Postの 2024-03-27 の目次

RAJ Arjun, who is receiving a positive response for his work in the Telugu film Razakar: The Silent Genocide of Hyderabad, said his character as a barbarian without any emotions had similarities with Hitler and Saddam Hussein. In the film, Arjun plays the role of Kasim Razvi, a politician in the then princely state of Hyderabad. He was the president of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen party from December 1946 until the state’s liberation in 1948. He was also the founder of the Razakar militia in the state. About his character, Arjun said: “When you get into the psychology of the character, you cannot be away from the impression or impact it leaves on you, and so has Kasim Razvi’s portrayal in Razakar done to me. “I’m slowly breaking from the aura…

TIGER Shroff, soon seen in the fourth instalment of his action film franchise Baaghi, said he first got romantically involved at the age of 25. The actor attended Prime Video’s slate announcement event, “Prime Video Presents”, in the Santa Cruz area of Mumbai. Talking to Bollywood star Varun Dhawan, Shroff said: “I’ve always been a very shy and introverted kind of a person. I never had a girlfriend till the age of 25.” Dhawan asked Tiger, “25! Are you serious?” To which Tiger replied: “Yes. It was during the audition of my debut film.” Dhawan once again probed him: “Kriti Sanon?”A startled Shroff corrected himself: “No, no, the film after my debut.” Shroff, earlier rumoured to be dating actress Disha Patani, didn’t reveal the name of the girl.…

Duff is a psychic medium, soul coach, spiritual mentor, healer and animal communicator. She has been connecting with spirit for over 20 years and runs her business Quantum Soul from Waterfall, KZN. She can be contacted at 072 986 5514 or email sharron@quantsoul.com ARIES (March 21 – April 19) There is love around you and this is also romantic love. This is a great week for new relationships or rekindling love. Spiritual unions are also in your circle of light and this is friendships turning into love as well as old flames being rekindled. Celebrate love with your specials. Lucky colour: yellow. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) Keep moving forward as things shift into alignment for you. There is also a lot of emotional release coming forward, which can…

Businesswoman Sorisha Naidoo launched KwaZulu-Natal’s first Scalar Wave Energy Enhancement System at Source by SSBO Energy and Life at the Oceans Mall in uMhlanga. The EE system is a first of its kind in KwaZulu- Natal and generates multiple bio-active life- enhancing energy fields, known as scalar waves, which allows cell regeneration, improve immune function, provide relief from pain and detoxify the body among other benefits. At the event were ...…

AN ARTICLE published by the Gatestone Institute of New York last week provides alternative perspectives on the war in Gaza which challenge views routinely expressed by the letters’ page scribes. Michael and Leonard Hochberg, respectively of Cambridge University and the Hoover Institute, unpack the cause of what they call forever wars which, they argue, are promoted by Western politicians and terrorism sponsors. Their first observation is that Hamas does not abide by the laws of war in that it uses civilians as human shields who are then considered “martyrs”, whose families are eligible for monthly stipends of up to $3 000 (about R56 000). In so doing, the Hochbergs contend that Hamas is perhaps the first regime in history to fight a war designed to maximise casualties among its own…

THE word plagiarism has been derived from the Latin word plagiare, which means to “kidnap or abduct”. In scientific literature, it means “wrongful appropriation” and “stealing and publication” of another author’s “language, thoughts, ideas or expressions” and depicting it as one’s own creative work. Sadly, I became a victim of such an act recently. In April last year, with an eidetic memory, I wrote a piece in a local tabloid, Remembering The Good Old Days Of Chatsworth, which someone copied and published on his Facebook timeline. All the time, this guy was getting all the accolades and ruling the maudlin memories of an entire Chatsworth generation. And then the messages started streaming in from family and friends that there’s a guy that writes similarly to you. I have named him…

MUMBAI: Balkaur Singh, the father of the late Punjabi singer Sidhu Moose Wala, has welcomed a baby boy with his wife, Charan Kaur. Singh was seen feeding milk to the newborn with a spoon. A video uploaded on Instagram showed a team of medical professionals bring the baby into the world. Singh was also seen on the video cutting a cake with doctors. Singh shared a picture on Instagram and wrote: “My wife’s health is fine. Thanks to the blessings of the Almighty, and we are beholden to our well-wishers for showering us with their support.” Singh broke his silence on Facebook, on his wife pregnancy. Charan Kaur is 58 years old and got pregnant through in vitro fertilisation. Singh appealed to people not to believe the rumours about the…

