Table of contents for Wednesday, January 13, 2021 in Post

FAMILIES RUN FROM HOSPITAL TO HOSPITAL AS COVID SUFFERERS GASP FOR BREATH BUT… WITH NO BEDS, LOVED ONES DIE CHARLENE SOMDUTH AND CHANELLE LUTCHMAN FOR five days in a row, Dheo Kumar’s family drove around Durban looking for a hospital that would admit and treat him. Last Wednesday, January 6, as his family rushed him to St Augustine’s Hospital, he died. Kumar, 61, was the chief financial officer at the Durban University of Technology. He and his wife Shoba, 58, from Reservoir Hills, contracted the virus in December. On New Year’s Day, Kumar’s condition took a turn for the worse when his oxygen levels dropped. His brother, Krish Kumar, the chief financial officer at eThekwini Municipality, said his brother had no comorbidities. “My brother was super fit but on that…

MOM DIED BEFORE HER BIRTHDAY Probe into oxygen supply interruption at hospital CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za HUMSHA Naidoo was recovering from Covid-19 and, by all indications, should have survived. However, Naidoo, 57, and six other Covid patients at Lenmed Shifa Hospital died on January 2 after their oxygen supply stopped. The Lenmed Group has now launched an investigation. Naidoo, a former teacher, of Haven-side, Chatsworth, tested positive for the virus in December. She was at home at first but opted for hospitalisation towards the end of December. “My mom felt that the high-pressure oxygen would assist in her recovery,” said her son, Kaelin Naidoo. “As no ventilator was available, the doctor placed her on high flow oxygen and that assisted her. According to her blood reports, her immune level was normal…

‘MIRACLE DRUG’ ‘No government or politician can infringe on my right’ CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za Facebook VISVIN Reddy has become a champion for Ivermectin. The leader of African Democratic Change (ADC) held a placard demonstration with a few members of his party outside the SABC offices in Durban on Monday. Then, later that evening, he took a solution of Ivermax during a live session on Facebook. Reddy, who has no medical background, said he obtained the Ivermax from a friend and it contained a percentage of Ivermectin. He did not have the virus when he took the solution. He told those watching that Ivermax was available from veterinarians and that it was his constitutional right to take what he thought was good for him. “No government or politician can infringe on…

ROBBED OF CLOSURE Murder accused dies before his trial CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za KASILAL Singh was due to stand trial for his wife’s killing later this year, but he died after falling. Singh, 45, was in custody at the Westville Prison for killing Avina Singh, 39, at their home in Stonebridge, Phoenix. Singabakho Nxumalo, spokesperson for the Department of Correctional Services, said Singh was referred to King Edward VIII Hospital on December 22 after he was examined by the medical staff as his blood sugar levels were low. “He passed away the next morning. A Covid-19 test was done on December 22, as per normal procedure at the hospital, and the negative result was obtained on December 26. According to the death certificate, he died of natural causes.” Singh was cremated…

readers views OPEN LETTERS TO GARY PLAYER Keeping the US Presidential award will tarnish your legacy IT HAS come to our attention that you received the US Presidential Medal of Freedom from Donald Trump for your contribution to golf. As a South African, and despite the many who are critical of your stance on sport as a young man during apartheid, we respect you as a sportsman and fellow countryman. We respect that over time you came to see the wrongs of apartheid, and for what you did for your country and its citizens. We respect that the late president Nelson Mandela accepted you and honoured you as a symbol of South African excellence, unity, and change. We implore you to reconsider your acceptance of this award. Sadly, we cannot…

A GIANT HAS FALLEN Natu president fought for the rights of teachers NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za IOL TRIBUTES poured in for Allen Thompson, president of the country’s second-biggest teachers’ union, National Teachers Union (Natu), who recently died from Covid-19. “The giant has fallen, and the entire country is trembling, especially the Department of Education. He was called to his eternal life due to Covid-19 on January 3,” said Cynthia Barnes, the general-secretary of Natu. She said Thompson, who served as the union’s president for the past two years, had been a loyal and trustworthy member since his teaching career. “Mr Thompson was a man of integrity, an open book, loyal to the core, a gigantic thinker, a problem-solver, passionate and very humble. He fought for the rights of teachers and other…

