Table of contents for Wednesday, November 11, 2020 in Post

Was he thrown out? Allegations surface after 4-year-old boy falls to his death NADIA KHAN Rusa and Supplied THERE are questions surrounding the death of 4-year-old Armaan Kassim who fell out of a window of a third-floor flat in Verulam. He had just moved into the home after his mother married a few weeks ago. They shared the flat with her new husband’s family. Captain Nqobile Gwala, a provincial police spokesperson, said: “It is alleged at 10.30am on Monday, a 4-year-old boy fell from the third floor while at his home on Ireland Street in Verulam. He sustained head injuries and was rushed to hospital where he died. The matter is still under investigation.” At this stage police have opened an inquest docket. The private security company Reaction Unit South…

A promise of better days Predictions point in favour of Kamala Harris’s term in office THANDEKA MGQIBI KAMALA Harris, the US vice-president elect, is ready to get the Covid-19 pandemic in her country under control. On Monday, she posted on Facebook that she and president elect Joe Biden were also ready to rebuild their economy. “We’re ready to meet the challenges of the climate crisis. We’re ready to act to address systemic racism. And we’re ready to fight for you.” On Saturday, Harris made history as the first female and woman of colour to become vice-president elect of the US. Harris was born in California to an Indian mother and a Jamaican father. The POST spoke to astrologers and psychics, among others, to predict what the US and the world…

Unveiling to honour arrival of indentured labourers NADIA KHAN THE 1860 Commemoration Council will pay homage to the arrival of Indian indentured labourers on Sunday by unveiling a monument at the Shree Mariammen Temple. Seelan Achary, the council chairperson, said the public event would be hosted in conjunction with the temple in Mount Edgecombe. Inter-faith leaders will render prayers, and there will be a brief presentation on the history of indenture. “We have a duty to commemorate the arrival of our forebears and to reflect on their history, the struggles and the challenges that they endured, as well as the injustices that they faced. It is important that we tell their story so that future generations will know about the past.” The monument will be erected in the temple’s peace…

13 years for manually strangling wife He had sufficient time to reflect and stop – senior State advocate NADIA KHAN STANDING with his hands crossed and head down, Navin Chanderlal stood motionless as he was found guilty of murdering his wife, Vathaniagee “Jennifer” Pillay. A few hours later, the 54-year-old showed no expression as he was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment by a judge sitting in the Durban High Court. Five of the 18 years were suspended on condition Chanderlal does not commit murder again during this period. It means he will spend the next 13 years in jail, including his 55th birthday later this month. Chanderlal, who is unemployed, was found guilty of manually strangling the 65-year-old retired nurse and community activist at their home on December 24, 2018.…

Illegal connection costs dad his life CHARLENE SOMDUTH Supplied A TONGAAT father died after he was allegedly electrocuted by illegally connected electricity cables on Sunday morning. Prenasen Govender, 27, who worked for a laundry manufacturing company, was found in a ditch on top of illegally connected electricity cables. The cables led to an informal settlement on Edmundsbury Street in Flamingo Heights. Liban Anthony, the family spokesperson, said Govender was in a relationship with his daughter, Makayla Anthony. They have a 5-year-old son, Renlin. “I live in Johannesburg, and Makayla lives in our family flat in Flamingo Heights with Renlin. Prenasen lived in Belvedere. The last time Makayla saw Prenasen alive was on Friday when he visited her. His friends then saw him on Saturday night. “Makayla tried to contact him…

Former journo and a reader reflect on POST’s early days CHARLENE SOMDUTH SIBONELO NGCOBO African News Agency (ANA) and Supplied SITTING in his home in Kharwastan, Chatsworth, Vassan Pillay looks at an old photograph of reporters from the Golden City Post before it became the POST. He reminisces about working as a reporter, covering the sports, court and crime beats alongside veteran photographer Ranjith Kally. Pillay, 80, was one of the first reporters employed at the newspaper and is believed to be the only survivor of the Golden City Post era. His uncle, Pat Poovalingam, was a columnist for the paper and his niece, Prinella Pillay, was also a reporter. In 1955, the Golden City Post was published in Natal. “It carried gripping stories covering politics, sport, crime, courts and…

