Table of contents for Wednesday, February 10, 2021 in Post

BUILDING TRUST New ombudsman to monitor press transparency and accountability SEASONED journalist and editor Yogas Nair has been appointed internal press ombudsman at Independent Media. Nair said she was honoured to assume the role to look into complaints or observations from readers on substantive editorial issues and to publish the findings. “I believe that to make self-regulation credible, the media must step up and commit themselves to systems of good governance, transparency and a greater willingness to admit their mistakes,” said Nair. “For self-regulation to command public trust, newspapers must be held accountable to their own editorial and ethical standards and to provide readers with an independent assessment of their observations.” Internal “readers’ representatives” has been an industry standard across the world for decades. Independent Media launched its internal press…

EPIDEMIOLOGIST Children could transmit the virus at the same rate as adults ZOË HYDE THE role children, and consequently schools, play in the Covid-19 pandemic has been hard to work out, but the puzzle is finally starting to be solved. The latest research shows infections in children frequently go undetected, and that children are just as susceptible as adults to infection. Children probably transmit the virus at a similar rate to adults as well. While children are, thankfully, much less likely than adults to get seriously ill, the same is not true for the adults who care for them. Evidence suggests schools have been a driver of the second wave in Europe and elsewhere. This means the safety of schools needs an urgent rethink. It’s hard to detect Covid-19 in…

CAN’T PAY ANOTHER R23M IN LICENCE FEES Bus companies appeal to government for relief NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za FOR more than 10 months, members of the Private Charter Passenger Association (PCPA) were unable to work and are struggling to keep their businesses open. The association, which has 85 members, represents charter and tourism coach operators. Since last year, the association said their pleas to Fikile Mbalula, Minister of Transport, to return their prepaid licence fees that run into millions of rand were ignored. Last August, the members travelled by convoy to the Kings Park Pool in Masabalala Yengwa Avenue in Durban where they handed a petition to DA MPLs Sharon Hoosen and Heinz de Boer. The petitions were submitted to the offices of the late Muntukayise Bhekuyise Ntuli, Transport MEC, and…

LENMED SHIFA PRIVATE HOSPITAL Doing our best for the patients Name: Prita Dalu Occupation: Registered nurse – ICU Years in health care: 14 Years at Lenmed Shifa Private Hospital: 13 I ENCOURAGE people to adapt a more positive attitude to what is happening. We can move past the challenges that we are facing together. Let’s consider and protect our most vulnerable citizens. As a nurse, you learn that each day brings new challenges and some days are hectic. My family is supportive of me. We also exercise, take our vitamins daily to stay healthy and get as much rest as possible. There are so many benefits to a good night’s sleep. Our bodies need it. The best part of my job is seeing a patient get well and go home…

THERE’S CONFUSION ABOUT ONE’S SENSE OF BELONGING Let national interests supplant parochial ones EDWIN NAIDU Pixabay SOUTH AFRICANS of Indian origin urgently need a mindset shift. They do not belong to a homogenous group and should stop this nonsense about India being the motherland. If you’re born and raised in South Africa, a descendent of those who arrived as indentured labourers on the SS Truro in 1860, and worked hard to successfully establish their roots here, you are South African, first and foremost. Many are united in the belief that this, not the country of Modi but that of Mandela, is our motherland. It is our South Africa and it belongs to all who live in it. A mindset shift is not only for those confused about their identity from…

MANY REASONS WHY HINDUS SHOULD BE VEGETARIANS Animals are sacred DR LOKESH MAHARAJH VEGETARIANISM, known in Sanskrit as Shakahara, was a principle of health and environmental ethics throughout the Hindu world for thousands of years. In Hindu Dharma, life is of the Divine, an emanation of the source and part of a cosmic continuum. The ancient thinkers of our Sanathan Dharma held that each life form, even water and trees, possess consciousness and energy. Non-violence and ahimsa, the primary basis of vegetarianism, has long been central to the religious traditions of Hindu Dharma. Sivaya Subramuniyaswami says: “Hindus teach vegetarianism as a way to live with a minimum of hurt to other beings, for to consume meat, fish, fowl or eggs, is to participate indirectly in acts of cruelty and violence…

