Table of contents for 2024-02-21 in Post

Aurets is a healer, psychic medium, intuitive mentor, masseuse and regression therapist. She also teaches meditation and breath work. She is passionate about holistic care and offers a small range of holistic products. Aurets practises in the Upper Highway, KZN. Find her on https://www.facebook.com/healing 1920. Contact her at 079 356 4657 or theeternalbreath@gmail.com ARIES (March 21 – April 19) The detours bring experiences we may not have had. Embrace new adventures with an open mind and heart. Lost, confused and alone emotions will end. Find peaceful moments to reconnect to your divine self in nature. Magic number: 6. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) New beginnings will reveal new gifts. Past sadness must be released, so space for abundance has a place to land. Nothing is truly lost.…

ACTION star Vidyut Jammwal, who is gearing up for the release of his theatrical film Crakk, has heaped praise on his co-star, Arjun Rampal. The Commando actor said it was a delight to work with Rampal as he could seamlessly mould into any character. “He is amazing. He can mould himself into any character’s requirements. He works so hard on his techniques to seamlessly get into any role. It was a delight watching him as a co-star and see him get into this zone.” Rampal said: “The reason this film is called Crakk is because everyone is cracking at some point of time in it because of the pressure put on them. “That gives a lot of opportunity for an actor to explore different kinds of emotions in an action-packed…

THE Telangana State Anti-Narcotic Bureau (TSNAB) has directed the makers of the new Telugu movie, Ganja Shankar, to change its title by omitting the word gaanja (cannabis) from it. The TSNAB told actor Sai Dharam Tej, the producer and director of the film, that if any objectionable scenes in connection with gaanja/narcotics and psychotropic substances were included, legal action would be initiated against them under the NDPS Act. Sandeep Shandilya, the director of the TSNAB, issued notices to Tej, who plays the main character, producer S Nagavamshi and director Sampath Nandi. The TSNAB believes that the film’s title and the scenes included in the trailer seem to be glorify drug consumption and sales, thus potentially violating the NDPS Act. Shandilya asked the actor and makers to refrain from depicting any…

VARUN Dhawan and wife Natasha Dalal have announced, through social media, that they are expecting their first child. Dhawan shared a glimpse from a maternity photoshoot. He wrote: We are pregnant. Need all your blessings and love.” The picture shows Dalal in a body con dress, flaunting her baby bump, while Dhawan kneels, holding her hands, and kissing the baby bump. The photo seems to have been taken at their house, and there is a glimpse of their furry friend, Joey, in the background. In no time, the post received several likes, with Bollywood celebrities and fans showering love on them. Anil Kapoor and Janhvi Kapoor dropped red heart emojis. Sonam Kapoor said: “So cute.” Arjun Kapoor said: “Daddy & Mommy number 1.” Harsh Vardhan Kapoor said: “Baby Baby John.”…

2kg lamb Marinade: 1 cup sour milk 1 tsp crushed garlic 1 tsp ginger and garlic paste 1 tsp red chilli paste 50ml vinegar 50ml lemon juice whole spices ¼ cup oil 1 tsp black peppercorns 1 bay leaf ½ tsp cloves cinnamon sticks 6 cardamom pods 2 tsp cumin seeds Marinate the lamb in a large mixing bowl for 1 hour. Dry spices: ½ tsp turmeric 2 tsp coriander powder 2 tsp cumin powder 2 tsp Kashmiri masala 2 tsp chilli powder 2 tsp paprika 2 tsp garam masala 2 tsp chilli flakes 2½ tsp coarse salt Vegetables: 2 finely chopped onions 4 large potatoes (peeled and cut into quarters) Tomato mixture: 1 can of tomatoes ½ green pepper 2 green chillies Starch: 3 tsp coarse salt 2½ cups…

A TURF war is believed to be behind the drive-by shooting to “wipe out the competition” – of a local businessman who owns five “flourishing” cannabis shops in Phoenix. Blaine Pillay, 33, and his son, 10, came under attack from a gunman while they were seated in their vehicle, a BMW M4, on the R102 near the Southgate and Broadlands intersection last Monday. The father of two, who was shot in the head and chest, had to be airlifted to hospital. His son was unharmed. A close relative, who declined to be named for fear of his life, said Pillay had picked up his son from school. They were on their way to have a haircut before going to their home in Phoenix. “We were told by witnesses that a…

