Table of contents for Wednesday, March 24, 2021 in Post

Billions needed to fix water system Total infrastructure collapse likely: DA JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za A FEW weeks ago, it was Chatsworth. Now residents in some parts of Verulam have been without water for 14 days. If the DA is to be believed, it is an eventuality for everyone living in KwaZulu-Natal. According to the DA, the infrastructure in the province is collapsing and KZN needs about R4 billion just to address the water backlogs. The province needs a further R100 billion to modernise the water system. The figure emerged after Chris Pappas, a DA MP, formally requested a figure on what it would cost to fix the problem from Sipho Hlomuka, the KZN MEC for Co-operative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta). In his response, Hlomuka recognised the “dire state of…

DANGEROUS CAREER PATH ‘I fear for my life’ SAPS members tell why they joined the force and what the government can do to improve their working conditions. A constable, 30, of Pietermaritzburg, said he joined the SAPS in 2009. “I believe everyone has a calling, and for me it was to serve and protect my country. After I matriculated, I joined the police force and have since attained my Bachelor’s degree in policing. This is not just a job, but a career. I am passionate about what I do.” The married father-of-one said criminals had become more brazen over the years. “They are using high-calibre weapons and have no mercy. They have the stance: shoot to kill. I lost my friend and colleague at the hands of suspects and he…

CAMPAIGN IN RESPONSE TO ZUMA DEFIANCE Hindu party fighting for democracy JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za THE South African Hindu Maha Sabha has joined the call to defend the country’s democracy and protect the Constitution. This is in light of former president Jacob Zuma’s refusal to appear before the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture. The campaign, called Defend Our Democracy, is aimed at voicing concerns about the government’s alleged inability to protect its citizens. It has the backing of veteran anti-apartheid activists such as Reverend Frank Chikane, Sheila Sisulu, Sipho Pityana, Cheryl Carolus, Murphy Morobe, Saths Cooper and Mojanku Gumbi. More than 300 religious organisations, civil society groups and NGOs – such as the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation and the Active Citizens Movement – have also joined the campaign.…

AVINESH SINGH MAKES A DIFFERENCE Publisher honoured for giving dignity to the homeless JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za THE Denis Hurley Centre’s Barry Wood Award for Outstanding Service by a Volunteer was exactly what Avinesh Singh needed to lift his spirits during the lockdown. Singh, 45, the owner of Micromega Publications, was recently given the accolade at the Durban Book Fair in Ballito. This was for his work with the homeless and encouraging a culture of reading. “Like everybody, I was feeling a bit despondent about our current situation. The fact that the award came from the Denis Hurley Centre, an organisation that does so much good work and has a rich history, made the accolade special. I am grateful to Illa Thompson, the Street Lit facilitator, for nominating me,” he said.…

FORMER FIGHTER PILOT DIES IN CRASH Tribute paid to legend of the skies NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za COLONEL Ramalingam Ramanathan Iyer, a former Indian Air Force (IAF) MiG fighter pilot who later joined the South African air force (SAAF), will be remembered by his family for his kindness and love of the skies. Iyer, 69, and Major-General Desmond Barker, 71, both of Pretoria, who retired from the SAAF but were members of the reserve force and flew for the SAAF Museum’s historical flights, died last Wednesday. The aircraft they were in, a single-engine Patchen Explorer, crashed. According to a statement by the SANDF, the incident occurred during a scheduled general flying day at the SAAF Museum in Valhalla, Pretoria. The SANDF said an investigation into the crash was under way to…

EXPERT ADVICE ON HOW TO COPE Alternative energy solutions amid tariff hikes, load shedding JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za LOAD SHEDDING and tariff hikes have led to some South Africans considering alternate solutions to energy. The National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) recently announced that Eskom would be allowed to increase electricity tariffs by 15.63% in the 2021/22 financial year. And Eskom recently said the current shortages of electricity generation infrastructure amounted to a deficit of 4 000 megawatts (MW). It said this was a gap that might widen should the demand for electricity increase. Eskom estimated that without additional capacity there would be an electricity supply shortfall of between 4 000MW and 6 000MW over the next five years, as old coal-fired power stations reached their end of life. According to…