WORE HIS BADGE WITH PRIDE Detective’s job meant the world to him NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za SuppLIed FOR more than three decades Detective Warrant Officer Ashok Baldowu of Mountain Rise SAPS in Pietermaritzburg served his community and hoped to be promoted to the rank of captain this year. However, before realising his goal, the 49-year-old from Raisethorpe died on Christmas Day from Covid-19. His wife, Vanashree Pillay, said he experienced flu-like symptoms, including a sore throat, a heavy chest, nasal congestion and fever four days prior to his death. “At first, the symptoms were mild. We went to the doctor on December 23 and he advised that Ashok be tested for the virus. On Christmas morning, he was unwell and I called the paramedics but he died before they arrived. At…

‘HE HAD A HEART OF GOLD’ Son dies as father gets to hospital CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za DURING the lockdown, Yudeshen Moodley knew that many people in his community had lost their jobs, and he decided to help them. He put together food hampers and distributed them to those in need. “My son had a heart of gold. He never wanted to see people suffer,” said his dad, Troy Moodley. “If he saw someone on the road, he offered the person a lift. If someone needed food or even money, he never ignored that person. He understood that people did not have much.” Moodley, 27, of Moorton, Chatsworth, a quantity surveyor at Enzo Construction, was the youngest of three children. “In December, he found out that our family members were building…

‘WHEN WILL HE COME HOME?’ Kids worry over granddad’s ‘absence’ CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za WHEN his colleagues became ill after contracting Covid-19, Vinesh Bhim, an employee at Reaction Unit South Africa, stepped up to help. “Despite his primary job function being fleet maintenance for our ambulances and vehicles, Vinesh went out to assist on patrols and call-outs during the pandemic,” said Prem Balram, his employer. “This was the type of person he was. He was always ready to help and could never say no to anyone in need. He was interested in aircraft engineering and had dreams of working with our helicopter. He worked for the company for three years.” Balram said about two weeks ago, Bhim, 54, of Verulam, began feeling ill. “He went to the doctor for a test…

IN BETWEEN SOME FISHING… He wanted to travel and to have new adventures NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za Supplied BE GOOD, do good and stay good. That is the philosophy Ismail Sadick Jinnah lived by, and those who knew him will remember him by. Jinnah, 62, of Clare Estate, a retired SABC news researcher and producer, died in hospital on Thursday. In July 1986, Jinnah started his career at the national broadcaster as a studio cameraman, and later moved to vision controlling the television news bulletins. In 1991, he relocated from Johannesburg to his hometown, Durban, and he produced and directed various television programmes, including Impressions. In 1997, Jinnah served on the executive of the Broadcasting, Electronic, Media & Allied Workers Union. After 33 years of service, Jinnah retired in 2019. His…

When are you most infectious? MüGE ÇEVIK AND ANTONIA HO pexels.com VIRAL LOAD REACHED ITS PEAK IN THE THROAT AND NOSE – STUDY A CLOSE friend – let’s call him John – recently called, asking for advice. He woke up with severe muscle aches and fatigue. Understandably worried it could be Covid-19, he asked whether he should go to work, run to get a test or stay home. Because he didn’t have other symptoms, such as a fever, cough or shortness of breath, he was unsure what to do. This could be any other respiratory infection, such as the flu or the common cold, but what if it is Covid-19? What is the risk of him transmitting the virus to others? To understand when people with Covid-19 are most likely…

Editor’s View This time it’s all about money YOU’RE on your own. Those were the unspoken words of President Cyril Ramaphosa when he addressed the nation on Monday. He told us a lot that we already know … like the fact that the number of people infected with Covid-19 is rising. We know this because it is our families and friends who are testing positive. And many of them are dying. Some spent their last moments in the back of an ambulance or car, driven from hospital to hospital in search of help. But private facilities and some government facilities are overwhelmed. Those that were lucky waited hours. A few waited days before they got the care they needed. For some, the wait was just too long. Despite this reality,…