THE Verulam Water Crisis Committee has sought help from the UN after losing faith in the eThekwini Municipality, the government and the South African Human Rights Commission. For several months, Verulam and surrounding areas, including Phoenix and oThongathi (Tongaat), have been without a proper water supply. Last month, residents in Phoenix and Verulam took to the streets to protest against the ongoing water cuts in the community. Residents blocked off entrance and exist points in the area, and held placard demonstrations. Since the protest, the water situation has not improved. In some areas residents have an intermittent supply, while others areas have no water. To add to the residents’ woes there are a limited number of water tankers available. Roshan Lil-Ruthan, the spokesperson for the committee, said they had reported…

MORE than 50 business owners on Umgeni Road are living in fear of brazen armed robbers targeting their shops. They are calling for more police visibility after one of the business owners was shot in the stomach during a recent armed robbery. The victim, Rajinder Singh, 43, the owner of Khayalami Home Goods Store, said that this was the third armed robbery at one of his four shops in recent months. This was in addition to the several burglaries and shoplifting incidents, reported over the past few months. Singh said he was sitting in his shop with a friend when an armed man entered at about 6.30pm. “I was about to close up shop for the day when he entered and went up to one of my employees. He…

Our pending general elections is balanced on a razor’s edge, as no party will gain a clear mandate to govern. The most volatile area is KwaZulu-Natal, where polls indicate no party will emerge with a majority, a recipe for another July 2021 event. Our intelligence institutions were caught by complete surprise as events almost derailed orderly governance. It was absolutely clear that those entrusted with protecting the nation failed in alerting the country in 2021. This is indeed criminal negligence, when the entire intelligence establishment was in a comatose state. The report on the insurrection that was given to President Cyril Ramaphosa stated that “the looting, destruction and violence have come and gone, but we found that little has changed in the conditions that led to the unrest, leaving the…

REDUCING poverty is seen as the world’s greatest challenge and in South Africa, it is considered as one of the country’s triple threats, together with unemployment and inequality. During 2023, around 18.2 million people of all races in South Africa were living in extreme poverty. The poverty threshold is at R35 a day. This means that 162 859 more people were pushed into poverty compared to 2022 and the headcount was forecast to increase in the coming years. More than 3 million children live in poverty. South Africa is ranked 114 out of 189 countries in the poverty index due to the declining standards of living and worsening income inequality. One in five South Africans is living in extreme poverty. With poverty in South Africa affecting more than half the…

ONE must thank Professor Saths Cooper on his excellent article titled “Genesis of racial tensions”, (the POST, February 7-11). He reminds us that racial tension between Indians and blacks is not too simplistic. It is historical. It started when Indians came to South Africa in 1860. Unfortunately, leaders from both sides did not “nip it in the bud”. Why did our religious leaders, civic associations and political and other leaders, some 160 years ago and subsequently, not try to bring these groups together so that they could have lived in harmony and peace? We are now paying a penalty for the short-sightedness of our forefathers. I thank Cooper for putting into perspective the turmoil that exists between Indians and blacks. My article, “Below par Indian MPs fuel fire” (the POST,…

DuEggie Saagries Naidu’s (Eggie) passing has left a void in our community. Every one I speak to adds more charming tributes to what I know about him. He was an ambassador, a diplomat, a charmer and an award-winning giant. The accolades are overwhelming. The manner in which he spoke, listened and gave advice; he cared for people, and this is what made him unique. He understood the political landscape of the country and he was concerned about the upliftment of people. He was also concerned about the children of South Africa and the world. “I have no children of my own, but I am concerned about our children. What future do they have in this country. Where is this government taking them? What are we doing to advance the cause…