‘Bullfight’ is disrespectful THE article, “Religious Bullfight” (the POST, February 3-7), refers. While I endorse the action of the petitioners in taking Yudhika Sujanani to task, why is the word “bullfight” apt in the context it was used? It is inappropriate and it displays gross disrespect for Hindus and their sanctities. The word “bullfight” or “bullfighting”, immediately conjures negative connotations. Violence and bloodlust spring to mind. Precisely what is being implied by the use of such a word? Would this disrespect be used if people of other faiths were involved or is this contempt only when writing about Hindus? Sujanani used to appear in the Eastern Mosaic/Mela drivel. But if she appears in that show, she should desist from creating the impression that she in any way represents the Hindu…

Tips for remote dating THE pandemic has made dating a new person somewhat challenging. Here are ideas to getting around any challenges – such as being able to date face-to-face: • Video calls are great, but it can get a lot more adventurous than just chatting. • You could take the person on a video tour around your home. • Do a cooking demonstration of your favourite meal. • You could keep the video on and watch the same movie. Make popcorn or other snacks that you would normally have if you were in the same room. •You could both take the Love Languages quiz online and share your results. (www.5lovelanguages.com/quizzes/singles-quiz/) • How about teaching each other a new skill such as making biltong, planting a herb garden or baking…

Your Stars PRISCILLA GENDRON Aries (March 21 – April 19) You may not feel your best this week as things irritate and get under your skin. Take time for yourself and stop and smell the roses as that’s important. Work commitments will also pile up and you will have to scramble to get things done. Lucky colour: blue. Taurus (April 20 – May 20) It’s all about business and making money this week. All those long thought-out plans will finally take root. A lot of people want to jump on board and help but be careful as too many cooks spoil the broth. Choose wisely. Lucky colour: pink. Gemini (May 21 – June 20) This week brings a lot of planning for the future and you have to watch yourself…

SPORT TV GUIDE TODAY  Soccer: Emirates FA Cup, Round 5: Swansea City v Manchester City, 7.20pm, GSD, EPL, SSM; Sheffield United v Bristol City, 9.20pm, FTB; Leicester City v Brighton & Hove Albion, 9.20pm, PSL; Everton v Tottenham, 10.05pm, GSD, EPL, SSM Tennis: Australian Open, Second Feed, Day 3, 2am, ACT; Australian Open, Day 3: Day Session, 2am, GSD, TEN; Australian Open, Day 3: Night Session, 10am, GSD, TEN THURSDAY  Cricket: ANZ Bank Women’s Super Smash: Elimination Final, 3am, CRI; T20 International: Pakistan v South Africa, First T20, 12.15pm, CRI, GSD Golf: PGA Tour: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am Charity Exhibition, 1am, GSD, GOL; PGA Tour: AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Day 1, 10pm, GSD, GOL Soccer: Fan Base, 6pm, PSL; Emirates FA Cup, Round 5: Wolves v Southampton, 7.20pm, SSM, GSD,…

Players must not use social media to seek validation: Rodgers LEICESTER City manager Brendan Rodgers condemned the racist abuse directed at players online but said they should not use social media platforms to seek validation about their performances. The FA last week called for the government and social media companies to act quickly in the fight against online racist abuse. Manchester United's Marcus Rash-ford, Axel Tuanzebe and Anthony Martial, and Chelsea's Reece James are among those who have been subjected to racist abuse online in recent weeks. Rodgers said the abuse was "unacceptable" but added players were likely to receive negative comments on social media and must learn to deal with the criticism. "I would say casually to players that if they need it, great, but if you don't I…