Deepavali is based on religion, not language RAM MAHARAJ Wikipedia DEEPAVALI, or Diwali, this year is a historic event, as it comes on the cusp of the 160th anniversary of the arrival of our ancestors from India in 1860. Let us also make Deepavali 2020 an epoch-making event, heralding the dawn of a new era of Hindu unity at grassroots level. Let all Hindus make Hindu unity a reality, by enjoying a united Deepavali celebration. Light is the essence of Deepavali. The light shines brightest when it is darkest. The appropriate time to celebrate Deepavali is Amavasya time. Amavasya marks the darkest and moonless night of the dark half (Krishna Paksh) of the Hindu month. This year, Amavasya starts on Saturday (November 14) at 10 hours 47 minutes and 22…

No difference between north, south Indians A SPECIAL thank you to Ram Maharaj, president of South African Hindu Dharma Sabha, for making a call for the celebration of Diwali on one day. It must be remembered that Diwali is one of the most important religious days in the Hindu calendar. Isn’t it time for our community leaders of north and south to get together and set one date? The confusion has been going on for years. To me, this is troublesome. The Diwali date disagreement remains a most contentious issue. There is no difference between the north and south Indians. Is this a ploy by some Hindu organisations to keep us apart? What is evident is a lack of credible leaders in our midst. The Christian and Muslim communities celebrate…

Elderly Dolly’s assault came as a shock I HAPPEN to know Dolly Roopnarian, who was attacked in her Woodhurst home last week. We taught together in Truro a long time ago. Strangely, the night before she was attacked, I dreamt of her. The next day, I tried to call her but she did not answer. Unknown to anyone, she was lying bound and gagged, locked up in her bathroom. I phoned her sister-in-law to check if the number she had given me earlier was the right one. But she, too, did not answer. Later, I learnt that the family were in shock. Then to my shock, I saw the front page “Retired principal robbed, bound and left in bathtub” (the POST, November 4-8). I phoned her sister-in-law again. This time…

Business as usual, but not as brisk CHARLENE SOMDUTH Supplied THE Covid-19 pandemic has affected the spending patterns of South Africans, many of whom are now buying on credit to celebrate Diwali. Shop owners and managers are running specials to lessen the impact and are hoping business picks up this week. Faeeza Abbas, the store manager of the Sabha Collection in Phoenix, said: “A few customers are willing to pay for the more expensive items but the majority have bought discounted garments or on three-month lay-by. They put down a deposit and pay towards the items. Once the payment is made, they can pick up the garments.” She said while families may no longer have the same spending power, they are still looking forward to celebrating Diwali after months of…

eThekwini’s regulations on fireworks NADIA KHAN FIREWORKS can be set off on Diwali on Saturday from sunset until midnight, and those who violate the by-laws will be liable to a R2 500 fine. According to the eThekwini Municipality’s by-laws: • Low-hazard fireworks such as fountains, lawn lights and sparklers can be lit in private homes. • Fireworks such as air bombs, supersonic bangs, sound shells, fountain whistles and screeches are prohibited. • Children under 16 years of age must be supervised by an adult when letting off fireworks. • Fireworks should not be detonated near hospitals, clinics, old age/nursing homes and petrol stations. • No person shall ignite fireworks on any public road, at any residence, or private dwelling without the knowledge and consent of the occupant or owner of…

Diwali = plenty of films = happy holiday NOT many dates are as big as Diwali on the movie calendar. When this time of year comes around, there’s usually always a blockbuster to look forward to on the Indian film front. Sure, cinemas have been closed globally for the better part of this year, meaning there were no big screen releases for Eid, but this week we have a better news. Should you be ready for a cinema visit, Akshay Kumar returns, and so does Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. If not, there is a lot to look forward to on leading streaming services. It’s almost certain that the name Shah Rukh Khan had you jump up in excitement. With a 100% Diwali hit ratio, the king of Bollywood has…

Dr Pillay scores big PSL goals League medical officer helped draw up blueprint for football’s return ESHLIN VEDAN AS CHIEF medical officer of the Premier Soccer League (PSL), Dr Lervasen Pillay, pictured, is responsible for keeping the league up to date with the Covid-19 pandemic. The 44-year-old, was appointed to the role in June, said that the Covid-19 situation has posed a challenge for medical staff work in local football. “It’s about getting used to the new normal. As we still do not know much about the Sars-CoV-2, it was trying to create a safe document with no world consensus on what is the best practice, but we managed and we convinced the government that our processes and protocols put in place supersede what they thought was possible. “It seems…