THREE Chatsworth children are receiving counselling after they discovered the body of a 78-year-old man who drowned in the Bayview Swimming Pool on Valentine’s Day. Ganesan Rammie Naidoo, a retired businessman, was also a well-known pastor at the Chatsworth Family Church in Westcliff. He frequented the local pool almost daily in a bid to keep fit. Dinese Harrikissoon, of Havenside, said she and her family saw Naidoo jumping into the pool at around 10am. “My husband and I, our three children, aged 6, 8 and 12, and my sister-in-law, reached the pool at 9.30am. We did not send the kids to school as they had Valentine’s Day celebrations. We noticed Naidoo as he was the only other person at the pool. “He was wearing dark pink shorts and goggles. He…

WHILE peanut butter is known to be a tasty and affordable spread, it can also add nutritional value to one’s diet – when consumed correctly. Pranisha Deonarain, a registered dietitian, said that peanut butter was high in calories, fibre, protein and good fats, but low in carbohydrates. “While some are found to be high in sugar, portion control and purchasing brands with a lower-sugar content are important. “For people who have good blood sugar control, sugar can still be a part of your daily intake. We have found that higher calorie meals can assist people who need to gain weight, and higher protein can assist with satiety for people wanting to lose weight. “Products high in good fats can assist in heart health, and low carb meals can assist with…

LOCAL social workers are struggling to cope with the high volumes of child abuse and neglect cases in their communities. In some instances, it is reported that up to 100 cases can be allocated or carried by a single social worker. Jo Moodley, the social work manager at Tongaat Child Welfare, said her team was alerted to cases every day. “The most common report for the area is child neglect. Children are locked in their homes alone while their parents go out. We also have reports of sexual, verbal and physical abuse. With the sexual abuse, in most cases the perpetrators are known to the child, either being family members or family friends.” Moodley said she had a team of eight social workers. “When our new social workers start work…

Proteas Women’s coach Hilton Moreeng has praised his team’s character on their recently-concluded tour of Australia. Moreeng’s charges may have gone down heavily in the one-off Test and lost both the T20 and ODI series, but he feels his team were never out of the contest, especially in the white-ball matches. Australia are the undisputed heavyweight champions of the cricket world across all formats and a tour Down Under is the most daunting prospect in the women’s game. Prior to the trip, the Proteas had not beaten the Aussies in any format before. But they broke through that barrier on both the T20I and ODI front, setting up deciders in the final games of both series. Moreeng, who has overseen the Proteas for more than a decade, believes his team…

EVEN at the age of 34, Rosko Specman doesn’t like missing any tournaments for the Blitzboks. Having returned to sevens this season after a few years in the 15-man code – where he earned a Springbok Test cap against Georgia in 2021 – Specman was in the thick of the action as the SA Sevens team won the Dubai tournament, while he was also part of the squad that had a forgettable weekend at the Cape Town event. He was then left out of the group for the Perth Sevens, where they finished fifth, but has been recalled for this weekend’s Canada Sevens in Vancouver. “The coaches told me that I will be rested, and I understood their reasons, but it still hurt,” Specman, who most recently played provincial rugby…

EMRAAN Hashmi, who plays a producer in the webseries, Showtime, has spoken out about what he disliked about producers in the Hindi film industry. Hashmi was speaking to producer-director Karan Johar at the show’s trailer launch when Johar asked him about what he disliked about producers. Hashmi said he did not align with the thought-process of a producer whose single point of focus was the return on investment, and not producing quality content. “I think some producers are purely driven by the commerce in films. And that’s a big thing that doesn’t align with my thinking because they look at film only as a proposal and people, who work in the film, only as commodities. “I’m a creative person, and by the way, I’m terrible at commerce. That's why…

The Commonwealth Games triple medalist and Arjuna Award-winning Olympian, Babita Phogat, has condoled the death of Suhani Bhatnagar, who played her younger self in the 2016 Aamir Khan-starrer biographical sports drama, Dangal. “I can’t believe it. I am shocked by the news,” Phogat wrote on social media, adding: “May her family and fans have the courage to bear the loss in this hour of grief.” Dangal narrates the story of the Haryana sisters, Geeta and Babita Phogat, who became India’s first women wrestlers to appear in international competitions and win medals. Writing in Hindi on X, Babita said: “I feel sad that Suhani Bhatnagar, who played me as a child in the film Dangal, has passed away at such a young age. I can’t believe it. I am shocked by…