750g cubed fillet steak 8 medium-sized pitas Cooking the steak: 1 tsp ginger and garlic paste 1 tsp red chilli paste 50g tomato paste 2 tbs chilli sauce 2 tbs vinegar 2 tbs lemon juice 1 tsp salt 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp barbecue spice 1 tsp steak and chops spice 1 tsp coriander powder 1 tsp cumin powder 1 tsp chilli flakes ½ tsp turmeric 1 tsp chilli powder 1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder 50g butter 50ml olive oil In a large mixing bowl, marinate the steak with the spices, except for the butter and olive oil, for 1 hour. In a heated pot, melt the butter together with the olive oil. Fry the steak for 5 minutes before adding in ½ cup of water. Mix well. Close…

IT HAS been alleged that a Tongaat mother who had sought a protection order against her estranged husband, and then asked that his firearm be returned to him for work purposes, was shot dead with the same gun. Afsana Shaik, a mother of two, was shot several times by her estranged husband Purcell Chetty, who then turned the gun on himself outside their Belvedere home last Wednesday. Police said the incident could have been sparked by a domestic-related feud. It is alleged that Shaik had sought a protection order against Chetty, an armed response officer for the Fidelity Services Group. According to a well-placed police source, the couple had been in an argument inside the home and had walked outside, when Shaik’s daughters, aged 20 and 10, heard gunshots being…

ETHEKWINI residents who have been slapped with unusually high utility bills, claim they have been told to pay up or face disconnection. In recent weeks, the POST has been inundated with calls from disgruntled residents complaining that their utility bills from December to date were far higher than the monthly average they had been paying. The POST then asked residents on Facebook to reach out to us if they had received exhorbitant bills. Once again, we were inundated with emailed complaints. S Moodley, 41, lives in a free-standing house in Newlands West with his family of five. He said: “My monthly bill for lights and water, is usually between R5 500 and R6 000. But, on January 14, I received a staggering bill of R12 886. “I…

THE drums throb louder and faster – the air redolent with incense. The woman resplendent in a red sari standing before me tenses, trembles violently, eyes rolling back. Someone loosens her hair so it tumbles free. Her arms fly out, and she shrieks as the capricious Goddess takes possession of her. Then she stands quietly as a large skewer is pushed through her tongue, rocking gently as a couple of dozen hooks with strings of marigolds, limes and coconut shells are pinned through the flesh across her upper chest and round her waist. She is now divine, the Goddess manifested in human form, and people queue before her to receive her blessing of an ash Bindi on their foreheads. Later, as her feet touch the red hot bed of coals…

WE HAVE reached a place in society at present where we can hold people accountable for their inexcusable behaviour or their impolite questions and interference in issues that are not their concern. Previously, I think people got away with being inappropriate at times all in the name of “culture” and “family”. The issue of child bearing for instance is a personal one and often times a sensitive topic for many but this doesn't stop people from imposing their views on whether a married couple should have children or not, and more so questioning why a woman hasn’t had children yet when she has been married for a while. The decision to have children or the time frame when one wants to plan babies is a rather personal one, a decision…

On April 10, 1993, over the Easter weekend, the then most popular ANC leader Chris Hani was assassinated at his Boksburg home. The country teetered on the edge of a full-scale civil war. It required Nelson Mandela going on live national television to call for calm and point out that it was a patriotic white woman who had the presence of mind to record and report the killer’s vehicle. Janusz Walus was arrested within an hour of Hani’s murder. It is said that Mandela became the de facto president of South Africa on the day of his televised address. Millions had mobilised all over the country. There was a seething anger. This anger had to be managed and channelled. This was the final crisis that led to the announcement of…

AS ELECTION day draws closer, remember the world is watching and listening, especially to the drama unfolding in the Electoral Court where the ANC face MK. This is a battle of minds versus morality. Are we – 30 years after we have taken our first steps towards embracing constitutionalism and democracy – mature enough, or have we matured sufficiently, in our understanding and belief that South Africa belongs to all of us? Yes, the ruling party lost its way but that’s a commentary for another time. One of the first indicators is how we treat each other through language. Words are critical in this exercise. Dr Frank Luntz’s book, Words that work: It's not what you say, refers: It’s what people hear that is most instructive. We have heard…

