Table of contents for Wednesday, October 14, 2020 in Post

Rajbansi grandson gravely ill Westville Prison didn’t do enough, claims family JANINE MOODLEY MOTSHWARI MOFOKENG African News Agency (ANA) Archives THE first grandchild of the late Amichand Rajbansi, Avineshsing Rajbansi, is fighting for his life in hospital. The 30-year-old, who is an awaiting-trial prisoner at Westville Prison, suffered seizures on September 26. After two days, prison authorities moved him to King Edward VIII Hospital. But for two weeks, they failed to inform the Rajbansi family, despite Avineshsing being admitted to the hospital’s intensive care unit. On Tuesday morning when the family tried to move him to a private facility, Westville Prison officials demanded R145 000 from them to cover the costs of a guard being stationed at the hospital. This was equivalent to R4 800 a day for 30 days.…

Durban woman receives recognition from the UN Grateful for strong support structure NADIA KHAN I was young and fearless in my youth. I believed I could achieve anythingMehreen Mia-Cassimjee UN Goodwill Award winner MEHREEN Mia-Cassimjee has been recognised for her contribution to the betterment of society, after she won an International Goodwill Ambassador in Humanitarianism award. The Global International Alliance – an affiliate of the UN and People of Choice Award Programme – notified Mia-Cassimjee, of Durban, last week. A goodwill ambassador advocates for a specific cause or global issue on the basis of their notability as a public figure. Mia-Cassimjee also became the diplomatic official of the alliance to South Africa. The 45-year-old is the director of the NGO Muslim Relief Alliance-KZN, and the co-founder and director of the…

‘Vigilante’ dad gets 13 years NADIA KHAN FARDEEN Karrim, a Chatsworth father, was sentenced to 13 years’ imprisonment for robbing and killing an alleged hit man after a shoot-out in August 2018. Karrim, 29, of Woodhurst, was arrested and charged with robbery with aggravating circumstances and the murder of Xolani Emmanuel Zungu, 41. He was also charged with contravention of the Firearms Control Act for the unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. Karrim was found guilty of the theft of a firearm and was sentenced to eight years in prison. He was not found guilty of robbery with aggravating circumstances. The sentence was handed down in the Durban High Court on Tuesday. He was also sentenced to 10 years for murder, three years for the unlawful possession of a…

OPINION Redistribute the wealth of SA to uplift all its people SHABNAM PALESA MOHAMED Social grants are intended to improve standards of living, redistribute wealth and create a more equitable society. LOSING a spouse is a painful experience. Losing a spouse and not having real means to survive financially, or take care of children, makes facing the future a nightmare. Women are often denied inheritance rights, have their property stolen after the death of a partner, and face widow discrimination from society. Surviving spouse grants are therefore a basic human right. Social grants are intended to improve standards of living, redistribute wealth and create a more equitable society. Sections 24 to 29 of the Bill of Rights in the South African Constitution entrench the socio-economic rights of citizens, including the…

Delivery protest wakens fears CHANELLE LUTCHMAN AND THANDEKA MGQIBI ON Monday night some residents on Clare Road could not sleep. They received messages that their homes in Clare Estate would be targeted by informal dwellers, who earlier that day protested over the lack of service delivery. A resident, who declined to be named, said her family were roused from their sleep after they heard chanting outside their home. “It started at 4am. We were scared because we didn’t know what was going on. We live directly opposite the settlement and didn’t want to take a chance,” said the resident. “We peeped through the windows and saw the protest.” She said when they eventually went outside, rubbish had been strewn on the road and near their driveway. “It was really horrible.…

Trinidad and Tobago has Indian links Indenture did not just take place in South Africa. A soon-to-be released book looks at the plight of those who went to Trinidad and Tobago DR JUGGIE PATHER Supplied TRINIDAD and Tobago are twin islands in the Caribbean. The population as at October 2020 is 1 399 488 people. Today, 42% are Indo-Trinidadian, who are mainly of Indian descent. In 2000, 20.46% were “Douglas” – mixed offspring of Indian and black parents. As one of the most cosmopolitan islands of the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago is among the few developing countries and the first Caribbean state to move towards an official multiculturalism policy. There is much cultural fusion in music and food. Diwali, Holi and Moharrum are celebrated by all groups. Labourers were recruited…

Enforce the use of seat belts in taxis ALL too often, we hear about several people dying in taxi-related incidents. A few days ago, 12 people, including a baby, were killed and three others were injured, when a taxi driver lost control and the vehicle went down an embankment in Underberg. A private ambulance company that attended the scene noted several people were found lying scattered around the scene. A few weeks ago, Bheki Ntuli, the KZN executive responsible for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, promised law enforcement agencies would intensify their operations during October, so as to ensure our roads were safer. It is a promise that is made whenever several lives are lost in a single incident but, in reality, little seems to change. After the Underberg incident,…

