Table of contents for 2022-06-01 in Post

A COLLECTION of writings that honours Enuga Sreenivasulu “ES” Reddy, a late global anti-apartheid activist and scholar, was launched recently by the 1860 Heritage Centre. The event was held at the Gandhi-Luthuli Documentation Centre at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Selvan Naidoo, the director of the centre, and Professor Jairam Reddy, the chairperson of the centre’s history society, edited the 252-page book, titled Festschrift, ES Reddy. A festschrift is a collection of writings published in honour of a scholar. Naidoo said Reddy, who was born in India in 1924, had joined the anti-apartheid Struggle while a student in the 1940s. “He played a leading role on a number of multilateral platforms, agitating for an end to apartheid and for the isolation of the pariah regime,” said Naidoo. “In the early 1960s,…

THE police are investigating the circumstances that led to a bus driver allegedly jumping out of a moving taxi. Shalindra “PJ” Panday, 39, of Trenance Park, was on his way to work last Wednesday when the brakes allegedly failed. Naven Panday, his younger brother, said Shalindra left home just before 6am for work in Dawncrest in Verulam. “My brother started work at 6am. He would either get a lift or take a taxi at the stop street near our home. This was his routine for more than 10 years. “At around 6.15am, a friend called and told me that something happened to Shalindra on Softwood Crescent. The road is close to home so I ran there. My brother was on the ground and covered with a foil blanket. He suffered…

SHAUN Naicker, accused of burning his girlfriend to death, will remain behind bars after his application for bail was denied in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday. Naicker, 39, an employee at a shipping company, is accused of killing Jackie Naidoo on May 9. Naidoo, 35, died in a fire at her flat in Westham, Phoenix. She was burnt beyond recognition. She lived in a two-bedroomed council flat with her 12-year-old son and Naicker. They had been in a relationship for four years. Colleen Vermeulen, her sister, said according to neighbours, on the morning of the incident they saw her nephew leave for school and Naicker packing his belongings and leaving the home in his girlfriend’s car. “Moments later, her neighbours heard glass exploding and then saw the fire. They…

WITH reference to the story “Resilience is key to surviving Covid” (POST, May 18- 22) and the interview with Professor Ramneek Ahluwalia. The article cannot pass unchallenged in light of concrete, contrary evidence. Despite 400 independent studies done by the Brownstone Institute in the US and despite the more than 60 000 medical signatories of the Great Barrington Declaration that there is no science in wearing masks because they do not inhibit viral transmission, Professor Ahluwalia insists on their efficacy. How does he explain that neither Sweden nor South Dakota prescribed masks, yet the health of their respective populations was not subject to any exceptional, negative consequences? But where Ahluwalia really loses the plot on masks is his contention that “wearing a mask will prevent you from contracting the flu”.…

THE South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) has terminated its ivermectin controlled compassionate use access programme. Dr Boitumelo Semete, the CEO of Sahpra, said the use of ivermectin for the treatment and prevention of Covid-19 had received a lot of public interest in 2020. She said evidence indicated some potential benefits of ivermectin in the management of Covid-19. With some convinced that ivermectin was a cure for Covid-19 and since it was not recognised by Sahpra, there were reports of illicit ivermectin-containing products entering South Africa, as well as the use of veterinary ivermectin products. “In response to the demand for access to ivermectin for human use, Sahpra enabled a controlled compassionate use programme,” Semete said. It started in January 2021 and permission was granted to five importers of…

UMEETA Asani Ori hopes to inspire people to become more aware and mindful of their health-related choices through her debut book, Around the Plate in 6 Senses. Ori, 42, formerly from KwaZulu- Natal, now lives in Chile in South America. She said the 111-page book explained how the six senses influenced what was on one's plate in terms of food choices, as well as ways to maintain general health and well-being. “Living a healthy life involves what is on your plate but it is not the only factor that determines your health and well-being. “Going beyond the plate, you need to focus on self-awareness and self-care of the mind and body to make the best decisions to optimise your health. This book looks at how the senses help make appropriate…