MANJREKAR IS BACK ON THE MIKE SANJAY Manjrekar, one of the few commentators who call a spade a spade, will return to the TV commentary box for India’s tour of Australia starting this month, the former India batsman confirmed. Manjrekar, 55, told IANS that he had been included in the TV commentary panel for India’s Test, ODI and T20 series, to be played between November 27 and January 19. Sony Pictures Network will broadcast the matches in India. The Indian cricket board had dropped Manjrekar from the commentary panel for the 2020 Indian Premier League (IPL). The move was seen as a reaction to the commentator calling Ravindra Jadeja a “bits-and-pieces player” during the 2019 World Cup, which drew a sharp backlash from the Indian all-rounder on Twitter. “In the…

Tribute to the brave arrivals JAIDEEP SARKAR THE 1860 HERITAGE CENTRE THE 1860 HERITAGE CENTRE ON THE occasion of the 160th anniversary of the arrival of Indians as indentured labour to South Africa, I pay my homage to the memory of those brave men, women and children who left India’s shores braving immense hardships for an uncertain future. The Indian labour in Mauritius, South Africa, Suriname, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, Fiji and several other countries laid the foundations of the large, diverse and vibrant Indian community spread across the globe in the 21st century. Today, the overseas Indian diaspora is estimated at around 30 million and this includes almost 2 million South Africans of Indian origin. When the system of indenture ended, many of the labourers, living in poverty and…

The role of Indian women in SA’s road to democracy KALPANA HIRALAL Supplied BETWEEN 1860 and 1911, 152184 immigrants were recruited as indentured labourers to work in different spheres of Natal’s economy. Free or “passenger” (immigrants unencumbered by contractual labour system) Indians followed in the wake of indentured labour to Natal. After 1911, the majority of the labourers remained in Natal, making it their home. By the 1940s, the next generation of Indians became the backbone of the emerging industrial working class in Natal. During apartheid, Indians, together with Africans and coloureds, were considered nonwhites and subject to numerous hardships. South Africans of Indian descent are now third and fourth generation and identify as South Africans, with many having not set foot in India. However, this minority group within South…

An immense contribution to our nation ON November 16, 1860, the Truro docked at the Port of Natal bringing the first Indian indentured labourers to South African soil. Days later, the Belvedere arrived from Calcutta. These were the first of 384 ships that brought over 152 000 Indians to Natal over the next 50 years. By the time the government of India terminated the indentured labour system, in 1911, Natal had become home to a people who would enrich South Africa for generations to come. This year, as we mark the 160th anniversary of the arrival of Indians, it is appropriate that we look back and consider their remarkable journey. The story of Indians in South Africa is the story of South Africa itself. Indeed, in 2020, the children of…

Special medallion in honour of Diwali CHANELLE LUTCHMAN Supplied TO commemorate Diwali, the South African Gold Coin Exchange and Scoin Shop released a medallion of the Hindu goddess Lakshmi on Tuesday. The coin, that has designs of lotus flowers, was crafted in a full ounce of pure 99.99% silver and it is available on pre-order. Lakshmi is associated with wealth, luxury, beauty, power and prosperity. “The creators at the Perth Mint in Australia have gilded Lakshmi in 24-carat gold, and the medallion’s weight and fineness are inscribed below the design with the words ‘happy’ and ‘Diwali’ on either side of the goddess,” said Rael Demby, chief executive of the South African Gold Coin Exchange and Scoin Shop. “The medal’s obverse displays a diya oil lamp surrounded by flower petals in…

Upholding family’s jewellery design tradition NADIA KHAN Supplied BESPOKE jewellery designer Nihal Shah is hoping to win the Anglo American PlatAfrica 2020 competition with his South African inspired tie-accessory. Shah, 27, of Durban North, was recently announced as one of the top 10 finalists in the professional category of the competition. PlatAfrica is a national platinum jewellery design and manufacturing competition. The winners in the categories will be announced during an online awards ceremony on Friday. Shah, who is a director at Vijay Shah Concepts, and his family are no strangers to creating custom-made jewellery. He is the third-generation of jewellers. His late grandfather, Kishore Shah, was one of the pioneers of the jewellery industry. He was a well-known jewellery hand-manufacturer who started his business in the 1960s. Shah’s father,…