KZN football on the up as Benni’s AmaZulu shine ESHLIN VEDAN STEVE HAAG BackpagePix BENNI McCarthy will fancy his chances of leading AmaZulu to the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals after his side were drawn to face perennial strugglers Black Leopards in the last 16 stage of the competition. Usuthu reached the last 16 following a 5-4 penalty victory over local rivals Golden Arrows after a hard-fought 1-1 extra-time draw last weekend. Leopards did so after grinding out a scrappy 2-1 victory over National First Division side Jomo Cosmos. McCarthy has made a marked difference at Usuthu since he was appointed as coach in December. When businesman Sandile Zungu bought AmaZulu and announced that his mandate is for the club to finish in the top four this season, many would have considered…

THE INVESTIGATION DID NOT PROVIDE ANYTHING TANGIBLE UKZN spends millions on Operation Clever CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za WHILE the SRC at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is trying to raise R3million to pay off student debt, the university has splurged out on more than R73m largely on one individual. The university confirmed in a statement that it spent R73560829 on Operation Clever that investigated, among others, the sale of places at the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine. The investigation was launched in 2016 and included Avril Sahadew, the university's forensic audit specialist, and Paul Finden, the director of legal services. The university claimed Sahadew received death threats and, as a result, was accommodated in a safe house. The university also paid for bodyguards. Between August 2017 and May 2020, the…

VICE-CHAIRPERSON OF CREMATORIUM SUSPENDED OVER PROTOCOL ROW Claims of assault at Covid-19 funeral JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za THE vice-chairperson of the Verulam Crematorium was suspended on an interim basis after an altercation with mourners at a Covid-19 funeral last week. Vish Roopnarain was issued a letter of interim suspension on Monday. The crematorium’s management said they took the decision in order to investigate the matter and to hear from both parties involved. Roopnarain, who is recovering from injuries following the incident, said he respected the management’s decision and would await the outcome of the internal investigation. He said mourners assaulted him on Thursday morning for asking family members to adhere to the Covid-19 protocols. He suffered bruising to his head and a swollen jaw. “I asked one of the mourners who…

AUSTRALIAN PERSPECTIVE Is it safe for kids to return to school with the new strain? ASHA BOWEN, ARCHANA KOIRALA, FIONA RUSSELL, KRISTINE MACARTNEY AND MARGIE DANCHIN IN LATE January last year, Australia reported its first cases of Covid-19. Since then almost 29 000 cases and more than 900 deaths were confirmed. As cases climbed in Australian cities, many learners did their school work from home. Australia, including Victoria, came out of lockdowns at the end of last year. But due to outbreaks in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland over Christmas and New Year, that impacted on Victoria, restrictions remain in some places. What now for the new school year? Is it safe for learners to go back to school? What we learnt in 2020 Australian health officials, paediatricians, and…

WIFE ASKS POLICE AUTHORITIES FOR HELP ‘We are not drug dealers’ NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za THE wife of a man accused of being a drug kingpin and a gang leader has asked the police to investigate alleged crooked cops and harassment claims. Jeconiah Jackolene Pillay, of Cross-moor, Chatsworth, lives with her husband, Brandon Kalicharan, 40, their daughter, 7, and adopted son, 19. Kalicharan also has an 18-year-old daughter. She said their home was raided several times since last year, with the recent raid on the morning of January 29. “The raids started last June. When they first came to our home, they only inspected my husband’s firearms, which are all registered. “However, what was troubling were the questions that we were asked by a certain policeman about our security measures and…

A READER RESPONDS TO YOGIN DEVAN’S COLUMN (THE POST: FEBRUARY 3-7) How can one person decide the criteria for being Indian? DEAR Mr Yogin Devan I recently read your opinion piece titled “Kamala Harris, far from being Indian”. Honestly, I found your ignorance intolerable and so I find myself writing this letter. So, if you are reading this, care to go on a journey? You start off by stating that she is “no more Indian than a myna” because they both lack the ability to speak the vernacular. I am a Govender and a die-hard Rajinikanth fan, but even I can’t speak Tamil, nor can the majority of my family. I bet many South African Indian families are in the same boat. I guess we are all just mynas –…

