Table of contents for 2024-12-18 in Post

FOR most people, the beginning of the festive season brings along a flurry of excitement. The sound of Christmas carols fill the air. Bright and colourful lights and decorations are visible in homes and malls. Christmas trees adorn homes and underneath them, presents pile up. These symbols, together, paint a picture of a holiday rooted in connection, warmth, and the joy of being together with loved ones. Christmas serves as a time to strengthen relationships, create traditions and show appreciation for those who matter most. Sadly, not everyone experiences this magical sense of excitement and belonging, and the holidays can be difficult on one’s mental health. For many people it may be a time of deep sorrow, loneliness, reflection and grief. “Holiday depression” feels a lot like regular depression but…

12 crayfish tails 15ml (1 tbs) fish spice 15ml (1 tbs) lemon pepper spice Season the tails with the ingredients. Brush the tails with the melted garlic and herb butter. Place in preheated oven at 200°C for 10 minutes. Lemon and garlic butter marinade: 150g salted butter 2 tbs finely chopped parsley juice of ½ lemon 2 tsp crushed garlic Melt the ingredients together. Set aside. Creamy lemon butter sauce: 100g salted butter juice of a whole lemon 1½ tbs white onion soup powder 1 tbs fresh chopped parsley 1 tbs fish sauce 1 cup fresh cream In a pan, melt the butter. Add the lemon juice. Add white onion soup powder and make a roux. Add the cream, parsley and fish sauce. Whisk until it thickens. Remove the crayfish…

Stock: 2 mutton stock cubes 50g tomato paste 15ml (1 tbs) gravy browning 15ml (1 tbs) Worcestershire sauce 750ml (3 cups) boiling water Lamb shanks seasoning: 4 lamb shanks a drizzle of olive oil 15ml (1 tbs) BBQ spice 15ml (1 tbs) cayenne pepper 15ml (1 tbs) smoked paprika 15ml (1tbs) garlic and herb seasoning 15ml (1 tbs) lemon black pepper 250ml (1 cup) red wine (merlot) 1 red onion cut into quarters 2 chopped carrots 3 chopped celery sticks 4 garlic cloves 3 bay leaves 3 stems rosemary 4 stems thyme To a large jug, add the stock cubes, tomato paste, gravy browning, Worcestershire sauce and the boiling water. Whisk until well incorporated. Set aside. Mix all the dry spices to create a spice rub, and season the lamb…

2 x cans 385g condensed milk 250ml (1 cup) lemon juice zest of a whole lemon 4 egg yolks 1 x 400g puff pastry passion fruit fruit of your choice Cut the pastry into 6 to 8 squares depending on the desired size. Brush with egg wash and bake at 180° C for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and press in the centre by creating a hollow. Lemon filling: Mix together the condensed milk, lemon juice, lemon zest and egg yolks. Mix until smooth. Add the filling to the pastry. Bake at 160°C for 20 minutes. Cool. Top with passion fruit and fruit of choice. Set for about 1 hour.…

250g butter room temperature ½ cup icing sugar ½ cup cornflour 1 tsp vanilla essence 1½ cups cake wheat flour (you may not need all) 100g chocolate for decorating sprinkles for decorating Beat the butter and icing sugar until light and creamy Mix in the vanilla essence. Add the flour, a little at a time and mix until you have a soft, pliable dough. You may not require all the flour or you may need a little more. Pipe out the cookies using an open star nozzle and a thick piping bag. Place them on a baking sheet and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Bake at 160ºC for 15 to 20 minutes. The edges will be slightly brown and the cookies will be a little soft. Cool on a rack. Melt…

ThESE are crispy layers of thin pastry with a creamy ricotta and semolina filling. Filling: 2 cups milk 100g white sugar 1 tbs vanilla essence 150g semolina 500g ricotta cheese ½ cup icing sugar zest of one orange 1 egg ½ tsp cinnamon powder 60g mixed peel Boil the first three ingredients. Once boiling, add the semolina. Cook until it comes off the side of the pot, about 6 minutes. Add to a food processor and add the ricotta cheese, icing sugar, orange zest, egg, cinnamon powder and the mixed peel. Process everything until it comes to a smooth paste. Cover and rest in the fridge until needed. Dough: 1kg flour 50g honey 1 tsp salt 2 cups water Mix everything together until it forms a firm dough. Knead until…

