Table of contents for 2023-10-11 in Post

2 cups pasta shells a glug of olive oil 1 small onion, finely diced 2-3 red chillies, broken into small pieces, or ½-1 tsp crushed chilli flakes 1 tsp (5ml) garlic paste 250g mushrooms, cleaned and sliced salt to season 1 tsp (5ml) dried Italian herbs. ¼ tsp turmeric powder 1 small red and green pepper, finely diced 2½ cups (625ml) almond milk, divided 4 tbs (60ml) cornstarch ¼ cup (60ml) nutritional yeast fresh parsley to garnish Boil the pasta as per the instructions on the packet. Keep aside. Heat the oil in a pot. Add the onions and chillies. Cook until the onions are translucent. Spoon in the garlic paste. Fry for a few seconds. Add the mushrooms and season with salt. Stir and cook until the mushrooms reduce…

Masala chai is made from fragrant spices that are ground and added to tea. Cardamom is known to be an antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenic. It adds fragrance and subtle sweetness to chai. Cinnamon sticks are known to manage type 2 diabetes, reduce cholesterol, blood pressure and inflammation. It also acts as anti-bacterial, anti-viral and anti-fungal, and is loaded with antioxidants. It adds natural sweetness and warmth to tea. Cloves contain vitamins, minerals and fibre. Cloves regulate hunger levels as well as keep blood sugar levels in check. They also help with inflammation. They add depth and an earthy tone to the chai. Black pepper is a powerhouse of antioxidants. It helps improve digestion and promote overall gut health. They add a little kick to the chai. Nutmeg has antioxidant,…

STANLEY Hansraj, a cash guard, was killed during a cash-in-transit (CIT) robbery on the M35 near Folweni in the Durban south area last Tuesday morning. Hansraj, 39, from Chatsworth, was employed by Fidelity ADT. It is alleged that the occupants of a motor vehicle opened fire on the CIT vehicle. The driver of the armoured cash vehicle managed to flee unharmed. But Hansraj and another co-worker, who were inside the vehicle, were shot. Hansraj died at the scene while the co-worker was taken to hospital. Cheryl Reddy, his mother-in-law, said Hansraj left home for work at 3.30am. “His wife and three children were still asleep. He kissed his wife goodbye and later on in the morning, he sent her a message to tell her that he loved her and that…

TIVANA Chellan, who graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery degree this year, launched her debut book on Saturday. Chellan, 24, said The Spiritual Medic aimed to inspire individuals of all ages and backgrounds to recentre, with a key focus on a sense of purpose in any chosen career path. “We often become so consumed with growing up, doing well academically, getting a career, and having a family, that we tend to forget how to integrate our purpose into our everyday lives. “The Spiritual Medic highlights some of the key aspects of self-motivation irrespective of one’s background, aspects of bullying and not conventionally fitting in through the narration of aspects from my personal journey.” She said she hoped to inspire others with her story. “The book was…

THE Organisation of Civic Rights (OCR) officially launched its advice desks for tenants last week at the Durban Magistrate’s Court and the newly built Family Court at the Point branch court. The OCR will provide services that include mediating between tenants and landlords/representatives, maintenance, eviction and other tenant related matters. The advice desks will also assist with a bad building/hijacked building register. This involves assistance with complaints around the unlawful occupation of a building or home. The service is free and in keeping with the OCR’s policy of assisting bona fide tenants since April 1984. Sayed Iqbal Mohamed, the chairperson of the OCR, said the organisation was established to challenge the group areas evictions in Warwick Avenue and later (in 1989) in eThekwini. “The OCR started representing tenants in 1985…

Inflation is a process of sustained increases in the general price level over a period of time, typically 12 months. Inflation can be calculated for a country, for specific regions in a country and for different income and demographic groups, for instance pensioners. These different calculations are important because the spending patterns of regions and groups differ. That means that their rates of inflation also differ. It is therefore important for each household to have a clear understanding of its own inflation rate. A number of countries allow for the development of this improved understanding. For example, South African households can use an internet tool such as the personal inflation calculator of Statistics South Africa. A personal inflation calculator, based on the spending patterns of household, is also available for…