Special day scuppered by ‘unethical retailer’ Brides intend pursuing legal action JANINE MOODLEY Supplied A GROUP of brides will not be able to wear their dream gowns on their wedding day. This was after a Gauteng-based bridal company closed, claiming it was unable to recover from the country’s current economic state. The women have since sought legal advice from Narisha Hansraj, a Durban attorney. She said the women had collectively paid close to R500 000 for their bridal gowns. It is alleged that some of the brides had paid deposits of up to R20 000 to Eurobrides for designer dresses. Others paid the full amount and expected to collect the dresses closer to their wedding days. However, in October, brides said they received an email from Eurobride that it was…

Four in court for businessman’s killing CHARLENE SOMDUTH THE family of slain businessman Ash-veer Sukwa wants justice. Three suspects, aged 20, 27, and 32, appeared in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday. The matter was adjourned to today for the investigating officers to conduct an identification parade. The fourth suspect, a 16-year-old boy, appeared in court on Friday. He was released into the custody of his guardian. They are charged with murder, attempted murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. Magistrate Rajesh Parshotam ordered that the adult suspects’ names be withheld until the identification parade had been completed. Sukwa, 35, a businessman, of Fair-breeze in Tongaat, was stabbed 35 times. He was found wrapped in a bedsheet and blanket on the floor of his bedroom. His father, Rajesh Sukwa, 67, was…

Teen’s life, modelling dream cut short NADIA KHAN A TEENAGER’S dream of being crowned Miss South Africa and becoming a runway model ended on Thursday evening. Lekisha Marina Jay Munro, 17, of Edenvale, Gauteng, was travelling home with a friend when the car she was in and another vehicle collided. The accident happened on Andre Pretorius Road in Edenvale. The Grade 11 pupil at Edenvale High School was airlifted to hospital, but she died the following morning. Her older brother, Marco Munro, said: “We don’t have many details about the accident, which is being investigated. All we know is that she was a passenger. We are trying to focus on the future and not the past. We know this is what Lekisha would have wanted.” He said his sister’s passion…

Indian entrepreneurs tilt economic axis against colonists DUNCAN DU BOIS RGT Watson Tongaati and Killie Campbell Collection BY THE advent of the third decade of Indian immigration, colonial Natal faced a self-inflicted dilemma: resentment towards the presence of the Indian as a settler was intensifying while demands for indentured labour were reaching new levels of necessity. Following the renewal of indentured immigration in 1874, labour demands increased significantly with railway construction and coal mining joining the requisition lists. As a result, the Indian population increased from 12 823 in 1877 to 29357 in 1885, while the white population reached 36 701 in 1885. Very few labourers opted for second five-year contracts, thereby rapidly increasing the numbers of free or contact-expired Indians. The changing demographic situation provoked a shift in white…

EDITOR’S VIEW To succeed against odds is in our genes KAMALA Harris has made history by becoming the first woman of colour to become the vice-president-elect of the US. Her parents were immigrants. Donald Harris, her dad, was born in Jamaica and moved to America in the early ’60s. Her mom, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, was born in India and moved to the States around the same time. The recent elections have shown that America is a country of possibilities – that gender and race are not stumbling blocks to the highest office in the land. Does the same hold true in South Africa and, in particular, for the descendants of the indentured labourers who arrived here in November 1860? According to our Constitution, South Africa belongs to all those who…

Glaring absence of Indians in top ranks THE article “IFP chairperson welcomes new members” (POST, November 4-8) has reference. It is sad that the only councillor the Minority Front had in the whole of Durban has left them for another party. The party, that was led by political giant, the late Amichand Rajbansi, is now a shadow of its former self. Love him or hate him, Mr Rajbansi stood up for the Indians and he has left a vacuum that will be difficult to fill. I think we can expect more politicians to move to other parties before the local government elections next year as the political landscape changes. Twenty-six years into democracy and no party seems capable of bringing the rainbow nation together under one umbrella. The ruling ANC…

A year that unleashed untold devastation WHEN the tale of the year 2020 will be told to the generations yet unborn, they may not imagine the times that we all experienced as a lived reality, in what had become a reversal of the natural order. They may not even contemplate such a time in their lives or even envisage that they may encounter a devastating world health crisis, such as the one the world currently grapples with, in their lifetime. But arguably, the generations of the here and now can write the history of a moment in time – when up was down and down was up – when the world stopped momentarily. The year dawned as excitedly yet as innocuously as any other. This was despite the world being…

