Table of contents for 2023-12-13 in Post

It is rare for an actor to get right into the skin of a real-life character he plays in a biopic, but Vicky Kaushal does it with aplomb, complete with the eccentric, no-nonsense yet empathetic style and mannerisms that Indian wartime hero Sam Manekshaw was renowned for. Director Meghna Gulzar seems to take some cinematic licence by making the professional and personal life of the patriot, who stood up to two prime ministers, look glamorous, but it is also clear that she has researched the subject well. Manekshaw earned the nickname Bahadur not just because of his bravery in leading his troops through several wars with Pakistan and China, but from a soldier who could not pronounce his surname. He became the first Indian army officer to assume the role…

Mallaya-Pandya is a UK-based intuitive life coach. Follow her on www.mysticsisters-uk.com Aries (March 21 – April 19) A reminder to use your strength. Trust your intuition. New challenges are heading your way with a positive outcome. Highs: Letting go of what was holding you back. Lows: Self-doubt. Anger outbursts. Taurus (April 20 – May 20) This is an important time for lifestyle changes. Money management, health and wellness should take priority. Self-employment looks favourable. Highs: Deeper connection in relationships. Lows: Anxiety and low moods. Gemini (May 21 – June 20) It’s time to focus on your future. Over-thinking and questioning the past is not going to move you any further. Reach out to those who matter. Highs: New financial opportunities. Lows: Feeling stuck and disappointed. Cancer (June 22 – July…

350g fusilli 4 chicken breast fillets chicken spice, to season 7.5ml cajun seasoning salt, to season sunflower oil, to fry fillets 600g button mushrooms sunflower oil, to sauté salt, to season 60ml butter 4 sprigs fresh thyme 15ml crushed garlic 4 green chillies, finely chopped 10ml red chilli powder 500ml fresh cream 60ml grated Parmesan black pepper, to season fresh coriander, to garnish Cook the fusilli in boiling water with salt and oil in a 30cm AMC Paella Pan. Once the pasta is al dente, reserve 250ml of the liquid and drain in a colander. Prepare the chicken fillet by using a sharp knife to slice through the fillet and opening to butterfly. Use a mallet to flatten the fillets slightly. Season with chicken spice, cajun seasoning and salt.…

A PIETERMARITZBURG great-grandfather was stabbed to death for his “outdated” cellphone during a robbery in the early hours of Saturday morning, at his Ginger Road, Northdale, home – where he had lived for more than 40 years. Shortly after hearing the news, another elderly resident, also living on Ginger Road, suffered a heart attack. Local councillor, Rachel Soobiah, said many elderly residents lived in the area and were becoming soft targets for criminals. She said petty crime was on the increase with criminals going after items such as copper pipes. “However, these criminals do not hesitate to attack. We are noticing that many of the petty crime incidents are turning violent. Our elderly residents are living in fear,” said Soobiah. She said the woman who had suffered a heart attack,…

HOLIDAYMAKERS say they will steer clear of the beaches this festive season after “critical” levels of E.coli were found at several Durban beaches this week. According to the eThekwini Municipality’s website, sea water tested near the Umgeni River mouth by Talbot laboratory services on December 7, revealed an E.coli level of 24 196 cfu/100ml. Anything greater than 500 cfu/100ml is considered dangerous for human activity. Since then, the Point, U-Shaka, North, South, Battery and the Country Club beaches have been closed and declared unsafe for swimming by the city because of the poor water quality. The municipality attributed the poor water quality to the recent heavy rainfall, adding that the gravity of the problem was noted. “The joint sampling with independent laboratories is done once a week but it…

LOS ANGELES: Actress America Ferrera, who was one of six children with a single mother, recalled that while she “didn’t know the facts” about her family’s poverty at the time, she spent her 5th grade going to school with no lunch. “One of the most vulnerable memories of childhood is that my mother was a single mother and I was the youngest of six kids. It was touch-and-go, and we struggled. “I didn’t even really know the facts, and I was too ashamed to ask but I basically spent all of 5th grade going to school with no lunch and getting through the school day hungry. “That is an experience that shapes you as a child when you’re so personally acquainted with what it means to be in a different…

THE letter in the POST by Yogin Devan, as a tribute to Dr Morgan Naidoo, was heart-wrenching and thought-provoking. It was sad to read. At his funeral, several speakers paid tribute to a man who lived a full life, being a scholar and a highly respected academic in the specialisation of education management. He dedicated his life in service to education for more than 40 years and was regarded as an expert in his field. Being a committed husband, father, grandfather and friend, he preferred to be known as Morgan. A humble, outspoken soul who could not be deterred from calling a spade a spade. Morgan lived a simple philosophy and often quoted Gandhi to me – ‘Never in my life will I exploit loyalty. Never will I seek to…

