Table of contents for 2024-05-08 in Post

Janhvi Kapoor has become the host for her childhood home in Chennai. The house was owned by her mother, the late actress Sridevi. Sridevi’s home has been listed on the vacation rental company Airbnb under the category, “Icons”. Speaking at the launch event, Kapoor said: “I think this house symbolises such a special chapter in my mother’s legacy and in all of our lives. “It was her first major purchase once she started working and her prized possession.” Kapoor will host two guests, providing access to a bedroom and a bathroom. “So what you can expect is very good energy. We have made a lot of special memories in that house. “There is an amazing view, access to the beach, and it is just a nice place to relax and…

WITH the rise in the cost of petrol, electricity, food … well, pretty much everything, staying in for a cozy night instead of venturing out to the cinema might be on your mind. If you choose to chill at home with some Netflix, there’s one particular option that’s causing a stir globally: The latest mini-series by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Heeramandi. Bhansali’s latest offering is a feast for the eyes, captivating audiences with its extravagant sets and magnificent portrayal of Lahore in the pre-independence era of 1920. Transporting viewers to the year 1945, Heeramandi unveils the intricacies of the lives of courtesans, who call the vibrant city of Lahore their home, particularly in the renowned area of Heeramandi. Comprising eight one-hour-long episodes, Bhansali’s directorial prowess is evident, as he orchestrates the…

Cake: 11/3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tsp rosewater 2/3 cup sugar ¼ cup neutral oil ¾ cup plant milk ¼ tsp apple cider vinegar 1 tbs ground flax seeds/yoghurt ½ tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp vanilla extract ½ tsp salt Preheat the oven to 175ºC. For the cake, mix together the plant milk and apple cider vinegar. Set aside for 3 to 5 minutes. In a bowl, mix together the sugar, rosewater, oil, vanilla extract and plant milk/apple cider vinegar mixture. Sift in the flour, flax seed, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Mix just until there are no dry bits. Do not over mix or the cupcakes will be more dense and less fluffy. Add the cupcake wrappers to a muffin tin and fill with…

2 cups all-purpose flour 2 cups granulated sugar ¾ cup Dutch process cocoa powder, sifted 2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp salt ½ cup vegetable oil 1 cup buttermilk, room temperature 1 cup hot water or hot coffee 2 large eggs 2 tsp vanilla extract Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Grease two round pans and dust with cocoa powder. Line the bottoms with parchment. Place all the dry ingredients into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment. Stir to combine. In a bowl, whisk all the wet ingredients. Pour the hot water in slowly so as not to cook the eggs. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix on medium for 2 to 3 minutes. The batter will be very…

YUTHIKA Maharaj was a claims administrator for an insurance company when she resigned in 2016 to take care of her newborn son, but in 2019 she decided to take a leap of faith. She started a home-based business, NYSS Bakes by Yuthika, in Isipingo Hills, specialising in novelty cakes and treats. NYSS is the first initial of her name, her husband’s and her children’s. Maharaj, who aspires to move into her own business premises, said when she reflected on her earliest memory in the kitchen, she remembered Diwali time when her mom baked up a storm and she was one of the taste-testers. While brownies are not a traditional Diwali sweetmeat, she said her first stint was making them; and they “turned out disastrous”. But not anymore. “I have come…

A DISGRUNTLED Glen Ashley man who lost a court case allegedly went on a rampage, intimidating and threatening the national Director of Public Prosecutions Shamila Batohi, a judge, prosecutors and police with “death” and “bloodshed” in emails, voice recordings and social media posts. Avinash Ramkistan, 38, a businessman who had worked in the insurance industry, was arrested in March and has been charged with seven counts of intimidation, contravention of the National Prosecuting Authority Act 32 (1) (b) and crimen injuria. He appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday where bail was denied. The State opposed bail and led evidence by the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Sivan Naidoo, from the Hawks. Naidoo told the court he was opposed to bail due to the seriousness of the charges. He…