Arthur James Balfour seems to have enjoyed a good life. He was born in 1848 to wealthy parents and grew up on an estate which employed several helpers. His father and uncle were politicians and Balfour followed in their footsteps, going on to serve as the prime minister of the UK between 1902 and 1905. Thereafter, he served as the foreign secretary. It was during this time that the British government announced that it would support the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine. Jews had been persecuted from before biblical times and some Jews, believing they would only be safe if they had their own homeland, lobbied for this. With Britain controlling Palestine, the Balfour Declaration was a significant step in the formation of the…

WITH reference to the letter “India name change divisive” (POST, September 20-24), the writer, T Markandan, is a poorly informed man masquerading as an expert on the subject of Bharat. The writer has a modicum of knowledge on the subject matter, and this proves the adage that “a little knowledge is more dangerous than total ignorance”. His letter is not only about the name change but also intended to belittle the world’s largest democracy, its people and its leaders. The comparisons he makes about other name changes are laughable and childish, and he has the gall to speak of Narendra Modi, India’s prime minister, as someone who “is window dressing, making cosmetic changes to satisfy his own ego”. Has Markandan been to Bharat and seen the real changes made in…

AFRIFORUM has submitted commentary on the proposed Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) Amendment Bill to the parliamentary portfolio committee on police. In its submission, we highlighted various concerns about the proposed changes, among which is the appointment process of the head of Ipid. The proposed appointment process will transform the police watchdog into nothing more than a police lapdog. Among other things, the amendments make the worrying proposal that the minister of police should appoint the head of Ipid with the approval of Cabinet. By vesting such a crucial decision solely within the executive, there is potential for the selection process to become embroiled in internal power dynamics, nepotism and cadre deployment. The absence of checks and balances in this proposal heightens this risk further. The integrity and independence of…

PROFESSOR Jerry Coovadia, who died last week at the age of 83, was a symbol of grit and a hero of the struggle to obtain equality. He gave hope to a generation of men and women and played a crucial role in our emancipation from racism. Stalwarts like him and others made personal sacrifices that enabled us to shed our chains of enslavement and embrace liberty and freedom. We will remember all those who gave their lives for our freedom and the values we cherish. Future generations will hardly believe that icons of this calibre walked on this Earth. Hamba kahle, Jerry Coovadia, a medical genius and a fearless fighter for freedom. May Almighty Allah grant you the highest place in Jannah. FAROUK ARAIE Benoni…

TO OUR Muslim brothers and sisters in South Africa, respected Ulama, organisations, and all individuals, in the name of Allah, the most merciful, the most compassionate. On this historic day (October 7), we want to express our strong commitment to Allah’s path. By Allah’s grace, our brave fighters of the Al-Qassam Brigades, along with our Palestinian comrades, have taken action against the occupying Israeli Zionist forces in the sacred land of Palestine. This land of the Isra and Miraj of our beloved Prophet, peace be upon him. The main reason for this campaign is the criminal Zionist aggression against Masjid Al-Aqsa and all sacred and holy sites. We also oppose the occupation’s harsh treatment, including the killing of innocent Palestinians and their ongoing apartheid policies. We’re pleased to inform you…

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (Dirco) said it was concerned about the recent escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In a statement, Dirco said: “The new conflagration has arisen from the continued illegal occupation of Palestine land, continued settlement expansion, desecration of the Al Aqsa Mosque and Christian holy sites, and ongoing oppression of the Palestinian people. “The region is in desperate need of a credible peace process that delivers on the calls of a plethora of previous UN resolutions for a two-state solution and a just and comprehensive peace between Israel and Palestine. “South Africa, working together with the international community, seeks to ensure a lasting and durable peace that produces a viable, contiguous Palestinian State, existing side-by-side in peace with Israel, within the 1967 internationally recognised borders,…

Chia seeds are the tiny black seeds from the Salvia hispanica plant, a member of the mint family which comes from Central and South America. The word “chia” is the ancient Mayan word for “strength”. It is said that the ancient Aztecs and Mayans used chia seeds as a source of energy. The seeds offer enormous health benefits. They are rich in fibre, antioxidants, minerals and heart-healthy omega-3 fatty acids. They improve the risk factors for heart disease and diabetes, as well as aid a good healthy gut. 6 tbs (90ml) chia seeds 2 cups almond or soy milk, unsweetened ½ tsp cardamom powder 2 tsp (10ml) maple-flavoured syrup cashew nuts pomegranate seeds sliced kiwi fruit Mix the chia seeds and milk together in a big jug or bowl. Place…