250g butter 2 cups white sugar 4 eggs 1/3 cup grated lemon zest 3 cups flour ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt ¼ cup lemon juice ¾ cup buttermilk 1 tsp vanilla essence Syrup: ½ cup honey ½ cup lemon juice 1 tbs dried lavender flowers Glaze: 2 cups icing sugar 3½ tbs freshly squeezed lemon juice Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and the lemon zest. Sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl. In another bowl, combine the lemon juice, buttermilk, and vanilla. Add the flour and buttermilk mixtures in. Divide the batter evenly between the two lined and greased loaf pans. Smooth the tops and bake on 150ºC for 45 minutes…

TWO weeks after taking up his promotional post as a station commander, Captain Danasegran “Naveen” Pather, who served more than three decades in the police service, was killed in the line of duty. Pather, 56, of Pietermaritzburg, and his colleague, Detective Warrant Officer Moses Dumsani Ndlovu, 56, both stationed at Hammarsdale SAPS, were shot dead while attending a murder scene on Saturday evening, in Cliffdale. Two civilians were also killed. Ndlovu was the head of detectives at the station. Close friend, Shaheen Suleiman, CEO of Magma Security, said he responded to the scene when he heard that the police had come under fire. He said on November 12, two girls had been killed in Claremont and their funerals were taking place in Cliffdale on Saturday. “A gunman went to the…

SEASONED social anthropologist, Dr Rajendran Thangavelu Govender, has been appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa as a member of the Commission for the Promotion of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL) Rights Commission, to build social cohesion and cultural preservation in the country. Govender’s appointment will commence on January 1, and he will be inducted at a special ceremony together with 11 other new members appointed to the commission, which undertakes the protection and promotion of cultural rights through proactive and reactive approaches. The other members are: Thoko Nonhle Jeanette Mkhwanazi-Xaluva, George Henry Mahlangu, Dr Tsholofelo Masetshaba Mosala, James Petrus Mapanka, Doris Tsakane Nkwe, Dr Sylvia Mmamohapi Pheto, Professor Muneer Abduroaf, advocate Sipho Gideon “Rasta” Mantula , Xolisa Donna Makoboka, Professor Mokgale Albert Makgopa and advocate Aubrey…

A TEENAGER related to two women charged with drugging and robbing a Verulam man and his neighbour, was arrested last week, after he threatened to shoot the investigating officer who had opposed bail in the matter. Indrani Moodley, 47, from Phoenix, and Roshendree Reddy, 39, from Chatsworth, appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court on Friday on charges of theft and robbery. The duo have also been linked to three other cases. It has been alleged they laced the 75-year-old Verulam pensioner’s tea with a drug that had made him sleep. He woke up several hours later and found that his home had been ransacked, and cash, cellphones, Eastern wear, branded shoes and other valuables were missing. The women, who wore masks to conceal their identity, were arrested by officers from…

ON THE day of his greatest triumph, Gukesh Dommaraju, 18, the youngest world chess champion, thanked his parents, Dr Rajnikanth and Dr Padma, for the sacrifices they made to help him in his journey as a chess player. Soon after he climbed up to the chess summit by beating Ding Liren of China in the World Chess Championship final match in Singapore 7.5-6.5 by capitalising on a blunder by his opponent in the 14th and final classical game, Gukesh said his parents have made a lot of sacrifices to nurture his dream. “My parents are both sports lovers but could not pursue their dreams. “So, they decided that they would do their best to help me chase my dream in whichever field I chose. “We do not come from…

WITH every ending comes a new beginning. The end of the year, the last of the months, saying goodbye to the time that once was, a new year is coming... But first we have Christmas. Christmas whispers for us to pause, reflect and give. It's a season to set gentle goals, love more and embrace the warmth around us. With the festive season upon us, we are reminded to share what matters most - kindness, gratitude and a full heart of peace and joy. Let's take a ride on Santa's sleigh through the night skies, to search for your message from the stars. ARIES (March 21 – April 19) You are charming, selfless and adventurous. You have the smile that lights up the entire Christmas tree. Showcase your upbeat dancing…

