Table of contents for 2023-05-10 in Post

A moderate amount of stress can be a good thing. It can sharpen concentration and performance, and help to create the energy and motivation we need to keep studying. Too much stress, however, can be overwhelming and stop us from being able to study and function healthily in life. Undoubtedly, it would be disappointing if you did not do as well as you hoped. But instead of thinking negative thoughts, it is helpful to challenge those thoughts (I won’t get a good job, people will think I am stupid, my future is over) with a more realistic assessment. Enlist a friend, counsellor or tutor to help you to do this. It’s very common to think that we will be judged solely on our academic achievements rather than as individuals with…

Sufficient sleep is a fundamental aspect of good health. However, over 30% of people suffer from insomnia, and this figure increases to 40% to 60% for those over 60 years old. Inadequate sleep has been linked to health problems, including obesity, heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, a suppressed immune system and endocrine disorders. Studies have also shown a correlation between lack of sleep and premature ageing, as well as the exacerbation of chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and kidney disease. Sleep specialists caution that individuals with insomnia should avoid becoming reliant on medication and instead consider lifestyle adjustments and rule out underlying conditions such as depression, which may be the root cause of their sleeplessness. Incorporate therapies and relaxation rituals to promote better sleep – this…

The recent announcement by Mattel of an addition of a Barbie doll with Down syndrome has been welcomed by interest groups. In a statement, Mattel said the doll was created to allow even more children to see themselves in Barbie, as well as to have Barbie reflect the world around them. “The Barbie doll with Down syndrome is meant to inspire all children to tell more stories through play. As the most diverse doll line on the market, Barbie plays an important role in a child’s early experiences, and we are dedicated to doing our part to counter social stigma through play,” said Lisa McKnight, the executive vice-president and global head of Barbie and Dolls, Mattel. “Our goal is to enable all children to see themselves in Barbie while also…

ON MAY 1, Checkers supermarkets across the country saw an influx of tweens and teens who queued for hours, determined to snatch up a bottle of Prime Hydration. Soon after, social media was flooded with pictures of those who’d managed to secure their bottles of the hydration drink. Prime was launched in January 2022 by YouTubers Logan Paul and KSI, who have a combined social following of more than 47 million followers. Since then the product has been available only at selected outlets in South Africa, retailing at anything from R400 upwards per bottle. Prime Hydration is a 500ml drink comprised of coconut water with no sugar or caffeine, and added vitamins. When Checkers confirmed it was the official South African retail partner of Prime, it meant the drink was…

WARREN Naidoo, 27, is graduating with a PhD in maths this week. The UKZN student said his PhD research was based on cosmology. He said: “Here we are interested in the evolution of the universe as a whole. What is it made up of? Where did it come from? What will happen to it in the future? “Specifically, we studied how we can use future astronomical surveys of the universe to place constraints on the nature of the universe. “Particularly, we focused on using neutral hydrogen surveys to understand the universe. “I believe that understanding the universe we live in is one of the most fundamental questions about the nature of our existence. “It has intrigued our species since the dawn of civilisation and our curious nature will always drive…

Former beauty pageant winners have mixed views on Miss South Africa’s inclusion of married women in the competition. The announcement was made last week. Women who are married, married with children, engaged to be married, or divorced can now enter. In addition, Miss South Africa will air a seven-part reality series called Crown Chasers, which will give the public insight into how the competition is run. Dr Kajal Lutchminarian, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon, won the Miss India South Africa and Miss India Worldwide competitions in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Lutchminarian said: “I think it’s about time. We have to change the narrative of beauty and unrealistic beauty standards and expectations. Women should be celebrated and not objectified. “For many years pageants have been providing platforms for growth and have…