AMERICAN wrestler, actor and rapper John Cena is a big fan of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. He recently sang a rendition of the song, Bholi Si Surat, from the 1997 musical romantic drama, Dil To Pagal Hai. Athlete and wrestler Guru Sihra shared a video with Cena on Instagram. In the video, Sihra introduces Cena during their workout sessions, and says: “I am here with a pretty big Shah Rukh Khan fan.” The video also shows Cena wearing a black T-shirt and a matching cap. He adds: “You never know what you can learn when you choose the path of growth. “Here, we are in the gym, so we are trying to grow. I’m going to try my best to learn a song. This is for you, Mr Shah…

4 lamb shanks Marinade: 50ml olive oil lemon juice 50ml fresh cream 2 tbs tomato sauce 1 tsp crushed garlic 1 tsp ginger and garlic paste 1 tsp red chilli paste 50g tomato paste 2 tsp coarse salt 1 tsp red chilli flakes 1 tsp Kashmiri masala 1 tsp chilli powder 1 tsp black pepper 1 tsp cumin powder ½ tsp turmeric 1 tsp coriander powder 1 tsp barbecue spice 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp onion powder 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp thyme 1 tsp oregano 1 tsp mint powder Vegetables: onion celery carrots 1 stock cube Stab the lamb shanks with a knife so that the marinade soaks into the meat. Combine the marinade ingredients and marinate the lamb shanks overnight in a large mixing bowl. To a…

1kg boned chicken Marinade: Wet ingredients: 100ml fresh cream 100ml sour milk 1 tsp chilli paste 1 tsp ginger and garlic paste ¼ tsp saffron essence Dry ingredients: 1 cup fried onions ½ tsp turmeric 2 tsp cumin powder 2 tsp coriander powder 2 tsp Kashmiri masala 2 tsp chilli powder 1 tsp red chilli flakes 2 tsp garam masala 2 tsp breyani masala 1 tsp coarse salt Make a marinade by combining the wet and dry ingredients with the tomato mixture. Add the chicken and marinate for up to an hour. Tomato mixture: 400g canned tomatoes 50g tomato paste ½ cup mint leaves ½ cup coriander leaves 2 green chillies ½ tsp sugar Blend all the ingredients until smooth. Cooking the chicken: oil 1 bay leaf 4 cardamom pods…

THE daughter of former Golden City Post journalist, the late George Mahabeer, was found dead in the pool of her Chase Valley, Pietermaritzburg, home on Thursday afternoon. A post-mortem report revealed that Niki Singh, 49, died as the result of an “accidental drowning”. Provincial police spokesperson Constable Thenjiswa Ngcobo said that the Townhill police had opened an inquest docket. Singh, a stay-at-home mom and an avid cook, and her businessman husband Ashish, also 49, were at home with their sons, aged 23 and 11, at the time. Their 21-year-old daughter was out. A distraught Ashish said he and Niki decided to go for an afternoon swim in their splash pool. “It was extremely hot due to a heat wave on that day. My two sons were in the house…

A 35-YEAR-OLD man, who was allegedly found in possession of drugs worth more than R60 000, appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. According to a source, the man was arrested after police received intelligence on illicit drug activity in the Westcliff area on February 19. The man was allegedly found in possession of 333 pieces of rock cocaine, 750 capsules of heroin and 35 mandrax tablets, with an estimated street value of R65 000. The case was adjourned.…

THE energy crisis, political risks, violence and corruption put South Africa under threat of increased strikes and unrest, ahead of the upcoming national elections. Allianz Trade, which has its headquarters in Paris, and a presence in more than 50 countries, recently released its 2024 Country Risk Analysis which assessed the political and economic risks across 83 economies globally. It found that the ongoing struggle for power and the worsening disputes among the political elite could result in an increase in violent uprisings, with 2024 being an election year for South Africa. It said that social unrest and violent events were likely to intensify in the electoral period. The report also said the country’s lack of reliable electricity hindered businesses, industry and households from realising their full potential. Electricity generation posed…

