Table of contents for Wednesday, January 6, 2021 in Post

Editor’s Note NUMBERS ARE RISING Behind each official number is a human being THERE are 2 204 red hearts on this page. Each heart represents a person in eThekwini who died before the end of 2020 as a result of Covid-19. If we had to publish a heart for each of the 28 469 South Africans who succumbed to the virus by December 31, it would take up almost every page of this newspaper. This illustrates just how deadly Covid-19 has been. South Africa has now lost more people to the virus than the casualties our country suffered during World War I and II combined. Across the world, more than 1.8 million people had died by December 31 as a result of Covid-19 and those are just the official statistics. We…

Paramedic cared for his patients CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za WENT THE EXTRA MILE PARAMEDIC Lukcanis Padaychee is one of a growing number of healthcare workers who succumbed to the coronavirus. Padaychee, 36, of Westcliff, Chatsworth, was an advanced life support paramedic with Amawele Emergency Services. He tested positive for Covid-19 on Saturday and died the following day. His friend Siven Subramodey, owner of Amawele Emergency Services, said: “Luke joined me when I opened the business years ago. He was the kindest and most caring person. He was always willing to go the extra mile for patients and did follow-ups to ensure they were fine. “During the first wave of the pandemic, he was hands-on. He checked on patients, administered drips and nebulised them to clear their chests so they could breathe…

HIS LOVE FOR THE TEMPLE OVERSHADOWED HIS LOVE FOR HIMSELF A kind-hearted gentle giant CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za BRIAN Moodliar’s family held him as he took his last breath in their Shallcross home on Friday. Like many others in recent days, Moodliar, 64, died after contracting Covid-19. The father of three had tested positive for the virus on Thursday and a day later he died at home surrounded by his wife Laalie and their three children. “It was so sudden,” said Laalie. “My husband was in good spirits. When he got his test results, he accepted it. “He was not ill or anything. He woke up that morning, ate, took his vitamins and steamed. But after a while, he had difficulty breathing and he subsequently passed away.” The couple would have…

‘HE CAME FROM A POOR BACKGROUND WITH A POWERFUL COMMITMENT TO SOCIAL JUSTICE’ Lawyer’s legacy was his mentorship of young people CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za FROM his hospital bed, lawyer Siven Samuels often reassured his family via video and telephone calls he would overcome Covid-19. But the 61-year-old Chatsworth resident succumbed to Covid-19 on Friday. “He was positive that he was going to overcome this,” said his daughter, Tymara Ketusha Samuel. “My father was always a positive person and until the very end, he maintained that strength and positivity. We had daily video and telephone calls. He always smiled, told jokes and even when we were concerned about his health he pacified and reassured us that he would be okay. “My dad had an unbelievable strength and no one expected him…

PLANNED TO VISIT GERMANY Dream shattered before nurse’s trip abroad NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za VANESSA Govender had hoped to travel to Germany next month with her family to visit relatives. It would have been her first international trip. But Govender, 48, of Woodhurst, Chatsworth, died on December 24. “We started planning our trips last year,” said her brother, Charles Ramiah. “We wanted to visit our mom’s sister. Vanessa always wanted to travel. Then the second wave hit and she was concerned that she needed to work. We said we would talk again in January, but now she is gone.” Govender, a professional nurse, worked at the RK Khan Hospital and completed 21 years of service last year. Her brother said she was taken to Life Chatsmed Garden Hospital after she experienced…

FORMER LOTTO OPERATOR CHAIRPERSON DIES A distinguished servant of the people CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za PROFESSOR Bongani Khumalo, the chairperson of the former Lotto operator Gidani, died of Covid-19-related complications last Wednesday. Khumalo, 68, of Joburg, was also a former deputy chief executive of Eskom. The ANC and SACP described him as a “distinguished servant of the people”. The ANC conveyed its condolences to his family and wished them strength and fortitude through their grief. The SACP said Khumalo served the nation in various roles and inspired many South Africans on the question of leadership. Thabang Mampane, the national Lotteries commissioner, said the National Lotteries Commission was richer for having worked with Khumalo as he was a consummate strategist and captain of the industry. Khumalo was the chairperson of Transnet from…