South Africa has one of the world’s most expansive social grant system: 47% of the population relies on a monthly grant. Of these, 18 million are permanent beneficiaries and about 10 million receive a temporary Social Relief of Distress Grant. This was introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic for working age adults who do not receive formal social protection, such as unemployment insurance and for those engaged in informal work. The vast majority of the grants are child support grants (R500 or around $27 a month) paid to a child’s primary caregiver based on a means test. There is ample, global evidence that such cash transfers bring many positive outcomes. For instance, they reduce child hunger, improve school attendance and help reduce poverty. Although social grants are spent largely on food,…

The DA has launched a petition to get the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro to amend its hiring policy to reflect the demographics in the city and not the province. The DA says the Eastern Cape province and the city have two different sets of demographics, and using only the provincial demographics would disadvantage some. Yusuf Cassim, the party’s provincial chairperson, said that, according to the 2016 Census, the estimated population of the province was 86.4% black, 8.6% coloured, 4.6% white and 0.4% Asian/Indian. The metro has a different makeup: 59.9% black, 23.9% coloured, 15% white and 1.2% Asian/Indian. According to Cassim, by using the provincial demographics, coloured people, in particular, would struggle to find work in the city. “We are forced to comply with this legislation in Nelson Mandela Bay…

Indian soldiers played an instrumental role in South Africa’s military history and it is important that their legacy is not forgotten. This was the objective of the South African Indian Legion (Sail) when they recently embarked on a joint project with the South African Air Force (SAAF) to ensure that Indian participation forms part of the collection of the country’s history at the SAAF museum at the Swartkop Air Base in Centurion, Pretoria. The new exhibition was recently unveiled ahead of the SA Air Force Museum Air Show 2023, which took place at the weekend. The exhibit comprises two life-size information boards that provide a wealth of information on the contributions by Indian soldiers to the SA Air Force. “Information on the boards includes the first Indian pilot in South…

You might think Formula One drivers powering round a track at average speeds of about 220km/h would have their eyes fixed solely on the road ahead and their rivals. Not always it seems. Veteran Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso admitted he was following the action on the giant TV screens at the Miami Grand Prix while driving to a third-place finish on Sunday. Alonso gave the game away with his radio communication to his team, where he commented on a move with around 10 laps to go from his Canadian teammate Lance Stroll, who overtook Alex Albon in the Williams. “Which position is Lance? Great move into turn one,” Alonso was caught saying on the team radio. His comment caused puzzlement and amusement on the race broadcast commentary, and when…

A repurposed Phnom Penh wedding venue becomes a seething pit of pugilism as the Cambodian martial art of kun bokator roars onto the international stage only decades after near-extinction. The ancient form’s inclusion in the Southeast Asian Games is the next step in what San Kim Sean, widely known as “The Grand Master”, calls his dream of bringing the sport to the world. “I hope my dream will come true, to me and to the world,” he said at the SEA Games, before detailing the story of how the fighting style of the Khmer Empire nearly died. First discouraged by French colonisers, it was then hunted down by the genocidal Khmer Rouge regime of the 1970s, who saw a threat in organised and trained fighters with a stake in defending…

United States Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson, looking for leadership and experience, named Jim Furyk as one of his vice-captains for this year’s event in Italy. Furyk boasts a wealth of Ryder Cup experience, having played in the biennial competition between the US and Europe in nine-consecutive editions from 1997 while serving as captain in 2018 and vice-captain in 2016 and 2021. “Jim and I have been friends for more than 20 years. He’s an amazing leader, mentor and someone I trust,” said Johnson. “He understands what it takes to compete at the highest level, and how to be a team player. I will be leaning on his experience a ton in the lead up to Marco Simone in September.” Johnson has appointed former Ryder Cup captains Steve Stricker and…

Everton moved out of the Premier League relegation zone, with a ruthless 5-1 win at Brighton on Monday, while Leicester’s hopes of survival are hanging by a thread after a 5-3 defeat at Fulham. Nottingham Forest also pulled themselves clear of the bottom three as they beat fellow strugglers Southampton 4-3. Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton were torn apart by an Everton side that had not won away since October. The Toffees had the dream start as Abdoulaye Doucoure opened the scoring after just 34 seconds. Doucoure’s brilliant volley from Dwight McNeil’s cross doubled Everton’s lead before Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele deflected McNeil’s cross into his own net. De Zerbi responded by making four half-time substitutions and Brighton peppered the Everton goal but were caught out on the counter-attack when McNeil…