SOUTH Africa’s murder rate has reached staggering proportions. More than 80 people are murdered every day in the rainbow nation. In just three months from October to December last year, 7 000 people were killed by ruthless criminals. Though the statistics are alarming, all the hat-wearing, fashionable Minister of Police Bheki Cele can do is stand in front of the cameras and read out the crime statistics. Does he get a fat pay cheque for doing just that? One of the many people who fell prey to the surging gun violence in the country was my nephew, Markham Moodley, as reported in last week’s POST. A successful young man, he had come down from Gauteng and was spending some time with a group of friends in a Phoenix pub when…

SECTION 28 in the Constitution states every child has the right to be protected from maltreatment, neglect, abuse or degradation. But, these crimes continue on an upward trend. Last week, a close relative of a 14-year-old oThongathi (Tongaat) girl, whom he had falsely reported “missing”, was arrested and charged with human trafficking; defeating the administration of justice; perjury; as well as charges under the Finance Act for the wasteful usage of state resources. The other 23-year-old suspect, with whom she was found, has been charged with statutory rape and being in the country illegally. The girl’s two minor siblings have since been removed from the home as it is believed they too have been victims of abuse. This is just one of hundreds of such cases reported daily in South…

I happened to barge into my friend’s house while they were screening famous Indian actor Manoj Kumar’s black and white offering based on the sacrifices made by ordinary folk during the oppression by the British in India. The petite actress, Kamini Kaushal, in an attempt to explain to her very young son, Manoj, why his father had to go into a defiant exile, stated the following in Hindi: “We have to become martyrs because we have been occupied.” When Manoj asked his mother to explain further as to how the British happened to become the masters of a docile nation, she went on to illustrate how a travel-fatigued visitor was first treated with so much dignity and warmth before slowly turning the tables and violently taking over the total control…

JUHI Sanam Maharaj is making waves on social media with her TikTok videos showing off her fishing and wilderness survival skills. In the videos, she lights a fire; shucks mussels with a knife; catches, scales and guts fish; and catches and cleans crabs, sea lice, crayfish and prawns. Maharaj, 25, from Port Shepstone, also collects rock bait, braais, and gardens. “When I was in Grade 1, we lived in Umzinto and almost every weekend we used to drive to the beach in Port Shepstone. We loved the place and nothing compared to the beaches on the South Coast. We later moved to the area when I was 6 and got a home within walking distance of the beach.” Maharaj said she loved the ocean because it sustained life. “There…

Q: Can you confirm that there are instances where children who are sexually, mentally, or physically abused, are returned to the care of their alleged abusers, due to the cases falling through the cracks? A: Yes, there are instances where children who are sexually, mentally, or physically abused fall through the cracks and are placed back into the care of their alleged abusers. Q: What are some of the reasons for this happening? A: The reasons for children to be placed back in the care of the alleged abusers include medical assessments not confirming the abuse and the lack of evidence to confirm abuse. However, prior to the child being returned home, social workers conduct safety and risk assessments which focus on the child’s present condition, the danger that results…

IN A recent report, the Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change found that campaigns run by organisations working in the gender-based violence (GBV) space did not generate high engagement during the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence Against Women and Children Campaign. This means the online interest and traction by social media users to GBV-related content, was low. The 16 Days of Activism campaign against GBV is held annually from November 25 to December 10. The report, which is part of its GBV and Misogyny project, said the government, civil society and the public at large should be concerned over the following possibilities: That GBV-media and news fatigue was likely setting. That resources invested in the campaign did not have the desired impact. The campaign appears to have…

MARTIN Odegaard has urged Arsenal to use the momentum from their recent goal spree to fuel the club’s historic bid for Champions League and Premier League glory. The Gunners head to Porto today for the first leg of their Champions League last 16 tie in buoyant mood after demolishing Burnley 5-0 last weekend. Mikel Arteta’s side have started a calendar year with five successive league wins for the first time in their history, scoring 21 goals in those games. Arsenal are just two points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool and can turn their attention to Porto safe in the knowledge they are firmly in the hunt for a first title since 2004. As well as reigning supreme in England for the first time in 20 years, the north Londoners are…