LONG HOURS LEAVE WORKERS EXHAUSTED Undertakers overwhelmed as death toll climbs CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za FUNERAL parlours and private crematoriums are inundated with work while some families wait up to a week for burial space or for a cremation. Staff are working around the clock, and many are stressed as the death toll continues to mount. Rishi Rooplal, a hearse driver at Protea Funeral Services, said his day started at 4am and, if he was lucky, it ended around midnight. “Between myself and my colleague, we do about six Covid-19 funerals a day. In-between the funerals, we pick up an average of about six Covid-19 bodies, either from hospital or a person’s home to prepare for their funerals." Rooplal said before a body left the parlour, he had to ensure the…

APPEAL: OBSERVE COVID PROTOCOLS eThekwini mayor Covid-19 positive LATOYA NEWMAN latoya.goldstone@inl.co.za DOCTOR NGCOBO African News Agency (ANA) ON THE back of news yesterday that eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda has tested positive for Covid-19, the official and his administration have urged residents to knuckle down and observe the Covid protocols. Kaunda is isolating at home and remains in good health. In a statement, he urged residents to be vigilant and to avoid unnecessary movements or organising super-spreader events. In an interview with the POST, Mluleki Mntungwa, the mayoral spokesperson, said complacency was a concern in the wake of videos circulating on social media of people not wearing masks or observing social distance protocols, and attending big events. “It is a major concern but in cases where Metro police have spotted a…

14 MILLION SCRIPTS Matric exam marking under way POST REPORTER THE marking of matric exam papers has begun. The recruited markers would be working under strict Covid-19 compliant centres until January 22, when they are expected to conclude the marking process of about 14 million scripts. The education department said 181 marking centres had been prepared. Elijah Mhlanga, the spokesperson for the Department of Basic Education, said the department had revised the health and safety protocols for all those involved in the process. “The department is committed to ensuring that every marking centre adheres to the Covid-19 safety protocols so that marking centres are safe spaces.” The department has warned that those who failed to disclose their positive Covid-19 status would be charged with misconduct. Basic and higher education academic…

PANDEMIC IMPLICATIONS FOR LIFE IN THE COUNTRY How social security could make life better in SA ALEX VAN DEN HEEVER AND STEPHEN DEVEREUX SIMONE KLEY African News Agency (ANA) THE National State of Disaster declared by the South African government on March 15, 2020, was a direct response to Covid-19. But that response inadvertently intensified three other existing disasters: poverty, unemployment and inequality. More South African people are poor and unemployed now than before the lockdown was imposed. But some people are richer due to tender corruption and price gouging. Nine months later, South Africa was at lockdown level 1. This is the new normal. But the hardship and vulnerabilities that Covid-19 has created or exacerbated are not normal, and people still need government support. It’s needed on at least…

PROPERTY AND SHARE VALUES HAVE PLUMMETED Review your will to account for Covid-19 POST REPORTER Pexels.com THE Covid-19 pandemic is a timely reminder of the importance of ensuring your personal finances are in order – and a key component of this is an up-to-date will. This legal document that should take into account the current value of your assets with instructions on how you wish to allocate them, is particularly important given the impact of Covid-19 on many individuals and families. Sarah Nicholson, JustMoney commercial manager, said: “Covid-19 is a good example of how unexpected, life-changing events can radically alter our personal and financial situations. “We need to ensure that our affairs are in order, both for those who depend on us and for our own peace of mind. “The…

WITH THE EMERGENCE OF SUCCESSFUL VACCINES, THERE APPEARS TO BE SOME HOPE ON THE HORIZON Science has delivered, but will the WTO? BRAJENDRA NAVNIT A PROPOSAL by India, South Africa and eight other countries calls on the World Trade Organization (WTO) to exempt member countries from enforcing some patents, and other intellectual property rights (IPRs) under the organisation’s agreement on trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights, known as Trips, for a limited period. It is to ensure that IPRs do not restrict the rapid scaling up of manufacturing Covid-19 vaccines and treatments. While a few members have raised concerns about the proposal, a large proportion of the WTO membership supports the proposal. It has also received the backing of various international organisations, multilateral agencies and global civil society. Unprecedented times…