Why not give farms in full title? YET again, the government is failing to grasp an opportunity to redistribute state-owned land to landless black citizens, on a full freehold title. Instead, it is “allowing” them to farm state land on a 30-year lease and only then will an option to buy kick in. This perpetuates apartheid thinking, that poor black people may not own land. Recently, the Presidency and the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development announced that 896 farms owned by the government will be distributed for farming purposes. According to press reports, the government is offering a 30-year leasehold. Three weeks ago, Leon Louw, the president of the Free Market Foundation (FMF), expressed outrage following the announcement that Eskom had acquired 139 farms from the Matjhabeng…

Is God a Christian, Jew, Muslim or Hindu? WHY I am not a religious person. I owe no one an explanation. Of late, however, it has become necessary for me to respond to my harshest of intolerants, those who anoint themselves as gatekeepers or enforcers of the faith and worse still those who are blind, deaf and dumb and who dare not speak out. They remind me of Kahlil Gibran’s Spirits Rebellious. I rise up against all those who spew bile and scorn on religious beliefs and practices. They serve an evil agenda. I was born into and in which I am firmly rooted in Islam. Yes, I am a Muslim but I do not regard that in any way of placing me in a silo shutting out others who…

EPL ‘CIVIL WAR’ SIMON EVANS PREMIER League clubs will break their silence over the much criticised proposals for major changes to the structure of England’s top flight, when they meet this week amidst talk of a “civil war” within the game. The Football Association (FA) will also hold a scheduled council meeting tomorrow when the issue is expected to be raised. As the governing body for English football, the FA itself holds a “golden share” which would allow it to block major changes. The FA has so far declined to comment on the proposals but its council is made up of representatives from all leagues, as well as county FAs, the grass roots and supporters representatives. While no clubs have made public statements as yet on the plans, which Football…

A panorama for cricket lovers YAJURVINDRA SINGH THE panorama that the Indian Premier League (IPL) brings to a cricket lover is wonderful. Watching matches after matches unfold with such precision and in a professional manner is truly a remarkable achievement. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) must be complimented on being able to host the IPL, and from the looks of it they may become the hub of sports events in the future. The UAE is now the centre of excellence for sports in this period of pandemic. India seems far away in reviving sporting activities at present and so one may see the UAE as a convenient alternative till normalcy returns. One does miss the hustle and bustle and activities that keep one entertained by spectators at stadiums, but to…

Banana tree project to mark 160th anniversary POST REPORTER Supplied THE community of Depot Road Memorial Primary School will next month plant 160 banana trees to mark the 160th anniversary of the arrival of Indians to the country. “This is a simple but symbolic gesture,” said Yogs Moodley, the principal. The school, in Bayview, Chatsworth, has its origins in Magazine Barracks, a compound for municipal workers near the Durban beachfront. The area was destroyed in 1965 and the community was moved to Chatsworth because of the Group Areas Act. Depot Road Memorial Primary was the community’s school. “When we arrived here, the banana farmers were forced by the apartheid government to give up their land,” said Moodley. By recultivating the land, the school community wants to make a statement about…

Student’s business idea earns her top prizes THANDEKA MGQIBI DURBAN-born Shruti Dowlath has won prizes worth more than R50 000 in the UCT Shark Tank competition for her student entrepreneur start-up website, UnifySA. What was initially meant to be an app called UNITE(CT), has now shifted focus and become a website – UnifySA.com – which was launched last month. Dowlath, a final year BCom CA stream student at UCT, said the website sought to bridge the gap in entrepreneurship by helping like-minded students find one another and collaborate on start-ups. “Students sign up by telling us their skills and we then unite the teams and help student entrepreneurs turn their ideas into a reality,” said Dowlath. The 21-year-old said she came up with this idea in May. “My grandfather and…

Sad loss of a steadfast stalwart JANINE MOODLEY Facebook DEVIKARANI Priscilla Sewpal Jana, the deputy chairperson of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and an anti-apartheid Struggle lawyer, died on Saturday. She was 76. Panyaza Lesufi, the MEC for Education in Gauteng, wrote on social media: “I was just 19 years old when the apartheid regime picked me up from my hiding spot. For three days, no one knew where they kept me. It took this brave woman to force the regime to declare my whereabouts after they’d tortured me … Without her determination, the regime was hell-bent to harm us and who knows what was going to happen to us.” Levi Singh, a relative from Durban, wrote on Facebook: “Not many people can say they’ve served as legal…

