Table of contents for Wednesday, July 22, 2020 in Post

Family injured in crossfire Husband shot in the head, pregnant wife’s leg amputated CHARLENE SOMDUTH “Their lives were just taking shape and then this had to happen Rehana Mahomed Mother of pregnant victim AN OVERPORT couple’s lives were taking shape until they were caught in the crossfire of a shoot-out between the police and hijackers last Thursday night. Omar Ismail, 30, an employee at an accounting firm, has a bullet lodged in his head. His pregnant wife, Asma, 26, a medical technologist, had to have her leg amputated. Their 21-month-old daughter, Yusraa, was also injured. The shoot-out happened about two minutes away from their home in Sheringham Road. Asma was in the back seat of their VW Jetta with Yusraa when the shootout started. She was shot in both of…

Saddled with lockdown, VDJ fans unfazed Will still dress up but cocoon at home NADIA KHAN Supplied DESPITE fashionistas and punters not being able to fill the grandstands at the Vodacom Durban July (VDJ) at Greyville Racecourse on Saturday, many will enjoy the races in designer wear at home. The event will be held behind closed doors due to the Covid-19 lockdown and televised on DStv and Tellytrack. The fashion shows will be live-streamed on social media. This year’s theme – announced in February before the lockdown – is “Butterflies”. Logie Naidoo, the former speaker of eThekwini Municipality, has attended the VDJ for 25 years. He said he would continue with the annual tradition and get dressed up. Naidoo intends to wear a light pink suit with a matching butterfly…

‘Trapped in my own home’ CHARLENE SOMDUTH SIBONELO NGCOBO African News Agency/ANA THE wearing of masks in South Africa is mandatory to protect people from contracting Covid-19, but a Newlands West grandmother wears hers for a secondary reason – to avoid the smell of human waste in her yard. Sheila Ramcharan, 60, lives alone in a five-bedroom free-standing home. She has tenants living in an outbuilding on the property. Ramcharan has been living in the home for 22 years, and since May the sewer next to her property has been overflowing, causing human faeces and dirty water to flood her backyard. The mother of three said she reported the issue to the Department of Water and Sanitation. “On five occasions prior to May, teams came out to drain the waste,…

School’s borehole almost complete JANINE MOODLEY Supplied TO SAVE on its monthly municipal water account, Kenville Primary School decided to fund-raise to build its own borehole. The project began last month and is almost complete. The non-fee-paying school has 950 pupils and services nine informal settlements in Kenville and Sea Cow Lake. Raihnu Saikoolal, the principal, said most of the pupils did not have proper sanitation facilities at their homes and they used the school’s toilets multiple times a day. She said on average the water account was about R30 000 a month. The school governing body decided it was time to build a borehole and wrote to the Department of Education seeking permission. “While waiting for a response, we embarked on fund-raising projects,” said Saikoolal, who added that the…

Faith, support helped couple fight the virus NADIA KHAN THE power of prayer and the support of family and friends have helped Kogie and Rajen Gounder overcome Covid-19. The couple, of Foresthaven in Phoenix, both tested positive last month. Gounder, 57, who owns a corporate-wear printing business, said Rajen, 60, a storeman, had problems with his eyesight and consulted an ophthalmologist in mid-May. They were advised that should the problem persist, he would have to return the following month to undergo a corrective procedure. When he called the specialist last month, he was told that he needed to undergo a Covid-19 test first before the surgery. Three hours before the scheduled procedure on June 19, he was informed the results were positive. “Rajen kept saying there was a mistake because…

ARTISTS CAUTIOUS ABOUT OPENING THEATRE DOORS CHANELLE LUTCHMAN Facebook, African News Agency (ANA) Archives ARTISTS are excited about the reopening of theatres and playhouses across the country but they are prepared to wait cautiously before rushing to host shows. Carvin Goldstone, a comedian, said he would not host a show while the number of Covid-19 cases was on the increase. “This virus is very serious. I would not want to host a show and get people to come there if they could potentially get infected by someone else. If I do return to the stage at this time, it would be to record a show which would not necessarily have an audience.” He is, however, planning a show for November if the infection rate decreases. “It’s going to be called…

