Table of contents for 2025-01-15 in Post

Choreographer and film-maker Farah Khan gifted Farhan Akhtar, whom she tagged as her “little brother”, a piece of their childhood. Khan shared a video on Instagram of Akhtar opening presents on his 51st birthday. The presents included vintage vinyls of old films such as Kranti. The video begins with Khan saying: “Farhan’s 51st birthday present.” After Akhtar opened the gifts, he laughed and then started singing the title track of Kranti, which was released in 1981 and stars Manoj Kumar. Akhtar did not stop singing to which Khan was heard saying: “These are all vintage. He’s going to sing the whole song.” Akhtar’s wife, Shibani Dandekar, and his sister Zoya are seen giggling. Kranti is a historical drama film. It starred Dilip Kumar in the title role along with Manoj…

KISHEN Das, who is best known for his performance in the musical romantic drama Mudhal Nee Mudivum Nee, plays an officer with the Cobra unit of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) in director Arvindh Srinivasan’s thriller Tharunam. Das said: “There are a lot of things I have done in this film, which I haven’t done before, like dancing and fighting. Understanding them and doing them convincingly were my biggest challenges.” The film also stars Smruthi Venkat and Raj Ayappa. Srinivasan said: “The genre of this film is not new. But the way I have attempted to narrate this story in this genre will be totally new.” Das said: “I play an officer with the Cobra unit of the CRPF. This was a character that was so unlike me. I…

TWO Hindi movies were released on Friday – Fateh and Game Changer – both with extreme violence, but with different themes. The title comes from director Shankar attempting to highlight election corruption in rural India, despite attempts to use technology to avoid this, but it’s not quite a game changer in that process. Though the plot is somewhat inconsistent at times, the fast-moving pace and appropriately relevant background music makes the film, which is currently on the local circuit in both the original Telugu version and dubbed into Hindi, entertaining. Be prepared though for extreme violence, akin to the unprecedented violence in the movie Animal. The violence is perpetrated by both the lead character, Ram Nandan (Ram Charan), who plays a dual role, and Mopidevi (SJ Suryah in an…

MUMBAI: Bollywood actress Janhvi Kapoor shared a clip on Instagram of her beautifully-decorated and well-lit Christmas tree, writing: “Refusing to take down my Christmas tree.” Meanwhile, Kapoor and her sister, Khushi, recreated the hook step of the song, Loveyapa Hogaya, from the film, Loveyapa. Khushi shared a video on Instagram in which the sisters are seen doing the hook step. Their father, Boney Kapoor, made a hilarious special appearance in the background. The track was unveiled on January 3. In Loveyapa, Junaid Khan, son of Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan, will be seen romancing Khushi. Loveyapa is about a couple whose relationship takes a massive turn after they exchange their mobile phones and learn some bitter truths about each other. Janhvi will next be seen in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi…

4 cups cake flour 2½ tsp salt 2 tsp sugar 3 tbs milk powder 1 pact instant dry yeast 2 cups lukewarm water 2 tbs full cream plain yogurt 4 tbs oil Sift the dry ingredients. Mix the liquids well and then add it to the dry ingredients. Knead for a few minutes and then place the mixture in an oiled dish. Cover and let it rise in a warm place for about 1½ to 2 hours. Divide the dough in 4 equal parts. Roll each into a rectangle. Then roll it up like a Swiss roll on the wide side, flatten the underside and tuck it in, and smoothen it. Cover and let it rise for 30 minutes. Place an oven-proof dish with boiling water on the lower shelf…

Soft burger buns: 4 cups cake flour 1 tsp baking powder 4 tbs Cremora or any milk powder 1 packet instant dry yeast (10g) 2½ tbs sugar 1 tsp salt ¼ cup oil 2 tbs plain yoghurt (full cream) ¾ cup of lukewarm water ½ cup of lukewarm milk Mix the sugar and yeast, then add the water and mix well. Let this froth for 10 minutes. Sift the flour, milk powder and salt. Mix the oil, yoghurt and milk to the yeast mixture, then add it to the flour and mix well to make a soft dough. Knead for about 10 minutes. Place in an oiled dish, cover then let it rise until doubled in a warm place for about an hour. Break off about 12 pieces and…