ARIES (March 21 – April 19) In the event of confrontation, stand in your truth. Try and remember that there are three sides to every story. Relationships are in your space this week and you need to focus on balancing your head and your heart. Lucky colour: gold. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) Things are moving forward but you still need to take action towards this. An opportunity is being lined up and it may bring you an added income or lead to new contacts. Keep an open mind about new ideas that lead towards growth in the business space. Lucky colour: grey. GEMINI (May 21 – June 20) Draw on your inner strength and try to remember that everyone you meet is on their own journey. Practise patience…

IF you are still struggling to come up with a Father’s Day gift, here are some ideas. With the rise in Covid-19 infections, online shopping will help you avoid malls and have the gift delivered to your door. If you’re thinking of planning a trip, avoid crowds. And remember to carry essentials such as extra masks and hand sanitiser, and call ahead to ensure the venues are open on the day of your planned visit. Feed his passion Identify your father’s interests, for example, is he a gardening fundi, an outdoor type or a sports fan? Based on his preferences, you could create a low-cost experience for the day and spend quality time with the man of the moment. It’s a win-win. sports fan Loot.co.za has a varied collection of…

TWO young children have been left orphaned after their mother was shot and killed in KwaMashu on Friday evening. Nirvana Baldoo, 42, of Viewgate Grove, Southgate, was travelling in her VW Polo at the intersection of Dumisani Makhaye Road and Avoca Hills Drive, when she was shot through the passenger window. The suspect then fled. Baldoo suffered a gunshot wound to the upper body and died at the scene. Her husband, Praneal, died due to natural causes in July last year. They have two school-going children, Yashsteel and Yastika. Kyle van Reenen, spokesperson for Emer-G-Med, a private emergency services provider, said paramedics responded to the scene of the shooting just after 5pm. He said the car was stationary at the intersection and it had a bullet hole in the passenger…

LUSHMIKA Pillay has always been passionate about health sciences, and this led to her studying dentistry. The 23-year old, of Greenwood Park, recently graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Pretoria, adding the title “Dr” to her name. “While at Danville Park Girls’ High School, I was always jumping the tree between pursuing my studies in pharmacy and dentistry. I chose dentistry.” Pillay said being away from home was initially a challenge, but she adapted with supportive friends and family. “My parents were extremely proud and happy when I did well in my studies. “Unfortunately, my dad, Deena, passed away earlier this year. That was a devastating time for me because he looked forward to my graduation day.” Pillay is currently doing community service at…

SASHEN Albert’s determination to address the shortcomings in the water and transportation industries is what led him to pursue civil engineering. Albert, 24, of La Mercy, graduated cum laude and was awarded the Dean’s Merit Award as the top performing student for the BTech degree, specialising in urban engineering, at the Durban University of Technology. Albert’s course of study comprised specialisation in the transportation and water engineering sectors. “It’s basically processes of design, supervising, constructing and maintaining infrastructure projects and systems in the public and private sectors, including roadways and systems for water supply and sewage treatment. “Being able to solve challenging problems with knowing the least of the variables is what drove me during this programme. Knowing that I can actively solve the issues that pertain to the quality…

The DA has conducted research on the effect that ANC cadre deployment corruption has had on two of the most basic functions of any government department: answering the telephone and corresponding with the public via email. The analysis reveals that: ANC cadre deployment corruption has led to a near-complete collapse in government capacity wherever the ANC governs, with seven out of every 10 phone calls or emails to national or provincial departments run by the ANC going unanswered. The only exception to this collapse is the one province where cadre deployment has been defeated, namely the DA-led Western Cape, where not a single call went unanswered. It is worth emphasising that, in the DA-led Western Cape, 100% of phone calls were answered. But in the eight ANC-run provinces, only 22%…