The race is on to save humanity THE perceptive insight of fictional novel writers must be marvelled at as they provide an escapist world for readers. One such epic writer is the medical thriller novelist Robin Cook who wrote Coma, Outbreak, Pandemic and Contagion. Every chapter ends in a cliffhanger. In the hands of a literary master, such confections have real possibilities. And so with the coronavirus, Cook's fiction has become a reality. Dean Koontz, a fictional writer, in his 1981 masterpiece, Eyes of Darkness, sets his plot in futuristic 2020 in the Chinese city of Wuhan where a strange respiratory-type virus attacks the lungs. And so with almost amazing coincidence, Koontz's fiction comes alive almost 40 years later. Another writer, Sylvia Browne, depicts in her book, Predictions and Prophecies…

Station’s squeaky clean image now tainted THE column by Yogin Devan left me speechless. It has shown that there is something rotten at Southside FM. It is sad to read that the station had paid out monies without broadcasting yet. I am appalled by the arrogance shown by some members of the board who paid an honorarium of R100 000. If this is the modus operandi of the Southside management then the south Indian community will be left with no money and no radio station. This is criminal and dispiriting to all those who donated money. This needs to be investigated. I cannot fathom why we are dragging our feet in commencing this venture and if it is operational issues, why is the broader south Indian community not being consulted.…

Covid aces Isner out, Harrison fined for attitude towards masks AMERICAN John Isner will not travel to Melbourne for next month's Australian Open as strict COVID-19 health protocols would have forced him to be away from his family for an extended period, the 35-year-old said yesterday. Players are set to begin arriving in Melbourne this week for the Grand Slam event and Victoria's state government has said it is imposing the strongest restrictions seen at any tennis tournament for the February 8-21 Open. Players and staff have to isolate for two weeks before they take part in warmup events at Melbourne Park, which is also the venue for the Australian Open, from January 31. There are also restrictions on players' entourages travelling to Australia which forced Isner, the highest-ranked men's…

Five day TV guide WEDNESDAY JANUARY 13 Cricket Big Bash Twenty20: Sydney Thunder v Sydney Sixers, 10.10am, VR1, GSD (12 noon) Soccer DStv Premiership: AmaZulu v Kaizer Chiefs, 2.30pm, PSL; Tshakhuma FC v Orlando Pirates, 4.55pm, PSL; DStv Premiership Wrap, 7pm, PSL; Premier League: Manchester City v Brighton & Hove Albion, 7pm, GSD, EPL, SSm (7.45pm); Aston Villa v Tottenham, 10pm, SSM, GSD. EPL Tennis WTA 500: Abu Dhabi WTA Women’s Open, Final, 10am, TEN, GSD THURSDAY JANUARY 14 Cricket ANZ Bank Women’s Super Smash: Otago Sparks v Wellington Blaze, 12.35am, CRI; Otago Volts v Wellington Firebirds, 4.05am, CRI, GSD (5am); Momentum One Day Cup: Hollywoodbets Dolphins v Momentum Multiply Titans, 9.45am, CRI, GSD; Big Bash Twenty20: Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Renegades, 10.10am, VR1 Rugby FIRSTXV, 7pm, VR4, GSD, RUG…

‘It was a moment that broke me’ ACCORDING to paramedics, ambulances have had to wait for hours with a patient before he or she is treated. Siven Subramodey, the owner of Amawele Emergency Services, said he lost about six patients while they were waiting for hospital treatment. “During this second wave I have had patients pleading with me to save them but all I could do was encourage them to hang on for a bit longer.” He said that recently most patients wait in a queue for an hour or two before they are examined. “You sit with them and you notice their breathing is getting heavier. You see them struggle. They look at you and ask if they will be okay. You say yes, but you can see from…

PERMISSION FOR TEMPORARY STRUCTURES Hospitals in city run out of beds CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za SUPPLIED WITH a growing number of people testing positive for Covid-19, hospitals are being overwhelmed. Several hospitals in eThekwini no longer have beds available. Earlier this week, Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu, the Health MEC in KwaZulu-Natal, confirmed that several hospitals were overwhelmed. Addressing the media in KwaMashu, she said: “It’s not just the public sector, but also the private sector. The private hospitals are running out of beds, and some have requested that the department grant them permission to put temporary structures outside their hospitals for patients. We have agreed. “In KZN, there are 11 million people, and in eThekwini, we make up between 3.5 and 3.9 million. There is a bigger crunch of infections here and only…