THE members of SA Fed Soccer Legends are devastated at the passing away of their chairman, Don Mudaly, after a long illness. Don was the dynamic manager of the FPL affiliate, namely Berea FC, and through his managerial expertise and an eye to spot talent, the team was a force to be reckoned with and won many trophies in the FPL. Professor Bugsy Singh, said: “This is devastating news. Don Mudaly was an icon in our football history who was committed and supportive of our non-racial structures and Sacos. As a community, we owe him an enormous debt. We must, collectively, ensure he receives a befitting funeral. Om satgati.” The SA Fed Soccer Legends and the sporting fraternity convey their sincere condolences to his bereaved family.…

CANON Reverend May Gail Laban, a retired priest within the Anglican Diocese of Natal, died of a heart attack last Friday, while visiting family in China. She was 71. Laban, of Musgrave, served and ministered within the parish of Overport for the past three years until her death. Reverend May, who was affectionately known as Mother May or Mama May, was born and raised in Clare Estate in Durban. She held a BA and B.Ed from the University of Durban-Westville; a diploma in theology from the Theological Education by Extension College; and a Master's degree in theology from the University of Natal. In 1993, she became the first Indian woman to be ordained as an Anglican priest in South Africa. She was bestowed with two careers: A teacher for 22…

IT WAS with immense sadness that we heard of the passing of iconic sports administrator, Mohammed Sibda, who for almost 40 years fought to implement non-racial soccer, cricket and sport in general. A towering figure in the SA Soccer Federation, he was pivotal in steering us back into international sports after the demise of apartheid. Losing a sincere friend is among the most emotionally difficult and universal of human experiences. Often, we wish death was not part of life. It is a grief-filled and traumatic encounter that permanently alters your outlook on life. The death of Sibda is an incalculable blow, because no one can ever capture his charisma and determination in ensuring non-racialism in sports. He stood with the masses through our darkest days when racial segregation in sports…

THE eThekwini Municipality’s final tariff hikes have caused great discontent among ratepayers and residents, who believe these will worsen the already constrained finances of many homes. Last Friday, the city’s mayor, Mxolisi Kaunda, tabled the municipality’s final 2024/2025 budget of R67.2 billion at a full council meeting, which saw the various tariff increases being finalised. While it saw between 1% and 2% decreases from the tariff hikes which were proposed during the tabling of the draft budget in March, ratepayers’ and residents’ representatives said the decreases would not make a significant difference in assisting citizens. Kaunda said the revised tariff increases followed extensive budget hearings held in various regions in April. “We were encouraged by constructive engagements during the hearings as communities did not only complain, but also provided practical…

Meerkats (ages 5 - 6): Learn new skills, play educational games, and take on challenges divided into several themes. Cubs (ages 7 - 10): Learn new skills, play games, complete creative crafts, enjoy fun camps, and community projects. Scouts (ages 11 - 17): Includes a wide range of activities such as hiking, camping, abseiling, swimming, survival skills, first aid or even flying. Rovers (ages 18 - 30): Get the opportunity to indulge in their love for the outdoors while being of service to others. Adult volunteers: Thousands of dedicated adults volunteer their time to support children and youth all over the country by taking up a wide range of roles, from working directly with the Meerkats, Cubs and Scouts, to group, district or regional management.…

THIS week is a special one on the calendar, as we celebrate Mother’s Day on Sunday: Our golfing journey for the week looks at some key tips for women golfers to enjoy the game just as much as men do. Golf in recent years has seen a rise in women golfers as well as more golfing tours with some great prize money on offer. The most important factor for the woman golfer is to make sure the equipment she is using is not too heavy even if it’s just used as a beginner. Using heavy equipment will cause injury and also be demotivating when she is taking to the game. A woman’s body composition is different to that of a man and the golf shots are more about feel with…

TELUGU star Vijay Deverakonda, right, who was recently seen in the romantic action drama, The Family Star, is joining forces with director Ravi Kiran Kola for his new film. The yet-to-be-titled film will see Deverakonda reunite with producer Dil Raju after The Family Star. Kola dropped a picture on X posing with Deverakonda and Raju. The director wrote: “It’s time for our vicious dynamite to be lit. It’s time now to make our vision a reality. @TheDevarakonda (fire and hug face emojis). Let’s wreak havoc, you and I. “Together we will deliver a promising film. See you on 9th. “Until next time.” The film marks Deverakonda’s first rural action drama. Meanwhile, he will next be seen in VD 12, in which he is reportedly playing a cop.…