SOUTH Africans have just marked the “Day of Reconciliation” on December 16: not just the start of the holiday season but a national moment of reflection. It is a chance to remind ourselves that, whatever our differences have been in the past and still are in the present, we need to learn to live side by side if we are to be at peace as a nation. In 2024, more than ever, that word “reconciliation” is both a promise and a challenge. Many of the social, economic and racial fault lines that lie just below the surface in South Africa have come to the fore again this year. We had a very divisive election campaign: this did result in governments of unity which include more voices than before,…

AS WE embrace this joyous season, we are reminded that Christmas is a time of love, kindness, and benevolence – a season where hearts are warmed by joy, family unity and peace. The remembrance of Christ’s birth serves as a beacon of hope, uniting people across the world in a spirit of goodwill and harmony. Yet, as we celebrate, let us not forget those who face unimaginable trials. In Gaza, Lebanon, Bangladesh and conflict-ridden regions across the African continent, peace remains elusive. Persecuted minorities in India and victims of xenophobic attacks in South Africa yearn for the hope and joy that this season represents. This Christmas, I urge you to lift your hearts in prayer for all those who are suffering. Let us intercede for the restoration of peace, the…

It IS that time of the year to reflect on the joyous spirit of festivity for all walks of life. The young and the old are preparing for a well-deserved period of rest from the past year. We must all take the time to reflect on the world around us, going through hunger, sickness and war. As members of other faiths, we must unite, pray and promote peace, social cohesion and mutual respect for each other. We are a united human being and we must therefore spread goodwill and humanity. We have different paths and prayers, but we all pray to one god. Religion, language and rituals separate us but humanity is a common bond. So give respect. We are bonded together by God. I wish the Christian community a…

COMMUNITY leaders are urging the eThekwini Municipality to find an alternate way to distribute the R500 food vouchers to senior citizens over the festive period to avoid discrepancies. “There's a war that is happening. Everybody is saying they are poor and asking why they are not getting the vouchers. It seems that councillors are given these vouchers and there's a big discrepancy in the way these vouchers are being distributed," said Sham Maharaj, a community leader in Phoenix. “Councillors are giving the vouchers to people who generally support them but people who are genuinely in distress are not getting it. We have also identified issues where councillors are giving the vouchers to their friends and family. “There has to be another way for these vouchers to be given equitably and…

FROM living the “high life” to being confined behind prison walls, Rajiv Narandas, who was convicted and sentenced for murder almost a decade ago, is hoping to make a difference in his life and society following his release on parole. The 38-year-old of Westville, who went from owning nightclubs and flourishing businesses to being sentenced to 15 years behind bars, is the son of the late Krish Narandas, owner of Narandas Jewellers, and Rosanne Narandas, a businesswoman. This week, he shared the “raw truth” – from the good to the bad – in an exclusive interview with the POST. He said in 2008, at the age of 21, his life took an unexpected turn. Narandas, who is now a property developer, served seven years and six months of his 15-year…

HEALTH and wellness trends have shifted in the past few years, especially after the pandemic. The viewpoint on health has shifted from symptomatic-based treatment to a more holistic approach that focuses on complete physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Since then, we have seen a strong resurgence of people turning to ancient medical systems such as Ayurveda. Let’s explore how Ayurvedic medicine has integrated with modern wellness trends and how it can elevate your health journey. What is Ayurveda? Ayurveda, often called the “science of life”, is a holistic healing system that originated in India over 5 000 years ago. It emphasises balance within the body through diet, lifestyle and the use of herbal medicines. Ayurveda categorises individuals into three primary doshas (bioregulatory systems): Vata, Pitta and Kapha. Each dosha…