3 eggs, beaten 125ml frozen sweetcorn 175g can of tuna, drained and flaked 2-3 spring onions, chopped 80ml grated Parmesan cheese 100g feta cheese, cubed 45ml chopped parsley Salt and pepper Beat the eggs well, then combine with all the remaining ingredients and season well. Spoon the mixture into a well-greased mini muffin pan and bake at 180°C for 20-25 minutes until set and light golden. Cool in pan for five minutes before removing. These are delicious served either hot or cold. Makes 12. |…

While the Department of Basic Education announced that the matric class of 2022 achieved a notable pass rate of 80.1%, we must be cognisant that the pass requirement for some subjects is as low as 30%. While still a matric exemption, marks as low as this will see many of South Africa’s youth struggle to be accepted into tertiary institutions and find valuable future employment opportunities. Weak performances in matric final exams don’t mean the end of the road for learners. However, achieving better results can help them realise their dreams and will greatly influence their potential opportunities in the future. Learners shouldn’t be despondent leading up to exams. With the advent of technology, there are several platforms learners can use to bolster their studying techniques. The key to studying…

Early screening, treatment and education can improve the quality of life for children and adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), but a lack of awareness and trained professionals is limited, especially for lower-income communities. Although statistics in South Africa are scarce, a study conducted in the Western Cape noted an increase of 76% in children with autism in schools. The findings are in line with the 2023 Centre for Disease Control and Prevention report stating that approximately 1 in 36 children in the US is diagnosed with ASD, higher than the previous 2018 estimate that found a prevalence of 1 in 44 (2.3%). The South African Society of Psychiatrists (Sasop) calls for better understanding and an increase in health and education sector resources that can improve the lives of those…

The most direct clue that South Africa’s electricity grid was in danger of collapse came at the end of April when the South African Special Risk Insurance Association (Sasria) announced that as of May it would exclude cover for claims that result from the grid collapsing. Eskom cannot provide as much electricity as the country needs and to prevent the grid from collapsing has introduced load shedding. However, in the past few months South Africans have experienced longer hours without electricity. With winter imminent, the situation is set to get worse. Days after Sasria, which is owned by the state, made the announcement, they withdrew the decision. Muzi Dladla, executive for stakeholder management at Sasria, said: “We are writing to issue a formal retraction of circulars 525 and 526,…

NOT only is South Africa regarded as one of the leading pageant countries in the world, but it has also been hailed globally as a “pageant disruptor” by challenging old precepts, constantly shifting the goalposts and making the competition more diverse and more inclusive. The Miss South Africa’s track record speaks volumes. Look at the past six years: Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters, 2017 (Miss Universe winner); Tamaryn Green, 2018 (Miss Universe first princess); Zozibini Tunzi, 2019 (Miss Universe winner); Lalela Mswane, 2021 (Miss Universe second runner-up and Miss Supranational winner) and reigning Miss South Africa Ndavi Nokeri, 2022 (Top 10 Miss Universe). However, since Weil Entertainment bought the rights to the Miss South Africa pageant from Sun International in 2019, we have been determined that Miss South Africa continues to alter the…

South Africa’s cost of living has increased significantly over the years. The pressure on consumers is immense, with the interest rate rising to levels last seen more than a decade ago and inflation also pushing up food prices. As a result, some consumers may struggle to make ends meet, especially when one considers that Statistics SA’s latest Consumer Price Index data indicate that food and fuel are the two biggest areas where people spend most of their money. The question is what considerations consumers can make to reduce their spending and make smart moves to make ends meet. Smart tips to help you make ends meet: l Consider easy ways to help you budget: Look at your financial needs and wants so you can make informed decisions on where you…