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? A trader’s prediction for 2021 DANIEL KIBEL 2020 was a difficult year. And even with a Covid-19 vaccine on the horizon, a return to a degree of the normality we once knew is still probably a way off. Economists are speculating that global economic recovery may only truly begin in 2022 and possibly even 2023. With the vaccine being rolled out gradually and governments making decisions about who gets it first based on risk and exposure, there is still going to be social distancing in place for most of the year ahead. And some countries will have better access to the vaccine than others. So, we’re far from back-to-normal just yet. In terms of which economic sectors will recover first, airlines and tourism, which were hardest hit…

CERTAIN NUTRIENTS ARE IN THE LIMELIGHT A healthy and well-balanced diet is important NATASHA DE ALMEIDA NUTRITION and immune health have become popular topics. A Google search of interest has been that of immunity and how to avoid contracting Covid-19. Terms such as “vitamin C”, “immune system boosters” and “dietary supplements” were searched on Google up to 5 000% more times in March last year than in previous months. Some information found on the internet may be rather misleading. Research has shown that a healthy and well-balanced diet can help strengthen the immune system. Does this mean that good nutrition can prevent you from contracting viruses such as Covid-19? Not necessarily – viruses like these are infectious, meaning anyone, well-nourished or malnourished, can contract it. But what it does mean…

‘KIND AND CARING’ Pastor dies after 35-year-old dream realised CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za Supplied JUST over two weeks after welcoming his congregation into his newly-built church in Chatsworth, Pastor Krish Gov-ender died due to Covid-19. For 35 years, Govender had dreamt of building a church, but he never got round to it. During the hard lockdown last year, places of worship were not permitted to hold services to prevent the spread of the virus. Govender, who led worship from a local school, then decided to forge ahead with his plan to build a church. On December 16, the father of one opened Jesus for the World Angels Christian Centre in Shallcross and held the first service. A day later, Govender felt unwell and was taken to hospital. “He tested positive for…

APPRECIATED BY ALL People’s doctor made a difference in many lives NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za DR MAHOMED Moosa Jadwat believed it was his duty to help as many patients as he could. He worked as a general practitioner in Isipingo Rail for 50 years and retired in 2015. “My dad grew up in Isipingo Rail and Isipingo Beach. He was a well-known doctor, who was not driven by financial gain or reward but to ensure that everyone who needed treatment received it whether they could pay or not,” said his son, Zeyn Jadwat. Jadwat, of Riverside, died at the Ahmed Al-Kadi Hospital on January 1. He was 87. “Patients appreciated him. It was evident from all the calls and messages that were shared on social media about the type of doctor…

‘I LOOKED AT HIM AND I KNEW MY BABY WAS GONE’ Parents watch son take his last breath CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za "HOLD on boy, hold on boy . . . " These were the last words Thumba Naidoo said to his son as he and his wife, Sandra, watched him take his last breath. Dineshren Naidoo, 39, of Brookdale, Phoenix, was a well-known event planner and community worker. He died on New Year’s Day, while waiting for treatment in hospital. “Watching your child and not being able to help him is the worst feeling in the world,” said Sandra Naidoo. “It is a feeling that I will be haunted by for the rest of my life. No parent, no matter how old your child is, should go through what we…

A MAN FOR THE COMMUNITY Selfless crime prevention member NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za ZAID Sayed Noor, a crime prevention member at eThekwini Secure, had given of his personal time to ensure communities are safe. He made himself available to help his colleagues, even if meant getting out of bed at midnight. On December29, Sayed Noor, of Asherville, died in hospital. “Prior to being admitted on December23 he had flu-like symptoms, and after consulting with the doctor and going for a Covid test, his results were positive,” said his wife, Ruwaida. “After that, his condition did not improve and he was admitted to hospital and placed on a ventilator. He died shortly thereafter.” Ruwaida said Sayed Noor worked for a mechanical engineering company, had a sound business and was a part-time DJ.…