Tributes pour in for sound engineer CHANELLE LUTCHMAN THE friends of Shabir Khan, a sound engineer of Azam Khan’s Sound Services, have described his death as a loss to the community. Khan, 71, of Mobeni Heights, fell ill and died of natural causes last Tuesday while being transported to hospital. The father of three was buried at the Brook Street Muslim Cemetery in Durban later that evening. Khan rendered sound services at various events, including concerts, political meetings and weddings since the 1970s. Satish Dhupelia, the director of SD Video Enterprises, posted a tribute on Facebook. He described Khan as being a rare individual with whom he shared a passion for technology. Dhupelia said Khan, who had come from an analogue background, had embraced digital technology. “He did the sound…

Lenasia mom of five found killed in her home NADIA KHAN She was kind-hearted. She took care of everyone in the familyAneesa Cassim Victim’s sister RASHEEDA Cassim dreamed of buying a home for herself and her children, but on Sunday night, her body was found on her bedroom floor in her rented outbuilding. Cassim, 37, of Hummingbird Avenue, in Extension 1, Lenasia, had been stabbed in the neck. The mother of five, who shared custody of her five children with her former husband, owned a delivery business. The children are aged 12, 10, 9 and 5-year-old twins. Her sister, Aneesa Cassim, said they found out about the killing after her sister’s employee arrived at the property that evening. “He arrived to do his daily cash drop-off. He called out for…

Calls to boycott ‘Laxmmi Bomb’ film POST REPORTER Twitter AKSHAY Kumar’s latest film, Laxmmi Bomb, is trending on social media after calls to boycott the movie since its launch on Friday. The horror-comedy, one of this year’s anticipated Diwali releases, sees Kumar’s character being possessed by the spirit of a transgender person who is out to seek revenge. It is a remake of the Tamil blockbuster Muni 2: Kanchana. Alleged referencce to the Hindu Goddess Lakshmi in the film’s promotional materials have upset some. Raghava Lawrence, who directed the original, also directs the Bollywood remake, co-starring Kiara Advani, Tusshar Kapoor, Sharad Kelkar and Ashwini Kalsekar. Zeenews.india.com reported that Kamaal Rashid Khan, a controversial celebrity and self-proclaimed movie critic known for his tweets and statements courting trouble, criticised Kumar over the…

Indians’ invaluable contribution to SA THE colonial importation of Indian citizens from the sub-continent to South Africa in 1860, entrenched a historical perspective that runs deep into the veins of a country, whose own history has ebbed and flowed in ways we least imagined. The prime objective of this importation was not simply a migration, but a decidedly egregious objective of indenture that was exploited by the masters of the time, using privilege and power to rubber-stamp the prevailing slavery that was endemic in the world. Being a fifth generation Indian in South Africa, my birthright was this very country – and will remain so until the end of time. While my forebears sought the “grass that was to be greener on the other side”, their tale is very much…

Stand up, gifted people IT IS SAID everyone is born with a gift. To some this gift is realised early in life. We have seen musical child prodigies, probably the most renowned wünderkind being Mozart who started composing at the age of 5. Many intellectually gifted have made vast strides in various fields that have improved the lives of humankind. A recent phenomenon is that of influencers who have millions of followers, either through fashion, music, or some other claim to fame. Although we cannot escape influence, it seems we have inadvertently also created a Jenner’ation of mindless sheeple who live their lives in the shadow of entertainment personalities. As beings of higher intelligence, we surely have a greater purpose on this earth. Talent and aptitude generally lead people down…

Indian cinemas reopen but big movies on hold NATALIA NINGTHOUJAM IANS THE government of India has announced that cinemas will reopen from October 15 and fans are overjoyed. The decision was also hailed by the film fraternity, which is waiting for all the state governments to give the green light. Theatres were shut since the lockdown in March, to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus. Last week, the Union Home Ministry said cinemas, theatres and multiplexes could reopen with 50% seating. “This is a great announcement but we have to wait for all the states to open,” said Shibashish Sarkar, the group chief executive of Reliance Entertainment. “Sooryavanshi and 83 have been ready for some time. Sooryavanshi was slated for a Diwali release, but it’s not practical. Even if…

Your Stars PRISCILLA GENDRON Aries (March 21 – April 19) It’s all about reflection and planning for the future and making sure that you make the right choices going forward. Take your time to think things through, as hasty decisions will affect the outcome. Lucky colour: red. Taurus (April 20 – May 20) Romance is in the air for you and your loved ones. If you are in a relationship, now is the time to step up and take it to the next level. It’s time to make a commitment. Lucky colour: pink. Gemini (May 21 – June 20) It’s decision time and now is not the time to ponder about things. It’s time to take a leap of faith. Swift action is needed and know that the choices you…