IOL.CO.ZA YOU MAY LIKE NEW DELHI: A huge religious gathering in northern India could fuel a surge in Covid-19 cases, the government warned this week as it called for an increase in testing and other health protocols. The annual Kumbh Mela festival usually attracts millions of devout Hindus over three months, but was shortened to 30 days as India – the world’s third-most infected nation with nearly 11.6 million coronavirus cases – grapples with the pandemic. Authorities had already warned about a recent rise in infections, with some states imposing restrictions on movement and activities. Virus fears have not stopped pilgrims – mostly maskless and with no social distancing – from attending the gathering, with more than three million pilgrims taking part one day earlier this month. AFP…

LITTLE REMAINS OF RELIGIOUS BUILDINGS OPINION City of lost mosques reveals traces of China’s Islamic past ALESSANDRA CAPPELLETTI Pinterest THE labyrinth of alleys and lanes in the old city of Suzhou hides a secret: historical fragments of the long history of Islam in China. Regular stories in the international press highlighting the treatment of Muslims in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region tend to obscure the fact that Islam was once highly regarded by Chinese emperors. From written records and imperial edicts engraved on steles (standing stone slabs monuments), it is clear that the Islamic communities enjoyed the favour of the emperors, especially during the Tang (618-907 AD), Yuan (1271-1368), Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1912) dynasties. Islam was looked on favourably by the imperial court because of its ethics, which – as…

SHAKA IS THE MOST FAMOUS OF THE KINGS AND IS REGARDED AS THE PERSON WHO FOUNDED THE ZULU EMPIRE Zulu nation has centuries-long history MPHUMELELI NGIDI MARCH 12 marked one of the rarest incidents to have been witnessed during many of the current generation’s lifetime. The day saw the end of a 49 year and 100 days reign of the eighth Zulu king, His Majesty King Goodwill Zwelithini KaBhekuzulu. He was installed three years after the death of his father, King Bhekuzulu kaPhumuzuzulu kaSolomon, who “fell” on September 17, 1968. The falling of the Zulu king caught headlines across the world. As a measure of using esteemed language in Zulu, terms such as “death” and “bury” are avoided. Instead it is pronounced that kuwe umuthi omkhulu (a big tree has…

Individuals, communities dehumanised THE article, “‘Racism’ within metro police” (the POST, March 17-21), warrants a response. Despite 26 years of democracy, exclusion and racial profiling remain the reality for too many South Africans. Sadly, race is the fulcrum upon which hurtful visions of our so-called rainbow nation pivot. Our society needs to fumigate our divided land of racism. It works by dehumanising individuals and communities. This is done not only by denying their inherent equality and dignity, but on the basis of a constructed category of race, designed for the purpose of separating humans into a hierarchy meant to permanently suppress the other. Any form of racism is a violation of human rights. Silent racism can be as dangerous as acts of blatant racism. FAROUK ARAIE Gauteng…

A new breed of criminals THE article, “Front-line worker killed in home invasion” (the POST, March 10-14), refers. This killing has shown that a new breed of criminals are plying their trade. It is a sad indictment of the society we live in, when a hard-working and dedicated professional nurse, who gave 100% to help the sick, is killed. This is an untenable situation, bordering on anarchy and it demands a strong response. It seems that some parts of KwaZulu-Natal have been taken over by criminals. If the justice system is going to use kid gloves to rein in these criminals, by giving them bail, then the casualty rate will be higher. The minister of police has vowed to crack down on criminals, but sadly, no laws were changed to…