250g butter 1 cup icing sugar 1 cup oil 1 cup maizena a few drops of rose essence 1 tsp elachi (cardamom) powder 1 tsp baking powder 2 cups flour (add a bit more if needed to make a soft dough) Cream the butter and icing sugar until white and creamy. Add the oil and beat again for 5 minutes on medium high speed. Add the maizena, rose essence, elachi (cardamom) and ground almonds. Mix well. Sift the flour and baking powder. Add to the mixture and cream. Add more flour if needed, to form a soft dough. Pipe or roll out and cut into shapes. Decorate with melted white chocolate. (I added a few drops of rose essence and elachi to my chocolate).…

IN WHAT is believed to have been a case of mistaken identity, a Merebank father was shot twice in the head, while carrying his 2-year-old daughter outside their Dinapur Road flat. Jodie Gopal, 28, was in the company of relatives and neighbours when a lone gunman opened fire at them last Wednesday evening. His father, Dorasamy Gopal, who was also there at the time, said that at about 7pm, they had taken the toddler for a walk and were standing in an open area, which was a few metres away from their flat. “My granddaughter was a bit restless, so we decided to take her outside for a bit so that she could settle down. We were still on the flat premises, below road level, and were talking with some…

COMMUNITY leaders and activists from the Navy or ChinaTown area of Merebank have banded together to restore Sialkot Park, which has become a “haven for criminals”. The project is being spearheaded by community arts activist, Dr Satchu Annamalai. He said the initiative was not just about restoring and eliminating crime in the park, but was meant for residents to re-evaluate and form relationships with green spaces. “We will be hosting a dinner and dance on Saturday, the funds of which will be channelled to restore Sialkot Park. This has created a lot of excitement among residents. Many of them shared their happy memories of the park on social media,” said Annamalai. “In the Navy area, wedged between the southern freeway and Sialkot Crescent, is the Sialkot Park. It was used…

THIRTY years ago, South Africa emerged from the shadow of apartheid, a system of institutionalised racial segregation and discrimination that systematically marginalised the majority of the population. South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy serves as an inspiration to the world, a testament to the power of reconciliation and forgiveness in overcoming even the most entrenched divisions. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission, established to address the crimes of the past, demonstrates the country’s commitment to confronting its history and building a more inclusive future. As South Africa commemorates three decades of democracy, it’s imperative to reflect on the journey travelled, the milestones achieved, and the challenges that persist to this day. The dawn of democracy brought with it promises of equality, justice, and prosperity for all. Yet, as the years…

THE commemoration of Workers’ Day in South Africa can never be a trite issue: As communities long discriminated against, we continue to be a deplorably unequal society. According to the most recent data, South Africa has the highest income inequality in the world, with a Gini coefficient of around 0.67. The current economic trajectory in the country shows that for the foreseeable future, we will continue to be the most unequal society in the world. As much as we lament the deplorable governance, the role of the trade union movement, especially its leadership, merits scrutiny. Media have highlighted the white monopoly in the economy and all-pervasive corruption in being central to our economic challenges. It is not without irony that in South Africa, several trade union leaders have attained enormous…

THE Muslim Judicial Council Halaal Trust (MJCHT), in a bid to enforce its stance against the continuing genocide in Gaza, has stopped certifying Clover products as halaal. Sheikh Muhammad West, the chief financial officer of the MJCHT, said consumers needed to be advised that the 2024 halaal certification of Clover had not been renewed. “Clover is a subsidiary of the Central Bottling Company of Israel, and as such will no longer be certified by the MJCHT,” West said. “All products by Clover are no longer certified by the trust. This is in line with the MJCHT’’s policy not to certify any products emanating from Israel; or any products that are emanating from an Israeli company; or a controlled Israeli subsidiary. The MJCHT is a certification body that provides compliance certificates…