Other ways to express outrage DEMOCRACY guarantees freedom of expression, and in the US and France, the right to offend. But this does not translate into freedom to execute and behead those who offend in order to silence them. There are other ways to express one’s outrage. On October 16, Samuel Paty, a teacher, was beheaded in Paris by 18-year-old Abdoullakh Anzorov. When (President Emmanuel) Macron condemned the killing and defended free speech, another individual on October 29, wielding a knife, entered Notre Dame Basilica in Nice and killed three people, reportedly yelling, “Allahu akbar”. Mahathir Mohamad, the former Malaysian prime minister, declared that Muslims had “a right to be angry and kill millions of French people for the massacres of the past”. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, without…

Diwali delights Pebbles Govender adds a modern twist to the traditional. Follow her on Facebook: @Pebbles Kitchen Paan Truffles ½ cup almonds ½ cup pistachios ¼ cup cashews 8-10 soft medjool dates, pitted 1 tsp rose water 3 finely ground paan leaves ½ tsp ground elachi ½ tsp fennel sweets ½ tsp sukmuk (sukmuk is a combination of candy coated and whole seeds) dash of elachi syrup peppermint extract (optional) Combine all the ingredients. Roll into small balls. Roll in coconut, crushed pistachio, almonds or edible rose petals. Chocolate Paan COMBINE all the ingredients for paan truffles besides medjool dates (above). Add 3 tabs of desiccated coconut and some elachi syrup. Mix to combine. Melt the chocolate. Pour into mould of choice. Drain off excess chocolate. Add paan filling and…

How to get the best bang for your bucks NADIA KHAN DIWALI for many families will not be the same without fireworks. Some fireworks dealers have said that sales were slow since opening recently but they remained optimistic. Vikesh Motilal, the owner of India Fireworks in Merebank and Chatsworth, said: “Many people have lost their income and fireworks is a luxury, but we still expect people to buy fireworks even if they don’t spend as much as they used to.” He said they ordered fireworks from India and China earlier this year and that they had moved away from selling big-bang fireworks. They have instead opted for colourful display cakes and fountains. “We have some low noise impact fireworks that offer bursts of colour but we still have the favourites…

‘I wanted to be a star’ Indian classical dance doyenne Kumari Ambigay has taught more than 5 000 students NADIA KHAN Facebook THIS year marks 50 years since Kumari Ambigay, an Indian classical dance doyenne, opened her dance institute in Durban. The now 73-year-old’s journey into Bharatha Natyam started at the age of 4 and it led to her opening the Kumari Ambigay Dance Institute in 1970. Over the years, 118 students graduated and 15 qualified as teachers. Ambigay said from an early age she featured in plays produced by her father, Mathiemugam Pillay, a playwright. “My father kept culture burning,” said Ambigay, who is referred to as the “Mother of Indian culture”. “He did many plays and some were to raise funds for government-aided schools so that they could…

Your Stars PRISCILLA GENDRON Aries (March 21 – April 19) It’s time to dust out the cobwebs in your brain and learn something new, either in the form of studies or on-the-job training. Taking up a hobby and allow your mind to absorb new knowledge. Look to the future as it looks bright. Lucky colour: white. Taurus (April 20 – May 20) It’s time to have clarity of thought and a better understanding of what you want from life and the path that want to follow. Have faith and hope that there are positive things on the horizon even though you can’t see them yet. Lucky colour: green. Gemini (May 21 – June 20) This week is all about making decisions and understanding what’s right for you, as not all…

Red Devils blow hot, Gunners under fire ESHLIN VEDAN THIS season is proving to be a strange one. Jamie Vardy’s penalty conversion for Leicester against Wolves saw the Foxes grind out a 1-0 win. They also moved to first position on the standings, usurping defending champions Liverpool who played out to a 1-1 draw against Manchester City. Leicester have six successive wins in all competitions. They will be in high spirits, heading into their match against Liverpool after the international break. Liverpool’s draw against City saw them move to third with 17 points, behind Tottenham (on goal difference) who secured a 1-0 win over West Brom with Harry Kane the scorer. Hakim Ziyech continued his excellent form and created two goals (which were scored by Ben Chilwell and Thiago Silva)…

Phepsi expects plenty fizz from Diamondfielders THE respect the Sharks players and management have for Griquas coach Scott Mathie is a major reason why his team will not be taken lightly when the Durbanites visit Kimberley on Friday night for a sixth-round Super Rugby Unlocked encounter. Mathie earned 47 caps for the Sharks at scrum-half between 2006 and 2008, the year Sean Everitt began coaching at the Sharks Academy, and he went on to have a much travelled career with the Blue Bulls, Leeds and the Sale Sharks before finishing his playing career in 2013 at the Kings in Port Elizabeth. Mathie moved into coaching and his first big senior role was as an assistant coach to Brent Janse van Vuuren at Griquas in 2019, and the Diamondfielders had an…