Panic-buying, gouging pushed up food prices JANINE MOODLEY PANIC-buying and the depreciation of the rand were cited as the reasons for the increase in food prices at the start of the lockdown. A food pricing report released by the Competition Commission last week said many people began to panic-buy after the Covid-19 pandemic was declared a national state of disaster. This had a ripple effect on retailers, who saw the demand and, in turn, inflated the prices. The commission said it received 1 600 complaints about retailers inflating the prices of essential food and hygiene products. Ebrahim Patel, the Minister of Trade and Industry, subsequently empowered the Competition Commission and the National Consumer Commission to intervene. This was aimed at containing the excessive pricing and price gouging on essential food…

On the path to soul-destruction – the crisis that is shaking our faith To justify your behaviour through the personal interpretation of scripture is the greatest danger PRISHANA SUMERI Pixabay “We are the end-time people. We have repented and been baptised with the Holy Spirit IN 1912, WILLIAM Booth, the founder of the Salvation Army, said: “The chief danger will be religion without the Holy Spirit, Christianity without Christ… and heaven without hell.” Billy Graham, the late great evangelist, warned the church that where the word of God is ignored, there will be certain destruction. And the late Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi remarked that if it were not for Christians, he would follow Christ. What we are seeing today is an unfolding of many Christians on their own path of…

Sports fields sold from under our feet OUR sports fields in Phoenix were sold to property developers without consultation with the sports-loving residents. Many Phoenix councillors must have been aware of the eThekwini Municipality’s decision to do this, but we were never informed until it was sold for peanuts. What happened to the R20 million stadium we were promised? What happened to that budget? The ratepayers of Phoenix are entitled to sport and recreation facilities as enshrined in the Constitution. The city has a responsibility to provide and maintain these facilities, but sadly they have neglected them while our councillors have remained silent. VIVIAN PILLAY Sports ambassador for Phoenix…

Do not forget our racial past JULY 7 marked the 70th anniversary of the Group Areas Act (GAA) in South Africa. The Act was promulgated by the then-Nationalist government. The GAA and its effects, especially the suffering, hardship and financial losses the Indian community had to bear, is perhaps not fully documented, especially the oral history. It is important that we do not forget the past. I appeal to the POST readers to email me on how this racist act impacted on families and the community at large. You can email: singhvps@absamail.co.za PREM SINGH Pietermaritzburg…

Favourite bakes Sohail Seegobin is a pastry commis chef at the Beverly Hills Hotel in uMhlanga. He shares some of his recipes. Follow him on Facebook: Sohail Seegobin Drop Nuts 227g cake flour 5g instant dry yeast 45g milk 1 egg (or 1 tbs vinegar for a vegetarian substitute) 15g butter (melted) 20g white or brown granular sugar 400ml to 500ml vegetable oil for frying Add all the dry ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Whisk all the liquids in a jug until well combined. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until soft. Add a little water if the dough is dry. Tip the dough onto a clean surface and knead for 5 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Roll out the dough…

Keep that distance of 2m and don’t touch THOMAS PERLS Wikimedia Commons What is social distancing? Social distancing is a tool recommended by public health officials to slow the spread of a disease that is being passed from person to person. Simply put, it means that people stay far away from each other so that the coronavirus – or any pathogen – cannot spread from one person to another. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the US describes social distancing as staying away from mass gatherings and keeping a distance of 6 feet or 2m – about one body length – away from other people. I have stopped taking the train during the rush hour. Now, I either work from home or I take the train during off-hours…

HOLLYWOODBETS GREYVILLE FORMGUIDES RACE 1 CHIMICHURI RUN (9) has improved with each outing since after lock-down. He was doing his best work late in the Golden Horse and should go close here. SINGFORAFA (2) was a close-up third to the two top fillies Celtic Sea and Run Fox Run in the SA Fillies Sprint. A repeat of that effort could see her home here. CAPTAIN TATTERS (3) made a smart local debut. He makes his poly debut but has a good draw. SUNSET EYES (7) has been rested but his last two wins have come on the poly. RACE 2 WINTER STORIES (8) has yet to run a bad race and has once been out of the money. The extra should suit and he has a fair draw. VERNICHEY (14)…