KHEHLA Mngwengwe, who was found guilty of hate speech in the Equality Court in uMlazi last month, has apologised to the Indian community but maintains he is not a racist. “I was never found guilty of being a racist but the court found that my post was hate speech,” Mngwengwe told the POST following his apology posted on Facebook last Thursday. “That is why I was only ordered to make a public apology on social media. I was not ordered to attend training or community service with other race groups because I am not a racist.” After the July 2021 unrest, Mngwengwe had been accused of posting a racist comment, inciting and threatening violence against Indians on social media. In his post, he referred to Indians with the derogatory c****e…

COMMUNITY leaders from the northern parts of eThekwini are up in arms over uMngeni-uThukela Water’s decision to reduce water supply volumes in the northern areas. On Monday, uMngeni-uThukela Water issued a statement explaining that excessive bulk water draw-offs by the eThekwini Municipality had led to the depletion of on-site storage at the Durban Heights Water Treatment Works. Siyabonga Maphumulo, the spokesperson for uMngeni-uThukela Water, said in line with normal operating rules, uMngeni-uThukela Water conducted a daily monitoring service and alerted the municipality when it was drawing off more water than the production capacity of the water works. “In cases where the municipality is unable to decrease the excessive draw-offs, uMngeni-uThukela temporarily shuts off the flow of bulk water. This is to prevent Reservoir 2 at the Durban Heights Water Works…

AWARD-WINNING cartoonist and animator, Nanda Soobben, will honour a conversation he had with women’s rights activist, the late Professor Anshu Padayachee, by starting an art workshop for survivors of rape and gender-based-violence (GBV). The initiative, which starts this Saturday, has been hailed by women artists. “I wanted to honour Anshu, the co-founder of the Advice Desk for Abused Women. Prior to her passing last July, she saw one of the art classes I held for autistic children. She said I should host a similar class for survivors of GBV and rape. “She said I should start at the end of April (Freedom Month) and culminate with an exhibition at the end of August (Women’s Month). I told her I needed support to see the project through. “Anshu said she was…

FORMER Australia cricketer Michael Clarke shared his thoughts on Rohit Sharma’s form in the IPL 2024 and opined that it was only a matter of one inning for him to find his form again. Sharma started well in this season of IPL and scored 297 in his first seven innings, however, he only managed to score 34 in his next five innings – overall in 12 innings he scored 330 runs with a mere average of 30. The only consolation inning that came from the Indian skipper’s bat was a century against Chennai Super Kings (105 off 63 balls), that too was in a losing cause. It was his second century in the history of IPL that came after more than 12 years. “With someone like Rohit, it’s only a…

FORMER India coach Ravi Shastri expects big-hitting Shivam Dube to set the T20 World Cup alight and says the 30-year-old batting all-rounder will be key to India’s hopes of racking up big totals in the tournament next month. Dube, who is also a handy medium pacer, has established himself as one of the most destructive middle-order batters in the IPL, the Chennai Super Kings player scoring 350 runs in 11 matches at a 170-plus strike rate this season. Among the IPL’s Indian batters, only Abhishek Sharma has hit more sixes than Dube’s 26. “Please watch out for (him), because he is explosive, he’s devastating and he’s a match-winner,” Shastri told the International Cricket Council website. “He hits sixes for fun, and when it comes to spin bowling, he can kill…

ACTRESS and politician Hema Malini penned a heart-warming note as she and her star husband Dharmendra marked 44 years of marital bliss recently. Malini shared a video on X made by a fan which featured pictures of the couple. “Our wedding anniversary today, 44 years of togetherness, two beautiful girls, lovely grandchildren surrounding us and drowning us with their love,” she wrote. “Our fans and their limitless adulation. What more can I ask of life? Our eternal gratitude to the Almighty for this gift of happiness. Video by a fan.” Dharmendra and Malini have shared screen space in about 28 films. They first met on the set of Tum Haseen Main Jawan in 1970 and fell in love. They appeared in other movies, including Naya Zamana, Raja Jani, Seeta Aur…