THE eThekwini Municipality (Durban) is the only metro in KwaZulu-Natal and has an ANC majority council. Mxolisi Kaunda, its mayor, and Musa Mbhele, the city manager, are the political and administrative heads of our beleaguered city. They are supported by a host of councillors and a bloated cohort of admin executives, who, of late, have been running the city into the ground. The Integrated Development Plan is the most important document that council must formulate and adopt, incorporating the budget. The provision of effective service delivery is the core function of the municipality. Durban, once the pride and joy of Africa, is a shadow of its past and an embarrassment to its people and associates. Even rudimentary matters like faulty street lighting and robots, potholes, overgrowth and crime and…

If DUT senior research associate Imraan Buccus removed his blinkers, he would have a better understanding of the real driver of polarisation in nations instead of condemning it as “typical far-right ethno-nationalist hallucination” (the POST, December 6-10). If he examined the World Economic Forum’s aims and policies, he would find that all the states experiencing turmoil are headed by WEF adherents. To bring about the WEF’s Great Re-Set goal of depopulated, Orwellian hemispheres presided over by an exclusive oligarchy, the first order of business is to eliminate national sovereignty. The WEF’s key weapon to achieve that is through open borders and mass immigration. By imposing alien cultures on historically homogenous nations and cultures polarisation is inevitable. No self-respecting nation is going to tolerate its heritage and values being trashed by…

PATNA: Meeting a girl turned ugly for a youth in Bihar’s Vaishali district when he was attacked with acid by a man who was accompanying her, police said this week. Dharmenra Kumar sustained burn injuries on his face and other parts of the body. He is battling for his life in hospital. The police said Kumar received a call from the girl who asked him to meet her at a deserted place. They said as soon as Kumar reached the girl, the man threw acid on him and fled with the girl. Kumar was rescued by locals who informed his parents. “We have registered a case and the matter is under investigation,” an officer said.…

JAI is receiving a positive response to his recent Tamil crime thriller show Label. The series, which marks director Arunraja Kamaraj’s digital debut, follows an intriguing journey of one man’s fight for justice. The show revolves around the two worlds of Chennai. The first world where one labels people with titles of criminal connotations for being born there, and the second which guarantees people normalcy and respect. Jai said: “The action sequences went beyond fight choreographies. There were strong social and political statements made with each move. “That is why, when I drove to the set on the fight scene days, I knew it wasn't just about doing the stunts and perfecting the choreography. It was about immersing myself completely. Each fight scene demanded reading between the lines. This challenge…

As Animal continues to set the box office on fire, actor Anil Kapoor has unveiled the look of his character from his upcoming action film Fighter, where he shares the screen with Bollywood superstars Hrithik Roshan and Deepika Padukone. Kapoor portrays the role here of Group Captain Rakesh Jai Singh. The star wrote on social media: “Group Captain Rakesh Jai Singh. Call Sign: Rocky. Designation: Commanding Officer. Unit: Air Dragons. Fighter Forever.” Kapoor’s portrayal of the commanding officer in Fighter holds gravitas, infusing life into a character that encapsulates integrity, strength, dedication and commitment. Earlier, Roshan and Padukone also shared the looks of their character. Fighter, which has been helmed by Roshan’s War and Bang Bang! director Siddharth Anand, traces the journey of Roshan as Patty becoming the best fighter…

SAMANTHA Ruth Prabhu has announced that she is venturing into production and that her production house, Tralala Moving Pictures, will collaborate with Hyderabad-based entertainment company, Mandoa Media Works. Prabhu said: “Our aim is to provide a platform for film-makers to tell stories that are meaningful, authentic and universal.” Tralala Moving Pictures envisions itself as a platform that goes beyond conventional storytelling. “Tralala’s main focus is to produce content representative of new age, expression and thought. It’s a nurturing space that invites and encourages stories reflecting the strength and complexity of our social fabric.” Prabhu’s partner and founder of Mandoa Media Works, Himank Duvurru, said: “We are stoked to have partnered with someone with such immense experience in the world of entertainment and showbiz. “We will be looking at content around…