A FULL-ON OBSERVANCE HAS THE POTENTIAL TO BE A SUPER-SPREADER Temples to embrace technology during kavady CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za THERE will be no mass gatherings for Thai Poosam Kavady this month. Instead, devotees of Lord Muruga are being encouraged to watch livestreams of the prayers being conducted at some temples. As Covid-19 infections and the death toll rises, temple committees say it is safer for devotees to participate from their homes. The 10-day festival will start with the flag hoisting on January 19. The main Kavady is on January 28. As per tradition, devotees walk barefoot, carrying decorated wooden structures to a Murugan temple. For Hindus, this symbolises the carrying of one’s burdens to Muruga. Once at the temple, milk is offered to the deity. Other devotees pierce their bodies.…

PANDAY WINS BATTLE Operation Clever – UKZN told to disclose costs CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za BUSINESSMAN Visham Panday has won a battle in his war against the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). In 2016, the university launched an investigation, Operation Clever, following allegations of fraud. This was after it emerged that placements at the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine were being offered in exchange for bribes. The investigation was led by Avril Sahadew, the university’s forensic audit specialist, and Paul Finden, the director of legal services. Since the beginning of the investigation, Sahadew was being kept in a safe house guarded by bodyguards. And since 2016, UKZN had suspended 21 employees, but no one involved was criminally prosecuted or convicted. In 2018, Panday, an anti-corruption activist and founder of the VP…

You should have declined the award TODAY (January 8) must be a really great day for you, and in your words “the highest honour of your life”. You are at the White House in Washington DC to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the highest honour afforded to a civilian by an American president. Ordinarily, this might have been an accolade that many would have been proud of, as this award is for recognition of exceptional contribution in a field of human endeavour. But today you are receiving this award from Donald John Trump, a disgraced, impeached and outgoing president of the US. A man whose alliance and allegiance to white supremacists of the US is without question, making him a pathetic and doleful racist. A man who has…

SHE HAD CHOSEN THE BABY’S NAME ALREADY Pregnant nurse smiled when she spoke of her daughter NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za SUPPlIED JUARIAH Ebrahim, a registered nurse, was due to give birth to her daughter next month. However, Ebrahim and her child died on Wednesday. Ebrahim, who was 34 weeks into her pregnancy, intended to name her daughter, Azealiah. The 23-year-old, of Pietermaritzburg, worked in the labour ward at Northdale Hospital. Her father, Idris Ebrahim, of Chatsworth, said she began coughing, had a fever, body pains and had difficulty breathing in December. Ebrahim, who was visiting family in Durban, was admitted to RK Khan Hospital on December 31. The following day, she tested positive for Covid-19. “This was the second time a test was done,” her father said. “The first test was…

GAVE WITHOUT TAKING ‘It’s hard to accept that he is gone’ CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za FOR many who knew him, and for those who followed his community work on social media, Rivaaj Ramdas will be remembered for his selfless acts and outspokenness. Last Wednesday, the 45-year-old, of Westville, suffered a heart attack after contracting Covid-19. He died in hospital in the Midlands. His father, Satish Ramdas, said: “It is difficult to accept he is gone. We are finding comfort in the memories of him. My son was so respectful, especially to me and his mother. Every time he saw us, the first thing he did was touch our feet to get our blessings. This is not common among the younger generation. After his funeral on Wednesday, his fellow members from the…

SHE PRAYED EVERY DAY Ex-secretary loved gospel music CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za DHANASAGREE Pillay, a retired school secretary, had many passions. It included spending time with her husband and their three grandchildren, painting, gardening and listening to gospel music. “My mom was a god-fearing woman. She woke up and prayed, and before she went to bed, she prayed,” said Raelene Chenigah, her eldest daughter. “She had so much to live for, but the virus robbed her of enjoying her years with her family and doing the things she loved.” Pillay, 61, who was also referred to as Molly, tested positive for the virus in December and died on New Year’s Day. “My mom had difficulty breathing, so we rushed her to Kingsway Hospital. We waited for hours, but there was no…

BEAUTIFUL SOUL ‘Dad told me he loved me before he died’ CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za Supplied JAIKARAN Singh repeatedly told his daughter he loved her over the phone, hours before he died of Covid-19. Singh, 82, of Merebank, injured his ankle in December and was hospitalised. After he was discharged he felt ill and subsequently went for a Covid test. “When he found out that the result was positive, he reassured us that he would be fine,” said his daughter Sungeetha Maharaj. “He had no body pains, just a slight cough. “But over the next few days, while he was self-isolating at home, he required oxygen to help him breathe. “We tried to admit him to a hospital in Durban but we were told there were no beds available. “Eventually, a…