THE mood among South Africans has soured. The latest findings from the representative survey that is done every year by the Human Sciences Research Council shows disturbing new trends. The most marked are: A decline in levels of life satisfaction as a whole. A downturn in people’s views about what lies ahead in their lives. A growing sense of despondency. A declining satisfaction with democracy. The sense of hopelessness and despondency with democracy that emerges from the survey does not bode well for the future of the country’s democracy. As the survey shows, as despondency increases, so too does a sense of hopelessness. The 2021 survey – with the most recent available results – consisted of 2 996 South Africans aged 16 and older living in private residences. The data…

The South African National Blood Service (SANBS) is appealing for blood donations because stocks are low. According to the organisation, KwaZulu-Natal currently has blood stocks for only three days. Khensani Mahlangu, the SANBS communications officer, said the O blood groups were in high demand. “They are universal donors, meaning they can donate to all blood groups. Donors from all blood groups are encouraged to donate regularly.” The SANBS said the two weeks leading to the Easter weekend as well as the school holidays had a significant impact on blood donations and collections, resulting in a shortage across the country. The school holidays also had a bigger than usual impact because most blood collections are done at schools and universities. The SANBS said it might need to continue with cutbacks…

The Tamil Federation of KwaZulu-Natal (TFKZN) elected its new executive and management committee members at its bi-annual general meeting at the weekend. Gan (Devan) Moodley, of Durban, was unanimously elected the new president. He said: “Tamils all over the world, and more specifically in South Africa, are currently facing many and varied challenges. We cannot continue to do what we have done for decades, expecting different outcomes. “We need to understand and contextualise these challenges, and seek innovative and implementable strategies to address them if we wish to make a positive difference to our communities. “I am confident that by working as a team with a common vision and mission, we will see the light at the end of the tunnel. When I say team, I include the entire collective:…

Milan is gearing up for its biggest derby in a generation as two of Europe’s grand old clubs face off on Wednesday in a blockbuster Champions League semi-final. Two clashes full of colour, noise and drama await in one of the continent’s football capitals, with AC Milan and Inter Milan going head to head at the San Siro for the chance to take the Italian city’s European trophy tally to 22. Milan and Inter are no longer true giants like the other semi-final’s contenders Real Madrid and Manchester City, who played on Tuesday night, but Wednesday’s match will be unbeatable for atmosphere and played in one of football's most evocative arenas. “The atmosphere at the stadium is incredible… Everyone here is a fan, men and women alike. The pressure is…

Formula One spent much of the build-up to the Miami Grand Prix this past Sunday shrugging off criticism that it had become boring and uncompetitive, with Red Bull in a league of their own and winning every race. Tom Garfinkel, the chief executive of the Miami Dolphins and Hard Rock Stadium that hosts the race, said that while they could not do anything about the on-track product, they had upped their entertainment game by adding new glitzy elements to the total fan experience. It is no coincidence that F1 chose Miami, one of America’s major party hubs, to introduce two new fan-focused features by rolling out a F1 theme song and a splashy pre-race showbiz style driver introduction. Interest in F1 in the US has been supercharged by the hugely…

Wallabies scrum-half Nic White will play in Australia until 2025, announcing on Tuesday a new deal that will take him to the struggling Western Force next year. The 32-year-old will leave the ACT Brumbies at the end of this season in a significant boost for the ailing Force, who sit second bottom of the Super Rugby Pacific standings. White’s new contract puts him in the frame to play against the British and Irish Lions, who will tour Australia in 2025. “I couldn’t be happier to be sticking around in Australian rugby,” White, who previously played for Montpellier in France and Exeter Chiefs in England, said in a statement. “There’s plenty to look forward to with the Rugby World Cup later this year and I’ve made no secret of my desire…