Catch the thugs responsible for xenophobic attacks Letter to President Cyril Ramaphosa and Bheki Cele, Minister of Police Perhaps the biggest lie spoken by the ANC was the promise of a better life for all. We are living a nightmare in a country that once promised so much. Having turned on my social media recently, I was appalled and livid at images that were being circulated about violent action in the Durban CBD. Acts of gratuitous violence against street vendors, in what was allegedly xenophobic attacks, suggest that the leadership of this country has failed in ensuring that law and order are upheld against those who have disregard for the life and property of others. It was a shameful display by thugs who must be condemned. Foreign nationals have migrated…

SEEGOBIN’S RECIPES White Chocolate And Orange Hot Cross Buns 500g cake flour 100g brown sugar 10g fine salt 20g instant dry yeast zest and juice of 2 oranges 10g ground cinnamon 10g ground nutmeg 5g ground clove or star anise 100g soft butter 100g mixed nuts and candied fruit peel 200ml warm milk 200g melted white chocolate Preheat the oven to 200°C. In a large bowl, add all the dry ingredients and rub in the butter until “bread crumbs” form. In a jug, add the milk and orange juice and stir until slightly curdled. Now gradually add the warm milk to the crumb mixture until a sloppy dough is formed (if the dough is dry, add a tablespoon or more of water). Tip the dough on to a clean work…

EVENING FISHING A HIT THE rock and surf summer season is finally starting to show some merit. The sea temperatures have dropped a bit so the fish are starting to feed more consistently. The north coast points and deeper beaches have seen some good fish landed and a handful of giants lost. The drone anglers are getting a lot of fish at most spots along the north coast. Please respect the other anglers in terms of space. The deep water points along the north coast have all been productive on the pushing tide. A fresh mackerel bait on a good throw off one of these points will put you in with the best chance of opening your summer account with a nice sandy or honeycomb. Recent competitions have yielded impressive…

FAMILIES ARE STILL IN PAIN Slain officers remembered 25 years on NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za TWENTY-FIVE years have passed but the families of the three Pietermaritzburg policemen who were killed while pursuing escaped criminals say the pain will never subside. March 17 marked the anniversary of the deaths of Captain Lurantheran Krishnaswami Pillay and Sergeant Dasaraj Naidoo, both 33, and Captain Nilenthran Naidoo, 31, all of Mountain Rise SAPS. They were ambushed and shot several times while travelling in a police minibus in Magoda, Richmond. They were searching for suspects who had escaped from the Mountain Rise police cells the night before. Pillay and Dasaraj Naidoo died at the scene. Nilenthran Naidoo died in hospital a few hours later. Two other officers, who were also present during the search, escaped without…

DA PROVINCIAL CONGRESS Candidates promise delivery CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za THE DA will host its provincial congress, held every three years, at the Durban ICC on Saturday. The leadership positions will be contested by Nicole Graham, Emmanuel Mhlongo and Francois Rodgers. Samier Singh, the proportional representative (PR) councillor for ward 52, will contest for the position of deputy leader in the province, alongside councillors Christopher John Pappas and Hlengiwe Precious Shozi. The provincial chairperson candidates are Dean Macpherson and Bongumusa Nhlabathi. Shehana Kajee, the chairperson of the DA Women's Network; Marlaine Nair, the PR ward councillor for the West Durban Constituency; and Sagar Singh, the PR councillor for Reservoir Hills, are contesting for provincial deputy chairperson. The other candidates are Joseph Ngema, Sithembiso Ngema, Elma Rabe and Jacobus Theron. Singh, 40,…

CHARM GOVENDER, 59, HAS HEART ATTACK ON HOLIDAY Anti-apartheid stalwart dies JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za PATHASARVASVARAN Samotharan “Charm” Govender, an anti-apartheid activist and a former Natal Indian Congress member, has died. Govender, of Chatsworth, who would have turned 60 next month, died of a heart attack on Monday morning during a family getaway in the Drakensberg. His wife, Maggie Govender, a fellow Struggle activist and member of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial legislature, said Govender was in good health and his death was a shock to her and their family. She said her last moment with him was light-hearted. “He loved photography and was always the one taking pictures. On Sunday, he joked that he was always behind the camera and didn’t have many pictures of himself.” She said her husband would be…