STRUGGLING Napoli sacked Walter Mazzarri on Monday and brought in Slovakia coach Francesco Calzona just two days before hosting Barcelona in the Champions League. The 62-year-old Mazzarri became the second man to be sent packing this season by the ailing Italian champions. Mazzarri took charge in November after Rudi Garcia was dismissed but Napoli then fell to ninth in Serie A ahead of today’s last 16, first leg with barca at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona. “I thank Walter Mazzarri, a friend of the De Laurentiis family and Napoli, for having helped the team in a tricky period,” said Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis on X. De Laurentiis confirmed that Calzona has been hired, reportedly until the end of the season, and will be in charge tonight (Wednesday). “It’s always…

THE rock and surf fishing has kept itself on a high for the past week. There have been edibles and inedibles to catch along most of the coast. Bucktail jigs are one of the most versatile lures that you can own. They come in a variety of sizes from 1/16th of an ounce all the way up to 6oz (and more). Bucktails are essentially a lead head (hook with a sinker moulded to it) with some bucktail tied to the shank. They come in a variety of colours and all of them produce fish. For the surf and offshore, chartreuse/white, all white and pink/white are the three best colours. The key to success is allowing the bucktail to bounce up and down on the retrieve. Cast the lure out, allow…

BENGALI actress Anjana Bhowmik, 79, who received critics’ accolades for her portrayal of Sujata Mitra in the 1968 hit film Chowringhee, died at a hospital in Kolkata on Saturday. She leaves her two daughters – Nilanjana Sengupta and Chandana Sharma. Sengupta is married to actor Jisshu Sengupta. The family said that Bhowmik was admitted to a city hospital for some time owing to age-related ailments. Many critics feel that despite her acting talent, Bhowmik was unable to reach the height of popularity she deserved because of the presence of other prominent actresses during her time, namely Suchitra Sen, Sabitri Chattopadhyay and Supriya Devi. However, in the films that she appeared in lead roles, she won the hearts of viewers and drew accolades from critics because of her natural acting talent.…

THE story, written by Pulkit and Jyotsana Nath, centres on Vaishali Singh (Bhumi Pednekar), an investigative journalist who works tirelessly to uncover the truth about a government-funded shelter for girls and the sexual abuse that take place in the small town of Munnawarpur, in Bihar. Singh and cameraman Bhaskar Sinha (Sanjay Mishra) run a small news channel, Koshish News, that is struggling to increase its viewership. They discover startling information as they continue their research into Bansi Sahu (Aditya Srivastava), the shelter’s owner and the mastermind behind the atrocities and abuse. Pednekar’s character faces several challenges in her attempt to expose the scam, including runs-ins with child welfare officials and police officers, but she is tenacious in her resistance and doesn’t give up her fight. As the main antagonist of…

1.5kg lamb Marinade: Wet ingredients: ½ cup fresh cream ½ cup sour milk lemon juice vinegar 1 tsp garlic 1 tsp ginger and garlic paste 1 tsp red chilli paste 1 can chopped tomatoes ¼ tsp saffron essence Dry ingredients: 2 tsp coarse salt ½ tsp turmeric 2 tsp chilli powder 2 tsp Kashmiri masala 2 tsp coriander powder 2 tsp cumin powder 2 tsp garam masala 2 tsp breyani masala green chilli coriander leaves mint leaves 150g fried onions Make a marinade with the wet and dry ingredients. Add in the lamb and marinate for up to 3 hours. Cooking the lamb: oil 2 cinnamon sticks 4 cardamom pods 2 bay leaves 1 tsp cumin seeds 50g butter Heat the oil in an oven-safe pot. Add the whole spices…

1.5kg stewing beef Marinade: Wet ingredients: 300ml plain yoghurt 1 tbs ginger and garlic paste 1 tbs red chilli paste vinegar lemon juice Dry ingredients: 1 tsp crushed garlic 2 tsp coarse salt 1 tsp black pepper ½ tsp turmeric 1 tsp coriander 1 tsp cumin powder 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp chilli powder 1 tsp Kashmiri masala Wet ingredients: vegetable oil lemon juice 200ml cream Dry ingredients: 2 onions, finely chopped 1 tsp coriander powder 1 tsp cumin powder 2 tsp chilli powder 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp Kashmiri masala slit green chilli 2 tsp garam masala 2 tsp fenugreek masala In a large mixing bowl, mix the wet and dry ingredients to make a marinade. Add the stewing beef and mix well. Marinate for one hour. Add the…