WWE pins down YouTube record WWE’S official YouTube channel has eclipsed another impressive milestone, surpassing 50 billion total views. The 50 billion total views are enough for more than six views for every person on Earth. WWE’s channel – YouTube’s top-ranked in Sports ahead of the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, ESPN and Nascar – is closing in on nearly 70 million subscribers. “Reaching 50 billion video views on YouTube is a testament to our compelling storylines, larger than life superstars, and the strength of the WWE brand globally,” said Jayar Donlan, WWE executive vice-president, Advanced Media. “We are proud to set the standard for premium content on You-Tube and are thankful for the 67+ million subscribers and members of the WWE Universe who helped us achieve this milestone.” The channel…

New hope for monument to mark arrival of Indians NADIA KHAN PREMIER Sihle Zikalala has put Ravi Pillay, MEC for Finance, in charge of ensuring a monument is erected to mark the arrival of Indians in South Africa. November 16 will mark the 160th anniversary since the first ship, Truro, anchored off Durban with 342 indentured Indian labourers. In the days, months and years that followed, others arrived, initially under indenture and later as passengers. Next month will also mark a decade since the government announced that an 1860 commemorative monument would be erected. Earlier this year, Zikalala said the monument would be erected by November. This week, the KZN provincial government said in a statement that it was still committed to a monument that would honour the contribution the…

Artist uses her skills to fight cancer THANDEKA MGQIBI Supplied ARISHA Brijlal Lalli, 31, is using her love for art as a means to give back to the community. The married mother of one has donated her painting of a poem to the Cancer Association of SA (Cansa) Foundation, which will be auctioned off during Cancer Awareness Month this month. Lalli said the painting was a dedication to her mother-in-law, Sitha, who is recovering from breast cancer after being diagnosed last year. “The inspiration behind this painting was the strength and positivity displayed by my mother-in-law,” said Lalli, of Reservoir Hills. “During her chemotherapy, radiation treatment and her operation, she uplifted the spirits of other patients and gave them hope. “I couldn’t help but express my feelings through a poem.”…

Girl found courage to tell of sexual abuse Child seeks refuge with neighbour and his wife JANINE MOODLEY She asked me if I believed her, and I said, ‘Yes child, I believe you.’Witness Testimony AN 11-year-old girl, who was repeatedly raped, cried in pain outside her home on the morning of June 10, 2018, after she had been beaten with a sjambok. A neighbour said he saw the child crying and took her to his home, where his wife took care of her. He testified in the Durban High Court on Monday that after he took her to safety, the girl had found the courage to speak out. Her 45-year-old stepfather is on trial. He faces 56 counts, including rape, child abuse, sexual exploitation, human trafficking and the creation of…

A widow’s grant can lessen the burden CHANELLE LUTCHMAN THIS week the Widows’ Support Grant will be debated by the National Council of Provinces before being sent to the National Assembly for consideration. Last week, Shameen Thakur-Rajbansi, the leader of the Minority Front, recommended the grant at a sitting of the KZN Department of Social Development Portfolio Committee meeting. She said the grant should fall under the Social Assistance Amendment Act, which is under review. Thakur-Rajbansi believes that through the grant, widows will be allowed to raise their children and look after their households with dignity, instead of having to borrow money. She said the grant should be R1 800 – the same as an old-age grant. • Akashni Sahdeo, a mother of three, became widowed nine years ago. “My…

Indian language schooling in SA is in a perilous state MEEN por yethenva! That translates as “Go get fish!” In pre-Covid times, a 92-year-old veteran of the freedom Struggle, Swaminathan Gounden, regaled us with stories of his growing up in the Magazine and Point barracks. His father, Karuppa, was indentured at the Mitchell Park zoo as a sirdar and mahout to Nellie, the park’s famous elephant. Gounden’s mother would sometimes ask him to “go get fish” from the seine netters. The creolised version of her Tamil is probably unrecognisable in India but perfectly understood among its speakers in South Africa. Speaking in the tongue of one’s indentured ancestry here in South Africa has always been a yearning. On the plantations of indenture and beyond, our forebears battled to communicate in…

EDITOR’S VIEW Consequences of breaking the law too few THIS week started like so many others, with protests around Durban. Those who block the roads are generally asking for things that are reasonable: decent houses, clean water, electricity and sanitation. They don’t have the means to make calls or send messages to register their complaints. Neither can they afford to get to the municipality’s offices. So, they do what they can to grab the attention of those who can help them. And, unfortunately, violence has become the most effective way of doing so. This week protests in the Reservoir Hills area saw a municipal bus and privately owned car set alight. Other vehicles were stoned, stores were looted and residents intimidated. It’s become part of normal living in South Africa.…