KOMMAL TO USE PLATFORM TO IMPROVE LIVES OF SOUTH AFRICANS Doctor makes Young Global Leader list JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za PROFESSOR Terrence Kommal was recently chosen as one of the world’s most promising global leaders. Kommal, 38, of Waterkloof Ridge, in Pretoria, was one of two South Africans to make the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Class of 2021’s most promising 112 Young Global Leaders under the age of 40. He was selected for the category, global health and health care, while Justice Minister Ronald Lamola was chosen for his contribution as a public figure. Kommal and Lamola, and others on the list, were chosen based on their involvement in activities that ranged from reporting on racism to campaigning for inclusivity in medical research. Of the 56 countries represented, 11 leaders were…

AVRIL SAHADEW HAS BEEN CHARGED WITH DEFEATING THE ENDS OF JUSTICE, KIDNAPPING AND CRIMEN INJURIA UKZN forensic investigator in court CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za THE criminal case against Avril Sahadew has been transferred to the Pinetown Regional Court. Sahadew, 43, has been charged with defeating the ends of justice, kidnapping and crimen injuria. She appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday and, given the seriousness of the charges against her, the case was transferred to the regional court. The matter was adjourned to May. Sahadew is a forensic audit specialist at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. She was leading an investigation, known as Operation Clever, into the sale of placements at its medical school. The investigation went on for four years without anyone being criminally charged. Sahadew was removed from the…

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE UK screening for film on Indian identity LATOYA NEWMAN latoya.newman@inl.co.za Supplied A DOCUMENTARY feature film examining Indian identity and the place of the Indian community in contemporary South Africa has been picked for screening at two prominent festivals – one in South Africa and another in the UK. The Cane Cutters' Transcendence – a film by award-winning playwright, actor and film-maker Ashwin Singh – will have its national premiere at the RapidLion South African International Film Festival at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg next month. It will have its international premiere at the Lift-Off Documentary Filmmaker Showcase in the UK, later in April. Singh said he started working on the film in August 2019, with post-production completed last February. “2020 was the 160th anniversary commemoration of the first…

RECRUITMENT Why women sign up to al-Shabaab FATHIMA AzMIYA BADURDEEN CRAIG LASSIG AP THE direct involvement of women and girls in terrorism has attracted increased interest as the nature of recruitment tactics has evolved. In Kenya, their involvement in terrorist networks such as the al-Shabaab is an emerging trend. The recruitment of female members is most evident in Kenya’s coastal and north-eastern counties but has also been reported in many other counties. Women and girls have been identified as recruiters for the terrorist group, logistics planners, financial conduits, spies for terrorist activities and, in some cases, masterminds behind terrorist attacks or conveners of terror cells. The al-Shabaab, or “the youth”, emerged in the mid-2000s as an offshoot of a Jihadist movement that peaked during Somalia’s civil war in the 1990s.…

COVID PROTOCOLS MAINTAINED Mass wedding held MORE than 3 500 couples tied the knot at a mass marriage in Lucknow, India, on Thursday. The mass marriage was one of the welfare schemes run by the Yogi Adityanath government for economically-weaker sections of society. The couples wore brightly coloured clothing and sat on carpets laid on the sprawling grounds, while waiting for the priests to perform the rituals. They maintained social distancing and wore masks. Some Muslim couples also tied the knot. Yogi Adityanath, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, who completed four years in office, blessed the couples at the event, organised by the state’s Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board. He listed the various welfare schemes for labourers and said the government would soon ensure the payment of Rs 2…