STUDENTS WERE HIS CENTRAL FOCUS Philanthropist hailed for contribution to education NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za PROFESSOR Yusuf Karodia, the founder of MANCOSA and Regent Business School, has been hailed for his contribution to education. Karodia, 70, of Durban, died in hospital on December 23. According to a statement issued by the board of the Yusuf Karodia Foundation, he spent three weeks in the high-care unit. “It is indeed a very significant loss for the community and country since Professor Karodia was a beacon of hope for the previously disadvantaged, the less fortunate, and those who were part of his various initiatives.” The statement said Karodia’s unreserved lifetime commitment to the advancement of the quality of life of ordinary people served as a catalyst to increase the foundation’s efforts towards realising his…

‘PROUD OF HIS CHILDREN’ A gentle and proud dad dies too soon CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za BUSINESSMAN Vinesh Jivan will not get to see his son graduate from university. The 53-year-old, of uMhlanga Ridge, died of the coronavirus on December 30. “His daughter Alka had just graduated from UCT with a Bachelor of Architecture degree and his son Urav is a second-year information technology student at the University of Pretoria," said Jivan’s brother, Umesh, an attorney. “My brother was proud of his children. He was so excited when Alka graduated and he looked forward to Urav completing his studies, but he will never get that chance.” Jivan ran a property development business and imported household decor. He contracted the virus in the first week of December but became ill around December…

HAPPY MEMORIES HELP THE FAMILY TO PULL THROUGH ‘The virus snatched him away from us’ CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za FIVE days after turning 60 years old on December 23, musician Pravesh Khelawan tested positive for Covid-19 while in hospital. Khelawan was admitted last July, after a heart attack and because his health was fragile and he was a cardio patient, he stayed in hospital until his death on New Year's Eve. The musician's son, Neil Khelawan, said: "His first heart attack was in 2017 and after the second heart attack he needed hospitalisation. “We prayed that with the treatment he would get better and come back home. We were unable to visit him regularly because hospitals had restricted visitor entry. We saw him three times for about 10 minutes each but…

ACT RESPONSIBLY AND TAKE THE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS Government hospitals have beds but private hospitals are under stress CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za THERE are enough beds available at government hospitals to treat Covid-19 positive patients. This was a message delivered by Kwa-Zulu-Natal MEC for Health Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu at a media briefing that she hosted at the weekend. She was joined by KZN Pemier Sihle Zikalala. Simelane-Zulu said that people should not spread fake news about the availability of beds. “Do not create a crisis where it does not exist. On a daily basis, the department checks the number of beds occupied and there are always beds available. Maybe at one time we will not have a bed for a patient but our district managers will go in and check for an available…

SECOND WAVE Handle household, garden refuse with care POST REPORTER DURING level 3 of the lockdown, Durban Solid Waste (DSW) is appealing to residents to adhere to precautionary measures pertaining to household and garden refuse. • Waste collection will be as per the normal collection schedules. • All garden refuse drop-off sites will operate from 7am to 2pm until January 15, subject to review after that. Residents are encouraged during this time to: • Reduce the generation of this waste stream by limiting cutting, pruning, etc. • Reuse cuttings through home-scale composting. • Those using the waste facilities must comply with Covid-19 protocols as directed by site staff. No mask means no entry. The operating times for waste management facilities are: • Buffelsdraai landfill from 7am to 5pm (normal permit…

PANDEMIC RESULTS IN DEPENDENCE ON PARENTS When adult kids return home LATOYA NEWMAN Pexels.com AT THE age of 31, Phoenix-born *Riley Muthusamy had ticked off many items on his life list. The civil engineer started working in a permanent position for a reputable company two years ago. He bought a car (on finance), got a bond and bought a house in an upmarket area in Johannesburg. “I could afford it. I had a permanent position and wasn’t on contract so I wasn’t worried. I loved being independent and I was happy that I could assist my elderly parents who were both retired. So I would send them money every month.” But then the Covid-19 pandemic hit. “My company couldn’t sustain us due to the fact that all construction had stopped…