500g penne 32 medium prawns, shelled and de-veined 60ml sunflower oil 5ml ajwain or ajmo 1 onion, finely chopped 7ml coarse salt 10ml crushed garlic 25-30ml red chilli powder 600g tomatoes, chopped 5ml ground cumin 10ml ground coriander 2.5ml garam masala 1ml turmeric 125ml fresh cream 5ml kasori methi curry leaves, to garnish black pepper, to season Cook the penne in a 30cm AMC Gourmet Roaster with salted boiling water and a few drops of oil. Reserve 375ml liquid from the pasta. Strain in a colander. Heat the oil in a 30cm pot and fry the ajwain until fragrant. Add the onion and salt, and sauté until golden brown. Stir the garlic into the hot oil and fry for a few seconds. Add red chilli powder. Fry the red…

500g spaghetti 1kg lamb mince 7.5ml fine salt 60ml coriander, chopped 4 spring onions, chopped 4 green chillies, chopped 15ml ginger and garlic paste 15ml red chilli powder 5ml ground cumin 10ml ground coriander 1 egg yolk sunflower oil, to fry the meatballs Cook the spaghetti in a 30cm AMC Gourmet Roaster with salted water and a few drops of sunflower oil. Follow the directions on the packaging for recommended cooking times. Reserve 500ml of the liquid and drain the spaghetti in a colander. Place the lamb mince in a mixing bowl. Season the mince and add the chopped coriander, spring onion, green chillies, ginger and garlic paste, red chilli powder, ground cumin, ground coriander and egg yolk. Mix well to combine, and mould into 40g meatballs. Leave the meatballs…

THERE is often a lot of pressure on students to perform, as we’ve traditionally associated success with academic performance. While we understand the importance of good grades to succeed in this tough economic climate and considering the high unemployment rate, your child’s mental health matters more than their grades. As we prepare for results season, it’s important to bear the following in mind: Have realistic expectations: Children have different strengths, and not every child is an A student. Be realistic about your child’s strengths and challenges and consider other factors that may have impacted on their performance/results, for example, family crises, illness, mental health struggles, attention deficits, relationship stressors, etc. Open communication: This is only possible when we create a safe, non-judgemental space for children to share openly. Listen to…

AMERICAN female civil rights activist Fannie Lou Hammer teaches us that there are two things we should always care about: “Never forget where we came from and always praise the bridges that carried us over”. In the South African context of the Struggle for liberation, Mavuso Msimang is certainly one of the revered bridges that has not been thanked and praised. Allow me, Ntate Msimang, to thank you for the immeasurable sacrifices you have made. Politics tends to be about who controls power and not about how the political system operates successfully. It is my view that the control of resources and lack of ethical virtue are the reasons the mighty ANC is “on its knees”. Reinhold Niebuhr, in his piece, Moral Man and Immoral Society: A Study in Ethics…

RAJPUR: In a shocking incident, pupils from a school in Chhattisgarh suffered burn injuries on their palms after they were reportedly forced to pour hot oil on one another’s palms as punishment. Reports said at least 25 pupils suffered injuries, but the district education officer put the figures at five. Teachers had found that someone had relieved himself outside the school toilet. When they questioned the pupils, the latter could not speak out of fear. This made the teachers furious. Class monitors were told to pour hot oil on their classmates’ palms. Three teachers were suspended and an inquiry had been ordered, said an officer.…

THE Sharks travel to Bloemfontein on Sunday to play the Cheetahs in a European Challenge Cup match, and a sub-plot is the home team’s never-ending desire to prove a point to governing body SA Rugby. The Cheetahs and the Southern Kings were infamously kicked out of the PRO 14 competition that became the United Rugby Championship to make way for teams like the Sharks, Stormers, Bulls and Lions because they are not as financially flush as those teams. The harsh boardroom decision initially left the Free Staters with the Currie Cup as the only competition in which to state their case, but the oomph was taken out of that because the aforementioned teams fielded B teams. The Cheetahs could only do their best and earlier this year they won the…

Rugby chiefs hailed yesterday’s announcement that Guinness will be the new title sponsors of the Women’s Six Nations as a “defining moment” for the game. The Ireland-based brewer, which replaces social media platform TikTok, already sponsors the men’s edition and has also extended its backing of that tournament. But the decision to support the Women’s Six Nations is being seen as a landmark development. “This is a defining moment for rugby, with huge potential on the horizon and a genuine opportunity to widen the audience for the sport, to help secure its future,” said Six Nations Rugby chief executive Tom Harrison. “The women’s game is the biggest growth engine for rugby, and through this partnership Guinness will help accelerate this.” Women’s rugby has soared in popularity in recent years, in…