THE man accused of robbing and killing a Reservoir Hills mechanic was found not guilty in the Durban High Court last week. Ashen Vishnudath, 29, of Stanton Street, was charged with the murder of 30-year-old Navendran Govender in 2019. Govender, a self-employed mechanic and car restoration specialist, ran a home-based business in Orleans Place, Reservoir Hills. At the start of the trial, the State alleged that Govender often had large amounts of cash and because of this, Vishnudath devised a plan to rob and kill him. It was alleged that Vishnudath fetched Govender from his home, shot him three times, and disposed of his body by throwing it off Giba Gorge, in Mariannhill, on March 6, 2019. According to the post-mortem results, Govender died from a bullet wound to the…

THE National Treasury and the Energy Department have decided to grant an extension of the reduction in the general fuel levy, which will soften the fuel price hike on Wednesday. The relief of R1.50/l was extended to July 6. Then it will be adjusted to 75c/l to August 2. The temporary relief will be withdrawn from August 3. South Africans were largely on edge on Tuesday as they awaited this decision. Had it not been passed, consumers would have been paying in the region of R25 for a litre of fuel. Since last week public pressure campaigns have been mounting, calling on the government to do more to help citizens. The DA recently called on South Africans to co-sign a petition calling on government to cut the taxes on fuel…

Real Madrid’s French striker Karim Benzema deserves to win the Ballon d’Or this year after helping to guide his team to the Champions League title, seven-times winner of the award Lionel Messi said Monday. Benzema had the best season of his 13-year career at Real, scoring 44 goals with 15 assists in all competitions as they won a LaLiga-Champions League double. The 34-year-old topped the scoring charts in both competitions and netted hat-tricks against Paris St Germain and Chelsea in the knockout stages to secure Real’s progress. “There are no doubts, it’s very clear that Benzema had a spectacular year and ended up victorious in the Champions League,” PSG forward Messi said on Argentine television. The Ballon d’Or award for the best soccer player in the world will be presented…

THESE latest offerings from Exclusive Books are based on real-life experiences. l The Wim Hof Method | Wim Hof IF you have creaking joints and aches and pains, a hot bath or shower is always helpful, right? Wrong! Wim Hof is known as the “iceman” in the world of science. His method of healing the body through breathing, mindset and cold baths has astounded scientists for decades. Through various tests, he has proven that the body can suppress inflammation and do the impossible using the three pillars of his programme. Originally from the Netherlands, Hof has taught the elite US Navy Seals, the elderly, some of whom are riddled with arthritis, and cancer patients to overcome illness and mobility issues. Regarded as a freak by some after running…

A BIRTHDAY celebration turned tragic after four members of a Chatsworth family were killed in a car crash on the N2 on Friday night. Shaun Pillay, 57, his wife Linda, 52, and their daughters, Shadel, 22, and Lucelle, 18, of Westcliff, died after their Tata Super Ace bakkie crashed into a stationary horse and trailer. Seven other family members, including a 3-year-old child, were at the back of the bakkie. They sustained multiple injuries and were taken to the hospital. Garrith Jamieson, from ALS Paramedics, said the deceased were trapped in the wreckage. The eThekwini Municipality’s fire department used the Jaws of Life and other hydraulic tools to free them. Ozborn Manuel, a relative, said the incident occurred just before 8pm. “They were heading to Suncoast Casino to celebrate a…

IN A FEW months’ time, Manna Naidoo would have become a great-grandfather for the first time, and he was excited about it. But last Thursday, he was found dead in the canefields near his farm in Verulam. Naidoo, 74, was shot in the back of the head. His hands and legs were bound and his arms, legs and jaw were broken. Nisha Naidoo, his daughter, said her sister, Velash Lombard, tried to call him last Tuesday but her calls went answered. Lombard, who lives nearby, became worried and drove to his farm to check on him. “My father had several heart attacks. He had quadruple bypass surgery and he was diabetic. Velash, who was his right-hand person, always called to ensure he was okay. When he did not answer her…