AN OPEN LETTER REGARDING ALLEGATIONS OF MISSPENDING OF DONOR FUNDS AT SOUTHSIDE FM Pay back the money YOGIN DEVAN DEAR Sally I trust you are well – and safe in these unsettling times. Let’s pray the New Year brings only changes for the better. I write to you in your capacity as the chairperson of the committee tasked with launching Southside FM Radio. I am sure you were delighted when in January last year, after a decade-long battle, the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) granted Southside FM the frequency 107.2 FM. The victory had great personal significance for you. You saw it as the fruit of the hard work put in by your late husband, Roy Padayachie, who lobbied to secure the licence and frequency when he was minister…

EMPLOYEES SHOULD FEEL VALUED Can you survive the pandemic and move forward? DHARASHAN NAIDU THE economic devastation caused by the coronavirus pandemic will be written and spoken about for generations to come. Despite many countries experiencing a second wave, the vaccines that are being rolled out in several countries will soon make the virus nothing more than the common cold. You can see this by looking at the global stock markets. They are forward focused and, despite the disruptions caused to business, stock markets are currently at an all-time high. This indicates that a global economic recovery is an eventuality. Is your organisation ready for such a recovery? In times of crisis, there are always opportunities. While opportunities exist, there are only a few organisations that are geared up to…

DEVELOP AN UNDERSTANDING OF WHO YOU ARE Build your personal brand to stand out in the job market LERATO SONGELWA MOST matriculants and their families are no doubt wondering what kind of future lies in store for them. With the employment rate at an all-time high of 30.8% and the ravages of Covid-19 still being felt across the country, job opportunities are more rare. Undoubtedly, in today’s competitive job market, there is no room for being just another face in the crowd. You have to separate yourself from the competition and be more appealing to potential employers. It’s easier to achieve this if you create a personal brand. • What is a personal brand? A brand is a name, design or symbol that distinguishes a company or product from its…

Your Stars SHARRON DUFF ARIES (March 21 – April 19) This week brings you a message of success in most areas of your life. In 2021, know that things will work out in your favour. New projects are under way and there are opportunities for growth. Your loved ones in spirit are guiding you. Lucky colour: pink. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) There are challenges that have been pending for a while but it’s nothing that you can’t handle. You already have what it takes to succeed so relax and go with the flow. Any new contracts need careful scrutiny so don’t rush into anything without checking the small print. Lucky colour: gold. GEMINI (May 21 – June 20) If you have been planning a change, move or anything…

getting HOOKED Rods ready as catches all the rage WHAT a year! 2020 brought with some interesting surprises but also some phenomenal catches. The offshore fishing has been dorado-centric for the last few weeks and this past week has been no exception. There have been plenty of jumping yellow fish along the coast as well as some giant tuna and some feisty billfish. The shore-based fishing has been good on both the edible and inedible side. The north coast has been the most productive section of coast for those looking for inedibles. The main target species have been the honeycombs and giant sandies. Both of these fish feed on much the same bait and can be targeted in much the same way. The fresher the bait the quicker the bite.…

Ferguson concerned about dementia FORMER Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has said it is his personal duty and the game's responsibility to address the problem of dementia that has impacted several former players. The issue of dementia in the professional game was sparked by the death of England's Nobby Stiles in October and there have been calls for the issue of head injuries in sport to be given further attention. Stiles and many of his 1966 World Cup winning teammates had been diagnosed with dementia before their deaths while United great Bobby Charlton also disclosed his diagnosis recently. "It's been very sad. Bobby's not been well for a while. The gates have been opened by Nobby's passing and Bobby's diagnosis. They are huge figures. It has to create an awareness,"…

WORKED HARD TO PROVIDE FOR HER FAMILY Mom taught children to be God-fearing NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za PRISCILLA Moodley, a registered nurse, had taught her children to live God-fearing lives. “She also instilled many good values and morals in us,” said her daughter, Michelle Pillay. “She said we should put others before ourselves, be hard-working and dedicated to all that we do, and to love others.” Moodley, 51, of Arena Park, Chatsworth, died in Nu Shifa Hospital on December 26. The mother of three worked as a theatre technician at the Ahmed Al-Kadi Hospital. Pillay said her mom had a headache and body pains on December 7. “Her Covid results were positive. She self-isolated but on December 10 she struggled to breathe and was admitted to hospital. Shortly thereafter, she was…