Marinade: 15ml (1 tbs) fish masala or masala of choice 2.5ml (½ tsp) turmeric powder salt to taste juice of a lemon 60ml (2 tbs) cooking oil fish of choice 3 cups basmati rice 6 eggs 125ml (½ cup) lentils 2 sliced onions 3 potatoes, cut into wedges 3 bay leaves 2 sticks cinnamon 5ml (1 tsp) mustard seeds 5ml (1tsp) cumin seeds 2 star anise 1 chopped onion 15ml (1 tbs) garlic-ginger paste 3 to 4 tsp curry powder or masala of choice 5ml (1tsp) turmeric powder 2.5ml (½ tsp) garam masala 2.5ml (½ tsp) cumin powder 2.5ml (½ tsp) dhania powder 6 grated tomatoes 60ml (¼ cup) tomato puree 1 stem curry leaves salt to taste fresh chopped coriander 2.5ml (½ tsp) egg yellow food colour mixed with…

225g butter 250ml (1 cup) brown sugar 125ml (½ cup) white sugar 2 eggs 10ml (2 tsp) vanilla essence 750ml (3 cups) cake flour 10ml (2 tsp) baking powder 30ml (2 tbs) cocoa powder 2.5ml (½ tsp) salt 250g chocolate chips Cream the butter and sugar together until creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time and continue to beat on medium speed. Add the vanilla essence and mix. Sift in the dry ingredients a little at a time and beat on medium to high speed. Add the chocolate chips. Mix until incorporated. Spoon the cookie dough and roll in your hand until it resembles a ping pong ball. Do not flatten. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours before baking. Place on a tray, evenly spaced because the cookie will…

4 egg whites, room temperature 1 cup castor sugar 1 tsp cornflour 1 tsp white vinegar 1 drop pink food colouring gel or liquid Filling: 350g raspberries 250ml/1 cup whipping cream 80g white chocolate Preheat the oven to 150ºC. Separate the egg whites from the yolks. Place the egg whites in a bowl using a stand mixer. A hand mixer can also work. Whisk the egg whites on a low-medium speed until it starts to form stiff peaks. On medium speed, slowly add a tablespoon of sugar at a time to the egg whites. Whisk well after each addition but not for too long. Scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure all the sugar dissolves. This step should take about 8 to 10 minutes. Once all the sugar…

250ml strong black coffee 65ml brandy or Kahlua (optional) 250g packet of Bakers Boudoir Biscuits 2 jumbo eggs, separated 65g castor sugar 250g marscapone cheese 250ml whipping cream, whipped 30ml cocoa powder Combine the coffee and brandy or Kahlua (if using). Dip the Bakers Boudoir Biscuits into the mixture (don’t soak them) and lay them in the bottom of a 20cm square dish. Beat the egg yolks and sugar until thick and pale. Add the vanilla and mix well. Add the marscapone and mix lightly until just combined. Lightly fold in the cream. Beat the egg whites into soft peaks and fold lightly into the mixture. Spoon the mixture over the biscuits. Chill until firm and sprinkle with cocoa powder just before serving.…

180g butter 180g castor 250g self raising flour 1 tbs vanilla essence 3 eggs 2 tbs milk Beat the sugar and butter first. Add the eggs and the rest of the ingredients. Mix well for four minutes until smooth. Divide the batter into three parts. To one, add one teaspoon of strawberry essence and a bit of colouring to make it a dark or light pink and mix. To another one, mix in a ¼ cup cocoa powder. In a lined loaf tin, add the chocolate batter first and smoothen. On top of that add the strawberry batter. Lastly, add the vanilla batter. Bake on 160ºC for 35 to 40 minutes. A knife inserted should come out clean.…

500ml water 200g margarine 1 tbs sugar 250g flour 6 eggs, beaten Filling: 400ml whipped cream or crème pâtissière Crème pâtissière: 375ml milk 45g cornflour 60g castor sugar 3 egg yolks For the crème pâtissière, heat the milk in a saucepan until hot. Remove from the heat. In a bowl, add the egg yolks, castor sugar and cornflour. Mix everything until it forms a smooth paste. Whisk tablespoons of milk into the mixture a little at a time. Once all the milk is added, pour the mixture back into the saucepan and whisk until it thickens. It will become very thick in no time; about 5 minutes. Remove from the stove. Spoon into a bowl and cover with cling wrap on the surface of the custard. Place into the…