All is still to play for in the Premier League with the title race, battle for the top four and relegation fight set to go to the wire. Arsenal’s 2-0 win at Newcastle kept the pressure on Manchester City at the top. Newcastle’s defeat and Manchester United’s 1-0 loss at West Ham means the race for the top four is back on, thanks to Liverpool’s six-game winning run. At the bottom, Leicester and Leeds fell into the relegation zone as Everton and Nottingham Forest secured vital wins. AFP Sport looks at the key talking points from the coronation weekend. ARSENAL REFUSE TO GO QUIETLY Arsenal’s four-game winless run that culminated in a 4-1 thrashing at City last month led many to call the title race a foregone conclusion. But the…

500ml raw fruity muesli cereal 125ml rolled oats 30ml pumpkin seeds 15ml sesame seeds 15ml poppy seeds 15ml linseeds 250ml flour 250ml sugar 5ml bicarbonate of soda 310g butter 30ml golden syrup Put the muesli, oats, seeds, flour, sugar and bicarbonate of soda into a bowl. Combine the butter and syrup in a small saucepan and melt over a low heat. Add to the dry ingredients and mix until well combined. Press the mixture into a greased 20cm-30cm oven pan and smooth the top with the back of a spoon. Bake at 170°C for 25-30 minutes, until golden brown. Remove and cool for 10 minutes before cutting into squares. Makes about 35. |…

Theshaya Naidoo, 22, graduated cum laude with an LLB degree last week at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (UKZN) first week of graduation. Naidoo is among the university’s top achievers. She is pursuing her LLM in medical law. Naidoo said that through dedication, hard work, focus and family support she overcame personal and academic difficulties to arrive at this point. Prior to her LLB, she completed a Bachelor of Social Science degree majoring in law, criminology and forensic sciences, which she also received cum laude. Naidoo matriculated from Raisethorpe Secondary School in 2017 and studies at the UKZN campus in Pietermaritzburg. She also lives in Pietermaritzburg with her mother. She said she hoped to become a knowledgeable and skilled legal consultant with a focus on assisting marginalised groups, such as domestic…

THE top medical student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) for last year is 24-year-old summa cum laude graduate, Dr Mohamed Suhail Saib, from Asherville in Durban. Saib’s Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) qualifications were conferred this week. Also graduating summa cum laude was Saib’s girlfriend and study friend, Dr Sameera Alli. Saib said: “All glory and gratitude is to God for blessing me with these accolades. It feels good to have my long-awaited dream become a reality. Six years is a long time to dedicate to studying, therefore it is great to see my constant effort and hard work pay off.” He said that he had set out to gain as much knowledge as possible and to learn how to provide effective health care to patients,…

WHILE motorists cheered a fuel price decrease in April, the outlook is more complicated for May. According to recent data from the Central Energy Fund (CEF), petrol prices have increased from R22.64 a litre for 93 octane petrol and R22.97 for 95 octane petrol in April to R23.01 and R23.34 a litre, respectively. This means that the average logistics vehicle with an 80-litre diesel tank will cost R58.80 less to fill up, while 93 and 95 octane petrol tanks will cost an additional R29.60. As the Chinese economy reopens and trade began to normalise, oil demand from the world’s largest crude oil importer pushed Brent crude prices higher at the start of the year. Through March, however, oil prices came under pressure as a mini banking crisis spurred fears over…

A PIETERMARITZBURG family are trying to rebuild their lives after their home was gutted during a fire last Tuesday night. Natalie Rajah said around 8pm the area experienced a power outage and the family lit candles to light up their three-bedroom home in Copesville. Rajah’s 14-month-old daughter and four other teenage relatives shared one room, while her mother, Ranjini Rajah, 54, and sister, Chanelle Rajah, 23, shared another. Natalie and her partner, Renato Naicker, 27, shared the third room. “There was a lit candle in the children’s room. One of the children, Crystal Govender, woke up because they started feeling hot. She opened her eyes and all she could see was flames. “A sponge had fallen onto the candle which caused a cupboard to catch fire. Crystal began screaming and…