ACTRESS Samantha Ruth Prabhu, right, who has been diagnosed with the auto-immune condition myositis, revealed that she was seeking out alternative approaches to healing and recovery. Taking to Instagram, Prabhu shared a picture of herself undergoing an infrared sauna session, a sauna type that uses light to generate heat. She captioned the post: “Continuously seeking out alternative approaches to healing.” Prabhu also listed some benefits of using the infrared sauna. “Improved circulation to the muscles. Boosts metabolism, reduces body fat, lessens joint and muscle pain.” Prabhu celebrated her 37th birthday last month by announcing her debut Telugu feature film tentatively titled Bangaram, scheduled to hit theatres next year.…

2 cups sugar 1¾ cups all-purpose flour ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder 2 tbs Dutch process cocoa (optional) 2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp kosher salt 2 eggs 1 cup buttermilk 1 cup strong black coffee ½ cup vegetable oil 2 tsp pure vanilla extract Heat the oven to 180ºC. Grease and flour two 9-inch (22cm) round baking pans or one 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, or in a large bowl with an electric mixer, combine the sugar, flour, cocoa(s), baking soda, baking powder and salt. Mix on low until the dry ingredients are thoroughly combined. Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla essence. Beat on medium speed for about two minutes. The batter…

1¼ cups all-purpose flour 1¼ tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt ½ cup unsalted butter, softened ¾ cup sugar 2 large eggs, room temperature 2 tsp pure vanilla extract ½ cup buttermilk, or plain kefir, room temperature Preheat the oven to 180ºC and line a cupcake/muffin pan with cupcake liners. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1¼ cups flour, 1¼ tsp baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Set the flour mix aside. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar on medium-high speed for 5 minutes until thick and fluffy, scraping down the bowl as needed. Add eggs one at a time, beating well with each addition then scrape down the bowl. Add 2 tsp vanilla essence and beat to combine. Reduce the mixer speed to…

Duff is a psychic medium, soul coach, spiritual mentor, healer and animal communicator. She has been connecting with spirit for over 20 years and runs her business Quantum Soul from Waterfall, KZN. She can be contacted at 072 986 5514 or email sharron@quantsoul.com ARIES (March 21 – April 19) You have a heartfelt decision to make that may feel overwhelming but use your head here. Remember that everything is as it should be and that you need to trust and surrender instead of trying to control the situation. Love is in your corner, so take a chance with someone new. Lucky colour: purple. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) Pay attention to your intuition, especially where a business opportunity with new partners is involved. Take your time in deciding on…

HAD all things been equal in South Africa, Harold Samuel’s life would be remarkably different. A man of his ability ought to have been a Supreme Court judge but as a sports lover, I imagine him turning out to be one of those great cricket commentators. I’m not writing him off as a top-class player but I could see him lighting up our TV screens. Samuel would have fallen into the category of a Richie Benaud, Sunil Gavaskar or John Lloyd. In tennis circles, a John Barrett or Fred Stolle. His knowledge of sport, command of the language, exceptional commitment to fairness and wonderful humility place him in this category. Last week, the 91-year-old was one of 10 individuals recognised by the KZN Cricket Union, for his “contribution to the…

“OUR defiance of any form of hatred is not hate”, the POST April 30 – May 4, by Farouk Araie, refers. He said “Prime Minister Narendra Modi uses race and religion to bolster his election campaign. Attacking Muslims has become his passport to election victory in a country that is deeply divided on religious and social grounds”. He fails to substantiate. But, I guess he is referring to comments surrounding the Congress Party’s manifesto. Well, comparing it to the Muslim League manifesto is not hate speech. Shezhad Poonawalla, the BJP spokesperson, did a very good job in explaining why the comparison is apt. Anyone can check the Muslim League's manifesto since 1936 and see the similarities. So, is using religion to solicit votes not hate speech when the Congress does…