FROM not knowing how to fry an egg, Ahmed Essa is now a whiz in the kitchen thanks to his mother. Today, the 42-year-old pre-owned car sales manager from Bedfordview in Joburg, has a loyal social media following. “I am a single dad taking care of my two boys, Sohayl, a third year chartered accounting student, and Sahal, who is in his first year at culinary school studying to become a professional chef,” Essa said. “My culinary journey started in early 2013. I just got divorced and moved back with my parents. Not having much to do work-wise at the time, I helped my mother, Layla, in the kitchen. My passion for creating exquisite meals grew. Prior to this, I did not know how to fry an egg. “My beloved…

THE two younger sisters of the 14-year-old girl who was “sold” for R5 000 by a relative, have been removed from their home by social workers to a place of safety following allegations they had been “violated”. Mhlabunzima Memela, spokesperson for the Department of Social Development in KwaZulu-Natal, said the girls, aged 4 and 9, would remain at a youth care centre pending an investigation. The younger sisters were being provided with therapeutic services, while the 14-year-old was in hospital for medical attention, he said. On February 5, relatives reported that the teenager, from Isnembe, was missing. After extensive investigations and searches, she was found with a 23-year foreign national on February 9 at an informal area called Sandpit in Redcliffe, Verulam. He was charged with statutory rape and for…

THE South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is putting together a panel of experts to find a solution to the water crisis in areas north of Durban because it believes eThekwini Municipality does not have capacity to turn the situation around. Last week, the Department of Water and Sanitation and the municipality failed to meet their own deadlines to restore water to communities. Senzo Mchunu, the Minister for Water and Sanitation, assured residents that water would be restored by February 15. However, a day before the deadline, Musa Mbhele, the city manager, announced that the restoration would be delayed by a week as six valves needed to be repaired. The municipality further announced that it was shutting down the northern aqueduct pipeline for 24 hours at 5pm yesterday to install…

TWO Department of Justice and Constitutional Development employees have been arrested for alleged fraud and money laundering of more than R17 million. Prajeev Maharaj, 31, and Navin Ramsewak, 43, appeared in the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. They were each granted R20 000 bail. Lieutenant-Colonel Simphiwe Mhlongo, spokesperson for the Hawks in KwaZulu-Natal, said Hawks members from Pietermaritzburg Serious Commercial Crime Investigation arrested two suspects for fraud and money laundering, which occurred at the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development offices in Pietermaritzburg. He said it was alleged that fraudulent payments were made from the Department of Justice’s banking system to businesses that were not entitled to receive the funds on April 6, 2023. “An amount of R17 782 132.59 was fraudulently transferred from the Guardian Fund held by the…

Warrant Officer Laren Krishna, the first and only Indian to qualify for one of the most elite military units in the world, the South African Special Forces, also known as the Recces, died on Monday. Krishna, 57, of Phoenix, a widowed father of two, was based at the Durban Light Infantry and was preparing for retirement. His colleague, Vinesh Selvan, the public relations officer of the South African Indian Legion, pays tribute to him. Laren Krishna was born in Campbell’s Town in Mount Edgecombe, north of Durban. Growing up in the late 1970s and early 1980s in the characteristic Indian community, the vision to enlist into the military was not one generally promoted, and reaching the prestigious level of becoming part of an elite military unit was far-fetched. Krishna attended…

THE water crisis is the tip of the iceberg. The patience of some residents is dwindling as they are struggling with water disruptions. Over the past few months, certain municipalities have been working around the clock with no success, leaving some communities abandoned and scrambling for water. The restoration of water services is urgent. This has resulted in violence and even death as people waged a war to secure the fading drops of water. It has also exposed our dependency on municipalities that cannot meet the basic needs of our society. The shortage of water has exposed just how much more resourceful we need to be. It has been a hard lesson to learn, but it has taught us for the future that we need to save. The dilemma for…