JUSTICE DELAYED FOR RAPE VICTIMS DNA backlog creates a grinding sense of fear and rage SINDILE VABAzA MOTSHWARI MOFOKENG African News Agency (ANA) OVER the past decade South Africa has regularly been dubbed “the rape capital of the world” while a shortage of rape kits at police stations and a regular backlog in DNA testing result in delayed justice or no justice at all for rape victims. Earlier this month, during a meeting between the National Forensic Oversight Ethics Board and the portfolio committee on police, Major-General Edward Ngokha, the head of the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), confirmed that the current DNA backlog stood at 172 787 cases, and for January and February no DNA evidence was processed at the FSL. In addition to the DNA backlog, the evidence tracking…

We were once the pride of Africa SOUTH Africa, as it stands, is on a dangerous path to self-destruction. Since 1994, this country’s economy and political landscape have been on a downhill trajectory. This paints a bleak future for its inhabitants, expansion and growth. South Africa has already earned pariah status from three credit rating agencies. We stand on the world stage with a begging bowl for handouts, when we were once the pride of Africa. Successive governments since 1994 have looted, pillaged and raped this country. The governments have attracted rogue businessmen and myriad criminal elements. Criminals from abroad have found a safe haven and made this country their home. Corruption is 500%. The country’s engines, the parastatals, are paralysed. There is no solution or end in sight for…

Suburbs have become sad places THE R526 million in alleged bonuses for staff at the eThekwini Municipality is a travesty of justice for those paying rates and taxes (the POST, March 3-7). Service delivery in Chatsworth is virtually non-existent. Our once beautiful and peaceful suburbs are sad places of urban detritus, flanked on all sides by informal settlements. There is uncontrollable human activity during the mornings and evenings as a maze of pedestrians make their way to work. Even “for sale” boards are being stolen for firewood. Take a drive around Chatsworth and a frightening picture emerges. Let’s start with Gandhi Park opposite the Home Affairs offices. On any summer’s day, the park looks like it has been hit by a tornado with litter strewn. The pond should have been…

Live life, use your savings SOME of us have reached the golden age: 60 and over. It’s time to use your life savings. Don’t keep it for those who don’t have a clue what you sacrificed for them. There is nothing worse than leaving this money to your son-in-law, daughter-in-law or relative for big plans. Stop worrying about the financial situation of your children. Don’t be shy to spend the money on yourself. You supported your children for years, taught them and gave them shelter. Now it’s their turn to start earning money. Lead a healthy lifestyle. It’s easy to get sick, but it is more difficult to stay healthy. Stay in shape. Visit doctors. Learn what to do to stay healthy. Don’t worry about nonsense. Free the beauty of…

Your Stars SHARRON DUFF ARIES (March 21 – April 19) Your hard work has come full circle as you find a wonderful outcome to that you have been trying to solve. Put the past behind you and focus on a positive week ahead. Lucky colour: blue. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) Your loved ones in spirit are never far away, so expect signs from them. This is a great week for new romance. If you have been thinking about online dating, then put yourself out there. Lucky colour: pink. GEMINI (May 21 – June 20) Listen to your intuition as it will guide you to where you need to be. If it does not feel right, then pay attention. This week brings good luck as far as decisions are…

TENNIS FEVER Zverev gets act together With all the Truimverate – Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer sidelined – a golden opportunity to cash in on silverware prevails. Thus we were treated to two intriguing international ATP Finals over our Freedom Day Weekend – one closely contested between the No 1 and No 2 seeds in Acapulco, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev, both Top 10 players and, the other a less competitive showdown, between two rank outsiders, World No 42 and No 81, Asian Karatsev and Lloyd Harris in Dubai. Both matches were significant for different reasons. Having been hugely impressed by Zverev, when he initially burst onto the scene with his long hair and chains, looking like a cross between Jimmy Connors and Bijorn Borg, as a Next…