A LOSS TO THE NURSING COMMUNITY ‘My sister died a heroine’ NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za ENROLLED nurse and single mother Kogilambal Sandra Reddy was determined to better her future. Last November, Reddy, 45, of Bay-view, Chatsworth, wrote an exam to qualify as a registered nurse but she died on Christmas Eve – before she got her results. She worked in the intensive care unit at St Augustine’s Hospital since October. Brandon Pillay, a community activist and family friend, said Reddy experienced flu-like symptoms on December 5. “She messaged me that she was unwell and she then went for a Covid test. Her results came back positive on December 7,” said Pillay. He said Reddy and her two daughters self-isolated in their rooms despite the girls not showing symptoms of the virus.…

SERVED THE POOREST OF THE POOR Businessman believed in youth upliftment CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za EVERY day, Lawrence Samson got up at 6am and went to the gym. “He was fit and his health was his priority,” said his son, Lyle Samson. “But a week ago he got sick, and it was confirmed that he had the virus. We are still in shock. Everything happened so quickly.” Samson, 59, was part of the underground network of the ANC and relocated from Durban to Johannesburg in 1997 to take up a position in the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). He later left the DTI to become the co-director of Stemashen Construction and after that, the director of Tirhani Construction within the Tirhani Group for 10 years. In the last two years,…

HE WAS MY ENTIRE LIFE Wife struggles to accept husband’s death CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za TELLING her children that their dad had died was difficult for Charmaine Pather. Her husband, Nishkalan Pather, 58, the founder of the Nadaraja Dance Academy, died in hospital on Monday. “When his doctor told us that he had died, it did not register immediately that he was gone. I refused to believe it. I thought that if he went to hospital he would be treated and discharged. But this was not the case,” said Charmaine. Her husband, a supervisor at a plastics company, contracted what they thought was flu and when he failed to recover his family became concerned. “Despite taking medication his condition worsened. On Christmas Day, he had a seizure and we took him…

PARTY PLANS TO TAKE ITS OWN APPROACH DA not convinced of health minister’s plans for a vaccine CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za AS SOUTH Africa battles a more contagious version of Covid-19, the country is still several weeks away from getting vaccines. A vaccine prepares the body to effectively fight off a particular type of disease. It takes years to develop but, in the case of Covid-19, trillions of rand have been spent to speed up the process. Without an effective vaccine, people will continue becoming infected with Covid-19 and some will die. On Sunday, Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mkhize said the government had been working hard to secure vaccines and these should be available by the second quarter of the year. “We were told we would have the vaccines in…

DEADLINE JANUARY 31 Renew your business licence to continue operating THE eThekwini Municipality’s Business Licensing Department is encouraging all businesses to renew their operating licences by January 31. This will ensure that they can continue to conduct business for the year. “This procedure is conducted annually and is critical under Section 15 of the Businesses Regulations in terms of the Business Act 71 of 1991,” said the city. “The act requires that every licence holder must every year confirm that the business for which the licence was issued, continues to be conducted from the premises specified in the licence. And that no other business for which a licence is required in terms of the act is being conducted from the same licensed premises.” Thulani Nzama, the city’s head of business…

SIGNIFICANT READJUSTMENT How to wrap your mind around moving back home RAKHI BEEKRUM MOVING out of the home is often regarded as a sign of independence and personal success. The economic setbacks that have arisen as a result of Covid-19 have forced many young adults to return home. Returning home after living independently can require significant readjustment. Parents often forget their adult children are independent and may struggle to readjust to the expectations of living with them. Such a setback can give rise to a variety of emotions, including grief from loss of economic independence, despair, hopelessness, de-motivation and disappointment. It’s important to feel your feelings, but also ensure they are not the result of irrational thoughts. Because a global pandemic has impacted on your employment does not mean it…

THE YEAR OF THE OX What 2021 will hold for SA SANUSHA NAIDU I AM probably not alone in holding my breath and waiting to see what 2021 will be like. To say that the past 10 months were tumultuous would be understating how disruptive and pervasive 2020 has been. For those who are curious about the astrological faultiness of 2020, it was the Year of the Rat – according to the Chinese zodiac chart. It is interesting to note that according to Chinese philosophy, the Year of the Rat symbolises new beginnings and renewals – since the rat represents the first animal in China’s astrological 12-year cycle. If that was true then it certainly did not feel so. It was a year that could be more accurately depicted as…