THE Country Risk Atlas 2024: Assessing non-payment risk in major economies, such as South Africa, is crucial for businesses engaged in domestic and international trade. South Africa's economy, while diverse and vibrant, faces unique challenges, including economic volatility, political uncertainty and structural issues. Assessing non-payment risk in major economies takes readers through yet another comprehensive analysis of some of the most significant non-payment risks to, inter alia, the South African economy. Non-payment risk in South Africa encompasses various factors, including macroeconomic stability, political dynamics, industry-specific challenges, and the financial health of counterparties. Given the country's complex socioeconomic landscape, accurate risk assessment is essential for businesses to mitigate potential financial losses. Non-payment risk assessment is crucial for businesses operating in global markets, especially in major economies where trade volumes are substantial.…

DESPITE his thorough, well-informed analysis of political prospects in KwaZulu-Natal, Imraan Buccus’s anaemic view of an IFP/DA coalition and his disappointment at “the lack of any left-wing party on the ballot” raises questions about what he would like to see in the province (the POST, February 14-19). He rightly states that “few will lament” an end to the ANC’s corruption, theft and abuse of power. He welcomes the prospect of an IFP/DA coalition being able to “get the basic things working and stop the thieving” but then deprecates them for not having “any real political vision”. Surely, an IFP/DA coalition is the ideal to deliver what Buccus desires – “a more just and inclusive society?” The DA is exceptionally inclusive, racially and culturally. Although the IFP does not match that…

MY HEART aches deeply as I write these words, mourning the death of a dear friend and brother, DuEggie Saagries Naidu (Eggie). Today is a sombre day, as we bid farewell to a soul who illuminated our lives with kindness, generosity and unwavering support. Eggie, your presence was a beacon of light in our lives. Your restaurant, Saagries, was not just a place where we dined, it was a sanctuary where laughter echoed, ideas blossomed and friendships flourished. The countless hours we spent there, strategising, celebrating and simply enjoying one another’s company are etched in my memory forever. Your commitment to our community extended far beyond the walls of Saagries. You selflessly served on our first CSI Board at SAB, embodying the spirit of service and dedication. Through every trial…

SINCE early last year, there have been several drive-by shootings in and around the Durban area. However, to date no arrests have been made. Some of the unsolved cases: l MARCH 2023 Brandon “Puff” Kalicharan, 42, together with his wife, Jeconiah Jackolene Pillay, 34, and their 9-year-old daughter, Jecaidia, of Chatsworth, were shot and killed while travelling along Peter Road in Springfield Park on March 21. According to reports, armed men pulled up alongside the family’s car, and sprayed it with bullets on both sides. Kalicharan and his wife died at the scene. Jecaidia, who was rushed to hospital, died a short while later. l AUGUST 2023 Jullian Moonsamy, 38, of Phoenix was shot and killed while travelling along Lighthouse Road in uMhlanga on August 29. Moonsamy, who co-owned a…

In 2014, Jamie Faith Naidoo from Bayview in Chatsworth, died from blunt head trauma. Her mother and the child’s maternal grandmother were accused of assaulting and torturing her. According to reports, the women burnt Jamie with cigarettes and hit her on her private area. She was also hit with rulers and wooden spoons. Jamie was deprived of food and her legs and hands were bound. She was also tied to the bed at night with string. Her grandmother died during the trial, and her mother is currently serving her 20-year sentence. In 2018, Baby G, who was 4 years old at the time, was smacked, kicked and stomped on almost 46 times by her mother. The incident was recorded on video. The mother’s boyfriend at the time was present during…

ANGE Capuozzo is best known for his attacking forays down the touchline but the Italian fullback showed the other side of his game when he leapt to the defence of Italy’s record in the Six Nations. After two defeats in their opening matches, Italy head to Lille on Sunday to play France, facing the possibility of adding another Six Nations wooden spoon to the 18 they have registered since they joined the old Five Nations in 2000. Further failure would undoubtedly add fuel to the arguments of critics who question their right to an automatic place in Europe’s top international competition, ahead of the likes of Georgia and Portugal. “The Six Nations has always been a closed league so it’s not meant to be up and down,” the 24-year-old Capuozzo…