Kohli attacks 'Umpires Call’ INDIA skipper Virat Kohli, pictured, on Monday said that the 'Umpire's Call' is creating a lot of confusion at the moment and the lawmakers need to look at it so that it does not leave a grey area when a big tournament is being played. On Saturday, India defeated England in the fifth T20I, and as a result, the hosts won the series 3-2. Both teams will lock horns in a three-match ODI series, which kicked off Tuesday in Pune. "Look, I have played in the time where there was no DRS. The umpire made the decision whether the batsman liked it or not, it stayed like that. Vice-versa, if the umpire gave it not out and it was out, it stayed like that. Whether it…

ESHLIN’S EPL VIEW Man U tired and out of ideas ESHLIN VEDAN eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za MANCHESTER City proved in their FA Cup quarter-final win over Everton that they are slowly mastering the art of winning ugly, a characteristic that great teams are made of. The last time we saw a team master this quality was when the Barcelona team that dominated the football scene from the late 2000s until the mid 2010s did so. A football season is a marathon and not a sprint and teams can’t realistically expect to play dazzling football in every game or else they will falter. Learning how to do just enough to win a game without exerting yourself is a quality few can master but a characteristic which make great teams. City’s neighbours Manchester United ended…

‘DARK TIME FOR POLICE’ Cele calls for harsher punishment NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za SINCE last month, 10 police officers – on and off duty – have been killed nationally, according to the Police Ministry. Among them were five policemen from KwaZulu-Natal. On February 18, Constable Mfihloyakhe Royal Ndlovu, 45, of the Chatsworth SAPS, was shot in the chest while he and a colleague were responding to a domestic violence dispute in Welbedacht East. He died at the scene. On February 21, Sergeant Makhosaze Mdlangathi and Sergeant Mfikelwa Mtolo, of the Plessislaer and Richmond police stations respectively, were ambushed and killed by unknown gunmen in Taylor’s Halt in the uMgungundlovu District. On March 4, Detective Captain Sam Nyawose, 55, of the Umkomaas detective branch, was shot while en route to work in…

LOOKING FOR COMMON GROUND Mogoeng turns down meeting request CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za THE Office of the Chief Justice of South Africa has turned down a meeting with #Africa4Palestine. In June last year, Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng featured on a webinar hosted by the Jerusalem Post, alongside Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein. In the online programme, Justice Mogoeng expressed what some interpreted as his love for Israel. He also criticised the ANC for its approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict. Africa4Palestine, formerly the South African Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions Coalition, reported Justice Mogoeng to the Judicial Services Commission (JSC), whose role is to investigate complaints about judicial officers. He was reported on the basis that a judge should not become involved in political controversy or activity. In the complaint, the group said his…

‘YOUNG ACHIEVER’ STARTED HER COSMETIC LINE AT THE AGE OF 14 Forbes accolade for beauty brand creator JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za RABIA Ghoor never imagined that dropping out of school would lead to her becoming a Forbes Woman Africa Young Achiever at 21. Ghoor, who started Swiitch Beauty, her own cosmetics line at 14, was nominated after attending the awards ceremony for three years. The awards, held virtually for the first time, followed the 6th annual Forbes Woman Africa, Leading Women Summit, themed, “Africa Reloaded: The Power of the Collective”. The awards honours some of the continent’s most impactful women, who inspire confidence, are leaders who advocate positive change, and are committed to economic and social transformation on the continent. The other winners this year included: Isabelle Kamariza, founder of Solid’Africa…

KZN ROLE Researcher outlines climate change strategies CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za TASHMICA Sharma has been appointed a member of the KwaZulu-Natal Climate Change and Sustainable Development Council. Sharma, 28, of Durban, is a researcher in environmental science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). She is currently pursuing her PhD in geography and environmental management under the supervision of Professor Brij Maharaj at the university. The mother-of-one is also a member of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha and the secretary of the Shree Sanathan Dharma Sabha of South Africa. Sharma was appointed by Sihle Zikalala, the premier of KZN, and she will serve in her role until March 2024. Zikalala said the council would play an oversight role and it would assist local government in managing the impacts of climate change…

