courted for five years and married on November 22, 1970. The couple, both 72, of Dundee, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary over the weekend. Govender has worked as a siding manager for Buffalo Coal, a mining company, for the past 17 years. He has to ensure that the correct coal that is required by a customer is placed on the rail trucks and transported. Govender said he enjoyed his job and had no intention of retiring any time soon. Daphne…

INTEGRITY ICON AWARD Speech therapist and audiologist honoured NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za SADNA Balton, a speech therapist and audiologist, was selected as one of five winners of the Integrity Icon South Africa 2020 award last Thursday for her committed service excellence in public health. Balton, of Mondeor, Johannesburg, has also been nominated for the People's Choice award for the same competition. The winner will be announced on Friday. The awards were started in South Africa in 2018 by the non-profit organisation Accountability Lab South Africa to celebrate and encourage public servants who demonstrate integrity in their work. The married mother of two heads the Department of Speech Therapy and Audiology at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital. She started working at the hospital in 1991. “It was my first place of…

MAN OF THE COMMUNITY Grandfather, 71, killed in his tavern NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za JAIPAL Daniel Moodley, also referred to as JD, still worked at the age of 71. He owned a tavern and general store in the farming area of Cottonlands, north of Durban, and despite his age he still wanted to provide for his family. But on Friday night, Moodley was stabbed multiple times at the business premises he had operated from for 20 years. He died at the scene. His daughter, Gayle Moodley, said he lived on the property and returned to their family home in Dawncrest, Verulam, every second day. “The area is not safe so instead of travelling at night, he preferred to stay there. While the tavern and the shop are in the same building,…

FIRE INQUEST ‘Daughter was in an unhappy marriage’ CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za THE mother of a Johannesburg woman, who was burnt to death in 2011, believes her daughter was unhappy in her marriage. Nazeema Ahmed testified in the Johannesburg Magistrate's Court last week during an inquest into her former son-in-law's alleged involvement in the deaths of his wife, Suraya Deedat, and their four children. In 2011, Deedat and her children died after a fire gutted their home in Ormonde, south of Johannesburg. In November 2017, an inquest into allegations that Naeem Deedat was somehow involved in their deaths was heard in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court. However, the magistrate ruled that the State’s evidence was inconclusive to find any person responsible for the fire. Ahmed’s family was not satisfied and contacted AfriForum,…

TOURISM Durban beaches get Blue Flag status CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za TWELVE KZN beaches have been awarded National Blue Flag Status this week. Five of the beaches received full status and the remaining seven received a blue flag pilot status. Beaches that received full blue flag status are uShaka, Durban North, Point, Amanzimtoti and uMhlanga Main. Those that received a pilot status are South Beach Central, Umgababa, Umdloti Tidal, Westbrook, Ansteys, Brighton and Bronze Beach. Msawakhe Mayisela, the eThekwini spokesperson, said the commitment to increase the number of blue flag beaches indicated that the city was moving in the right direction to ensure that the environment was adequately managed. He said the city also wanted to encourage and attract domestic and international tourism. “Safer and clean beaches are a draw-card for…

SHOP SMART THIS FESTIVE SEASON Christmas gifting: 2020 LATOYA NEWMAN latoya.goldstone@inl.co.za AVOID the Christmas in-store rush, stay safe and do your gift shopping from the comfort of your choice of device. Featured products available via Loot.co.za FOR THE FAMILY: Save a few pennies by gifting a household something that can be enjoyed by all. • Help them stream their favourite TV shows and films with the Xiaomi Mi TV Stick, a portable streaming media player. Highlights include: no cable, three steps to set up and use, pre-install Netflix and Prime video with one button/quick access. Includes Google Play Store and apps such as Showtime, YouTube and more. Price: R699. • Help them stay cool this summer. The Taurus 5L Air Cooler (white) refreshes and humidifies. Features include: three wind speeds,…

