Table of contents for 2022-01-19 in Post

Marie Yap, Anthony Jorm and Mairead Cardamone-Breen HEADLINES about the impact of the pandemic on youth mental health have left many parents worried about their children and unsure what they can do to help. Now, as restrictions are eased – and school, home, and social lives return to something resembling normal – young people have to make significant adjustments as they face new pressures. Parents need clear, evidence-based, practical strategies to support their teen’s mental health. But this can be hard to find. To fill this gap, we asked 35 international experts (researchers, health professionals and parent advocates) what parents could do to support their teenager’s mental health during the pandemic. Here are their nine key tips: 1. Parents, look after yourselves: While parents’ natural instincts are to be concerned…

DHANI Ram Baruah, a Guwahati based heart specialist and transplant surgeon, was happy after he heard that the US doctors at the University of Maryland School of Medicine successfully transplanted a genetically modified pig heart into a 57-year-old patient. This was similar to a transplant he did 25 years ago, but his patient died after a week. Doctors at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, who transplanted a pig heart into a patient David Bennett in a last-ditch effort to save his life, claimed that the transplant showed that a heart from a genetically modified animal could function in the human body without immediate rejection. Baruah, who had been running the Dhani Ram Baruah Heart Institute and Institute of Applied Human Genetic Engineering at Sonapur on the outskirts of…

STATE capture commission chairperson, Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo, cites in his first report the February 2011 transfer of Themba Maseko from the position of CEO of the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) to the department of public service and administration as one of the earliest acts of state capture by the Gupta family. Maseko’s refusal to allow the capture of the GCIS cost him his job, and South Africa “one of the few government officials who was willing to stand up to the pressure exerted by the Gupta family”, Zondo writes. It came at a great cost to the country, and was done irregularly and out of the norm of the executive level of government, on the instruction of former president Jacob Zuma. “The influence they (Guptas) exerted…

Nikita Chiniah’ nikita.chiniah@inl.co.za THE Alfred Duma Municipality in Ladysmith is monitoring the Klip River water levels so that they can begin clean-up operations. Families had to evacuate their homes on rubber boats after the Klip River burst its banks, causing flooding to some areas. Abed Karrim, the national co-ordinator for disaster response and poverty eradication at the Al-Imdaad Foundation, said they had been helping and rescuing affected residents since Sunday evening. Karrim heads up the NPO’s Ladysmith Flood Project. “We got numerous calls from people for help. Our organisation, together with disaster management, the police's K9 unit, and search and rescue teams assisted in rescuing about 125 residents. They were taken to the Indoor Sports Complex. “We provided them with blankets, mattresses, hygiene packs, sanitary towels, baby food and hot…

Nonjabulo Bhengu nonjabulo.bhengu@inl.co.za BISHOP Bernard Coopasamy, the leader at U Centre in Shallcross, said as a church they were trying to ensure their congregants were safe from any suspected Covid cases. The church had also committed to encouraging its members to be tested and treated in the case of infection. Coopasamy said since the restrictions had been eased, the church would slowly move towards reopening. Coopasamy said despite the many challenges they had had with trying to adjust to the new normal, they were still hopeful that members would continue attending services, whether in person or online. “We the church of Jesus Christ remain on guard against all sicknesses and diseases that attack families and congregants who come to church to worship God. “Our worship numbers in attendance have been…

Charlene Somduth charlene.somduth@inl.co.za THE Sri Sri Radha Radhanath Temple in Chats-worth will reopen completely once the bulk of people in the country are vaccinated or the pandemic has receded. Swarup Damodar Dasa, the president of the organisation, said: “While we would love nothing more than to return to our usual services, the safety of our communities is our priority. We will continue to balance their physical safety with their emotional and spiritual needs during the course of this pandemic. We will regularly review and adjust our activities to offer optimal spiritual care and engagement to our congregation and to the various people we sweepingly connect with.” Damodar Dasa said the temple was currently open to the public for darshan, which was the viewing of the deities. “The services to the…