SHE DEDICATED HER LIFE TO FAMILY AND GOD ‘My grandmother was a prayer warrior’ NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za SUPPLIED SEETHA Brahama dedicated her life to serving her family, community and God. “My grandmother wanted everyone to have faith. She also wanted her children to become stronger in prayer and to be happy,” said Brahama’s eldest granddaughter, Shanon Mishca Bhojraj. The 73-year-old grandmother of four died in hospital last Wednesday. “My grandmother was a diabetic. About two weeks ago, she had a tight chest, shortness of breath and she felt tired. She tested positive for Covid-19 and shortly thereafter, she was admitted to hospital where she passed away." She said Brahama, who lived in Durban, loved her family more than anything else. “She was a mother, not only to her children but…

BEING A POLICEMAN WAS NOT JUST A PROFESSION SAPS officer served and protected for 40 years NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za SUPPlIED WARRANT Officer Deenadayalan Perumal of Dannhauser was going to retire next month after serving four decades in the SAPS. On February 27, he would have celebrated his 60th birthday. “He had so much to live for. After serving his country, he was ready to dedicate more time to our children and the ministry at the Evangelical Bible Church. “For his birthday, he planned on celebrating at home with our family,” said his wife and colleague, Captain Nancy Perumal. Perumal, formerly of Westville in Durban, studied at the Wentworth Police Training College. In 1980, at the age of 19, he joined the Dannhauser SAPS and commemorated 40 years of service last…

THE FACTS Immunity is key to your defence DR DAVID HEBER IN THE midst of the Covid-19 pandemic a strong immune system is more imperative than ever, as it’s critical to the defence against viral infections. What is Immunity? Simply put, immunity is protection from disease. The immune system does not exist in one single part of the body. It is made up of a network of cells, molecules, tissues and organs working together to protect the body. Each of these components plays a role in how the immune system works. There are two categories of immune functions: Innate immunity, which prevents diseases from entering the body and adaptive immunity, which eliminates or prevents the growth of pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria in the body. How does the immune…

COVID-19 VARIANTS AND THE EFFICACY OF VACCINES Why you can get sick again If you have tested positive, there is a chance you could contract the virus again. Caroline Southey, editor of The Conversation Africa, asks Sehaam Khan and Saurabh Sinha to explain if SARS-CoV-2 which causes Covid-19, may become dormant and, upon reactivation, cause a recurrence of infection. WhAT are antibodies and what is their function? When a virus infects a host, it invades the host cells and replicates (makes copies of itself). One way that our immune system protects us is to remove the virus from the body before it gets the chance to infect a cell. The immune system has cells called B lymphocytes which make proteins called antibodies. Antibodies recognise invading pathogens such as viruses and…

We were comrades, what’s changed? IN RESPONSE to the article “Ethekwini auction legal, say city bosses” (the POST, December 23 – 27). If the statement by the ANC is correct then why did we fight apartheid? Those Indians, coloured and whites that support the ANC, it will be interesting to hear what you have to say. I also want to remind South Africans that Nelson Mandela once said: “Do to the ANC what the ANC did to the apartheid government if the ANC behaves in this fashion.” When the Indians, coloured and a few whites stood side by side with black Africans to fight apartheid, then we were considered comrades. I ask what are we now? It’s shocking that the IFP supports the ANC in this matter and yet the…

Quest for religious tolerance will be his legacy FREEDOM of religion hero, Rivaaj Ramdas, died last week. It is a loss for the community because he was devoted to promoting peace among all religious denominations. He was a patriot of tolerance, who tackled religious prejudice and bigotry. Many are grief-stricken that this devoted friend of humanity has left our earthly shores. Moral courage was one of his noblest virtues. He confronted those who, under the guise of freedom of expression, resorted to legal chicanery to test the constraints of tolerance. We must thank him for being a shining light of hope in our fragmented lives. His unmatched courage will live on forever. His quest for religious tolerance will be his legacy.We will miss his impeachable contributions for a better land.…