Bow of honour to the indentured ANAND JAYRAJH Supplied FOR centuries, European colonial masters had relied on slavery for cheap labour, on the back of which they were able to generate massive profits and accumulate and amass untold wealth. The history of Indian indenture during the 19th century follows directly on the abolition of slavery. In 1842, Britain defeated the Boers in Durban (in what is historically referred to as the Battle of Congella) and wrested control of the Colony of Natal. In 1843, it was annexed by Britain and became what is referred to as “a Crown Colony”. The colony at that time was caught in the grip of a worldwide recession and was on the verge of economic collapse and ruin. It was discovered that sugar cane would…

Saluting the women who shaped our destiny MAYA JAGJIVAN-KALICHARAN The 1860 heriTage CenTre and Supplied The 1860 heriTage CenTre IT IS both a marvel and mystery of life that inanimate objects often take you on a journey of intimate proportions. Take my late paternal grandmother’s grinding stone, for example. It was probably passed down from generations ago. I remember watching her, draped effortlessly in a simple yet striking sari, with her thin, long fingers curled over the stone. She used to summon all her strength, in an almost hunched position, to grind spices. Haldi (turmeric), jeera (cumin) and elachi (cardamom) were just some of the spices that gave fragrance and colour to life. They filled our home with a distinctively beautiful aroma. This tradition of hers, brought to life by…

Mom accused of selling 13-year-old daughter JANINE MOODLEY A TONGAAT mother who allegedly sold her 13-year-old daughter to a foreigner for groceries and money has been released on bail. This week, the man who paid for the child will apply for bail in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court. It is believed that in January this year, the 29-year-old foreign national approached the mother and claimed he was in love with the child, a pupil at a local primary school. It is alleged the mother initially rejected his advances towards the child, but after a period agreed to let him see the child. She also accepted groceries which he delivered to the family home regularly as well as money. The mother, 49, has two children, including the girl, and is unemployed. She…

Homage to workers THANDEKA MGQIBI DIFFERENT faith groups will converge for a prayer at the 1860 commemorative monument site at the Durban beach-front on Monday. Among those attending the event, to mark the 160th anniversary of the arrival of Indians to South Africa, are Premier Sihle Zikalala and Krish Gokool, the chairperson of the 1860 Heritage Centre. Members from the 1860 interim commemoration committee are also expected to attend. “Under normal circumstances, we would encourage people to come out in numbers and join us, but this year we will be expecting a small number due to all Covid-19 protocols,” said Gokool. “We will have three representatives from each faith group – Christian, Muslim and Hindu. They will hold a short prayer and a few moments of silence will be observed.”…

Inanda riot traders to get land JANINE MOODLEY AFTER a 20-year wait, a group of traders who lost their land during the 1985 Inanda riots will be compensated. Last week, the Durban High Court ruled that land promised to the claimants 20 years ago be handed over. It followed an application in September this year in which the traders asked the court to intervene. The 33 traders were represented by Durban attorney Anand Nepaul. eThekwini was the respondent along with Thapelo Mmusinyane, the head of real estate at eThekwini, and the Department of Human Settlements. Ebrahim Dawood Dhooma, one of the applicants, said since the riots, traders had been asked to form themselves into groups. Various pieces of land were then identified as being suitable, including sites in Lenham, Redfern…

Judgment set in rape trial JANINE MOODLEY THE dock in the Durban High Court was empty when closing arguments were heard in the trial against a Verulam stepfather accused of rape. The man, accused of repeatedly raping his stepdaughter, instead waited in the grills while the State and the defence submitted their final arguments on Thursday. The 45-year-old accused will also not be present for the judgment, which is expected to be handed down next month. He will have to find out the verdict via his legal representative. This comes after he lost his temper during cross-examination by Cheryl Naidu, a senior State advocate. She consistently produced evidence in support of allegations which he repeatedly denied. He stormed out of the dock and swore at Naidu, Judge Mohini Moodley and…