Sauerkraut is fermented cabbage that is good for a healthy gut and overall health. It has the same amount of probiotics, digestive enzymes and live cultures found in yoghurt, provided it is not made with vinegar. Sauerkraut is also a good source of vitamin C and iron, both of which contributes to a stronger immune system. 1 large green cabbage (you may use purple as well) 3 tbs (45ml) rough non-iodised Himalayan salt 1 large airtight jar Spicy option: 1 tsp (5ml) turmeric powder 1 tsp (5ml) coriander/cumin powder 1-2 tsp (5-10ml) chilli flakes (adjust according to heat tolerance) ½ tsp (2.5ml) black peppercorns 1 tsp (5ml) each minced ginger and garlic Remove the outer layer of the cabbage leaves. Keep this aside. Finely slice the rest of the cabbage.…

PREMSEELAN “Prem” Naidoo was born on November 5, 1957, in Kharwastan in Chatsworth. He matriculated at Westcliff High School in 1974. Naidoo joined the Department of Posts and Telecommunications in 1978 where he qualified as a technician. Naidoo was drawn to athletics, particularly the 800m and 1 500m races. He represented the Lions Athletic Club in Chatsworth in 1974 and 1976, and set the Natal junior 800m record in 1 minute 58 seconds at Curries Fountain. In the mid-1970s, South Africa continued to grapple with apartheid, and athletics provided a platform for Naidoo to challenge this injustice. Naidoo and his friend, Dickie Naidu, were the first Indian athletes to compete in the whites-only track and field league meeting at Kings Park in 1977. Their goal was to show they were…

THE newly-renovated Lulama Treatment Centre, an on-site rehab centre offering by the SA National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (Sanca) in Durban, has reopened. The site is based at 185 Vause Road, Berea, and was reopened courtesy of funding from the SA Muslim Charitable Trust, with support from The Victor Daitz Foundation. Fathima Hussain, the director at Sanca Durban, said the organisation’s alcohol and drug centres were established in 1956 and was a registered non-profit organisation. “While the organisation is based in Vause Road, we render services in 16 magisterial districts in eThekwini north, south and the iLembe regions across nine community based sites, making our services more accessible. The organisation was established due to the problems of substance abuse addictions.” Hussain said Sanca aimed to be the most…

More than 5 480 cars were hijacked between April and June this year, according to the latest SAPS quarterly crime statistics. This equates to about 60 vehicles a day. Wahl Bartmann, CEO of the Fidelity Services Group, said it was therefore vital that the public knew what to do during a hijacking. “October is Transport Month, a period to renew our focus on all matters relating to transport. It’s an ideal opportunity to make sure we are properly prepared and know exactly what to do and not do during a hijacking, if this should happen to us or our loved ones,” said Bartmann. “The first step is to be vigilant. Turn your radio off, put your phone down, tell the kids to be quiet and concentrate on your surroundings as…

WITH reference to the story “1 509 bodies unclaimed” (POST, September 27-October 1). This is shocking. The number could be drastically reduced if the various authorities worked together. Here are two suggestions. As soon as a body is unclaimed, a thumbprint of the deceased should be taken and sent to Home Affairs for verification. With the details, the next-of-kin can be located and notified. Details of the deceased are circulated to all police stations, to be pinned on a notice board for public scrutiny. This is a true incident in brief. On March 8 this year, a body was found at North Beach in Durban and taken to the Phoenix Mortuary. This was published in POST. Unfortunately, the parents did not read/know about this. The father went regularly to Chatsworth…

AS SOUTH Africans, we are all too familiar with the frustrating inconvenience of load shedding. But have we ever stopped to consider why the crisis exists in the first place? It is my belief, and supported by evidence, that load shedding has been deliberately created to make way for independent power producers (IPPs) and that Eskom is being destroyed so that the private entities can step in. The government has invested R160 billion in private power stations, which will sell power back to the state, directly competing with Eskom. One of the largest players here is none other than Patrice Motsepe, who owns Arep and is also the president’s brother-in-law. Coal-powered power stations are being shut to create a need for the IPPs, with the aim of raking in trillions…