Nonhlanhla Nozizwe Hlatshwayo nozizwe.hlatshwayo@inl.co.za ABOUT half of the congregation at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Westville have returned for services. “The rest are still gradually coming back, and the numbers are positive,” said Father Desmond Nair. “There has been a significant increase in congregants over the past two weeks. We have seen faces that we last saw before the pandemic. I hope the country remains on alert level 1 as this would make the attendance steady.” Nair said while there were regular churchgoers, others viewed the service online, and there was a possibility that they may not return. “It will take some time for people to fully occupy the venue. With my experience over the years, once people get out of the regular habit of going to…

Charlene Somduth charlene.somduth@inl.co.za THE Foresthaven Hindu Dharma Sabha fully reopened for worship last Sunday after months of being closed. Balwanth Gunpath, the chairperson of the sabha, said: “When the pandemic hit us in 2020, I chose to close the temple for the year. At the time we did not know much about the virus and I was concerned about the well-being of devotees. We formed a WhatsApp group with devotees and I posted devotional messages.” Gunpath said even in 2021, when the infection rate was low and other religious institutions decided to reopen, he chose to remain closed. “Other temples had an outbreak of the virus after having services and again I did not want that to happen to our devotees. We decided to do a drive-in service only on…

Latoya Newman latoya.newman@inl.co.za DURBAN medical doctor Melissa Jhinku is climbing the stand-up comedy ladder as she pursues her passion for laughter. “I'm a medical doctor by training but I find laughter to be the best medicine. I have a background in theatre and I am so excited to take my art form from acting to stand-up comedy.” Jhinku will next be seen on stage in the Comedy O Clock SA stand-up show on Durban’s Marine Parade. The 32-year-old former Pinetown Girls’ High matriculant said she first stumbled on her chance to try her hand at stand-up comedy three years ago. “The Winston (comedy club) wanted to do a women's comedy evening, and as Durban would have it, they could not find enough female voices to fill an hour-and-a-half show. Because…

Shafeeka Anthony AS PARENTS plan for the start of the first school term this year, many are faced with paying for unexpected items in addition to fees and uniforms. Hybrid learning – a combination of in-person and online learning – requires investment in an up-to-date computer (desktop or laptop) or a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. Speakers, headphones or earbuds are also often needed to boost audio quality, while a webcam supports activities that require video feedback. A stable internet connection and sufficient data add to the costs. If your child experiences a growth spurt, extra uniforms could be required. Moms and dads may also be under pressure to invest in extra tuition as pupils struggle to catch up with disrupted studies. Children may experience anxiety and…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za THERE have been mixed views from religious stakeholders, on what is believed to be the first transplant in the world using the heart of a genetically modified pig. According to BBC.com, a US handyman, David Bennett, 57, recently underwent the experimental 7-hour procedure in Baltimore, Maryland. The transplant was considered the last hope of saving his life, though it is not clear what his long-term chances of survival are, reported the BBC. Bennett had said: “I know it’s a shot in the dark, but it’s my last choice.” Doctors at the University of Maryland Medical Center were granted a special dispensation by the US medical regulator to carry out the procedure on the basis that Bennett, who has terminal heart disease, would otherwise have died. Bennett had…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za FOR more than three decades, the Africa Muslims Agency (AMA) South Africa has provided relief and empowerment to the needy globally. This month, the agency marks its 35th anniversary. Hassan Choonara, a director at AMA SA, said the late Abdurrahman Hammud Sumayt, a physician, founded AMA, an international Islamic charity, in Kuwait in 1981. He said Sumayt had head-hunted his late father, Mohammed Farid Choonara, to start a branch of the organisation in South Africa in 1987. The office was opened in Fordsburg, Johannesburg. The AMA now has 29 offices in Africa, including Mozambique, Somalia and Malawi. “Being a doctor, Sumayt travelled throughout Africa, and one of his first stops was in Malawi. After seeing the poor living conditions of the people, he decided to start AMA.…