A way forward for Southside FM THE column “Pay back the money” by Yogin Devan (the POST, January 6 - 10) refers. Since the inception of Southside FM, those in charge have missed the boat by bowing down and accepting the tactics of someone who sought to line his pocket, while those who offered their expertise were overlooked by the board. As a way forward, a single radio frequency, in this regard radio Hindvani’s frequency, should be allocated as a unifying platform to the Indian community. This was originally occupied by Radio Phoenix and catered for all the eastern languages. South Indians have been oppressed for far too long. This should be immediately eradicated and a common platform sought. After all, we are a democracy. J NAIDOO Phoenix…

Outcast Ozil has no regrets about joining Arsenal ARSENAL midfielder Mesut Ozil has been frozen out of the team since March last year but the German playmaker said he has no regrets about joining the Premier League side. The 32-year-old, who is under contract until June and earns a reported £350 000 (about R7.3-million) per week, was not included in the club’s Premier and Europa League squads for the 2020/21 season. Reports in British media say Ozil could move from the London club in January and manager Mikel Arteta has said he would be allowed to leave if they received a good offer. “There have been many ups and downs so far, but all in all I’ve never regretted my decision to join Arsenal,” Ozil said during a question and…

Subrayen happy with team effort ESHLIN VEDAN eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za csamedia.co.za DOLPHINS captain Prenelan Subrayen is happy with his team’s strong form in the One-Day Cup. The KwaZulu-Natal franchise are looking to defend the trophy they won last season and have so far looked strong, having picked up convincing back-to-back Pool A wins over the Titans and Knights in Potchefstroom last weekend. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the entire One-Day Cup this season has been relocated to Senwes Park in Potchefstroom. “We started off really well in terms of the result against the Titans which gave us a lot of momentum going into the campaign. We followed that up with a win over the Knights and missed the bonus point by five runs unfortunately which would have been the cherry on top,”…

STAFF ARE THE HEROES ‘Our sacrifices do not compare to the grief of families’ NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za THE rising number of Covid-19 deaths has not affected the morale of burial and crematorium staff and volunteers. In an effort to provide a dignified service to grieving families, they are working overtime. Thegraj Cassie, the secretary of the Clare Estate Umgeni Hindu Crematorium Society, said: “Our staff have been real heroes during this time. They are willing to help everyone as far as possible, even if it means working a little longer at their own will. Our aim is to assist the community because of the tragedies that they are experiencing.” He said since last Wednesday, the facility had conducted 35 cremations a day, of which 70% were Covid-related deaths. “Last Monday,…

NOT APPROVED FOR USE IN HUMANS Some doctors back call for Ivermectin to fight Covid-19 POST REPORTER From other studies we have enough evidence to show it could be a lifesaving drug.DR TYGIE NADESAN OFFICIALLY, Ivermectin has not been approved for use in humans, let alone in the fight against the coronavirus. However, in recent weeks there have been calls from a number of people, including doctors, for the drug to be used in the fight against the current coronavirus outbreak. The drug was developed in 1975 to kill parasites in animals. In South Africa it has been used in humans for, among others, scabies and head lice. In recent days, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra), has emphasised that the drug has not been approved for use…

Player receives presidential award from Trump despite his apartheid role SELVAN NAIDOO A DAY after a mob of President Donald Trump supporters invaded the US Capitol building, it was ironic that Gary Player accepted the Presidential Medal of Freedom from Trump in a closed-door ceremony on January 7. Much like how Player’s support for the apartheid government that was kept from view of mainstream media or even erased from collective post-apartheid memory, his latest award being held behind closed doors reinforces the stain long associated with him. Befitting too that the award should come from a president who has been accused of being a white supremacist and who has made numerous racist statements. Player’s role in supporting apartheid sport is highlighted in a new book on Papwa Sewgolum, a black…

‘EPITOME OF GENEROSITY, KINDNESS AND CHEERFULNESS’ Businessman will be remembered with reverence CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za AKASH Birjanund will be remembered for his kind nature. Birjanund, 44, of Reservoir Hills, died of Covid-19 on January 5. He was well known in the community through his businesses Johnny’s Rotis and Sunrise Chip and Ranch in Durban. His wife, Dr Lata Rampersad, said they both had tested positive on December 19. “We got tested after a family member told us he had tested positive. A few days after testing, Akash experienced fatigue and body pains. Since I am a doctor, we had access to vitamins and oxygen, anything we needed to overcome the virus. I was concerned about Akash because he had diabetes.” Rampersad said that on December 27 his oxygen levels decreased.…