Heroes who gave their lives remembered CHANELLE LUTCHMAN SIBONELO NGCOBO African News Agency (ANA) VERUSHA Ramdin wiped away tears as she watched her son lay a wreath in honour of her husband, a fallen soldier, on Sunday at the cenotaph. The cenotaph, in Farewell Square in the Durban CBD, is a monument that commemorates people who died in a war. On Sunday, the Durban branch of the South African Legion of Military Veterans held its annual service of remembrance for the soldiers who died during World War I and World War II. In honour of the day, the SA Legion allowed the Ramdin family, of the Bluff, to also lay a wreath in remembrance of their husband and father who died a hero. In February 2017, leading Seaman Amrithlall Tothara Ramdin,…

We’ve lost our human connection, that vital culture of togetherness Social media and money have placed a wedge in our sense of community YOGIN DEVAN Supplied WE started physical distancing a long while back – a few decades ago, in fact. Covid-19 only institutionalised it. There was a time when relatives and friends would drop by unannounced. Today, it is regarded as rude if no prior notice is given of an impending visit. In the days of the old “normal”, we would invite relatives and friends who were to embark on a long journey abroad, to have a sumptuous dinner at home. We would gather at the airport to hug and kiss and shed some tears as we bade farewell. Today we say “goodbye” over the phone. I have a…

Dramatic influence of technology DURING my young days, I read mythical stories. There were many tales about the adventures of the Greek, Roman, Norse, Egyptian and many other gods. These days, you ask the younger generation who Pluto was and they would probably tell you he is the dog from the comic strip Peanuts. All over the ancient world, mankind believed in these gods, which history recorded, and which are mythical. Over thousands of years, new religions were born and followers of each sect were passionate about their religious beliefs. This has led to many a war being fought over religion, like the Crusades. The teachings from all the holy books and scriptures teach mankind to be good and do good, although few heed this call. But for now and…

Victory of divine sources over evil ones IF THERE is one occasion which is all joy and jubilation for the entire Hindu world, it is Deepavali, the Festival of Lights. Even the humblest of shacks are lit by a row of earthen lamps on this day. Fireworks resound and light up the earth and the sky. The festival signifies the victory of divine sources over the evil ones. The belief in the divine is fundamental to this celebration. Deepavali always falls on the new moon day and it is considered auspicious for the worship of Mahaluxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. In the northern parts of India, Deepavali is associated with the return of Sri Ram to Ayodhya after vanquishing Ravana. The people of Ayodhya were overwhelmed and welcomed…

Hold minister accountable IN A REPLY to a parliamentary question, Gwede Mantashe, the Minister of Mineral and Energy Resources, said that those officials, including politicians, involved in looting of the strategic fuel reserves would be brought to book. However, he defended the former minister, Tina Joemat-Pettersson, by saying that “Cabinet members are vulnerable in that things are executed at different levels and exclude the political activist”. What nonsense. A minister who does not know how billions of rands disappear does not deserve to be a minister. In 2015, the Strategic Fuel Fund sold 10 million barrels of strategic oil reserves to nine oil traders for R5 billion, way less than its market value. At the time, the replacement cost of these reserves was around R7bn. So someone pocketed R2bn. At…

Muted Diwali as family cuts down CHANELLE LUTCHMAN DIWALI will be celebrated differently for the Naidoos this year. Instead of distributing sweetmeat and savoury boxes to their neighbours and loved ones, Jayshree Naidoo and her family will offer it to those who visit her at home. “Traditionally, we have always distributed about 20 parcels to neighbours and family on Diwali day but, due to the lockdown, our financial situation has changed. My husband and I agreed that we would make and offer sweet treats to those who visit us,” said the 46-year-old Chatsworth mother of two. For Naidoo, a housewife, preparing for Diwali has been stressful. “My kids (ages 12 and 16) are older, so they understand our financial situation. “However, my husband and I still want to give them…

Indenture, identity to be revealed on stage POST REPORTER Supplied RAJESH Gopie’s classic play, The Coolie Odyssey, returns on the online streaming platform to mark the 160th anniversary of the arrival of Indians to South Africa. The play, which toured Delhi, Calcutta and Mumbai, and had seasons at Johannesburg’s Market Theatre, Durban’s Playhouse and Pietermaritzburg’s Hexagon Theatre, will stream via Quicket from November 11-30. “The Coolie Odyssey offers an unflinching take on the arrival of Indians to South Africa; of a time when the indentured labour system replaced slavery of a people who helped build a nation,” said Gopie. The play focused on the indentured workers from India who were employed on the sugar cane plantations in Natal between 1860 and 1911, he said. “It combines compassion with humour to…