THE teaser of Malaikottai Vaaliban, the period drama of Malayalam superstar Mohanlal, was unveiled recently. The film marks the first collaboration between acclaimed director Lijo Jose Pellissery and Mohanlal. The film is scripted by PS Rafeeque, who earlier worked with Pellissery in Nayakan and Amen. “The captain of the ship, Lijo, has created a grand spectacle, a glimpse of which the audience will be able to see in this teaser,” said Mohanlal. Pellissery said: “For me, the process of finalising a theme doesn’t originate from the pressure to create the next big hit. It’s a natural progression. The basic idea of Malaikottai Vaaliban began germinating within me a couple of years ago and then metamorphosed into a comprehensive plot. A writer like Rafeeque expanded that world, and it was only…

THE Hina Khan-starrer Country of Blind, a film based on the eponymous novel by HG Wells, is among movies contending for the nomination race for the upcoming edition of the Academy Awards. The screenplay of the film was acquired by the Oscars Library in October to be a part of its permanent core collection. Sharing her excitement on this achievement, Khan said: “Fingers crossed for this to turn into a nomination! “I am extremely happy to see all the hard work pay off in such a special way. From Cannes to the Oscars, it’s been an exciting journey. “This film has only garnered lots of love and it is lovely to see an independent Indian production hitting such an amazing milestone! “Being able to represent India on such prestigious platforms…

Action in Autism in conjunction with the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra and the University of KwaZulu-Natal held an Afternoon of Music on Sunday at the Howard College Theatre. Action in Autism is a lobbyist, support and fund-raising non-profit organisation for people with autism and their families. At the event were……

500g penne 800g chicken fillet salt, to season 20ml ginger and garlic paste 25ml red chilli powder 5ml ground cumin 7.5ml ground coriander 2.5ml turmeric 20ml lemon juice 60ml fresh cream or yoghurt Cook the penne in a 30cm AMC Gourmet Roaster according to the instructions provided on the packaging. Reserve 375ml of the liquid before draining the pasta in a colander. Slice the chicken into medium sized cubes and place in a glass or a stainless steel mixing bowl. Season with salt and add the ginger and garlic paste, red chilli powder, ground cumin, coriander and turmeric. Add the lemon juice and fresh cream or yoghurt. Mix well to coat the cubes in the creamy marinade. Leave the marinated chicken in the refrigerator while preparing the sauce. Butter Chicken…

2 chicken breasts, halved lengthwise 2 envelopes Portuguese seasoning (about 14g) @robertsonsspice juice of ½ lemon 2 tbs olive oil 1 tbs butter 1 clove garlic, minced 150g aged chilli sauce 2 tbsp fresh cream Combine the Portuguese seasoning, lemon juice and olive oil in a bowl. Add the chicken and toss to coat. Let it marinate for 10 minutes. Heat a tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook for 5 to 7 minutes per side, until golden brown and cooked through. Remove from the pan and set aside. In the same pan, melt the butter and add the minced garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Pour in the leftover marinade, aged chilli sauce, and fresh cream. Stir until well combined.…

CAPTAIN Michelle Dhawrajh recalled one of her most emotionally challenging cases. “A 17-year-old was walking to school in Isipingo when she was stopped by a man who prophesied to her about her relationship with her mother. “The victim thought this to be precise. The accused then advised the victim to go home with him to conduct a ritual so that she would know who her real father was. “The victim was then raped during the night without a condom. The victim only left the accused’s house the following day. “She was unable to identify the crime scene to the police as all the houses looked similar in the informal settlements. “Due to hard work and dedication, the suspect was found using a mind game method of interrogation. He was…

IN A world inundated with modern medical marvels, the ancient wisdom of Ayurveda emerges as a beacon of holistic well-being. It offers a timeless approach to nurturing the health of children and parents alike. Rooted in the profound connection between mind, body and spirit, Ayurvedic medicine is a harmonious symphony of natural remedies, dietary guidelines and lifestyle practices. For children, it provides a gentle yet potent foundation for robust growth, bolstering their immune systems, enhancing cognitive functions and fostering emotional balance. Parents, too, find solace in Ayurveda’s tailored prescriptions, tailored to their unique constitutions and addressing the demands of modern life, while promoting longevity and vitality. As the world seeks equilibrium amid the chaos, Ayurveda stands as a captivating guide, inviting families to embrace a tapestry of wellness that transcends…

THE challenge of searching, selecting and enrolling a child at their first primary school can be daunting for many parents. The choice of a school represents so much more than the institution of learning. The school becomes where your child spends six-hour days for most of their formative years. The influence, socialisation and the kind of environment within the school setting can impact your child psychologically, their personality development and formation. In addition, we are also quick to blame schools and teachers for the negative experiences our children may encounter, not always considering that sometimes not everything is within their control, especially when it comes to minimising bullying, wrong and disrespect during school hours. These are detrimental concerns because, as parents, we are entrusting the schools to have our children’s…