NEW DELHI: Infosys co-founder Narayana Murthy, a billionaire businessman, has reiterated the call for a 70-hour work week, urging young people in India to work hard for the country’s growth. Murthy first suggested the idea last year. While he invited criticism from people and doctors, the concept was hailed by many, including Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal. Murthy said the younger generation needed to realise that they had to “work hard and work towards making India number one”. “At Infosys, I said we will go to the best and compare ourselves with the best global companies. I can tell you we Indians have a lot to do,” Murthy said, speaking at the Indian Chamber of Commerce’s centenary launch. “We have to set our aspirations high because 800 million Indians get free…

Dixon and Neela Chinsamy celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday, sharing memories of love, family, and their passion for travel. The party was hosted by the temple committee at the Shree Mariammen Temple in Mount Edgecombe. Dixon, 76, said he met Neela, 69, when he was 25 years old. “We were arranged to be married. We courted for a while and got married the next year. I was 26 and she was 20. I think Neela liked me more because I was part of a band called Santana Eastern, and I used to sing to her. “We got married in a traditional Hindu wedding on December 15, 1974, at the Mount Edgecombe temple hall. There were about 500 guests, who were served vegetable breyani. I also sang at my…

A study conducted by UCT has revealed that almost 30% of Grade 12 pupils are active vape users, while 16.83% of high school learners have vaped in the past 30 days. The rate of vaping among youth, according to one of the lead researchers, Professor Richard Van Zyl-Smit, is a cause for concern given the addictive nature of nicotine. The UCT team conducted the study after the World Health Organization highlighted that the promotion of e-cigarettes had led to an increased use of the product by children and adolescents. Van Zyl-Smit said the findings of the study highlighted the addictive nature of vaping products, while a school governing body detested the harmlessness through which it is marketed. The research was conducted in a survey, in which 25 149 pupils from…

There exists very little insight into how indentured Indians celebrated Christmas from their time of arrival to South Africa in 1860. One rare account was provided by Jean-Baptiste Sabon, who started to work with the newly-arrived immigrants as part of the missionary work of the Roman Catholic Church. Tamil-speaking Father Jean-Baptiste Sabon gave an account of the first celebration of Indian Catholics attending midnight mass at St Joseph’s Chapel: “Knowing that there was to be midnight mass, these children, without telling me, went and borrowed the biggest drum in town, and about midnight, to the astonishment of the Protestants, they wended their way to the chapel to the beating of the drum. “They also brought an elaborately decorated crib with angels hanging on threads to decorate the church. After mass,…

THE eThekwini Municipality will have a bumper 2024 festive season and we are ready to receive over 1.3 million visitors, who will be descending on our shores. This will be another great opportunity for us to show the world that Durban is indeed open for business and we remain Africa’s playground. As part of our efforts to deliver a safe and memorable festive season, the metro police is working with all law enforcement agencies, including the SAPS, Road Traffic Inspectorate and private security companies, to maintain high visibility in all tourism sites and areas that we have identified as crime hot spots. We are confident that this collaboration will improve the safety of our visitors and residents. In response to the challenge of homelessness, we are making every effort to…

IT’S the most, wonderful time of the year. It is a season of joy, anticipation and wonder. It is also a sacred time reminding us of the profound love and grace of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ’s birth, marks the beginning of a new era, a time of hope, peace and redemption. The essence of Christmas lies not in the festivities, feasting or family, but in the divine love that God gifted to humanity in sending His only son to save humanity by dying on a cruel cross, laying in a tomb and rising up on the third day. We celebrate God's unwavering love, demonstrated through the unselfish sacrifice of His only Son. Jesus Christ came to earth to reconcile us with God and offer salvation to…

The song by Andy Wiliams, “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”, resonates in many of the shops as many hustle through aisles trying to get the best gifts for Christmas. Yes, Christmas is certainly a time for giving, but where did this giving begin. In John 3:16 it says: “For God so loved the word that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” Giving is birth from the heart of God. Heaven’s gift to us is Jesus, who is the reason for the season. Christmas is the celebration of the birth of Jesus, who is God’s gift to mankind, the saviour. As we prepare for Christmas and look for the perfect gift, it is more blessed…