Why is the Sabha only acting now? THE story "Religious bullfight" (the POST, February 3-7) requires comment and I wish to register my disappointment. It is confusing and somewhat disappointing that the South African Hindu Maha Sabha has awoken from its slumber. Eight years after chef Yudhika Sujanani opened her business, Holi Cow, the Sabha is taking the populist approach. This, too after an online petition was recently started where signatories were upset that beef was cooked on her business premises and a cow is revered as holy in Hinduism. Why now? An international dairy company has had a cheese called Laughing Cow for many years. Will the Sabha and those behind the petition start to act? I doubt it. Organisations like the Sabha are not proactive but reactionary, and…

Dazzle your date If you want to prepare a budget-friendly, home-made Valentine's dinner, Audette Vengetas shares easy-to-make meals. Follow her on blog: www.allyandbug.co.za and Instagram: @ally_and_ bug MAINS Peri-peri Chicken Breasts 4-6 skinless chicken breast 2/3 cups lemon juice 160ml peri-peri sauce 1tsp baking powder 4 tbs olive oil 2 tsp crushed garlic salt and pepper Slit the rough side of each chicken breast about 2/3 of the way through. Place the breasts on a board or work surface and flatten. Place the butterflied breasts into a shallow dish and squeeze over the juice of half the lemon and coat them generously with peri-peri sauce. Add the crushed garlic. Leave them in the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes to a few hours. The longer the better. Heat the olive oil…

HOW TO GET OUT AND STAY OUT 5 reasons why having an affair is a bad idea MELINI MOSES OVER the past few weeks, I have heard heart-wrenching stories of families being torn apart because of infidelity. The aggrieved spouse describes the feeling as worse than death. Children are left broken. They watch their moms and dads try to keep things together, while wondering if they are to blame. It will affect their self-worth, their education and even their future romantic relationships. Is it all worth it? Well, some would say it is. The passion, intrigue and thrill of escaping detection is a turn-on for many. Lord David Cecil once said: “The nurse of infidelity is sensuality.” What starts as flimsy flirtation quickly turns into a web of deceit. At…

WWE legend Edge open to reuniting tag team with Christian ESHLIN VEDAN SINCE making an emotional and shock return to the WWE in 2020, Edge has had a dream run in the competition which saw him win the 2021 Royal Rumble last month. The WWE Hall of Famer was previously told to retire from competitive wrestling in 2011 on medical grounds as a result of the neck and back injuries he sustained over the years. It was expected that Edge would never enter the ring as a competitor again but he did at the 2020 Royal Rumble. His 2021 Royal Rumble victory was his first in 11 years and the match also saw his long-time friend Christian return to the ring for the first time since 2014. “There were real…

Teen golf sensation continues to tee-off for success KWAZULU-NATAL golf sensation Kyle Kistensamy is hoping to play as many tournaments as possible before he heads to the US to begin his scholarship in August. The teenager showed why he is so highly rated when the African Amateur Championship teed off at Glendower Golf Club on Monday. A blaze of birdies on his back nine boosted Kistensamy to the summit of a congested first round leader board in the Championship, placing the 19-year-old among the early favourites. After the soggy build-up over the last two weeks, the clear skies and the sun dappling through the trees brought an air of expectation of something special. Kistensamy burst from the blocks with a birdie start on the par four 10th and dged into…

MINIMUM WAGE Domestics get 23% salary hike POST REPORTER THE new national minimum wage (NMW) is R21.69 for each ordinary hour – an increase of 4.5%. This will come into effect on March 1. The new minimum wage for South Africa was published in the latest Government Gazette on Monday night. The minimum wages for domestic workers and farm workers have been increased by 23% and 16% respectively. Farm workers are now entitled to a minimum wage of R21.69 per hour; domestic workers are entitled to a minimum wage of R19.09 an hour; workers employed on an expanded public works programme are entitled to R11.93 an hour. In a statement, the DA said the above-inflation minimum wage increases gazetted would lead to further job losses at a time when unemployment…