BRYNITA Pillay has always been fascinated by science. Little wonder then that she studied biotechnology and obtained a BTech degree. The 23-year-old, from Hillary, graduated cum laude at the Durban University of Technology and received a Dean’s Merit Award. “Biotechnology is the study of living organisms where neutralisation helps with industry processes. This field has always been an interesting career choice for me particularly due to the science itself being so vast with many extensive applications using greener technologies with more sustainable uses.” After completing a diploma in 2019, Pillay completed two years of work experience. “I served as a water quantity intern at the South African Association for Marine and Biotechnology Research.” Pillay is currently studying for an Honours degree. "If things go well, I will further my studies…

An open letter to Bheki Cele, the Minister of Police. LET me not beat around the bush. You have lied to Parliament. Suggesting in your report to parliament that the police acted “decisively” in handling the July 2021 unrest is mischievous if not unbecoming of you, as a supposedly responsible minister. If you were looking for a reason or an excuse to exonerate the inaction of the police under your watch, you could not have done a more pathetic job than you have. Furthermore, your obsession with demonising a particular race group (sadly, you did not have the courage to name such a group) is disturbing. Your statement, when referring to the arrest of alleged instigators, including those who meted out untold brutality to another race group under the guise…

Freedom for some, pain for others In all likelihood, Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, expected a quick military victory that would have resulted in his troops capturing the eastern part of Ukraine. However, it was not to be. His army failed to live up to expectations while the Ukraine army, supported by foreign fighters, put up a strong defence. As a result, the conflict has dragged on and with tensions between the West and Russia escalating, there is likely to be instability in the region for years to come. We, on the southern tip of Africa, have already felt the economic effects of the war. Petrol prices have reached record highs and food prices are on the rise. That’s because Russia is one of the world’s biggest oil-producing countries…

SOCIAL ills such as unemployment, inequality and poverty could be contributing to crime in South Africa. This emerged on Tuesday during a thought leader webinar series titled, Crime in South Africa – who is to blame? It was hosted by the University of Free State (UFS) in collaboration with the Free State Literature Festival and a local media house. Panellists shared their thoughts about the problems facing the country. Professor Francis Petersen, the vice-chancellor of the UFS, said: “South Africa is experiencing high levels of poverty, inequality and unemployment. The official unemployment figure is 35.3%. However, the unofficial figure could be much higher. “The question is, are these triggers for crime? There is also the perception that the presence of migrants in South Africa is compromising job opportunities and is…

Two floods in a six-week period cost eThekwini about R3.8 billion in damages and forced the city to rework its budget. On Tuesday, Mxolisi Kaunda, mayor for eThekwini, said the focus was on improving infrastructure and planning for future floods. The budget for 2022/23 is R55.4 billion with an operating budget of R49.8bn and a capital budget of R5.6bn. He said the operating budget, which catered for service delivery, would increase from R47bn in 2021/22 to R49.8bn in 2022/23, R52.7bn in 2023/24 and R55.9bn in 2024/25. This financial year money would be spent as follows: R16.6bn for electricity R6.9bn for wter and sanitation R6.6bn for community and emergency services R1.5bn for cleansing and solid waste R2.3bn for roads and engineering; and R1.5bn for the eThekwini Transport Authority Kaunda said the…

THE fishing offshore has been good. With some late season dorado, couta, snoek and tuna, there is plenty to catch. The North Coast was hit hard by the rains, but the fishing before was going well. There have been good sized couta taken by the boats and skis in recent weeks. Bigger baits have been the most successful, with bonito and walla-walla being the two best dead baits. As with all the baits you troll, make sure they are tracking true and not spinning. A fish will not eat a bait that is spinning in circles. Off the northern spots, Salt Rock has been particularly effective and would be my choice for the fishing skis. Snoek have been feeding well on the colour and current lines in the Durban area.…