The waters off Durban have been very bountiful. There have been billfish, dorado and plenty of tuna to keep the guys happy. The Kingfisher trading times for the festive season is as follows: Monday to Friday: 8am-5pm. Saturdays and Sundays: 8am-1pm. All public holidays: 8am-1pm. December 25: All branches will be closed. December 26: All branches will be open from 8am-1pm, except Tackle Centre. Wednesday January 1, 2025: All branches will be closed, except for the Salt Rock and Ballito stores, which will be open from 8am-1pm. It had been a feeding frenzy offshore, except for the long weekend, when gusting winds kept anglers from venturing out. This disruption led to the much-anticipated Durban Dorado Bonanza being postponed. Despite this setback, the past week’s dorado action still delivered some excitement,…

In a timely boost for a Sharks team reeling from a 50-point hammering away to Leicester in the Champions Cup, popular Ox Nche has signed a new three-year deal that will keep him in Durban until the end of 2028. The 29-year-old loosehead prop was one of a handful of players rested from the trip to Leicester. He will make a welcome return to the Sharks’ front row for Saturday’s big United Rugby Championship derby against the Bulls at Kings Park (6pm kick-off). The Bulls are also coming off a loss in the Champions Cup, but an area in which they excelled was in the set scrums, where Wilco Louw was outstanding. The battle between Nche and Louw will alone be worth the price of the admission ticket. The Bulls…

250ml (1 cup) cake flour 10ml (2tsp) baking powder 30ml (2 tbs) cocoa powder 125ml (½ cup) brown sugar 125ml (½ cup) milk 1 egg 75g salted butter, melted 150g chocolate chips 125ml (½ cup) brown sugar 30ml (2 tbs) cocoa powder 250ml (1 cup) hot milk Preheat the oven to 180ºC. To a large mixing bowl, sift the cake flour, baking powder and cocoa powder. Add the sugar and mix until well combined. Add the milk, egg and butter. Whisk until well combined. Add the chocolate chips and mix. Add the batter into an oven-proof greased baking pan. Combine the sugar and cocoa powder. Sprinkle the dry ingredients over the batter. Pour hot milk over the batter mixture. Bake at 180ºC for 35 minutes. Remove and allow to stand…

500g elbow macaroni 1 litre (4 cups) water salt to taste 30ml (2 tbs) cooking oil 800g prawn meat or blanched prawns 30ml (2 tbs) fish spice drizzle of olive oil 30g salted butter (for sautéing) 4 crushed garlic cloves 30ml (2 tbs) chopped parsley 100g salted butter 45ml (3 tbs) cake flour 5ml (1 tsp) garlic and herb seasoning 5ml (1 tsp) lemon black pepper seasoning 5ml (1 tsp) onion powder 5ml (1 tsp) fish spice 5ml (1 tsp) Italian herbs 500ml (2 cups) full cream milk 500ml (2 cup) fresh cream 500ml (2 cups) grated Mozzarella cheese 500ml (2 cups) grated Cheddar cheese Garnish: 5ml (1 tsp) crushed dry chillies 5ml (1tsp) Italian herbs Cook the pasta as per the packet instructions, in salted water with cooking oil…

30ml (2 tbs) extra virgin olive oil 30ml (2 tbs) salted butter 800g prawn tails 15ml (1 tbs) fish spice 1 chopped onion 1 red pepper 1 yellow pepper 1 green pepper 5ml (1 tsp) garlic and herb seasoning 5ml (1 tsp) lemon and black pepper seasoning 10ml (2 tsp) crushed garlic 5ml (1tsp) turmeric powder 5ml (1tsp) smoked paprika 500ml (2 cups) day old, cooked rice 15ml (1 tbs) fish sauce 15ml (1 tbs) chopped parsley 1 lemon sliced Heat the oil and butter in a large pan. Add the prawns and season with fish spice. Sauté on high heat for 2 to 3 minutes Remove the prawns from the pan and set aside. To the same pan, add the onion and sauté for 5 minutes. Add the chopped…