WHILE members of the legal fraternity believe the use of technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) may have the potential to revolutionise the profession, it should be done with caution and accuracy. The POST spoke to attorneys who shared their views. l Ashwin Trikamjee said there was nothing wrong with a legal practitioner utilising any form of research in preparation of an argument which was to be presented before a court. However, a “non-compromising requirement” was that an officer of the court ensured it was accurate, he said. “While the method of research, be it AI or Google, is the legal practitioner’s choice, it is absolutely imperative and non-negotiable that before presenting an argument where reference is being made to a particular case law, they ensure that it exists. “It…

KZN Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli addressed the province during the release of the matric results at the ICC in Durban on Tuesday. WE ARE pleased that the overall performance of the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Matric Class of 2024 is 89.5%. This represents an improvement of 3.1% on last year’s performance of 86.4%. With this performance, KZN ranks second behind the Free State. This is proof that the essential foundation of basic education in this province is being laid brick by brick, district by district, school by school, and learner by learner. We are firmly on track towards our 90% target, and I have no doubt this performance will be surpassed in 2025. In KZN, 1 761 schools wrote the National School Certificate (NSC) exams. Of the 161 962 candidates who sat for…

DIYA Ambaram has always come first in her grade and she has done it once again. She attained 8 distinctions in the Independent Examinations Board (IEB) examinations with an overall aggregate of 95.38%. The 18-year-old, of uMhlanga, had As in English home language, Afrikaans first additional language, accounting, life orientation, life sciences, mathematics, physical sciences and further studies physics. She also placed in the top 1% in a subject nationally in the IEB examinations for 7 of these subjects - besides further studies physics. "Initially, I was concerned that I would not get 8As. In May and October last year, we had two sessions to write exams for further studies physics, which is my optional eighth subject. I missed out on a distinction by about 5% in May. When I…

MANY parents are battling the back-to-school crunch, trying to meet the rising costs of school fees, transport, stationery and uniforms. Principals are also bracing themselves for a tough financial year ahead and said they had no choice but to increase fees to meet the schools’ monthly bills. Dr Jeeva Naidoo, principal of Dawnridge Secondary School, in Chatsworth, said the fees last year for Grade R pupils was R1 500 and R1 200 for grades 1 to 7. This year, parents would have to fork out R2 000 for Grade R and R1 500 for grades 1 to 7. “There are 1 000 children at our school and last year only 60% of the fees was paid. The major costs, which rely solely on the payment of school fees, are the…

IN SOUTH Africa’s starkly diverse socio-economic context, wealth and opulence exist alongside abject poverty and deprivation. At the end of 12 years of schooling, high school graduates begin a new chapter in their young lives, with very different chances and opportunities for a successful transition to adulthood and the world of work. For some, the future holds much promise as the circumstances they were raised in usually set them up for success. It is no secret that children from middle-class families benefit from generational wealth and can access higher education institutions of their choice. Even if they stumble, their family and other support networks are well-positioned to cushion them. The majority of South African children, however, hail from destitute homes and poor schooling contexts. For these children, successfully completing high…

I WAS at my grandchild’s birthday party when I met one of the guests outside the hall. “Hello, uncle,” she said. “Do you remember me?” I did not. She said she was Samantha and then I remembered. She was the girl who had her eyes set on my son. She once told me she was the type who never gives up. Unfortunately, she couldn’t hook the big one securely and he got away. I suppose this left her heart broken and she never married. But there she was at my granddaughter's birthday party. I even saw her carrying Mila. That was rather big-hearted of her, especially being a woman who had lost out on her man. She’s not what Shakespeare said of a woman, “hell hath no fury like a…

A DISTORTED and unclear history continues to surface every little while to plunge many of us into unnecessary, present and clear frenzy. Zionists continue using the myth of a “promised” land and continue murdering tens of thousands of absolutely innocent people. No documented evidence except legends like the Dead Sea Scrolls and stuff like that are presented as fruitless proof of land between rivers, ponds, streams and even some storm water drains belonging to certain religious sects. The narrative swings to another land, India, which is again under the crosshairs, this time of the European Union. Current conventions there are pointing to the “dis-leadership” of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is once again under the spotlight of delegates from different countries. They accuse him of gross violations of human…