THE good Book (Proverbs 17:22 – BIBLE) states that a happy heart is like medicine and does good bringing cheerfulness. Life today is often quite stressful, challenging and wearisome with various pressures and issues that we have to face. A little laughter and comedy are welcome to lighten up our lives, and overcome the doom and gloom that prevails generally. South Africa has many top comedians such as Loyiso Gola, Barry Hilton, Riyadh Moosa and Tumi Morake. Occasionally overseas comedians such as Russell Peters and Sugar Sammy visit South Africa to entertain patrons. Locally, we also have excellent comedians such as the Murugan brothers, Senzo Mthethwa (Mvelase), Krijay Govender and Henry Ramkissoon. There is a disturbing trend among both local and overseas comedians to include profanity/vulgarity and mock religions or…

DELHI High Court recently passed an order and granted a “dynamic+ injunction” favouring Viacom 18 Media Private Limited, thereby restraining various unauthorised websites from streaming the Indian Premier League (IPL) events for the year 2024. Justice Sanjeev Narula stressed the importance of evolving legal remedies to effectively tackle copyright infringement in the digital age. Viacom 18, having secured exclusive digital media rights within the Indian subcontinent and television rights overseas for IPL events from 2023 to 2027, sought the court’s intervention against six rogue websites. These platforms were found to be illegally broadcasting the cricket league’s matches, set to run until the end of May. The court not only restrained these platforms from hosting, streaming, or making the IPL content available but also directed Domain Name Registrars to lock and…

THE Paris 2024 volunteers’ uniforms pay tribute to the French ‘marinier’, with black stripes on a turquoise background the star piece of the 15-item equipment. The kits, which feature the striped T-shirt, trousers, socks and a sun hat, were unveiled on Saturday at the Volunteers’ Convention. Some items have a flashy touch to them. “It’s very important for us that they (the volunteers) are visible in the crowd,” said Joachim Roncin, design director of Paris 2024. “The mariniere was the first creative base. We had to give it some modernity and make it more sporty.” Some 53% of the kits are made in France, with the rest being made “mostly in Vietnam”, according to Virginie Sainte Rose, director of the partnership between Paris 2024 and manufacturer Decathlon. Some Paris 2024…

BHUMI Pednekar, right, who is stepping into the series world with Daldal, is happy that women actors are being empowered to headline projects on top global streaming platforms. “It feels amazing that I work at a time when a woman can headline a series on a global streaming platform, and feel supremely empowered that she can command such a massive mounting,” said Pednekar. “I’m honestly humbled by this realisation and it motivates me to work so hard that I deliver powerful performances that are remembered by people.” About her next big challenge, to play a cop chasing a serial killer in Daldal, she said she was drawn to challenges. “That’s my core. Have always done this right since my debut. I believe we are in the age of content and…

COMMUNITIES from all religious denominations are invited to a mass iftaar (breaking of fast) on Friday from 4pm to 6pm at the Kingsmead Cricket Stadium. There will be vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals and refreshments. Prayer facilities, parking and security have been arranged. A modest dress code is required. This event is an initiative of the Mass Iftaar: KZN Committee. The Brake Village Sri Siva Soobramaniar Alayam Tongaat will hold its annual Punguni Woothiram Kavady Mahotsavam until March 30. The Good Friday Ammen Prayer will start at 9am. Porridge will be served. On Saturday is the main kavady. The chariot will leave the alayam at 8am. Call 074 462 9711. The Umgeni Road Temple’s Mariammen prayer will be held on Friday from 10am. Call 031 312 5069. The Clairwood…

The DA in KwaZulu-Natal has voted against the Bela Bill. It would lead to a decline in education standards in the province while disempowering schools and placing control in the wrong hands. Our reservations over the bill have been echoed by a large number of stakeholders, with just over 5 400 online submissions and an overwhelming majority rejecting the bill. Submissions show it has largely been rejected due to clauses relating to home-schooling, admission and language policies, proposed regulations on management of learner pregnancy and compulsory school attendance at age 6. We remain opposed to the Bela Bill for the following reasons: Admission policies which disempower school governing bodies (SGBs) from determining school admission policies and centralise this responsibility to heads of provincial departments giving them excessive powers. Language…

IT WAS a story that was most likely set at some point in the 1950s. When it was narrated to me decades later, no mention was made of the year. I also don’t recall being told at what time of day it occurred. But I remember the story starting with a group of children playing on a street. It was an era when children did that – a time when cars were few and the rand bought you a lot more than it does these days. According to the tale, the driver of a somewhat expensive car was travelling in the area where the children were playing. He was driving a tad faster than he should have and, on a corner, momentarily lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle climbed…