125g/½ cup butter 1/3 cup demerara sugar with treacle syrup 2 tbs golden syrup 11/3 cups cake wheat flour 2 tsp ground dry ginger ½ tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp mixed spice 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda Beat the butter and sugar until creamy. Mix in the golden syrup. Slowly add in the flour and bicarbonate of soda together with the spices. Mix until you form a soft dough. You may require a couple more tablespoons of flour. Ensure the dough is not stiff. Roll the dough into a ball, flatten and wrap in cling wrap. Refrigerate for one hour. Line two sheets with parchment paper and set aside. Roll out the dough, about ½cm in thickness, and cut into shapes. Preheat the oven to 160ºC. Refrigerate for another 30…

1.5kg leg of lamb 1 tbs dijon mustard 2 tsp fresh thyme 5 large garlic cloves, 2 minced and 3 chopped into 4 pieces each 3 sprigs rosemary 12 cloves 1 cup vegetable stock ½ tsp salt ½ tsp pepper Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Bring the lamb to room temperature. Pat the lamb dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine the thyme, mustard, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Set aside. Use a sharp knife and make deep indents in the lamb, about 6 on each side. Stuff a piece of garlic, a small piece of rosemary and a clove in each indent. Rub the marinade all over the lamb. Place some foil in a roasting pan. Place the lamb inside, fatty side up and pour the stock…

1 cup chopped roasted almonds 2 cups flour 1 cup brown sugar 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp cinnamon powder ¼ cup soft butter 3 eggs 1 tbs oil 1 tsp vanilla essence melted milk chocolate From the almonds, keep aside 1/3 cup and put the rest in a bowl. Add the flour, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon powder, eggs, oil and vanilla essence. Mix well into a soft dough. Divide in two. Roll into logs. Place on a lined baking tray. Bake on 170ºC for 18 to 20 minutes until light brown. Remove and cool for 10 minutes. Cut into 2cm pieces. Line them flat on a baking try and bake for 8 minutes on each side. Cool and then dip each end with melted chocolate and sprinkle almonds.…

1 packet puff pastry or 250g homemade puff pastry 150g icing sugar 1 tbs cocoa powder Crème pâtissière: 375ml milk 35g cornflour 60g castor sugar 3 egg yolks Heat the milk in a saucepan until hot. Remove from the heat. In a bowl, add the egg yolks, castor sugar and cornflour. Mix everything until it forms a smooth paste. Whisk tablespoons of milk into the mixture, a little at a time. Once all the milk is added, pour the mixture back into the saucepan and whisk until it thickens. It will take about 5 minutes. Remove from the stove. Spoon into a bowl and cover with cling wrap on the surface of the custard. Place into the fridge until cold. Roll out the puff pastry into a sheet. Cut…

400g chocolate 125ml cream any nuts, chopped In a saucepan, add the chocolate and cream, and mix until melted. Remove from the stove. Pour into tartlet cases and leave in the fridge until set. Garnish with nuts or anything you want. Sweet shortcrust pastry: 200g flour 140g butter 80g castor sugar 1 tbs egg, beaten Mix the flour and castor sugar together. Rub in the butter until it looks like breadcrumbs. Use a tablespoon of the beaten egg to bring the mixture together. Form into a dough. Refrigerate for later. When using, roll out and place into a pan and blind bake for 8 minutes on 180ºC.…

FOUR businessmen who allegedly tried to steal more than R76 million from Transnet, appeared in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court last Friday. Sudesh Premchand Rocharam, Yaasien Mahomed, Rafael Bricker and Allan Wayne Tichauer, as well as their companies were charged with money laundering defined under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. Henry Mamothame, spokesperson for the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, said the accused were arrested in relation to a tender of relocating the assembling point of locomotives from Pretoria to Durban. He said this followed the awarding of a tender to manufacture 1 064 electric and diesel locomotives. “The accused allegedly misrepresented the relocation costs to Transnet, which allegedly amounted to over R76 million. “It was further discovered that none of the companies had established their manufacturing plant in Pretoria prior…

All of us, have in our veins, the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and therefore, we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. EVERY photograph. Pulling at her sari, holding her hand, like my life depended on it. My mother. Theresa. In early December 2017, her health spiralled my mother into hospital. Then after care. Then hospital again. Blood drained from her body. Her skin thinned into the finest paper. Those arms that once swept me up were reduced to blood clots and brittle bone. I so wanted her to mend and live. To take her in my arms and give her back the life she gave me. Was she suffering? Was she beyond pain? And then, one…