QUESTIONING ANYTHING WAS NOT ALLOWED Ivan Pillay: From Merebank to Sars The Unlikely Mr Rogue: A Life with Ivan Pillay, by Evelyn Groenink, about the man behind the so-called ‘rogue unit’ at Sars, was released on Friday. It looks at Pillay’s childhood in Merebank, his politicisation, the underground and exile, and the story of Operation Vula, which he ran from Lusaka reporting to Oliver Tambo. This is an extract from the chapter ‘The boy who looked for the ANC’ THOUGH the community and family in the Indian township of Merebank, 20 kilometres from Durban, was warm and loving, it was also crowded and suffocating. It was where Indians had to be, away from the majority of South Africans, little pegs to fit in apartheid holes, buffers between white oppression and…

HORROR AND SUSPENSE Teacher’s dream realised NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za Supplied AS A CHILD, Kaveel Lilmohun was drawn to reading horror and thriller genres and hoped to become a published author. On Saturday, Lilmohun, 32, of Raisethorpe, Pietermaritzburg, will launch his first book, Sinister Spells, at his home. He said the novel, published by Reach Publishers two months ago, was a mixture of horror, mystery, dark fantasy, romance and comedy. The main character is Swara Malhotra, whose best friend has died. “Swara moves to start life in a new city at a new university. Everything goes well until one weekend when she decides to return home with friends. “The mother of her dead best friend contacts her and tells her she has a gift for her. When Swara meets the mother,…

DYSFUNCTIONAL SCHOOLS Public education needs an overhaul DUWAYNE ESAU www. pikrepo.com SOUTH Africa spent just over a fifth of its 2019 national budget on education, but continues to deliver sub-standard schooling that is failing young people. The meagre returns on the investment of 20.7% of the budget on schooling is depressingly obvious from data in the 2020 edition of the South Africa Survey published by the Institute of Race Relations (IRR). Against the sum of R344.3 billion spent on education and post-school education and training in 2018/19, of the 78.1% (400 632) who passed the National Senior Certificate, only 33.6% (172 043) achieved a Bachelor’s pass, and only 21.7% (50 701) passed maths with more than 50%. (Bear in mind that a good maths qualification is the first essential step…

Enough with the hypocrisy AS I WAS scrolling the multitude of social media platforms, I came across an article encapsulating the hypocrisy surrounding the festival of lights. The main issue was the aspect of fireworks, which would always be a contentious issue. Racial intolerance will always be embedded in the DNA of some individuals. Hence the unsavoury comments that circulated on social media, that sought to denigrate the Hindu festival of Diwali. However, the Hindu community was aware of the harsh sentiments that would emanate during this religious celebration. Some people think that fireworks are an “Indian thing” and they think nothing to comment nonchalantly. Having spent part of my early years in Tongaat, I lived in an area surrounded by temples, churches and mosques. The daily, sometimes loud call…

Science subjects should be compulsory THE teaching of the sciences at schools has again been of topical interest with the minister of education appealing to more schools to offer the subject. The leak of Physical Science Paper 2 also reminds us about the existence of such a subject. Most pupils stayed clear of this subject due to the perception that it was difficult and most parents have little idea of what this learning area is about. The government needs to realise the repercussions of not enforcing the physical sciences from grades 1 to 12 and beyond. Most pupils believe subjects like economics and accountancy are related to business and if they take these courses it could lead to lucrative careers beyond what doctors and lawyers earn. However, when one considers…

Choose your leaders wisely THE elections are around the corner and a lot of promises and new parties will emerge to contest the elections for position and money. In the past, new parties and minority parties, that are race-based, had candidates working hard with their own expenses to cover the costs just for their leaders to get one proportional representative seat. Look at the previous election results, that talks for itself. One must vote for someone who is available 24/7, not have their cellphone off or making lame excuses, and the candidates should be a resident of the ward who understands the ward and its needs. I applaud Jonathan Annipen for leaving the minority party to join a multiracial party that serves all races. The four major parties in the…

SPORTING MEMORY Karate movies inspired my love for martial arts ESHLIN VEDAN eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za Supplied KLEMMI Norris’ love for the martial arts was created whilst she watched Karate Kid and Bruce Lee movies as a child. “All I ever wanted was to join a karate class, but my mother was having none of it. When I was seven-years old, my Mom eventually gave in and took me to a local Merebank dojo to see what they and if she would approve of me joining,” said Norris who is born and bred in Merebank. Norris said that the Sensei at the dojo began to do a demonstration which involved full contact with children. After noticing this, her mother, the late Radha Harilal, was horrified and vowed to not allow her daughter to…