EVEN Plato nods off now and then as was the case recently decided in the Pietermaritzburg High Court wherein, last week, her Judge Elsje-Marie Bezuidenhout made scathing comments, vis-a-vis a senior legal practitioner regarding reliance on inaccurate legal citations and submissions made during an application for leave to appeal the decision setting aside an earlier ruling interdicting South African politician and business tycoon, Philani Godfrey Mavundla’s removal from office. These remarks or comments constituted what lawyers refer to as ratio decidendi or reasons for a decision and which very much were embedded in her judgment refusing leave to appeal. A copy of the judgment was referred to the KZN Legal Practice Council (KZNLPC) for attention. For easy reference see Mavundla v MEC: Department of Co-Operative Government and Traditional Affairs,…

IN 2016, I wrote an article titled “The Grass is Not Always Greener” based on my experiences emigrating to New Zealand in 2000 and eventually returning to South Africa in 2012. I cautioned against rushing into emigration without proper planning or secured job prospects, highlighting difficulties such as unemployment, cultural discrimination and high living costs. For many South Africans, the idea of emigrating to Australia represents an opportunity for a better life – a chance to access world-class infrastructure, improved safety and greater economic opportunities. With 14 years of personal experience living in New Zealand, South Africa and now Australia, I wanted to share current insights into the realities of emigrating and the challenges that await potential migrants today. Much of my advice from 2016 still remains relevant today, especially…

From starting out as a pace bowler, Proteas’ capped Seshnie Naidu wants to stamp her mark on the women’s U19 T20 World Cup with her leg-break spin. The 19-year-old goes into the Malaysian-hosted world cup, which starts on Saturday, January 18, with senior team experience in her quiver. Naidu played in the T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates last year and a T20 tour of Pakistan. Born in Durban, Naidu’s cricketing direction took a turn when she met U19 head coach Dinesha Devnarain, who has served as her mentor in many ways. “I started playing cricket in primary school and that’s where I learnt what hard ball cricket was and how it was played. I started playing cricket at the age of seven and my parents had always…

The dorado have been stealing the spotlight for boat anglers lately! With recent rains bringing in plenty of floating structure, these fish have been easier to target and more exciting than ever. The North Coast has been absolutely buzzing with gamefish action! Couta, dorado, tuna, and sailfish are at the top of the list, and the catches have been nothing short of impressive. Live bait remains the ultimate secret weapon, as these species just can’t resist a lively, well-presented baitfish. Whether you’re trolling behind a boat or ski, the Pelagic live bait clips are perfect for keeping your bait swimming strong. When live bait’s hard to find, don’t worry – lures still produce great results! Vidal has been a hotspot, with social media lighting up with incredible catches from there.…

Aurets is a healer, psychic medium, intuitive mentor, masseuse and regression therapist. She also teaches meditation and breath work. She is passionate about holistic care and offers a small range of holistic products. Aurets practises in the Upper Highway, KZN. Find her on https://www.facebook.com/healing 1920. Contact her at 079 356 4657 or theeternalbreath@gmail.com ARIES (March 21 – April 19) Your troubles are nearing the end. Take time out in nature to restore and rest. Release all concerns of what-if scenarios, embracing and trusting that all is working out for your highest good. The rainbow is your confirmation of fulfilment, peace and new life rhythms. Magic number: 6. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) Obstacles have been cleared on your path to move forward to ensure success and positive outcomes.…

MANISHA Koirala took to Instagram where she shared a video of herself posing and cuddling Mowgli, a golden cocker spaniel. She also revealed that her furry friend had taught her the meaning of gratitude. She wrote in the caption: “Mowgli Koirala, ‘fur-ever’ grateful for this little bundle of joy who brings me endless laughter, snuggles and unconditional love. “My puppy has taught me the true meaning of gratitude.” Meanwhile, Koirala is in Nepal and did not skip the gym despite an earthquake of 7.1 magnitude which struck the country last week. She shared a video on Instagram of her walking on the treadmill. The earthquake also sent tremors across parts of North India, including Bihar, West Bengal, Sikkim and Delhi-NCR. Nepal is a seismically active region where the…