A 17 YEAR-OLD girl in Phoenix has become an instant sensation on social media. She shocked everyone by going to her matric dance in a coffin. How ridiculous, absurd, bizarre and outrageous could she be? In fact, I am lost for words. A matric dance is one of the highlights of a school calendar. Teenagers, especially girls, look forward to it eagerly and spend a lot of time and money preparing for the grand event. They want to look their best and wear stunning outfits to catch as much attention as possible. Some even arrive in chauffeur-driven limousines to the dance. But who would have had the audacity to come to a dance in a huge hearse and then pop out of the casket to the astonishment of the crowd?…

THE family of a Merebank man who was allegedly badly beaten and then dropped off outside a house, where he later died, are praying for justice. Sohail Saib, 29, who was unemployed, was allegedly assaulted and dropped off at a property in Indore Road last Wednesday morning. Raffique Kajah Saib, his father, said that at about 9am, Sohail’s cousin arrived at his home, which is two roads away, shouting “Sohail is dead”. “He ran into the yard calling out for me to come quickly and that Sohail had been killed. I have difficulty walking so I told him to go call another relative who lives close by to help me go to where Sohail was. “When we arrived at the house, my child was lying on the ground alongside the…

“On my honour I promise that I will do my best, To do my duty to God, and my country, To help other people at all times, To obey the Scout Law.” With an effervescent smile, and eyes beaming with joy, Jayant Soma, fondly known as Jay, passionately repeats the Scout’s Promise. It’s a promise he has lived by for over 50 years; the 62-year-old Durban resident was recently recognised for serving the Surat Hindoo Scout Group and Scouts SA for this milestone. “My goodness. Where did the time go? While the number makes one feel ‘old’, scouting always keeps you young in mind, body, health, and spirit,” he said. Jay, who lives with his wife and daughter in Mobeni Heights, and is the regional consulting manager at Business…

DUE to gender-based violence (GBV) being a global problem that has also reached alarming levels in South Africa, the South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS) and the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha of South Africa will host an interfaith workshop on GBV on Saturday. GBV includes sexual, physical, mental and economic harm as well as threats of violence, coercion and manipulation. “South Africa is one of the most unsafe places for women in the world, with the highest rates of GBV internationally, including rape, female homicide, and domestic abuse. “The statistics are horrific and shameful with about 50 000 GBV cases annually (or 140 daily cases),” said Ashwin Trikamjee, president of the SAHMS. “The contributing factors include government failure to enforce law and order, patriarchal cultural attitudes, and high levels of poverty…

AUSTRALIA cricket team head coach Andrew McDonald revealed that the T20 World Cup skipper Mitchell Marsh is not fit to bowl until the final week before the squad heads to the Caribbean, but he will be fully fit for the tournament’s opening game. Marsh has been out of action since the April 3 IPL 2024 clash for Delhi Capitals due to a right hamstring strain. He flew home to Perth from India to begin his recovery. In the next two weeks, Marsh will spend the first of two three-day pre-tournament training camps in Brisbane with members of Australia’s squad who are not playing in the IPL, before the team departs for the Caribbean on May 25 for the mega event. Although Marsh’s hamstring had sufficiently healed over the previous two…

THE offshore fishing has been good. The recent couta classic saw a lot of decent fish caught, along with other gamefish. The North Coast has seen a lot of action in the past few weeks. The area from uMhlanga north has been the most productive section of the coast. The sheer variety of species and the number of bites one can get make the trip up north worth it. Sodwana and Vidal are fishing well. There have been quite a few billfish around, so if long fights and jumping giants are your things... you’d better get all the tackle ready for work. More conventional tactics have been producing plenty of game fish up north. Tuna have continued to be the main catch, but the presence of dorado has made for…

FORMER Proteas Test captain Dean Elgar described a toxic environment of politics and poor administration in South African cricket and said he felt he had been “stabbed in the back” when he was summarily axed from the leadership role last year. Elgar, 36, is now playing for English county Essex after retiring from international cricket. He said in a wide-ranging interview that he had held back from criticising his former employers before his contract with Cricket South Africa (CSA) expired at the end of last month. He said he was exposed to an unhealthy culture after he was appointed captain in March 2021. “I became a part-time cricketer and full-time politician, something that I never want to go through again. “I am a sportsman, not a politician or a cricket…