CLINICS, SCHOOLS, HOSPITALS AMONG BENEFICIARIES Company to provide free internet CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za TECH company 123NET has launched a programme to provide free fibre to clinics, schools, libraries, state hospitals and non-profit and religious organisations in Phoenix. The company has rolled out free fibre to Siphosethu and Natest primary schools and the Shri Mariammen Temple Society in ward 48, Phoenix, which allows them free connectivity to the internet. Seelan Achary, the ANC chairperson for ward 48, said he liaised with representatives from the uMhlanga-based company, and as part of its social investment initiative, free fibre would become available in other areas in Phoenix. It will also be provided to surrounding areas such as Inanda, Ntuzuma and KwaMashu. “In Ward 48, there are about 16 primary and high schools, about 16…

ACADEMIC YEAR STARTS Schoolwear sales slump as parents play waiting game NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za SIBONELO NGCOBO African News Agency (ANA) REDUCED sales at schoolwear and stationery shops indicate that many families’ finances were impacted during the Covid-19 pandemic. On Friday, Gem Schoolwear in Juniper Road, Overport, had a steady stream of customers. However, it was not as busy as it usually is prior to the reopening of schools. The store stocks locally-made uniforms for more than 200 primary and high schools. Penny Shunmugam, a parent, said she budgeted about R1 000 for school attire for her daughter, Miranda, a Grade 9 pupil at Northmead High. She bought three white shirts and a blazer. “She still has her skirts, shoes and three of five pairs of knee-high socks which I purchased…

‘UNSUNG HERO’ Hindvani radio host Prakash Seetal dies JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za PRAKASH Seetal, a social activist and Hindvani talk show host, died on Sunday after an illness. Seetal, 71, of Kharwastan, Chatsworth, was diagnosed with amyloidosis, a rare blood disorder, a year ago. Two days before he died, he tested positive for Covid-19 but he did not display any symptoms. His wife, Sharmilla Seetal, a teacher at Kharwastan Secondary and fellow presenter at Hindvani, said: “We thought he was going to be fine. He was always in and out of the hospital due to his condition.” His illness had caused damage to his heart muscles, resulting in his lungs malfunctioning. Sharmilla said two weeks ago, her husband was in hospital for treatment. “When he came home, we got a call…

LENMED ETHEKWINI HOSPITAL AND HEART CENTRE Working as a team is important Name: Zama Dlamini Occupation: Dnrolled nurse – 24-hour accident and emergency unit Years in health care: 9 Years at Lenmed Dthekwini Hospital and Heart Centre: 8 WE ALL need to show love, be understanding and give the care and support that we would want for ourselves, to everyone else. Without fail, every day before we came on duty, my team and I prayed together for strength and guidance to help us get through the day. This is how I was able to push forward and help our patients. We were blessed that, during the peak period and when all our beds were occupied, we were able to carry on. Our teamwork, help from management, training and genuine concern…

Editor’s View They’re sailing … away from Durban A WEEK ago, our president was at the Ford Motor Company of South Africa. The facility is in the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone. Ford has committed almost R16 billion in investment to expand its operations in South Africa. It will be able to produce about 200 000 vehicles a year, including the Ranger bakkie which has proved popular locally and abroad. What’s more, Ford has attracted 12 companies that make car components to build factories in this special economic zone. They’re coming in with investments worth R4.3bn. During the construction phase, about 8 600 jobs will be created. And once the factories open, they will need about 2 000 workers. It is a positive development for our country, given our need…

THE EMOTIONS FELT BY A COW ARE MORE EMPATHETIC THAN THAT OF ANY OTHER BEAST Hinduism: beef with what’s cooking DR AMAN MAHARAJ THE recent social media uproar regarding the Holi Cow restaurant owned by talented chef, Yudhika Sujanani, and her preparation of beef products, is a delicate situation. She and I are Alma Maters of the same high school, so I initially felt it uncollegial to write about the hullaballoo. By her own admission, Sujanani did imply, some time back in the online magazine Indian Spice, that the name “Holi Cow” was linked to the reverence Hindus accorded cows. When the hubbub broke out, she later backtracked on the explanation, denying the Hindu origins of the name – not realising that anything posted onto the web remains there for…