THE POST is offering five couples the opportunity to be part of the historic celebration of the centenary of legendary Indian singer Mohammed Rafi at Suncoast CineCentre on February 5 at 6.30pm. Eight leading singers, co-ordinated by the renowned Tansen Nepaul, will perform in tribute to Rafi at the launch of the book Sau Saal Pehle – A South African Tribute to the Legendary Mohammed Rafi on his Centenary by author Fakir Hassen. Memories of the legendary singer from over 70 South Africans abound in the book as it also recalls the difficult road to getting the Indian government to approve his one and only tour of South Africa in 1978 at a time when India banned all contact with the country due to apartheid. The five winners will also…

about 20 wings Separate the winglets and tips. Wash and drain well. Add: 1 tsp ginger garlic masala 1 tsp green chillies 2 tsp garlic ½ tsp Cajun spice ½ tsp lemon pepper a dash of garlic and herb 1 tsp Portuguese peri-peri spice 1 tsp chicken spice 1 tsp chicken rub 1 tbs soya sauce 2 tbs oil juice of ½ lemon Mix the above and marinade for a few hours. Add 1 cup of flour to a bowl. Toss each portion generously in the flour, then deep fry in hot oil for a few minutes until done. Dip in a dunkin’ sauce.…

250g butter 1 tbs golden syrup 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 cup cake wheat flour 1½ cup oats 1½ cup dessicated coconut 1 cup granulated sugar Preheat the oven to 160ºC. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Add all the dry ingredients, cake wheat flour, oats and coconut to a large bowl and mix Melt the butter and the golden syrup on the stovetop. Once the butter starts bubbling, add the bicarbonate of soda. It will start to froth. Remove from the stovetop and mix it together with the dry ingredients. The mixture will seem a little crumbly but once pressed into the pan it will stick together. Use a spatula to press it into the pan and use your fingers to press down the edges. Use two…

DURING the ongoing murder trial of Sunil Brijmohan, a key witness has implicated the former councillor’s son and business partner in a conspiracy to kill him because he was “cheating on his wife”. Al-Barakh Jaleel Van Rooyen, 21, was the first key witness giving his testimony in the State’s case against Sewnath, 46, and his co-accused, Vernon Chetty, 26, Farah Moosa, 25, and Sibusiso Ngcobo, 26. The trial began in December and resumed on Monday. Van Rooyen and his co-accused, Santure Kirwin Mkhize, were both found guilty of Brijmohan’s murder and are serving 18-year sentences. They both are witnesses for the State in the trial. Brijmohan, 46, was a construction businessman and was shot and killed outside a building site in Cato Crest in Amanzimtoti, on October 21, 2022. Van…

A PIETERMARTIZBURG law firm has come under fire after apparently using “non-existent” case studies generated from an artificial intelligence (AI) application in court proceedings. This was heard during the handing down of judgment in a leave to appeal application in the Pietermaritzburg High Court last week. The law firm, Surendra Singh and Associates, was representing South African politician and business tycoon Philani Godfrey Mavundla, who took the KZN MEC of Cooperative Government and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) and Independent Electoral Commission, as well as two others, to court. This comes after he had been elected mayor of the Umvoti Local Municipality and thereafter suspended last year. Mavundla, thereafter, obtained an interim interdict against the municipality. However, when the matter went to court, the interdict was discharged and suspension remained. He approached…

Atiyyah Limalia, from Orient Islamic, made her school proud by being invited to the ICC in Durban by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education for her excellent matric results. The 18-year-old, from North Beach, achieved a 94% aggregate and 8 distinctions. She said despite her challenges during her matric year, she was glad she made it through and with good results to show for her hard work. “The workload was intense but I managed my time effectively, prioritising tasks and setting achievable goals. I adopted a consistent study routine, reviewing notes and practising past papers daily to gauge my understanding.” Atiyyah said her biggest challenge was managing the exam pressure. “The weight of expectations from myself, my family and my teachers created immense stress. However, I learnt to cope by breaking…

AQUIL Heeralall is among the top candidates for independent schools in KwaZulu-Natal - having placed third in the Pinetown district with a 94.2% aggregate. At the provincial release of the 2024 NSC results at the ICC on Tuesday, the matriculant from Star College said: “I am still trying to catch my breath after being invited to the ICC. While sitting here, I still can’t believe I have done so well. “I am so excited for my achievement. It felt surreal to hear them call my name and walk on the stage. It’s a moment I will remember for a long time.” The 18-year-old, of Ballito, said the stress of his matric year had paid off “because I can now relax with these excellent results.” Aquil said the secret to his…