LOAD shedding and power disruptions have put tremendous pressure and additional costs on the South African poultry industry. This makes producing poultry products extremely expensive. For example, Astral Foods has spent an additional R919 million as a result of load shedding alone. This has obviously had a significant impact on the profitability and sustainability of the company. To make matters worse, the poultry industry has been hit with an avian influenza epidemic. AI is a viral disease of birds, including poultry. The abbreviation, “AI”, is frequently in the news and often refers to artificial intelligence. In this column, the abbreviation refers to avian influenza. This is a devastating disease of poultry and can wipe out a flock in just a few days. AI is the most widely studied disease of…

WE ARE against any form of violence, no matter who is involved. We welcome the announcement by Sipho Hlomuka, the KZN MEC for Community Safety and Liaison, that a multi-party political intervention committee to deliberate on critical issues with regard to political killings and violence will be convened. This committee has been in existence since 2013. We hope the meeting will not become a talk shop but that it will come up with tangible solutions to address crime and political killings. Political killings are a cause for concern. However, we are confident the police are on top of the situation. What concerns us more is that when people are arrested for assassinations, they do not reveal the person who ordered the killing. We urge the task team to be thorough…

THE Al-Quds Foundation (SA) fervently asserts Palestine’s inherent right to defend itself against the oppressive actions of an illegitimate apartheid regime in the form of Israel. We strongly urge all freedom and justice-loving individuals, organisations and governments to unequivocally recognise and uphold this fundamental right of the Palestinian people. The egregious violations, spanning from the imposition of restrictive daily checkpoints to the desecration of the Al-Aqsa Mosque, forced displacement of Palestinians from their ancestral lands, and the extensive land, air, and sea blockade, together form a nexus of severe and systemic challenges that unequivocally justifies Palestine’s right to defend itself. These systemic injustices are part of a larger pattern perpetuated by an apartheid regime that seeks to continually dispossess Palestinians of their rights and their land. Furthermore, the land, air,…

South Africa will this week announce plans to defuse a row over non-compliance with anti-doping regulations that could see the rugby team barred from flying their flag in this weekend’s World Cup quarter-final against France. The country looks set to miss a Friday deadline to update its anti-doping legislation. Lawmakers are still debating the regulation changes demanded by world anti-doping body Wada, and have no hope of passing new legislation before Friday’s deadline. Missing the deadline would trigger a ban on the world champions’ flying their flag and playing the national anthem for Sunday’s crunch clash in Paris. One of the few options available to the Springboks to avoid the sanctions would be to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to buy time. The new Wada code…

Almond milk has a pleasant nutty flavour and creamy texture that is similar to dairy milk. It is a popular choice for vegans and those who are dairy intolerant. Even though almond milk is readily available in supermarkets, it is fairly easy to make. I have been making this for a while. All you need are some almonds, water and a liquidiser. 1 cup (250ml) (150-160g) almonds 4 cups cold water (1 litre) for liquidising 2-4 dates (optional) for sweetened almond milk straining cloth (cheese cloth or new T-shirt works well). Rinse the almonds thoroughly and soak in water overnight in the fridge. After the almonds have soaked, discard the water. Rinse them once again. Add the almonds to a blender with 500ml water. Blitz it. Add the balance of…

Duff is a psychic medium, soul coach, spiritual mentor, healer and animal communicator. She has been connecting with spirit for more than 20 years and runs her business, Quantum Soul, from Waterfall, KZN. She can be contacted at 072 986 5514 or sharron@quantsoul.com ARIES (March 21 – April 19) Eat properly and get some rest. Pay attention to your diet. Spend time in nature and get some fresh air. Prepare yourself for the beginning of a new cycle and letting go of past karma. Ask for guidance from spirit if you need it. Lucky colour: sage green. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) Take a step back and gain a better perspective of a difficult work situation. Your performance is being noted at work, so be on your best behaviour.…

A FILM based on the life of Pinky Mothie, a show promoter since the early 1960s, will be released in cinemas nationwide from October 27. The film, Never Give Up, was written by Sarah Mahabir and produced by YFDP and Big M Productions. It was inspired by her late husband, D Mothie, who introduced her to showbiz. The movie is aimed at giving hope and inspiration to women to never give up. Mothie said pre-production started in 2016 and the film was initially titled, Memoir of Pinky Mothie. It was filmed in Mumbai, India, two years later, and was previewed to a select audience. “The movie was meant to thereafter launch in South Africa but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we decided to wait for the best time. The film…