VEDAN’S EPL VIEW Chance for Man United to hit top four ESHLIN VEDAN eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za SOUTH African Premier League fanatics will have a second favourite team to support next season. This was confirmed after Leeds United secured the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League last week after West Bromwich Albion lost 2-1 against Huddersfield Town. The Elland Road club will be playing in the top-flight for the first time in 16 years. The Yorkshire giants have a strong South African connection as former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe is an icon among their fans. Fans of Leeds continue to name their children Lucas after Radebe. He also has a beverage named after him by the club, known as “Radebeer”. However, the Leeds United team that will feature in the…

SOQRAT SHANGOS WITH SILVANO’S PRIDE With Vodacom Durban July fever sweeping the country despite the Covid-19 lockdown, Anand Jay, of Phoenix, provides an adventure story to this year’s line-up which includes the two reserves, Tristful and Hero’s Honour SOLDIERS of fortune and adventurers Got The Greenlight after the Duke of Belgarion announced in the Golden Ducat Magazine that whoever rescued his kidnapped son would be rewarded with a Tristful of Miyabi Gold and his only daughter’s hand in marriage. She had her audiences eating out of her hand whenever she performed the Divine Odyssey at the Bunker Hunt Festival. Hordes of hopefuls ranged from Capoeira to Tierra Del Fuego – but their best efforts were in vain. Even the world-renowned psychic, Padre Pio, eventually threw in the towel. Just as…

Municipal staff to get salary increases CHANELLE LUTCHMAN ETHEKWINI Municipal staff will receive their salary increase in line with a three-year agreement signed in 2018. Msawakhe Mayisela, eThekwini’s spokesperson, said they approached the South African Local Government Association (Salga) on this matter. He said Salga had given the city three options. “One is that we do not have increases until January 2021. Secondly, we stagger it to 3.25% in July 2020 and have the remaining 3% in January 2021. The last option is to not have an increment at all. The city has indicated to Salga that it opts for the staggered proposition and it will therefore wait for Salga’s response in this regard.” Earlier, National Treasury wrote to Salga advising municipalities to apply for an exemption from the agreement.…

‘Reopen cemetery to create burial space’ CHARLENE SOMDUTH Supplied AS THE death toll from Covid-19 infections rises, Durban residents whose loved ones were buried at an 81-year-old cemetery in Seaview want it reopened to create burial space. eThekwini Municipality has been trying to secure additional burial space since 2018. Now, as South Africa prepares for the virus to peak, the city needs 15 000 grave sites by September. The death toll is projected to be over 40 000. Of the 66 cemeteries in the city, 57 are closed because there are no sites available for burial. Only nine cemeteries have burial space. Authorities have been lobbying for cremations, but these remain unpopular in some communities. Even then, there are only six crematoria in the city, four of which are privately…

Dedicated doctor succumbs to Covid-19 A total of 1 557 health workers in the province have been infected JANINE MOODLEY Supplied IN the tireless fight against Covid-19, front-line workers have become unsung heroes who risk their lives every day so that others might live. Last week, 331 medical personnel were confirmed to have contracted the virus at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital. On Sunday, Premier Sihle Zikalala said 1 557 health workers were infected in the province. “Among the 40 045 cases in KwaZulu-Natal, 1 557 health-care workers are infected with Covid-19. Approximately 60% of the infected are nurses. Of the total infected, 12 of them have succumbed to the disease since the beginning of the pandemic. “Nevertheless, those deaths are 12 too many,” Zikalala had said. Among the front-line…

Are exercise studios fit to reopen? Income versus safety: fitness instructors are divided JANINE MOODLEY Supplied WITH the upsurge in Covid-19 infections, many fitness instructors are at odds about reopening. This comes after the DA called on the government to allow Pilates, yoga and other fitness studios to resume classes at level 3, under strict and measured Covid-19 guidelines. Henro Krüger, an MP and the DA’s small business development spokesperson, urged the government to reopen studios to save livelihoods and to prevent more South Africans from being condemned to joblessness. Krüger’s argument was that such fitness studios fell under non-contact sports and were mainly run by women who have been unemployed since the lockdown began in March. While some businesses have reopened under measured lockdown regulations, Pilates, yoga and other…