UNEMPLOYED parents and those who fall in the average-to-low income brackets are struggling to secure a place at schools for their children this year, as they are unable to pay the mandatory registration and school fees. Lezelle Ayer, 47, of Merebank, said she did not get a place at a high school in Merebank for her 12-year-old son because she could not afford the school fees for this year. She said her son became depressed after she broke the news to him. “My son will be in Grade 8 this year, and I filled in the forms to register him at a high school which is not far from where we live. “In November last year, after I gave the forms to the school, I was told that I had…

"FORENSIC backlog prolongs family’s grief: funerals delayed", the POST, January 8-12, refers. Those who perished in the fire that gutted a Silverglen home, sadly have still not been laid to rest. The tragic house fire in Chatsworth claimed the lives of Maya Veerappen, his wife Kogie, and their son Niren. This devastating loss has profoundly affected our community. Maya was always willing to lend a helping hand, and his generosity will be deeply missed. Our hearts go out to Dhasheyan and Prithie Veerappen during this unimaginable tragedy. It is heart-warming to see how our community has come together to offer support and condolences to the grieving family. Our thoughts and prayers are with them during this difficult time. As a community, it is essential that we unite and do everything…

THE rise of padel tennis locally has had Muslim religious leaders express concerns about its impact on Islamic values and family obligations. In a recent statement, the Jamiatul Ulama (KZN) said they felt padel tennis was not good for the Muslim community. The Council of Muslim Theologians said the mixing of genders went against their religion which stated that men and women should remain separate. It also raised concerns about time management, family obligations and the environment of the padel tennis venues, including the music. Abdullah Khan, from the Jamiatul Ulama, said certain aspects of padel tennis raised potential concerns with Islamic principles. “In our Deen (belief of a Muslim), boundaries around interaction between men and women aim to prevent situations that could lead to indecency,” said Khan. He said…

CAN we possibly achieve a mission impossible? Will this be a magmatic success or a magmatic failure? So, I am proposing, and I reiterate that this is just a proposal. We forget our teeny tiny mobile devices and the other flat screen that is proudly perched on our walls in our homes. Let’s be honest. These devices, the big and small ones, often do become a topic of discussion around like-minded individuals enthralled in the digital explosion. Which brings me to my question: would we be able to cope without Facebook, Insta, WhatsApp, shopping apps, YouTube, TikTok and gmail just for a short while? Like maybe a day or two? It is a big stretch. So, can we make a conscientious decision to notify the schools, your boss and family?…

125g butter, room temperature 100g castor sugar 1 egg 150g self-raising flour 100g chocolates melts 100g coarsely crushed corn flakes salt Line a baking tray with parchment or baking paper. Beat the butter and sugar until pale and creamy. Beat in the egg. Fold in the flour and salt. Add the chocolate until well combined. Place the cornflakes in a bowl. Spoon a slightly heaped tablespoon of the dough mixture into a ball and roll into the crushed cornflakes. Place slightly apart on the baking tray. Allow to spread. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until golden and remove. Cool and cut into squares. Notes: Regular unsweetened cornflakes work best to give the cookies its classic crunch. You can experiment with other varieties, Sweetened or flavoured cornflakes may alter the…

Kebabs: 1kg chicken fillets, minced, washed and drained well for a few hours 1/3 each of green/yellow/red peppers grated (water squeezed out) 1 small tomato, grated 2 onions, grated (squeeze some of the water out) ½ bunch green dhania, chopped salt to taste 2 tbs crushed green chillies 1 tbs crushed garlic 1 heaped tsp red ginger masala 1 tsp ground dhania 1 tsp ground jeero 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp rombo rossi 1 tsp BBQ spice 1 tsp Portuguese peri-peri spice ½ tsp rustic garlic and herb spice 1 tsp peri-peri spice 3 slices of bread, toasted slightly if they are too fresh (soak in water and squeeze) 1 egg 1 cup bread crumbs Mix the above well and leave it for a few hours or overnight in…