Advocacy groups for the deaf community have called the move to recognise South African Sign Language (SASL) as the country’s 12th official language a historic moment. The National Assembly approved the amendment to the Constitution to include the language on Tuesday last week. The amendment was passed without opposition in the National Assembly and will become law once signed by the president. According to Parliament spokesperson Moloto Mothapo, the amendment was made to promote the rights of persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. More than 4 million in the country are deaf or hard of hearing. South Africa is said to be the 14th country in the world to include sign language as an official language. Veetha Sewkuran, president of the KZN Blind and Deaf Society, said: “The…

An energised Faf de Klerk has warned that South Africa are ready to “prove the world wrong” by retaining their Rugby World Cup crown. The feisty scrum-half with the flowing blond hair is one of rugby’s most recognisable players and was key to the Springboks’ World Cup triumph in Japan four years ago. He is playing for Yokohama Canon Eagles after leaving England’s Sale Sharks last year and was one of nine Japan-based players on South Africa’s tour of Europe last year. De Klerk said Japan’s comparatively shorter league season meant he was feeling “much better off” physically and that he believes the Springboks will benefit at the World Cup in France this autumn. “If you peak too early, you will burn out,” the 31-year-old said. “I feel in a…

As a young girl, Iraqi Kurd Shylan Kamal would help her mother knead bread. One day she realised the work was a way to build up muscles – and she liked it. Now 46 and herself a mother, Kamal sees her passion for body-building as a matter of gender equality in Iraq’s autonomous Kurdistan region. “Having muscles is good for women too,” she said during a session at a gym in the provincial capital, Arbil, where she spends four hours a day training. “We can express our beauty through body-building,” Kamal said. The nutritionist and former photographer returned to Kurdistan from Germany three years ago and found a conservative and patriarchal society where her passion for body-building raised some eyebrows. But she refused to let opinions stop her. “I don’t…

Mohamed Salah bagged his 100th goal at Anfield and became the first Liverpool player to score in nine consecutive home games in a 1-0 Premier League win over Brentford at the weekend. The win, coupled with Manchester United losing at West Ham, kept alive hopes of a top four finish and Champions League football for the Reds next season. A blunder by goalkeeper David de Gea allowed Algerian Said Benrahma to score the only goal at West Ham. We highlight African headline-makers in the major European leagues. ENGLAND Mohamed Salah (Liverpool): The Egyptian, twice African Footballer of the Year, scored at the second attempt from Virgil van Dijk’s header to register his 30th goal of the season in all competitions. RIYAD MAHREZ (Manchester City): Algerian Mahrez was the creator of…

Captain Babar Azam says the “dominant” one-day series win over New Zealand sets Pakistan up nicely for the World Cup, despite doubts over their participation. The hosts beat a depleted New Zealand 4-1 in the five-match series and on their way briefly reached the top of the one-day rankings for the first time. Pakistan scored 337 in the second match – their second-highest successful chase in one-day internationals – and Azam became the fastest player to 5000 ODI runs en route to his 18th century in the format. Opener Fakhar Zaman meanwhile achieved the distinction of hitting hundreds in three successive ODIs, establishing his place in Pakistan’s top three, whichncludes opener Imam-ul-Haq. Uncertainty looms over Pakistan’s participation in the World Cup in October-November because of tensions with hosts India. Despite…

New Zealand batter Devon Conway lauded India and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Ruturaj Gaikwad, with whom he opens in the Indian Premier League (IPL), calling him “one of the best players he has ever seen”. “Batting alongside Ruturaj is a real treat. I think he is one of the best players I have seen first-hand. I am very fortunate to be batting and watching him from the other end,” said Conway. Gaikwad said that although Conway did not talk too much off the field, it was the exact opposite while batting. “When we are batting, I do not know why, he talks a lot. He just keeps talking. He is consistent across all formats in international cricket. So when you have that experience, It is also important for me…