Full taxis worry commuters NADIA KHAN THE recent announcement by President Cyril Ramaphosa that taxis could operate at 100% capacity for short distances has left many commuters feeling vulnerable. The decision to go from 70% to 100% occupancy came after taxi councils rejected a Covid-19 relief package offer of R1.1 billion and embarked on a strike. They said the relief funds were insufficient. For the amended regulation, the drivers must allow for ventilation by opening the windows and must ensure passengers wear masks. However, long-distance taxis cannot exceed 70% occupancy. Desigan Govender travels from Chatsworth to the Durban CBD and boards another taxi to his workplace in Durban North. “Although the taxis loaded half the capacity during levels 5 and 4 of the lockdown, I was still concerned about contracting…

Staff at malls in the line of fire CHANELLE LUTCHMAN “The customer said I must leave her alone as I could be infected… Employee Galleria Mall RETAIL workers at some of Durban’s popular shopping centres are afraid to interact with customers. One person claimed she was sworn at, while others have either avoided customers or felt too shy to ask shoppers to adhere to the safety regulations. A newly-married woman who works at a store in Gateway Theatre of Shopping said that over three days she was sworn at five times for asking customers to wear their masks. “I stand at the entrance to the store and monitor the number of people entering and exiting. I provide them with hand sanitiser and ensure they are adhering to the safety protocols.…

Police officers urgently need linguistic training IF YOU have been the victim of a crime, one of the first interactions you will have with police is when an officer takes your sworn statement. Language is key to this process: you tell an officer your story and they record it, usually writing it by hand. But this becomes complicated in any multilingual society. South Africa, for instance, has 11 official languages and many other spoken languages. This often throws up a language barrier between the officer taking the statement and the victim sharing their story. And it gets even more complex because, despite the country’s diversity of languages, English is the sole official language of record. All sworn statements are to be recorded in English. That means the onus is on…

Viruses can survive in ice, reinfect when it melts THE next global pandemic may be hibernating in an Arctic glacier or frozen Siberian lake waiting for rising temperatures to set it free. New scientific evidence suggests a new strain of flu virus could go into hiding in the icy terrain when earlier generations of humans, birds, or other hosts developed an immunity. With each new outbreak, it reveals the vulnerabilities in our infrastructure and our psyches that a more contagious pathogen might one day exploit. Mankind is now in the midst of its fastest era of change. Millions of people have migrated to cities. In these dense throngs, pathogens can more easily spread and quickly evolve, resistant to drugs. The number of outbreaks per decade has more than tripled since…

Milk club still motivates me to serve people GRATITUDE goes to my “barracks” brothers Kiru Naidoo and Selvan Naidoo for their column, “Softening the burden of poverty” (the POST, May 20 – 24). Nostalgia caused a lump to develop in my throat when I read about the milk club of the railway barracks. As a poor child, I partook of the milk supplied and am grateful for the experience which has and still motivates me to be a servant of the people. Many of the children of the 1950s have excelled in serving our community, especially during the forced removals in the 1960s and resettling in Chatsworth. The meagre wages paid to the barracks labourers meant that this income had to be supplemented. I consider it a God-ordained appointment for…

SA Tamilians should be proud, and not ashamed, of their language MAYASUNDERAM SINGH “I attended an event hosted by a Tamil organisation and not a single word of Tamil was spoken by the officials. FROM the mid-1960s I have said, and maintain, that some Tamilians are ashamed of their language. They used to reply in English when I greeted them with either namaskaram, or later in the 1980s with vanakkum. If it came from me, a greeting was followed by Nee, yeppaddi irrukiraai? (How are you keeping?) It was met with consternation and disdain, whether the person was young or old. They responded in English. I am a pukka thamizhan from a pukka Tamil family. My paternal grandparents came from the village of Tiruchirappalli in the district of Coimbatore in…