AS A LEADER in the Catholic Church, who has seen his attitude to other churches evolve from one of extreme defensiveness because of the minority status of Catholics in South Africa, and the hostility which was sometimes experienced from non-Catholic communities but also from strict rules about not participating in the services of those churches, has been quite an experience. So much so, that I have been deeply committed to, and strongly engaged, not only in ecumenical relations with other Christian churches and denominations, but also in inter-religious relations with leaders from other religions as well. Change came first when the Catholic Church held the Second Vatican Council from 1962 to 1965, during which it committed itself to inter-church or ecumenical dialogue and cooperation. While this began at the level…

THE July 2021 riots and looting in KwaZulu-Natal left a trail of devastation that will be etched in the memory of many for years to come. The damages worth billions of rand caused by rioters were not the only losses suffered. The high number of innocent lives that were lost during this period of lawlessness and mayhem has altered the lives of many in ways unimaginable. The recent lead article in the POST, “July 2021 unrest accused acquitted”, December 6-10, exposed another level of trauma that haunts families to date. Those arrested for murder charges relating to the unrest suffered excessive abuse, not only from Correctional Services but also by the law itself. Many of the accused were acquitted of the charges months later, further evidence of a justice system…

WHO can forget South African photojournalist Kevin Carter’s famous Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph in 1993 of an emaciated Sudanese child and a vulture waiting in the background. That haunting image depicted a little boy who was reported to be attempting to reach a nearby UN feeding centre while crawling and with the vulture stalking the child, making the boldness of its message extremely powerful. And so it is that with the advent of cellphones, picture taking has increased rapidly and today we are bombarded with all sorts of images on social media. On the Palestinian front, for decades the plight of their people was hidden from the Western world by the mainstream media, primarily through propaganda. That would explain why most Westerners didn’t regard the Palestinians’ right to freedom as sacrosanct…

PATNA: In Bihar’s Muzaffarpur district, a woman who underwent surgery for family planning in 2015, has become pregnant three times since then. Married in 2003, she had four children when she underwent the surgery in 2015. In 2018 her husband complained to the civil surgeon about another pregnancy. By that time, she had delivered a baby boy. In 2020, she again became pregnant and gave birth to a baby girl. The civil surgeon compensated them about Rs 6 000 (R1360) for negligence. The victim once again became pregnant in 2023. While district officials remain tight lipped, the civil surgeon, however, has set up an inquiry into the matter.…

ONE in five players at this year’s Women’s World Cup were targeted by online abuse, according to a study released by Fifa and the Fifpro global players body. The findings emerged from an analysis of 5.1 million posts and comments relating to 697 players and coaches who took part in the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. Football’s world governing body Fifa said in a statement that 152 players received targeted “discriminatory, abusive or threatening messaging”. Nearly 50% of the verified online abuse was homophobic, sexual or sexist in nature. The analysis also found that players at the Women’s World Cup were 29% more likely to receive abuse compared to male players at last year’s World Cup in Qatar. The findings came from analysis of data produced by Fifa’s Social…

PROLIFIC Liverpool scorer Mohamed Salah may have lost the 2023 Caf Player of the Year Award to Nigerian Victor Osimhen, but the Egyptian continues to lead African players abroad. Salah and Paris Saint-Germain’s Morocco right-back, Achraf Hakimi had made the top three before the Caf event on Monday. These are the African headline-makers in the major European leagues: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) He scored his 200th goal for Liverpool to spark their 2-1 fightback against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park at the weekend. “The most important thing was that we won the game. It’s a great feeling. I’m happy for the record and that we won the game,” Salah said. Abdoulaye Doucoure (Everton) The Mali midfielder set Everton on course for a 2-0 win against Chelsea at Goodison Park. Doucoure, 30,…

THE North Coast has still seen some good inedible fishing with a couple of sandies and honeycombs testing knots and backs in the north. Blythedale and Zinkwazi have been the two most productive spots along the North Coast. These spots have seen edibles and inedibles in most conditions. On the edible side, chokka and prawn have been the best baits mentioned, while the bigger shad have preferred sardines. There have also been plenty of spadefish, which love a white bait, around. Fishing has been best around rocks and particularly in bays that form some protection from the seas. The inedibles have favoured mackerel and redeye as a bait. There have been some good sandies landed as well as some big flatfish. The sea has been a bit warm but the…