Nikita Chiniah nikita.chiniah@inl.co.za WORSHIPPERS at the Musjidur Rahmaan Mosque in Durban North are grateful to resume to normal prayer. Yusuf Desai, a trustee at the mosque, also referred to as the Mosque of the Most Merciful, said even with the relaxed rules, they were still following strict Covid-19 protocols. The mosque, which opened four years ago, has seen worshipper numbers drop rapidly from 200 to 50 a day since the start of the pandemic. But Desai said the numbers were expected to increase. “The past two years of Covid disruptions have affected our numbers in terms of regular devotees. Many opted to pray and worship in the confines of their homes. However, there were many who also felt that the mosque was the safest and cleanest public place anyone could…

Charlene Somduth charlene.somduth@inl.co.za WITH the lockdown regulations being eased, the Shri Mariammen Temple in Mount Edgecombe is expecting an influx of devotees for their upcoming prayers. Seelan Achary, the chairperson of the temple, said since the beginning of the pandemic in South Africa in 2020 there had been a drop in the number of devotees attending prayers. “Every year over the Easter weekend we host the Amman prayer and the Easter Fair. In 2020, the prayer and fair were cancelled because of the pandemic. In 2021 we only held the prayer.” Achary said despite the Covid-19 restrictions being eased, the temple would maintain some of its safety protocols. “We don’t have a congregation setup. At the temple, devotees line up at various prayer spots to perform their prayers.” Achary said…

Nadia Khan nadia.khan@inl.co.za WORSHIPPERS are flocking to the historic Juma Musjid in Dr Yusuf Dadoo (Grey) Street since the easing of the restrictions on religious gatherings. AV Mohamed, the chairman of the mosque, said they were adhering to the restrictions of 1 000 people indoors for religious gatherings and were following all the other Covid-19 protocols. “We have been Covid-19 compliant from day one. In fact, my mosque was the first to close officially in the province because we found the safety of our people was very important.” Mohamed said the mosque had remained closed for most of 2020. “There were only six people who were able to pray five times a day at the mosque. This included the imam and staff for eight months. Even when it was announced…

Eshlin Vedan eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za FORMER Australian great and Test captain Ian Chappell praised new Proteas star Keegan Petersen’s efforts in the series against India (SA won 2-1) and wondered where he was all this while. In the Cape Town Test, Petersen was superb in making 72 in the first innings and followed it up with a sublime 82 in the second knock to set the base for a successful chase of 212 for South Africa. He was also adjudged ‘Player of the Series’ for being the highest run-scorer over the three Tests, amassing 276 runs in six innings at an average of 46. “Petersen’s sudden rise to fame has been a revelation and raises the question of where he has been all this while,” said Chappell. “This example exposes one of…

Latoya Newman latoya.newman@inl.co.za AS pupils in KwaZulu-Natal head back to the classroom on Wednesday, January 19, health experts have shared advice and tips on how to best monitor and take care of their health and well-being. Some of the common issues that emerge when children go back to school are sinus and allergy related problems. Dr Das Pillay, a Durban-based paediatrician practices at St Augustine’s Hospital and has over 26 years of experience and a special interest in allergy, asthma, nutrition and Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADD). Pillay said children, like adults, are prone to seasonal upper respiratory tract infections as well as allergies, which could be seasonal or perennial. “The reason for the increase in upper respiratory tract infections is that kids come from a relatively sterile environment at home…

Post reporter THE Afghan Taliban leadership has decided to expand its programme, which offers food for work. According to Indo-Asian News Service (IANS), wheat was used to pay thousands of workers. Afghanistan’s economic and humanitarian crisis has been worsening since the Taliban took control in August. This prompted the international community to seize all aid to the country where 80% of the economy comprised foreign aid. “From the healthcare sector to the basic necessities of life, Afghanistan is sinking into a severe humanitarian crisis with every passing day,” it reported. Since the Taliban takeover, international donors have frozen their aid to the country, while the banking sector remained in crisis – with no one able to send or receive any remittance from outside of Afghanistan. While there have been some…