Use a mask and prevent a second wave of infection South Africa’s Covid-19 infections continue to surge as the country approaches its peak in the pandemic, expected next month. President Cyril Ramaphosa recently expressed disappointment that people were still reluctant to enforce regulations, including wearing masks and social distancing. We look at some of the evidence backing these basic precautions THE widespread use of masks combined with physical distancing and the lockdown can lower Covid-19 transmission and may prevent a second wave of infections, say researchers. A study suggests that the lockdowns alone will not stop the resurgence of the coronavirus and that even home-made masks with limited effectiveness can dramatically reduce transmission rates if worn by enough people, regardless of whether they show symptoms. “Our analyses support the immediate…

Keep your home infection-free IF A member of your household has Covid-19, you need to know how to prevent the infection from spreading in your home. Anyone who has tested Covid-19-positive, displays mild or moderate symptoms or has been in contact with someone infected with the virus will need to self-isolate at home for 10 days. To keep your home as infection-free as possible, you will need the following: • Soap or detergent, for example, dishwashing liquid. • Reusable cleaning cloths, sponges or paper towels. • Alcohol-based hand sanitiser. • Disinfectants, such as bleach. • Disposable or reusable utility gloves. Yolanda Walsh, nursing odyssey programme manager for MediClinic Southern Africa, said it was important to clean with soap and water first. “Frequently-touched surfaces tend to have a slightly oily sheen…

‘Covid-19’ care facility plan upsets residents NADIA KHAN RESIDENTS in Sherwood are unsettled after they heard that a home in the suburb would be converted into a care facility for Covid-19 patients. The property is owned by the IMA Baytul Nur Trust, which falls under the Islamic Medical Association of SA. The trust has allowed the Muslim Relief Alliance KwaZulu-Natal (MRA-KZN) to use the premises for its respiratory support project. The alliance is a co-ordinating platform for various NGOs interested in providing humanitarian relief. On Sunday, a neighbouring resident claimed he overheard two people discussing using the home as a Covid-19 care facility. The resident then sent a message to the suburb’s WhatsApp group administrator who alerted the community. That evening, residents went to the property to make enquiries. Shuayba…

A DIFFERENT, BUT VERY EXCITING, DAY OF RACING ESHLIN VEDAN THE 124th edition of the Vodacom Durban July (VDJ) on Saturday will be marked differently from previous years. Because of the global Covid-19 crisis, there will be no crowd or carnival-like festivities. The VDJ nevertheless promises to bring an exciting day of horse racing to Greyville Racecourse. Justin Snaith, a veteran horseman, has five horses lined up for the event and Do It Again will be aiming to record a third successive victory. Andrew Harrison, publishing manager for Gold Circle, said although this year’s VDJ would be a strange event because of the absence of crowds, this would not detract from the quality of the racing. Harrison noted that Do it Again had not been in the best form recently,…

‘Public needs to know facts’ Call for KZN hot spots to be named as province’s Covid-19 cases soar CHANELLE LUTCHMAN POLITICAL parties have called on eThekwini Municipality to be more transparent with residents and to release more detailed statistics about Covid-19 infections in areas. On Monday, the city released a statement on its website that Dr Zweli Mkhize, the Minister of Health, expected KwaZulu-Natal to join Gauteng as the country’s epicentre. Speaking at the Nasrec Field Hospital in Johannesburg on Monday, Mkhize warned that KZN’s infection rate was increasing. “Gauteng remains the hardest-hit province with 133 617 confirmed cases, while KZN has 43 215 infections,” said Mkhize, referring to Sunday’s statistics. On Monday, Gauteng’s positive cases stood at 136 879 and KZN’s at 45 614. Mkhize said the department was…

Food for Life brings more relief to hungry NADIA KHAN WITH its mission to build a hunger-free nation, Food for Life, a non-profit and free vegetarian food relief organisation, has built three new centres worth more than R4.5 million. Since its establishment in 1974, the organisation has provided more than 70 million plates of food to hungry South Africans. Viresh Panday, chairperson of Food For Life South Africa, said the centres were situated in Verulam, Sea Cow Lake and Hibberdene. He said the large kitchen facilities at each centre would allow them to prepare 10 000 plates of food in one cooking session per site. The Verulam centre was completed in March, and the other two were expected to be completed in about a month. “The development of the mega-kitchens…