Dough: 2½ cups flour 1 tbs milk powder ½ tsp baking powder 1 packet (7g) instant dry yeast 1 level tsp salt 1½ tsp sugar 2½ tbs oil ¾ cup lukewarm water 1 tbs plain yoghurt (optional) Mix the water, sugar and dry yeast in a jug. Let it froth for about 10 minutes. Sift the dry ingredients. Add the oil and yoghurt to the yeast mixture, and then add it to the flour mixture to form a soft dough. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, and then place it in an oiled dish. Rub some oil over the dough and cover it with plastic. Let it rise in a warm place until doubled. Knock down the dough and divide it into 9 to 10 pieces. Shape them into…

3 ripe bananas ½ cup vegetable or canola oil ¼ cup buttermilk ½ cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1 tsp vanilla essence ½ tsp ground cinnamon 1/3 cup chocolate chips 1½ cup cake wheat flour sifted ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda ½ cup toasted and chopped walnuts Topping: ½ cup toasted walnuts 1 tbs sugar 1 tbs melted butter Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Line a muffin tray with cupcake liners. Smash the bananas with the back of a fork. Sift the flour and baking powder, and set aside. Mix half the walnuts with one tablespoon sugar and one tablespoon butter, and set aside. In a large bowl, mix together the oil, buttermilk, eggs, sugar and vanilla essence. Mix in the smashed bananas. Add the…

IN A STATEMENT issued by Rajesh Ramharak, a paralegal employed by Surendra Singh and Associates, he said about 80% of the judgment did not focus on the merits of the case. He said it was based rather on “unfounded allegations about the firm, particularly relating to the alleged use of artificial intelligence (AI) and ChatGPT”. Ramharak said the judgment suggested that the attorneys misled the court and made false representations. “Any person reading the judgment would note this. The honourable judge went out of her way painting the firm and the attorneys in a bad light. “For instance, the judge states in her judgment that we did not wish to print the said cases and bring them to court. “As per the judge’s directions, the candidate attorney of our firm…

THE lack of permanent employment opportunities in the public healthcare sector for qualified South African doctors remains an ongoing issue. The South African Medical Association Trade Union (Samatu) said it had documented a “staggering” 450 doctors who had recently completed their community service and were now unemployed. Dr Cedric Sihlangu, Samatu’s general-secretary, said the numbers were still increasing. He said over the years, the union had engaged with the National Department of Health (NDoH) to highlight the dire consequences that its lack of strategy in retaining doctors post community service had on the public health system. “Each year, successive ministers of health have acknowledged the gravity of this situation and the need to develop concrete strategies that would curb this issue from persisting. However, after so many years we have…

HER matric year may have been demanding, but Jia Patel, from Durban Girls’ College, has a lot to smile about. She achieved a 96% aggregate, placing her in the top 1% for seven subjects in the Independent Exam Board (IEB). She attained 8 distinctions with 99% in maths and history. The 18-year-old, of Musgrave, said her matric year was exciting, yet demanding. “Matric was particularly stressful as it was challenging to complete assignments, while studying for tests and preparing for exams. However, I was able to manage the workload through planning. Using a timetable helped me to allocate and visualise my time,” said Jia. She studied accounting, Afrikaans, English, history, further studies maths, physical sciences, life orientation and maths. “Although I found most of my papers tough, the further studies…

WHILE having lunch with her friends on Tuesday, Taleese Chetty received more good news. She has been accepted to study actuarial science at UCT. Hours earlier, she placed first at Crawford International North Coast, having attained 8 Independent Examinations Board (IEB) distinctions. She was also placed in the top 5% in 6 or more subjects. Taleese obtained distinctions in English home language, Afrikaans first additional language, accounting, information technology, life orientation, maths, physical sciences and further studies maths. She placed in the top 1% in a subject nationally in the IEB examinations for Afrikaans FAL and physical sciences, and her overall IEB average was 93.23%. “I worked hard and am proud of my results,” said Taleese, 18, of Ballito. Some of the challenges she faced were the number of assignments…

EDUCATION experts warned this week that the Department of Basic Education (DBE) needed to tighten its cybersecurity to ensure that the National Senior Certificate (NSC) results were free, fair and credible. This comes after Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube announced an investigation by the Hawks and State Security into a potential breach of the 2024 NSC results, following reports of a website selling verified results to pupils. Gwarube was answering questions from the media before her breakfast with the 2024 NSC top achievers, in Randburg on Monday. Her response comes after it emerged on social media that a website was selling verified matric results to pupils for as little as R100. Gwarube said while there was a limit to what could be said due to the nature of the investigation, she…