Beware of WhatsApp’s potential dangers YOGIN DEVAN Supplied POLICE are at liberty to stop a driver at a roadblock and check the blood-alcohol limit; examine the driving licence; search the vehicle for illegal weapons, illicit drugs and stolen goods; and verify if the car is stolen or not. Cash-in-transit heists are well-planned criminal operations, executed with military-style planning and precision. It takes weeks for the robbers to work out which money-laden truck to hit, where and when. Of course, the crooks don’t use smoke signals to communicate plans with fellow gang members. Face-to-face meetings can arouse suspicion. Hence, much of the plotting is done on the phone. I am certain that rather than making calls using network service providers such as MTN or Vodacom, criminals use WhatsApp to make free…

Chat Join POSTChat today by liking our Facebook page, POST Newspaper, and sharing your views on the stories and issues that are making headlines NEVILLE PILLAY CLAIMS EX-WIFE ABUSED HIM IN FACEBOOK VIDEO: • Nerisha Kemraj Ramjiwan: It’s sad when abuse becomes a laughing matter. It shows the mentality of humans and their ability to deal with real-life problems. Abuse is real, regardless of gender and type. Emotional abuse can be more damaging than physical abuse. And it’s clear that there were signs of both. • Leon Terrence: There are 3 sides to every story: his, hers and the truth which we will never hear. • Pamela Peters: I saw the video posted. He looked sad and drained. • Aniel Poolaraj: Sad when you got nothing in life and are…

Rajput is masterful in final role MOVIE REVIEW: Dil Bechara DIRECTOR: Mukesh Chhabra CAST: Sushant Singh Rajput, Sanjana Sanghi and Sahil Vaid RATING: 8/10 DIL Bechara is more than just a film. The late Sushant Singh Rajput’s swansong is an emotional ride that should not be judged. It has reached a 9.6+ rating on movie website IMBD and it’s heartwarming that fans are showering it with their love. There is nothing more important than life and that is exactly what the film teaches us – to cherish, love and celebrate life. It is difficult putting into words the feeling of seeing Rajput one final time – especially in a role such as this one. Mukesh Chhabra’s film is the ideal celebration of his lead actor’s life. The film opened at…

Special creations Monowara Nouri Mohamed Bhamjee shares some of her favourite bakes. Follow her on Instagram: @monowara.b Spongy Chocolate Fresh Cream Swiss Roll With A Bubbly Chocolate Ganache 5 jumbo eggs (or 6 large eggs, separated) 1 cup castor sugar 1 tsp vanilla essence ¼ cup oil 1/3 cup boiling water 3 tbs cocoa ¾ cup cake flour 1 tsp baking powder ¼ cup Maizena Preheat the oven to 170°C and line a Swiss roll pan with baking paper. Dissolve the cocoa in the boiling water and set aside. Sift the dry ingredients. Beat the egg whites until stiff. Add the castor sugar a little at a time and beat well. Beat the yolks and add the vanilla essence, oil and the cocoa mixture to the egg yolks. Add the…

Toffees will give Liverpool plenty to chew on ESHLIN VEDAN THE Merseyside derby on Saturday between Everton and Liverpool will be the standout fixture this weekend. The Toffees enter the clash in brilliant form after having won all four of their league games to date. However, this will be the Toffees’ first test of the season against a so-called giant club. It will also be an interesting game for Liverpool. The Anfield giants enter the game on the back of their worst result since Jurgen Klopp became its manager – a 7-2 thrashing at the hands of Aston Villa two weeks ago. Should Klopp’s side win, they will prove that the Villa loss was a minor hiccup. A loss against the Toffees would raise questions about whether they are as…

Nadal record unbreakable – Murray DESPITE losing the French Open final to Rafael Nadal on Sunday, Novak Djokovic stayed ahead of his Spanish rival in the latest men’s tennis rankings. Djokovic (11 740 points) was 1 890 points ahead of Nadal (9 850) in the ATP rankings. Dominic Thiem retained the third spot with 9 125 points while Roger Federer stayed on fourth with 6 630. Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece moved a spot above, to fifth, with 5 925. In the women’s rankings, newly-crowned French Open champion Iga Swiatek of Poland jumped 37 spots to move to 17th position with 2 960 points. Australian Ashleigh Barty (8 717) retained the top spot and is followed by Simona Halep (7 255), Naomi Osaka (5 780), Sofia Kenin (5 760), and Elina…