THE demise of our leaders in 2023 reminds us of the great purpose of servant leadership. The recent deaths of Professor Hoosen Coovadia, an anti-apartheid stalwart, prolific scientist and activist of health equity; Dr Frene Noshir Ginwala and Aziz Goolam Pahad, anti-apartheid activists and politicians; and Dr Essop Pahad, a politician, among others, have left our nation poorer because these were leaders that served our society selflessly. They contributed effectively to the development of our post-apartheid society through their advocacy, willingness to engage with communities, and the capacity to identify the people’s needs and give meaning to them through policy. These initiatives aided the development of relevant measures to address the injustices and inequalities South Africans experienced during apartheid. These individuals stood up for values based on human rights…

HAVE you seen the new trains? I saw them a few weeks ago in Cato Ridge. As a train lover, I was excited. The blue and white trains are beautiful, a big improvement on the drab and dirty yellowish trains. At last, I thought to myself, we have First World trains in our country. Prasa has been testing the new trains in Durban. They are in service on the KwaMashu corridor, inland to Cato Ridge and on the south coast line to Umbogintwini. Prasa hopes to roll out its state-of-the-art trains to Crossmoor and Pinelands once those lines have been restored. This after the extensive theft and vandalism during the Covid 19 lockdown. Sleek, modern and fast, the new trains have several features for the safety and comfort of…

WHEN I was asked by a fellow educator during a talk at a school assembly where I was invited, about what attracted me to read and write about especially the funny side of life, I offered this explanation. My elder brother, fondly called Walla, loved comics. It was not just the usual colourful American, Mickey Mouse and Tom and Jerry stereotypes. Comics like The Beano, Dandy, Hotspur, Lion Tiger and some other English publications somehow lured him to order a weekly subscription that cost about 21c in total in those days. I read them all when he was not looking. The humour and language in the British publications were different from the more slapstick fast-moving jokes of the Yankees. Every character in the mostly black-and-white publications imparted some knowledge…

READING the article “Finally, recognition, 13 years later” (POST, October 4-8) left me bewildered. It has proved to me that there is something rotten in the Department of Education. Dr Morgan Naidoo, who served in education for more than 40 years, was regarded as an expert on normalisation processes. Heads must roll. This is not an error. However much I challenge the little voice within me that tries to pacify my anger against such a heinous education department, I am comforted by the thought of a new hope and dream after the elections next year. The Indian community has been sidelined, especially our educators. My appeal to our MEC for education is to invest in our retired educators such as Professor Jayaram Reddy, TH Kassie, Thayalan Reddy and Naidoo. They…

THE horrific images coming out of Israel have left the entire world shocked and disgusted. There can never be justification for the barbaric murder, kidnapping and disrespect for human life that have emerged over the past weekend. The terrorist group Hamas’s unprovoked and barbaric attack on innocent Israeli civilians include the massacre of teenagers at a music festival, the abduction of children and elderly women and the killing of helpless babies on the streets. This is reminiscent of the Holocaust. It is pure evil, and there are no shades of grey. The South African Jewish community stands with Israel. We express our prayers, sympathies and condolences to all Am Yisrael living through this nightmare. The Jewish community will be holding prayer sessions, solidarity events and actions in support of Israel…

THE reality series, Abo Auntie, which is screening on Showmax, exposes how many employers are not following the Basic Conditions of Employment Act and other legislative requirements. This is according to Ntombizodwa Mahlangu, the founder and director of Help One Helper, a non-profit organisation that assists domestic workers. Mahlangu, a former domestic worker, said these workers were underpaid. “Even when employers advertise on social media platforms, they offer a salary that is below the minimum wage of R4 405, as set by the Basic Conditions of Employment Act. “On the show Abo Auntie, one employer offered to pay her domestic worker and gardener an amount of R1 500 each, with a long list of duties.” Referring to the show, she said helpers raised their concerns but those concerns were not…

THE first glimpses of summer are here but the weather needs to behave ... The rock and surf fishing has starting to warm up so get your gear and get out there! Adding floats to your trace can drastically increase your success rate. Not only do floats give the bait a more natural presentation but they also add attraction in the form of colour. Orange is a fantastic colour for scratching fish and in particular bronze bream, glow in the dark works very well for kob, while red and white floats work extremely well for shad (when the season is open). Brusher continues to top the target list and for good reason. There are still decent numbers of garrick around the river mouths. Spinning along the north coast has accounted…