HE STRESSED THE IMPORTANCE OF EDUCATION ‘Most children received toys but my dad bought me books’ NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za SUPPlIED GENGATHAREN “Gengs” Pillay will be remembered for his contribution to education. Pillay, 58, of Umhlatuzana Township, was a curriculum specialist at the Department of Education in KwaZulu-Natal. He was the subject adviser of history, geography and life orientation in the uMlazi District and the internal moderator for the matric history National Senior Certificate exam. “My dad was held in the highest esteem in the province and nationally for his academic and professional stature,” said his son, Lasanthan Pillay. The father of one died of the corona-virus at a hospital in Pretoria on Friday. Lasanthan said his dad was admitted on December 7. “My dad left Durban for Pretoria on December…

LAST GOODBYE I think he wanted to see my face, says despairing wife NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za Supplied THIAGARAJAN “Tiger” Govender died in Victoria Hospital last Tuesday on his mother’s 81st birthday. The 45-year-old from Phoenix worked as a correctional services official and investigator at the Westville Prison. He completed 23 years of service last year. His wife, Tremane, said he tested positive for Covid-19 in December. “He had a slight cough, which we attributed to indigestion. After he consulted with the GP, the doctor suggested he does a Covid test. The results were out the following day. He was Covid positive. We ensured he took vitamins and ate his meals. He was still in a good state. But on Christmas day, he struggled to breathe and the paramedics took him…

A CALMING FIGURE DURING A TURBULENT TIME Struggle stalwart leaves behind a rich legacy CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za BARRY BATEMAN MLULEKI George, the founding member of the United Democratic Front (UDM), had given everything to see the country free. Last week, George, 72, died in East London due to Covid-19 complications. He had been a member of the ANC since 1972. In 1978, he was sentenced to five years on Robben Island for his political activities. George was the deputy minister of defence from 2004 to 2008 but left the party in 2008 to form Cope with Mosiuoa Lekota. He served as its treasurer-general. Cope described his death as a loss to the country. “Comrade George gave everything to see his people and the country free… We can never forget the…

A KARATE CHAMPION WHO BECAME A LIFESAVER People were drawn to the ‘gentle giant’ CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za SIVALINGUM “Doods” Padayachee, a former karate champion, will be remembered by his family and friends for being a gentle giant. While he was physically strong, he was soft-hearted, said his friend Eric Ramsamy. “His donations and other contributions to organisations have been outstanding both in kind and economically. Doods will forever be remembered for his simplicity, his kindness and his humble spirit that drew many people to him.” Padayachee, 64, died of Covid-19 on January 4 after a short illness. Ramsamy said Padayachee grew up in Springtown in Durban, where schooling and work opportunities were limited. “Doods was forced to leave school to find a job to support his home. Later on in…

‘A SPECIAL PERSON’ Resting in peace with Swami NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za SUPPLIED SATHIASIVA Naidoo, the secretary of the Isipingo Shree Siva Soobramoniar Temple, was a devout Sathya Sai Baba devotee. For the past 19 years, he and his wife, Padmani, visited and stayed at Sai Baba’s ashram in Prasanthi Nilayam in India, where they felt most at peace among other devotees. The 77-year-old retired senior process technician at Sapref oil refinery died from the Covid-19 virus on January 1. His daughter Ansuya Naidoo said he began coughing on December 31 and his oxygen levels dropped on New Year’s Day. A Covid test was done at the hospital’s trauma unit and his result was positive. “While there, he was monitored and given oxygen. However, that evening his vitals dropped and he…

ADVICE FROM THE CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL IN THE US Safety first: caring for someone sick at home IF you are caring for someone with Covid-19 at home, follow this advice to protect yourself and others. Learn what to do when someone has symptoms of Covid-19 or when someone has been diagnosed with the virus. This information also should be followed when caring for people who have tested positive but are not showing symptoms. PROVIDD SUPPORT Help cover basic needs: • Help the patient follow their doctor’s instructions for care and medicine. • For most people, symptoms last a few days and people usually feel better after a week. • Try over-the-counter medicines for fever. • Make the person drink a lot of fluids and rest. • Help them with…