Many tests can be avoided through comprehensive medical examination and a health history evaluation Yogin Devin THERE are doctors, and then there are doctors. I say this following various levels of personal interaction with medical practitioners over the years. My inclination to sift the wheat from the chaff is also prompted by the preponderance of a type of white-collar crime within the medical industry. Healthcare fraud is rapidly growing more popular and is spreading like cancer. When Covid-19 shrouded the world at the beginning of 2020, doctors and other healthcare workers became our angels for being in the forefront of the war against the pandemic. Many doctors were doing God’s work, putting their lives at risk, even when they did not have PPEs. With the scourge easing and no longer…

DESPITE his many refutations to allegations that he interfered in the operations of state-owned entities under his watch as minister of public enterprises between 2010 and 2014, Malusi Gigaba did, in fact, interfere in Eskom’s business dealings with Gupta-owned TNA Media. This is according to the state capture commission’s chairperson, Acting Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. His first report, released to the public recently, characterises the key players whom Zondo says enabled the Gupta family’s state capture project by flouting processes that were meant to protect state-owned entities (SOEs) from undue influence. “Mr Gigaba’s evidence that he would not have been involved in operational matters must be rejected. Mr Gigaba was prepared to do wrong for the Guptas or Mr (Jacob) Zuma. A number of incidents can be pointed out in…

Nonjabulo Bhengu nonjabulo.bhengu@inl.co.za LOCAL church leader Reverend Cyril Pillay said the easing of Covid-19 restrictions did not mean people must let their guard down. “Now that the curfew is relaxed, the church must be more cautious. Caution is the word. We have always had tight Covid rules and upheld all our protocols,” said Pillay. Pillay, who leads the People’s Church of God in Chatsworth, said attendance was negatively affected by the Covid-19 restrictions. “About 60% of the congregation has been in touch, and a great part of that 60% have been attending church and contributing to offerings and tithes (one-tenth of annual produce or earnings for the support of the church and its work).” He said it was however financially tough. “We remain hopeful. As the church is a faith-based…

Nikita Chiniah nikita.chiniah@inl.co.za THE Habibia Soofie Saheb Darbar in Riverside has seen a steady increase in the number of worshippers arriving to pray over the festive period. Farouk Mohammad Soofie, the maulana, said he grew up going to the same mosque and took responsibility for it about 21 years ago. “Since the restrictions were eased, we are happy that we can now accommodate more people. We will be adhering to the rules set by our government. No one is allowed to enter without a mask. There will be social distancing and sanitising services available. Our bathroom facilities, which were previously not opened, will also be available. We accommodate 150 people inside the institution and 300 people are catered for outside. Some worshippers prefer doing the prayers outside with extra ventilation.”…

Nonhlanhla Nozizwe Hlatshwayo nozizwe.hlatshwayo@inl.co.za THE Reverend Michael Fourie of St Thomas Anglican Church in Berea said the congregation had shrunk since the pandemic, with most of the elderly preferring to pray at home. “Even though we are now allowed greater numbers of congregants, we are not seeing the attendance pre-Covid-19. Before, St Thomas had three services on a Sunday with a combined number of around 150 people. Since Covid-19, the face-to-face attendance has dropped dramatically, with one service on a Sunday averaging less than 50 attendees. Special occasions have seen this number swell to about 75. Under the new guidelines, we can safely accommodate 125 people,” said Fourie. He said their online services would continue and that the offertory (offerings of money collected) during the services had dropped by about…

Charlene Somduth charlene.somduth@inl.co.za THE Clairwood Shree Siva Subramanium Temple will continue to maintain strict Covid-19 protocols despite the easing of lockdown regulations. Sidney Govindsamy, an official at the temple and the president of the Devasthanam Foundation of South Africa – Council of South Indian Temples, said throughout the year the temple would observe different prayers and they have introduced a booking system in line with the foundation’s guidelines. “Our first major prayer was the Thai Poosum Kavady. Thereafter, we will observe Shivarathri in March and the Amman prayer in April. The booking system is only for the major prayers because they draw large crowds. Families will have to submit the names of each person attending. If a time slot is missed, we will allocate a new one.” Govindsamy said the…