POLICE OFFICER CHARGED WITH RECKLESS DRIVING Mom left paralysed after car crash CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za A MALVERN mother will never be able to walk again after her spinal cord was crushed when a police officer allegedly crashed his state vehicle into her bakkie. Her two children were also in the car. Nishelle Reddy, 26, a transport coordinator, is paralysed from her chest down to her feet. She can only move her head and hands. Reddy is recovering in the eThekwini Heart Hospital. The police officer, Captain Kubendran Siva, a member of the SAPS Dog Unit, appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday on charges of reckless and negligent driving. The 46-year-old was granted R10 000 bail and will appear in court again in May. Mervin Pillay, Reddy’s father-in-law, said…

THERE WERE CHALLENGES DURING APARTHEID 110-year-old tailoring business to remain in the family NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za Supplied Supplied WITH just a few needles, thread, scissors and a dream, Ghela Dayaram travelled as a passenger Indian from India to South Africa in 1909. He left behind his wife, Kashibhen, and their three sons, Naran, Harkishan and Gangara, in Gandevi, a city in the state of Gujarat, to fulfil his dream of owning a tailoring shop. This month, the business, Ghela Outfitters, at the corner of Langalibalele (formerly Long-market) and Retief streets in Pietermaritzburg, celebrates its 110th anniversary. The shop provides tailoring services, and sells a range of suits from Europe, a variety of ties, shoes and men’s accessories. Dayaram died at the age of 79 in 1959. He passed on the…

ONE OF THE MOST DANGEROUS PLACES TO LIVE IN Nigeria’s children the new currency of terrorism HAKEEM ONAPAJO OLIVIA HARRIS Reuters KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH African News Agency (ANA) Archives DUE to growing insecurity, Nigeria is gradually becoming one of the most dangerous places to live. The 2020 Global Terrorism Index identified the country as the third most affected by terrorism. There was a sharp increase in Boko Haram’s targeting of civilians by 25% and killings by herdsmen increased by 26%, compared with the previous year. The only two countries higher on the index are Iraq and Afghanistan. According to the Nigeria Security Tracker, 2769 violent deaths were recorded in Borno State alone between February last year and February this year. Similarly, ransom-kidnapping by armed groups has increased substantially in the past…

Editor’s View When you point a finger at someone … LAST week South Africa commemorated National Water Week. The aim was to highlight the importance of water and the need for us to conserve this precious commodity. eThekwini used the opportunity to appeal to residents to use water sparingly and to report water leaks immediately. However, our water issues have more to do with the city’s “incompetence” than with us consumers. eThekwini has failed to budget enough to fix broken pipes and properly maintain our infrastructure. As a result, it now often takes days for broken pipes to be fixed. So instead of the city giving us advice on how to conserve water, it should find ways to better manage the water department. We can’t save water if we don’t…

Kumar bows out without a blemish AS SOUTH Africans of all races, we must be proud to have had a man like Krish Kumar look after our finances in this Metro for many years (“I don’t think there is any decision that I would change”, the POST, March 10-14). As deputy mayor and councillor in Durban, I have seen this man make remarkable strides in the execution of his duties as the City’s chief financial officer. His religious involvement in the Divine Life Society shows that he emulates the spiritual head Swami Sahajananda in many ways. He is beyond reproach: honest and dedicated. I meet him often as we live in the same area, Reservoir Hills. As his senior, I always reminded him to separate politics from his role as…

Our Constitution has enough teeth THE letter, “Time for the Constitution to get teeth” (the POST, March 17-21), refers. I opine that it isn’t meant to bite or to harm people, as were the laws during apartheid, but to act as a blueprint for the type and calibre of society that people really want to live in. Think about it. The Constitution has provisions that uphold the rights of people to human dignity, equality and freedom. It nurtures the aspiration that everyone will have access to a viable education, to houses and healthcare. It hopes that employers would notice that people have the right to be treated fairly during their employment relationships with workers and to observe fair labour practices. I reiterate that the heart of the Constitution, namely the…