Kohli to get paternity leave IN WHAT is possibly the first instance of a male cricketer getting paternity leave during a Test series, the Indian cricket board on Monday announced that it had allowed skipper Virat Kohli, pictured, to return home after the first Test against Australia in Adelaide. Kohli’s wife, actress Anushka Sharma, is due for delivery in January and the batting mainstay had asked for leave from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). The first five-day Test begins on December 17. However, there is no clarity on whether Kohli would return for the remainder of the four-Test series. In Kohli’s absence, India will be led by vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane in the remaining three Test matches, as per the established practice of the vice-captain taking over…

getting HOOKED THE coast has been productive over the past few weeks with more summer inedibles being landed. The North Coast points and deeper beaches have seen some good fish landed and a handful of giants lost. The drone anglers are getting a lot of fish at most spots along this coast. Please respect the other anglers in terms of space. The deep-water points along the North Coast have been productive on the pushing tide. A fresh mackerel bait on a good throw off one of these points will put you in with the best chance of opening your summer account with a nice sandy or honeycomb. Much like the north, the attention has shifted from targeting the edibles to targeting the inedibles. The section of coast from the uMhlanga…

TV FIVE GUIDE DAYS WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 11 Soccer International Friendlies: Turkey v Croatia, 7.35pm, EPL, SSM; Germany v Czech Republic, 9.35pm, FTB; Italy v Estonia, 9.35pm, VR1; Portugal v Andorra, 9.35pm, SSM, PSL; Belgium v Switzerland, 9.35pm, LIG; Netherlands v Spain, 9.40pm, EPL; France v Finland, 10pm, VR3 THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12 Golf PGA Tour: The Masters, Day 1, Early Coverage, 2.30pm, GOL, GSD; The Masters, Day 1, Second Feed, 2.45pm, VR1; The Masters, Day 1, Main Feed, 8pm, GSD, GOL Rugby FIRSTXV, 7pm, VR4, RUG Soccer COSAFA Women’s Championship, Semi-final 1, 12.15pm, VR4, SSM; Semi-final 2, 3.15pm, SSM, VR4; UEFA EURO 2020 Qualifier, Play-off Final: Georgia v North Macedonia, 6.50pm, SSM, EPL; UEFA EURO 2020 Qualifier, Play-off Final: Northern Ireland v Slovakia, 9.35pm, VR3; UEFA EURO 2020 Qualifier, Play-off Final:…

Injustice of indentured labour DUNCAN DU BOIS The 1860 heriTage CenTre INDENTURED Indian immigration was initially described as “an experiment on a small scale” by Natal colonial governor John Scott. In many respects, that outlook coloured the Spartan treatment those indentured pioneers received, particularly during the first five years of their lives in Natal. As historians Brookes and Webb noted, from the outset, there was not even “the most elementary human compassion and understanding towards the immigrants who were mainly regarded as ‘hands’ and no more. “No one seems to have foreseen the obvious social consequences of a disparity between the sexes, or to have done anything to remedy them.” Despite the fact that family groups accounted for 20% of those first batches of immigrants, only in 1874 was legislation…

An African journey that became an identity heritage ASHWIN DESAI Supplied “Where no monuments exist to heroes but in the common words and deeds …” | Walt Whitman MUNIGADU Rangado, indentured number 57684, with his children, Narainsamy, Amasigadu and Muthialu stare at us with studied concentration. They made “contact” with the South African government from Dar-es-Salaam on April 14, 1922, when Munigadu was seeking reentry into South Africa. Their “contact” with South Africa had begun much earlier. Munigadu was 21 when he first arrived in Natal from north Arcot on the Congella in March 1895. He was assigned to the Natal Central Sugar Company in Mount Edgecombe. A shipmate, Mangai, was assigned to the same employer and they married shortly after. Mangai died in 1904 soon after and Munigadu married…

A huge milestone for city MXOLISI KAUNDA AS SOUTH Africa celebrates the 160-year anniversary since the arrival of Indian indentured labourers in the country, for the City of Durban it was so much more than just an arrival. It was the beginning of the manifestation of the city’s rich multicultural history, social cohesion and an inclusive city. The arrival of Indian indentured labourers for better opportunities was also a demonstration that the City of Durban was alive with myriad economic possibilities that could be shared by all who lived in it. Today, in South Africa, when we speak of migration, it is perceived to be linked with crime, pressure on resources and unemployment. In this context, the arrival of the Indian indentured labourers demonstrated that competition for economic opportunities was…