Your Stars Aries (March 21 – April 19) When you are out and about, include those who you love and who love you. It’s important to spend time with them. Also find your passion for a project or new work venture and embrace it. There is a lot to be said about hard work and the rewards that come from that. Lucky colour: gold TAurus (April 20 – May 20) All the hard work is finally paying off and it’s important to not burn the candle at both ends as you step into the new year. Take the time to focus on your health and well-being and take time for yourself as it’s important to look after your health. Lucky colour: yellow GeMini (May 21 – June 20) It’s time…

LOYALTIES LIE WITH CRIME BOSS Gangs become necessary evil The relationship between the police and communities remains frought with tension LAST week, the community of Shallcross in Durban was the scene of several violent killings. In the first incident, an alleged high-profile and known drug kingpin, Yaganathan Pillay (also known as Teddy Mafia), was gunned down by two men at his home. Following this incident, members of the community apprehended the two suspects, assaulted them, set them alight and beheaded them, in what appeared to be a form of mob justice. Furthermore, when the police arrived on the scene, they were treated with hostility by the community members, who allegedly opened fire on the police. They were eventually dispersed by the Public Order Policing Unit. These incidents in Shallcross once…

Elections loom, think carefully before you vote IN DEMOCRATIC countries, political parties perform several important tasks. For example, they select candidates to run for public office, they help organise the government, they provide opposition to the party in power, and they raise funds to conduct election campaigns. Other functions include informing voters about public affairs and problems that need government action. One of the political parties’ most important functions is to prepare a programme, or a set of policies for the benefit of the country, if they gain or retain power at the next election. These policies are usually subject to research and discussion within the party. They can concern almost any matter that the parties consider important – such as conservation, control of public services, defence, economic plans, education,…

Ramdas was a good man THE news of Rivaaj Ramdas’s death was received with sadness and regret. I met Rivaaj while on the election campaign trail in April 2019. It was late at night and my then colleague and I were monitoring how posters were placed on light poles on the Phoenix Highway. Rivaaj recognised the personalised number plate, stopped his vehicle and hurried to where we were standing. He thought that my colleague was in trouble and stopped to offer assistance. Discounting the possibility of imminent danger, he instinctively came to our aid. Such was the nature of the man I write about. I observed him closely since that night and found that he was consistent in offering support to the community and fought feverishly for what he believed.…

Beast eyes career in WWE INSTAGRAM was abuzz last night when Rugby World Cup winner, Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira, pictured left, expressed his interest in joining WWE, during an Instagram live chat with WWE Superstar, Kofi Kingston, pictured right. “There he is, the Beast!” is how Kofi started the chat with Mtawarira, pointing out that he was excited to get the opportunity to speak to another African star based in America and whose journey to success has been similar to his. The two stars had the conversation to celebrate each other’s sporting achievements, a year since Mtawarira joined US Major League Rugby side, Old Glory DC. The stars have had similarly-timed moments of success, both achieving their championship dreams in the same year, 2019, while representing two nations. Kofi is a…

Grunter, Stumpnose and sharks keep reels screaming THE shore-based fishing has not been far off the excitement of the offshore scene. There have been plenty of screaming reels and bent rods. This is the time of year to make sure you and your tackle are ready for the strong summer fish! The north coast is the usual centre for the summer fish action. This past week has been no exception. The number of giant sandies caught has been amazing. What is even more impressive is the number of these fish that have gone over the magical 2 meter mark! Any angler who lands one of these needs to be commended. The north coast has also seen a surge in the catches of grey sharks during the early evenings. The big…

Bafana’s Tau could make EPL debut ESHLIN VEDAN eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za @OfficialBHAFC Twitter THE big focus in the Premier League this weekend will be the eagerly anticipated clash between arch-rivals Liverpool and Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday. The game will be one of the most fiercely contested Liverpool versus United games over the past several years as it will have a big influence on who ends up winning the league title this season. In a coincidence, United and Liverpool were also drawn to play each other in the FA Cup fourth round in a game which will take place at Old Trafford next Friday. The Reds will enter Sunday’s match having not won their last three league games and on the back of a loss to Southampton. However, the Reds’ 4-1…