500g fillet steak cut into small pieces Cooking the steak: 50g butter olive oil 1 tsp coarse salt ½ tsp black pepper 1 tsp steak and chops spice 1 tsp barbecue spice 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp chilli powder 1 tsp cumin powder 1 tsp crushed garlic 1 thinly sliced onion ½ sliced green pepper Into a heated pan, melt the butter and drizzle over some olive oil. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds before adding the steak pieces. Fry the steak for 2 to 3 minutes before adding the spices. Mix well and cook for 5 minutes. Next add the sliced onions and green pepper. Cook for about 2 minutes until done. Building the wrap: mayonnaise shredded lettuce chilli garlic sauce cheese jalapeños hand-cut potato chips Spread…

750g chicken fillet 6 large flour tortillas Chicken marinade: 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper 1 tsp chicken spice 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp chilli flakes 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp oregano Vegetables: 1 diced onion ½ red, green and yellow peppers, diced 1 can of corn Marinate the chicken with the spices and fry in olive oil, in batches, until cooked through. Transfer to a large mixing bowl. In the same frying pan, sauté the vegetables for 2 to 3 minutes and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to the bowl. Enchilada sauce: ½ diced onion 1 tbs crushed garlic 1 packet taco seasoning 1 can tomatoes Fry the onion and garlic until the onion is translucent. Add the taco seasoning together with the…

justice A SOUTH Coast mother wants justice after the “trusted Indian uncle” who sold sweets and chips outside the local school, and allegedly assaulted and raped her 9-year-old daughter before strangling her to death with his bare hands. Lusanda Nkomo’s naked, battered and bruised body was found by a local herdsman in a bush, a day after she had gone missing. A 57-year-old man, formerly from Phoenix, and known to Lusanda and her family, was arrested and charged for her rape and murder. He lived on the same street as the family. The accused abandoned his bail application at the Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court last Monday. He is due back in court on April 17. The Grade 4 pupil at Umkomaas Drift Primary School was reported missing on March 17. Local…

THE proposed “exhorbitant” tariff increases by the eThekwini and Msunduzi municipalities have been met with resistance, as residents and business owners struggle with the rising cost of living, and the ongoing water and electricity outages. The eThekwini Municipality’s 2024/25 draft budget of R67.3 billion, which was tabled at a full council meeting by the city’s mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, last week, saw various proposed tariff increases for electricity, water, and refuse services, among others. The public consultation process on the draft budget is expected to commence soon. Ish Prahladh, president of the eThekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association (ERRA), said the association had launched an online petition against the tariff increases being implemented. “The voices of the ratepayers and residents need to be heard loud and clear. The proposed tariff increases do…

THE South African Property Owners Association (Sapoa) has lamented that the worsening infrastructure challenges in eThekwini, and the metro’s “unsustainable” municipal rates increase were likely to negatively impact any new development and investment. Sapoa, established in 1966 by leading and large property investment organisations, aims to unite commercial property role-players to create a powerful platform for investors. Neil Gopal, Sapoa CEO, said its members represented investments and developments which generated billions in rates, taxes, and service payments for the city. He said the metro’s belief that increasing rates on fixed property and vacant land would spur developers into action was “misplaced”. “Developers will relocate their capital elsewhere or simply not go ahead with their developments,” he said. Gopal said eThekwini was a port city and that logistics played a major…

THERE are some questions that are never acceptable to ask someone, unless you have a close, trusting relationship with them. One of these is asking someone when they’re having a baby – or why they have not as yet. Just because we have grown up in a society that has normalised getting married by a certain age, and then having children, it does not mean that this is the only life path. While one may think that they’re asking a simple, harmless question, there ought to be consideration that the person you’re asking may be struggling emotionally. Many couples who struggle with fertility are already experiencing emotional challenges. What one may think is a harmless question can easily trigger someone who desperately wants a child, but is struggling to conceive.…

A reader shares her experiences and emotions anonymously, to avoid conflict THE grief of having experienced three miscarriages is quite lonely and confusing. It brings mixed emotions and feelings filled with disappointment, self-blame, guilt and pity. Although all three miscarriages had the same look and feel at times, the pain and cramps in the pelvic area, severe back pain and vaginal bleeding all intensified as the miscarriage progressed. For us women, it would be more manageable to store the events leading up to the miscarriage in our minds and label it as “unthinkable” than to relive them or simply think about the experience. But, does it have to be this way? Miscarriage is a serious health issue that requires us to prioritise time by being aware about the “ins and…