THERE will be much jubilation – and some tears of disappointment – now that the National Senior Certificate results have been released. The matric class of 2024 excelled – achieving a pass rate of 87.3% which is the highest in the country’s history, beating even the 2023 improvement of 82.9%, up from 80.1% in 2022, and 76.4% in 2021. Matric marks an important milestone and is regarded as one of the toughest exams one will ever take in one’s lifetime. No university course requires candidates to sit for so many subjects in one final go. Minister of Basic Education Siviwe Gwarube was full of praise as all provinces improved their matric pass rate. Nearly half of the pupils – 47.8% – received a Bachelor’s pass, a 6.9% increase from last…

IT IS A new year, but the smear tactics employed by the Israeli hasbara machine remain. The attacks on the Gift of the Givers’ founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, continue. This time, a recycled article published in the Times of Israel tries its best to convince the reader that Dr Sooliman, via the Gift of the Givers, has been funding the Palestinian resistance movement, Hamas. It accuses him of being a jihadist and radical Muslim. Dr Sooliman’s meetings and links to other pro-Palestine charities and organisations is enough apparently to brand the organisation as being a “Front for Terror”. Although the article conceded that the Gift of the Givers, one of South Africa’s largest charitable organisations, had undoubtedly been a major source of humanitarian assistance internationally by providing billions of rand…

THE South African public health system, relied upon by over 70% of the population, is in dire straits. The staggering statistic of 450 unemployed qualified doctors, as reported, is just the tip of the iceberg of systemic failure. With doctor-to-patient ratios among the worst globally, coupled with billions lost to negligence lawsuits, it is evident that the health ministry's policies are exacerbating an already critical situation. The statistics paint a grim picture. In 2021, one in seven hospital doctor positions and one in five clinic doctor positions were unfilled. This means there are roughly three doctors for every 10 000 people in South Africa, a ratio starkly lower than the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of one doctor per 1 000 people. Comparatively, countries like Brazil, India, and even Cuba…

FOUR relatives returning to their Estcourt home on Friday after attending their nephew’s funeral in Ladysmith, were killed in a car crash in Colenso. Anilduth Ommapersad and his wife, Rekadevi, both 60; Neershnee Naidoo, 46; and Ashokkumar Sidiyal, 49; died after their vehicle crashed into a Kombi and flipped several times. Anilduth and Neershnee were siblings, and Ashokkumar was their cousin. According to a relative, Nareena Naidoo, the victims were born and raised in Estcourt, and lived there with their families. She said the weather was bad as they travelled back to Estcourt at around 2.15pm that day. Anilduth was driving. “They told us when they were on their way home from Ladysmith. They said the weather was bad and that the roads were wet. A minibus ahead of…

A TRUE public broadcaster ought to cater for the needs of all its citizens in a country. Whether the government of the day realised this ideal or was it a direct response to a station broadcasting from across the border in Swaziland (now Eswatini), namely Radio Truro, it mattered not to South Africans of Indian descent. They were more than satisfied to have a radio station to listen to that provided clarity of signal. As it turned out, Radio Lotus came into being on January 8, 1983, under the stewardship of Isabel van der Linde. She handed over the baton to Fakir Hassen. The personalities on Radio Lotus became household names. They included BK Chinnah, Farida Ismail, Docky Docrat, JJ Mathura, Amitha Anand, Arthi Maharaj, Shobha Mohangi, Safee Siddiqi, RB…

Arteta said Tuesday that Arsenal are “actively looking” to improve their squad, revealing the club is “very worried” about an injury to Gabriel Jesus, who has reportedly ruptured an anterior cruciate ligament. Brazilian forward Jesus was stretchered off in the first half of Sunday’s FA Cup third-round match against Manchester United, which ended in a defeat for the Gunners on penalties. The injury, combined with the extended absence of England forward Bukayo Saka, has added to growing concerns over Arsenal's lack of goalscoring threat. Manager Arteta said Jesus’ injury was “not looking good at all” but the club would likely have a fuller picture after receiving more specialist advice later on Tuesday. “I don’t want to confirm anything again until we have the final report this afternoon and I think…