Chatsworth activist hailed JANINE MOODLEY HABIMAN Bharat Singh, a Chatsworth community activist who tested positive for Covid-19, died at Life Westville Hospital on Tuesday this week. He was 82. His daughter, Sandhiya Singh, said he was tested for the virus last Tuesday as a prerequisite for a medical procedure he was expected to undergo during the week. He had been receiving regular dialysis treatment for his kidneys. Sandhiya said once the results returned positive, Singh began showing symptoms of the virus, including weakness, fever, loss of appetite and weight loss. He was admitted to hospital on Sunday. His funeral was held later on Tuesday at the Clare Estate Hindu Crematorium. His wife, Kogie, 81, was unable to attend as she also tested positive for the virus. “My father deserved more.…

Theatres, cinemas mixed over reopening LATOYA NEWMAN THERE has been a mixed response to the government’s approval of the reopening of arts and cultural spaces. While the news has been welcomed, the cinema industry is still finalising opening dates, and theatres are largely exercising caution and opting not to open their venues to public crowds just yet. Nathi Mthethwa, Minister of Arts and Culture, recently signed and approved the reopening of cinemas, theatres, museums, libraries, galleries and archives in compliance with measures to prevent and combat the spread of Covid-19. This means cinemas, theatres and arts and cultural spaces, overall, may operate, provided that only 50 people or less are allowed, in compliance with health safety protocols. The gazetted regulations include, among others: • The limitation of operating hours. •…

Pandemic burns a hole in pockets JANINE MOODLEY Supplied SOUTH Africans are feeling the financial impact of escalating food prices during the lockdown, especially after having to endure salary cuts, unemployment and shortened work weeks. Menisha Somiah, a bank consultant, lives in Rydalvale, Phoenix, with her husband and 1-year-old son. Her husband is a manager for a lighting company. She said she noticed that the prices she paid for her monthly household detergents had risen by about R100. “Every month, I usually buy two bottles of Handy Andy and two bottles of Domestos, as well as one tub of Ariel capsules for the washing. “I also buy two bottles of Jik, a bottle of Dettol floor cleaner and two bottles of Harpic toilet cleaner, as well as other detergents. I…

EDITOR’S VIEW Motshekga has a big decision to make THERE was no indication by midday yesterday that Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, the Cabinet or the president were going to make the highly anticipated pronouncement on whether schools would remain open. This comes as South Africa attained the unwanted distinction of being ranked among the top five nations in the world for coronavirus infections, and with KwaZulu-Natal tipped to become the country’s worst province in this regard. Our country, having reached the 300 000 infections mark, of which 100 000 cases came within nine days, should leave no one in any doubt that the virus exists, it kills and that we are at the peak of its spread. One would have expected that these numbers and facts – allied to…

A courageous daughter of the soil WE HEARD with great sorrow and shock the passing away of Comrade Zindzi Mandela at the age of 59. On behalf of the Gandhi Development Trust, Phoenix Settlement Trust and my family I send a message of sympathy and solidarity with the Mandela, Hlongwa and the Mothajwa families on the untimely passing away of Zindziswa Mandela. We too will miss her sorely as will her family and friends. We recall her fiery speech as a young student when she delivered a message from her father in February 1985 rejecting his conditional release and the divisive Bantustan policy. She was not just a student leader but she epitomised the ideal character of the student of the 20th century with her courage and dedication not just…

Inflated prices will cost SA THE Competition Commission board charged Dis-Chem R1.2 million for inflating the prices of masks. The inflated prices were charged when Covid-19 broke in South Africa, increasing the demand for masks. Economics is about supply and demand. The prices were increased in response to demand. However, it was not astronomical compared to the prices charged and paid by the government in respect of personal protective equipment. Is the Competition Commission board going to investigate the prices of, for example, the sanitisers and thermometers invoiced to the Department of Education for use in schools? An example is the price of the infrared thermometers that were charged to the government in a tender process – R2 527.20. A good quality thermometer can be sourced for R800, according to…