THE POST, March 20 -24, “Pensioners under attack”, refers: I am deeply saddened and outraged by the article. I will not stand by or remain silent while one of our elders is mercilessly killed for a mere R100. As a society we should all stand together and take drastic action against criminals. After the POST broke the news of the pensioners murder, there has been widespread condemnation and it is most talked about on social media. It is definitely the most uncertain time of our lives. How many more elders must live with this constant fear of being attacked? We have a right to feel safe. These elders lives were cut short, leaving their families and community shaken. The tragic events underscore the urgent need for decisive action that plagues…

A painful lesson you learn fairly early in life: never forget your anniversary, unless of course you enjoy being served cold cabbage salad for supper. Which reminds me, there’s an historic anniversary coming up on April 27 when we mark 30 years of democracy in South Africa. I remember so vividly that day in 1994 when we joined long snaking queues to cast our precious vote, most of us for the first time. A mood of euphoria swept the country as we made our crosses to choose leaders we believed would lead us to the “Promised Land”. A new dawn awaited us. So, in anticipation of the anniversary on Freedom Day, do I hear the sound of celebrations in the air – clinking champagne glasses, spirited foot-stomping…

The 43-year-old relative of a teenage girl, whom he allegedly “sold” to his co-worker, was released on R1 000 bail in the Umhlali Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday. The man was charged with human trafficking, defeating the administration of justice, perjury, and charges under the Finance Act for the wasteful usage of state resources. The other accused, a Malawian national, was arrested after he was found with the girl days after she had disappeared last month. He was charged with statutory rape and was remanded in custody until he reappears in court next month. Since the relative’s arrest, two other minor children, aged 4 and 9 – who are the teenager’s sisters – have been removed from their home by the Department of Social Development and placed in a child and…

DURBAN’S Casbah was earlier this month awarded the prestigious prize of Best Monograph for 2023 by the National Institute for the Humanities and Social Sciences. Durban’s Casbah was designated an Indian sector of Durban. Alongside this segregation, the book shows there was interracial mixing at various levels and, particularly, the “spatial convergence of the marginalised” as Len Rosenberg pointed out. Uma Dhupelia-Mesthrie, a professor of history, noted this as a definitive nature of the “Grey Street Area”, which made Durban “one of the truer African cities that we have”. The book’s sub-title, Bunny Chow, Bolsheviks, and Bioscopes, opens up worlds within worlds. “Bunny Chow” captures the food culture of the Casbah. It is one of the Casbah’s defining features with its mountains of spices, live chickens, garden-fresh produce, street…

Plenty of fish for all – whether you prefer the fast-paced predators or the strong pulling bottom fish, there is something for you! The North Coast has been the most productive section for fishing. There have been plenty of fish coming out on the skis and boats. The couta have been around and the guys with the friskiest live baits have been the successful ones. Make getting some decent live baits your number one priority once launched and then look for the spots to fish. If you are having trouble hooking the live baits, add some bits of sardine on to the hooks for some extra attraction. Use a heavier sinker than you think you need, to avoid the dreaded tangles. The Durban coast has seen a lot of action…

SARA Ali Khan, who stars in the streaming movie Ae Watan Mere Watan, has shared that she loves Russian history of the 20th century and Russian literature. The actress, who has been a student of history, said she found it interesting how landmark moments in Russia from the rise of Vladimir Lenin to the fall of the Soviet Union happened within a span of 100 years. “I like 20th century Russian history a lot. I think it’s very interesting how they went from Vladimir Lenin, Joseph Stalin, Nikita Khrushchev, and Mikhail Gorbachev to the fall of the Soviet Union within a span of 100 years. It’s very interesting to observe it that way.” She spoke about her love for Russian literature and mentioned her favourite authors with Fyodor Dostoevsky topping…

A community iftar – the meal eaten after sunset during Ramadaan – was held at the Chatsworth Night Market on Saturday. At the event were ……

post reporter THE Hisense Mount Edgecombe Easter Festival will be held at the Shri Mariammen Temple From Thursday to Monday. There will be entertainment for children, music, dance, a pick-a-box and hot cross bun competitions and much more. In addition, the annual Ammen Awards will be held on Friday at the Mount Edgecombe Arts and Culture Hall. Seelan Achary, the chairperson of the Shri Mariammen Temple Society, said: “We are excited and ready to receive the many thousands of devotees who will pay homage to our supreme Mother – Mother Mariammen. “Hindu devotees and others, more than ever before, need the blessings of the universal Mother to uplift us during this difficult and challenging time; to give us the strength to work towards rescuing our economy.” Achary said there would…