Government must implement a conditional credit amnesty I WANT to express my sincere thoughts on behalf of all South Africans about a matter that must be addressed and actioned by decision makers in the government. We all now know that the Covid-19 pandemic has caused financial stress to many people in our country, most of which prior to the pandemic were barely surviving due to the socio-economic decline. Many South Africans were forced to take loans and fund basic human needs, which are food and living expenses. None of us were prepared for this disaster. This has caused the economically-active population to become over indebted. In the second phase of the government’s lockdown regulations, South Africans were forced to take out additional loans to fund debt with debt and the…

Re-examine child support grants IN A LANDMARK divorce judgment in Beijing, a woman will receive a monthly alimony of 2000 yuan (just over R4500) and a once-off payment of 50000 yuan for the five years of unpaid labour. Her domestic responsibility included raising a child, caring for elderly relatives and day-to-day domestic chores. The South African justice system must be re-examined, with relative responsibility of the wrongdoer and the taxpayer. Child support grant is shifted to the taxpayer and the government, as being their responsibility. The onus rests with both consenting parties to ensure the welfare and well-being of the minor and not the State. The State should drag the defaulting party to court and sentence him/ her for long-term imprisonment. The State should provide child shelter schemes, then pay…

MY SPORTING MEMORY A table tennis star who has overcome the odds ESHLIN VEDAN eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za TABLE tennis has helped Thia-gen Natesan excel in life following a tragic accident in 1998. The crash claimed the lives of two of his friends. Natesan spent 45 days in a coma and six months in a wheelchair and was left with a permanent disability. “My disability is standing with an impairment, which is a fractured pelvis that restricts my gait or movement, and a shortened right femur and drop foot on the left,” said the Malvern resident. Growing up in Chatsworth, Natesan hailed from an educational family – his parents were both teachers. He played various sports as a youth, winning awards in primary and high schools. His father, Ruthnum, encouraged him and his…

Proteas women stars need recognition The South African women’s One-Day International (ODI) cricket team this week moved up to second in the world, but do these star players get the recognition they deserve? In a male-dominated sporting arena, women in 2021 are still battling to command the same audience numbers as the men. The average cricket fan in South Africa would be able to name a full men’s Proteas team without much difficulty, but would struggle to come up with a handful of players from the women’s team. If you ask a South African cricket fan who has the best cover drive in the country, they’re likely to say Jacques Kallis, Temba Bavuma or AB de Villiers. Few are likely to say Laura Wolvaardt, who is perhaps the brightest star…

FIVE DAY TV GUIDE Cycling: Volta Ciclista a Catalunya, Stage 6: Tarragona-Mataro (193.9km), 4.15pm, VR1 Golf: LPGA Tour: Kia Classic, Day 2, 12 midnight, VR1; Sunshine Tour: Serengeti Pro-Am Invitational, Day 4, GOL; PGA Tour: WGC Dell Technologies Matchplay, Day 4, 4pm, GOL; PGA Tour: Corales Puntacana Resort & Club Championship, Day 3, 8pm, VR1 Motorsport: MotoGP: Grand Prix Qatar, Qualifying, 6.20pm, VR1; FIA Formula 2 Championship, Round 1: Race 1, 12.15pm, MSP; Race 2, 6.30pm, MSP; Formula 1: Bahrain Grand Prix, Practice 3, 1.45pm, SSM, MSP; Qualifying, 4pm, MSP, SSM (4.55pm) Netball: SPAR Challenge International Series: South Africa Under-21 v Uganda, 3.45pm, VR4; South Africa v Namibia, 5.45pm, VR4 Rugby: Aotearoa: Chiefs v Blues, 8am, RUG; Rugby Australia: Waratahs v Reds, 10.40am, RUG; SA Rugby: Tafel Lager Griquas v…