Onslaught on Hindus must stop THE South African Hindu Dharma Sabha has laid charges against two Chatsworth men, Simeon Bradley Chetty and the Reverend Llewellyn Joseph, for their anti-Hindu sentiments. I suggest that the Dharma Sabha not stop there. It is time to start work on a document for submission to the UN in conjunction with Hindus globally. Special attention should be paid to the UN Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, especially the clause which states: “Affirming further that all doctrines, policies and practices based on or advocating superiority of peoples or individuals on the basis of national origin or racial, religious, ethnic or cultural differences are racist, scientifically false, legally invalid, morally condemnable and socially unjust.” The colonising religions continue to ignore these rights and continue with…

Doctors drawn to the Miss SA stage TWO of the Miss South Africa Top 15 semi-finalists – Karishma Ramdev and Thato Mosehle – are medical doctors who are currently working on the front line during the Covid-19 pandemic. They explain their daily challenges, their best health tips, what they would do if they were the minister of health for a day and why doctors make good title holders. Did you always know that you wanted to be a doctor and why? Ramdev: Yes. From the time I was a child, I always wanted to help and heal people. I always had an interest in the science behind our bodies and admired our family doctor. Furthermore, my older brother, who was born with a genetic abnormality, allowed me to grow up…

Your Stars LYNN MONOKY Aries (March 21 – April 19) This is a week of overcoming obstacles through determination. You will be feeling ambitious and motivated. Stay focused. You may be hiding your true feelings and vulnerability by being over-dominant. Try looking at things in a more positive way. Lucky number: 12. Mantra guidance: Don’t be alarmed by a certain feeling of discomfort as your universe expands. Taurus (April 20 – May 20) Your hard work is starting to pay off and new contracts/sales/leads are coming in. It is a time to make contacts in another country even if it’s a pen friend you can then ask for leads. Believe in yourself. Lucky number: 13. Mantra guidance: Avoid allowing negative people to influence your life. Look for the positive in…

Help for the youth during the lockdown HONORIS United Universities, whose subsidiaries in South Africa include higher education institutions Regent Business School and Mancosa, has in conjunction with the Moroccan charity Sourire de Reda, published My Care, a guide to help the youth deal with confinement during the lockdown. The e-book provides young people with recommendations and tips for getting through this period in the best possible mental state. It has been endorsed by the SA Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH) and Befrienders South Africa. Bharti Patel, president of the SAFMH, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on the general population. “The SAFMH is concerned about the younger population who are experiencing isolation and stress due to changing study patterns and the limited social interaction. The e-book…

getting HOOKED SNOEK have been the main target for the offshore guys on the North Coast and for good reason. The average fish has been a lot bigger than normal. Some of these usually fussy fish have been close to the 10kg mark. Fillet baits, magic minnows (Strike Pro) and spoons (Kingfisher Anchovy) have been the most productive methods. Slightly further south at areas like eMdloti, the guys have managed some decent couta on live mackerel. Most of the better fish have been taken on deeper rigged baits. The tuna have been around and offer a fairly dependable bite. Make sure you have a popper ready to throw into the action! Much like the north, the snoek have been given a lot of attention this past week. The results…

IPL COULD BE HEADING TO EMIRATES THE Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will seek government permission to stage this year’s Indian Premier League (IPL) in the UAE, said league chief Brijesh Patel yesterday. Monday’s postponement of this year’s Twenty20 World Cup, which had been scheduled to take place in Australia from October 18, has presented the BCCI with a new opportunity to stage the IPL, even if it has to be in another country due to the Covid-19 crisis in India. Cricket boards in the UAE and Sri Lanka have offered to host the league considering the situation in India where coronavirus cases had surged to 1.16 million yesterday morning, including 28 084 deaths. “We are yet to finalise when it will begin, maybe sometime in September,”…

Stokes on top of world with star performance ENGLAND vice-captain Ben Stokes’ match-winning performance in the second Test against the West Indies hoisted him above Windies skipper Jason Holder to become the top-ranked all-rounder in the game’s longest format, the International Cricket Council said yesterday. Stokes, pictured, followed up his 176 in the first innings with an unbeaten 78 in the second and also picked up three wickets in the contest to pull off a series-levelling win on Monday, earning the player-of-the-match award. The 29-year-old overtook Holder in the latest rankings to become the first England player to reach the top spot since Andrew Flintoff in May 2006. His average of 497 rating points, the highest of any test all-rounder since South Africa great Jacques Kallis racked up 517 in…