“Tears are sometimes an inappropriate response to death. When a life has been lived completely honestly, completely successfully, or just completely, the correct response to death’s perfect punctuation mark is a smile.” The above quotation penned by famous British journalist Julie Burchill speaks so perfectly to the life and death of Ami Nanackchand, the veteran journalist and broadcaster who passed away last Friday at a Durban hospital after suffering cardiac arrest. He turned 80 just one month earlier. It is true that Nanackchand lived his life fully and authentically, with achievements and fulfilment. He belonged to a generation of great thinkers and courageous journalists and was a brave voice of freedom. Hence, his well-lived life should be celebrated, and his sudden demise must be seen as the final accomplishment on…

NEW YORK: Abnormality in a brain structure linked with movement may be causing the language disorder seen among children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dyslexia, according to a new study. The abnormalities occured specifically in the anterior neostriatum within the basal ganglia said neuroscientists at the Georgetown University Medical Center. Their findings, based on an analysis of 22 articles, published in the journal Nature Human Behaviour, can help boost the diagnosis and treatment of the developmental language difficulties seen in these children. Using a new computational method, the team determined that “the anterior neostriatum was abnormal in 100% of the studies that examined the structure, with fewer abnormalities in all other parts of the brain”. “We hope that by identifying the neural bases of developmental language difficulties, we may help…

1kg lamb mince 500g lasagne sheets Cooking the mince: 50g butter ¼ cup olive oil 4 minced cloves of garlic 4 finely chopped green and red chillies Dry spices: 1 tsp coarse salt 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp barbecue spice 1 tsp steak and chops spice 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp chilli powder 1 tsp cumin powder Wet ingredients: 1 tsp red chilli paste tomato paste 1 can of Italian tomatoes Vegetables: 100g of diced carrots 2 diced onions 1 celery stick, diced Dried herbs: ½ tsp thyme ½ tsp oregano ½ tsp parsley ½ tsp basil Cooking the mince: Add the butter and olive oil into a heated pot. Once the butter is melted, add the chillies and garlic. Fry for 30 seconds. Add the lamb mince and…

Natashia Munian, also known as Bash with Tash, is a comedian, motivational speaker and MC. Munian, who is married to Deveshen Munian, speaks to Candice Soobramoney about infertility and how she deals with people asking when she is going to have a baby. Q: How long have you been married? A: I have just celebrated my six-year wedding anniversary. Q: What have you shared on social media about your fertility journey and why did you share your journey? A: I have shared that I don’t have kids. I have also done awareness videos about this. Many people have attacked me about this issue and since it’s not an easy journey, there was a time where I didn’t want to address it at all. Q: Do people openly question you on…

ONE of the worst departments we have in this country is Home Affairs. But there are many other departments also competing for this prestigious position. A South African, Mahesh Keshav, married Neemabhen from India on May 21, 2010, in India. Ever since, they have experienced many hurdles in trying to renew their visas every few years, and then trying to obtain a permanent resident permit. After much struggle they were given a South African marriage certificate. They are happily married and have two children born in South Africa. Yet, they are not being recognised as fully-fledged South Africans as their permanent residential permit has not been issued despite them having applied 15 months ago. IFP MP Narend Singh, with the use of his office in Cape Town, has been…

THE forthcoming national election is about to descend on us. Now is the time when political parties will suddenly emerge like wild mushrooms after a thunderstorm. It is time to be wooed by a litany of political deceit and promises. Much as we may not like it, this is how democracies work. Might is right over all else. But there are many other ways of determining the state of a nation. It’s not just about the will of the masses. It’s about how strong and accessible the economy is. Economists are beginning to look at another factor that determines how much a country’s economy flourishes by the calibre of its people. In a recent study published in an upcoming issue of Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological…

A PHOENIX woman, who had allegedly been “drugging” and robbing pensioners in and around Durban, was apprehended in Tongaat on Monday. Prem Balram, the head of Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), said their members were called after the woman, 46, arrived to meet with a local councillor regarding subsidised housing in Plein Street. “Residents identified the female as a ‘conwoman’, who previously robbed one of the residents. On arrival, reaction officers linked the woman to a robbery that occurred in Verulam last Tuesday.” Balram said on the day of the incident, two women approached a 67-year-old pensioner shortly after she left the Verulam market. “The smooth-talking scammers befriended the victim and convinced her to allow them to accompany her to her home. Upon their arrival, they discovered the victim’s 73-year-old…