SET OUT ON A NEW PATH Careers of the future – what to study now NOLA PAYNE COVID-19 and the lockdowns for ever changed the way the world will do business. It accelerated the move of many companies towards conducting their business online, remotely and by incorporating new systems and processes into their operations. The developments of the past year also provided increased clarity about career paths of the future, and prospective students still undecided about their plans for this year, or people already in employment who want to set out on a new path, would do well to investigate and consider careers where qualified professionals are likely to remain in high demand in the coming decades. Careers of the future will increasingly require people skilled and qualified in jobs…

RECIPES Immunity-friendly meals The Association for Dietetics in South Africa has released a nutrient dense recipe book to holistically boost immunity, especially during the pandemic. The ingredients are affordable and nutritious to help the body fight off infection. Here are some recipes. More are freely available via www.adsa.org.za/recipes Lentil And Vegetable Soup ENOUGH for 3 large pots or about 14 litres 500g brown lentils or other legumes such as beans (or red lentils) 1kg soup mix (rinsed) 1 cup sunflower or canola oil 5 large onions, roughly chopped 2kg carrots (butternut or pumpkin), roughly chopped 1 large cabbage (or any green vegetable) 8 stock cubes (any) 4 tsp coriander powder 4 tsp cumin powder (or coriander powder or 8 tsp mild curry powder) 3 tbs dried mixed herbs seasoning to…

LET GO OF OLD HURTS Be positive, mindful and focused in 2021 DASHINA KALICHARAN Pxhere.com ARIES (March 21 – April 19) General: 2021 is the time to regain your personal power and allow yourself to blossom into your full potential. Take responsibility for your choices and actions. Heal your wounds and move forward with confidence and grace. Career and finance: This year will be one of the busiest years in the business and career fronts. There will be a few challenges but learn the lessons to improve and grow. Focus on climbing the ladder and be determined to reach your goals. Throughout 2021, your finances will improve steadily. Spend your money wisely. Love: Single or attached, you’ll find that your romantic life is a whirlwind. Couples need to work on…

This season has been unreal ESHLIN VEDAN eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za BackpagePix FOOTBALL can be a funny game and this season has been unreal! Just over a month ago, members of the public were calling for Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to be sacked. The same United side which suffered a 6-1 demolition at the hands of Tottenham Hotspur in October now finds themselves with a legitimate shot of winning the title this season. Should the Red Devils defeat Burnley next week, they will move to the top of the Premier League standings, ahead of Liverpool who are currently going through a slump in form. Liverpool’s confidence in the final third appears to be depleted and their midfield anchors appear to be tired. The Reds’ need for a new centre-back this month…

Four day TV guide WEDNESDAY JANUARY 6 Cricket: ANZ Bank Test Series: New Zealand v Pakistan, Second Test, Day 5, 11.30pm, ACT; Big Bash Twenty20: Perth Scorchers v Sydney Sixers, 10.10am, VR1 Rugby: Currie Cup - Premier Division: Vo dacom Bulls v Xerox Lions, 3.30pm, RUG Soccer: DStv Premiership: SuperSport United v Chippa United, 4.30pm, PSL; Serie A:: Cagliari v Benevento, 1.20pm, FTB; Crotone v Roma, 3.50pm, VR3; Bologna v Udinese, 3.50pm, LIG; Sampdoria v Inter Milan, 3.50pm, FTB; Atalanta v Parma, 3.50pm, VR2; Lazio v Fiorentina, 3.50p m, VR1; Sassuolo v Genoa, 3.50pm, ACT; Napoli v Spezia, 6.50pm, FTB, GSD (7pm); AC Milan v Juventus, 9.35pm, GSD, FTB (9.35pm); Carabao Cup, Semi-final: Manchester United v Manchester City, 9.40pm, SSM, EPL; La Liga Santander: Athletic Bilbao v Barcelona, 9.55pm, LIG…