CREATION Roht: A simple offering A petition was recently started by a group that took umbrage with Yudhika Sujanani, a chef and businesswoman, preparing beef and roht on the same premises. Roht is a flour-based offering that Hindus use in prayer. It is not a general treat. Sujanani said she did not sell basic roht but rohtinspired cake and banana cake. We look at the significance of roht, also referred to as persadh MAYA JAGJIVAN KALICHARAN IT IS 4am. I wake up instinctively without an alarm, my heart already filled with joy for what lies ahead. I bath and get dressed excitedly in a punjabi. My favourite, multicoloured cotton sari was ironed the night before and it will be worn once I am done in the kitchen. I light a…

PLAN AHEAD Go out for a meal or watch a film at home LATOYA NEWMAN latoya.newman@inl.co.za WHETHER you’re thinking of stepping out or prefer staying in, here are some ideas of what to do on Valentine’s Day. Covid protocols apply. GOING OUT: • Freedom Cafe (37 St Mary’s Avenue, Windermere, Durban) hosts its Ultimate Valentine’s Day breakfast (7am-11am); lunch (12pm-3pm) and dinner (4pm-8pm) on February 14. Limited space. For bookings and menu, call Tamara at 064 530 3846. • Enjoy a meal next to a shark tank during Valentine’s lunch at the Cargo Hold, uShaka Marine World, on February 14. There will be two seatings available: 12pm and 3pm with two menus to choose from. Limited to 50 people per seating because of Covid-19 regulations. Bookings are essential. Call 031…

LAUNCH SERVICES SpaceX wins Nasa contract NASA has selected tech billionaire Elon Musk’s private aerospace company SpaceX to provide launch services for an astrophysics mission to survey the sky in the near-infrared light. The planned two-year mission is called Spherex, short for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer. The near-infrared light, which though not visible to the human eye, served as a powerful tool for answering cosmic questions involving the birth of the universe, and the subsequent development of galaxies, Nasa said. Spherex would also search for water and organic molecules – essentials for life – in regions where stars are born from gas and dust, known as stellar nurseries, as well as discs around stars where new planets could be forming, the…

THE KINGFISHER From north to south, fishing has been exceptional ON the rock and surf side, the inedibles are giving a good account of themselves. The kingfish have been around in good numbers. When the conditions line up, the north has been wild. From Umhlanga to Richards Bay and beyond, the fishing for the big boys has been exceptionally good. The so-called wrong conditions have reduced the bites, but the fishing has not stopped. Any larger fish bait has been the best bet to draw the fish in and get their attention. Mackerel and bonito/sarda are your best baits when it comes to inedibles up north. Remember that you need to fish for these fish with the correct tackle (fairly heavy) to get them out. The diamonds can be landed…

Visitors were more professional and consistent, admits Kohli AFTER suffering a 227-run loss in the first Test against England, India skipper Virat Kohli admitted yesterday that his side’s body language and intensity were not up to the mark in the first innings of the Chennai Test. On day five of the first Test, James Anderson and Jack Leach stole the show for England as the duo took seven wickets between them to bundle out the hosts for 192. Kohli top-scored for India with 72 runs. The result saw England jump to the first spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) standings while India slipped to fourth. This was India's first defeat on home soil in the last four years. The last time India were defeated at home was in 2017…

ESHLIN On SPORT City in firm control as Big Sam looks set for historic first relegation MANCHESTER City are seemingly coasting towards the title and it will be a surprise if Pep Guardiola’s charges do not win their third league title in four seasons. The Cityzens’ hammering of Liverpool last weekend means that they top the standings and are five points clear of nearest rivals Manchester United, with a game in hand. United missed a chance to continue exerting pressure on their city rivals as their defending let them down in a thrilling draw with Everton, as neither goalkeeper David de Gea nor captain Harry Maguire commanded their defensive line well. In addition to their three goals, the Toffees missed other opportunities, so United were lucky to walk away with…