CHRISTMAS is more than a Christian religious event on December 25 alone. It is the most anticipated period in the annual calendar. For children, it is when a magical Santa slides down the chimney to leave gifts under the tree. For adults, it is time to spend the annual bonus on shopping. For workers, Christmas is a time to catch a few days of rest, recharge the batteries and get ready for another year of toil. While Christians will celebrate the arrival of the baby Jesus in the humblest circumstances possible, Christmas in South Africa is a summertime celebration for the entire nation. Whatever your religion, it is impossible to turn on the TV, walk into a store or even drive down the street without being reminded that “‘tis…

CHRISTMAS is a time often celebrated with joy, family and giving. Yet, for many, this season can bring unique challenges – financial pressures, strained relationships, or feelings of loneliness may overshadow the festivities. This year, I want to offer a heartfelt reminder that Christmas is about more than decorations, meals or traditions. It is a celebration of hope, love and resilience through the gift of Jesus Christ. Over 2 000 years ago, the birth of Jesus Christ brought light into a troubled and uncertain world. The prophet Isaiah proclaimed, Isaiah 9:2: “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.“ That light continues to shine today, reminding us that no matter how heavy life’s burdens may feel, the hope of Jesus Christ remains constant and unwavering. If this season…

AS THE year 2024 draws to a close, we experience the inexplicable. Some call it the “silly season”, I call it a divine intervention encouraging us to relax, to unwind, to commit to performing righteous and pleasant deeds. We are overwhelmed with immense love and joy and profound peace in our hearts. To me, this season is the outpouring of love from millions of people across the globe. The positivity that radiates from our minds creates a season of togetherness and unity. We celebrate Ubuntu, we share, we give, we receive and we acknowledge “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”, that the world is One Family. Christmas is a time of religious reflection. We remember the birth of a Child, A King born to save the world. A time of deep emotions. The birth…

THE “appointment” of almost 300 workers by the eThekwini Municipality has come under scrutiny, with various stakeholders questioning the lack of fair representation of all racial groups. According to a November 2024 appointment circular – purported to be from the city – 296 workers, all of whom were of the black race group, were employed in the Cleansing and Solid Waste Unit. Last week, the NIC 130 Organising Committee, a collective of former leaders and activists of the Natal Indian Congress, wrote to eThekwini Mayor Cyril Xaba and Musa Mbhele, the city manager, calling for answers. In the letter, via its legal representatives, Govindasamy, Ndzingi, and Govender (GNG) Incorporated, they said that this year marked the 130th anniversary of the NIC, which was founded in 1894. “The anniversary programme was…

RADIO in South Africa turned 100 on December 18, 2023. The first broadcast originated from Johannesburg. The initial transmission from Durban was heard on December 19, 1924, under the aegis of the City Council. The mayor at the time was Tom Wadley. “Good morning. This is Durban calling…”, were the first words by announcer Gerald Clayton Beadle from a humble studio based at the City Hall. Afrikaans programming took shape in 1925, and Zulu in 1927. Shows on radio directed to South Africans of Indian descent commenced in 1932. They were broadcast twice a week in the evenings for 20 minutes. The first announcer was Abel Peters. Known as “Thunder Bolt”, he played Gujarati, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Urdu music. Devi Bughwan, the first female announcer, was heard in 1950.…

Playing par-5s requires a combination of strategy, skill and mental toughness. These holes offer opportunities for birdies and eagles, but also pose significant challenges, including lengthy distances, treacherous hazards and complex green designs. Before teeing off, take a moment to study the hole’s layout, noting obstacles, hazards and the pin’s position. Consider the risk-reward trade-off of going for the green in two strokes versus playing it safe. This initial assessment will help you develop a solid strategy and avoid costly mistakes. Choosing the right club is crucial on par-5s. Select a driver that provides accuracy and distance, and consider using a fairway wood or hybrid for your second shot, depending on the hole’s layout. Accuracy is paramount, as wayward shots can quickly lead to trouble. While it’s tempting to go…