Table of contents for Wednesday, January 27, 2021 in Post

RISKS AND BENEFITS AfriForum seeks approval for use of ivermectin CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za THE Minister of Health and the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (Sahpra) have until Monday to oppose an urgent high court application to prevent doctors from administering ivermectin to treat Covid-19 patients. If the parties fail to oppose the application, AfriForum, a civil rights organisation, will take the matter to the high court in Pretoria on Tuesday. Last week, AfriForum approached the courts for approval of ivermectin to treat Covid-19 patients. The court application was brought on behalf of Dr George Coetzee and two of his patients after Sahpra allegedly failed to approve their applications to use the drug as a Covid-19 treatment. In a letter to Sahpra, AfriForum noted that their clients had submitted three…

LIFT THE BAN ON RELIGIOUS GATHERINGS FOR SA to challenge government in court THANDEKA MGQIBI Thandeka.Mgqibi@inl.co.za IN ITS pursuit to have the government open up places of worship, Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) issued papers in the Johannesburg High Court on Monday. Their application requests that the religious sector be treated equally as casinos, health clubs, cinemas and restaurants, where gatherings of up to 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors are permitted. They also want the faith-based community members to be recognised as essential workers providing an essential service. Michael Swain, executive director of FOR SA, said: “We believe that religious leaders who have been at the forefront of providing relief, comfort and support to their congregations during this pandemic should be allowed to make the decision on…

MANUSHA GOVENDER BROKE BARRIERS IN A MALE-DOMINATED INDUSTRY Businesswoman served humanity, leaves legacy JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za MANUSHA Govender, an entrepreneur who broke barriers in a male-dominated industry by starting her own autobody repair shop, succumbed to Covid-19 at the age of 44. She died in her home in Phoenix last Tuesday morning shortly after testing positive for the virus. Govender, who opened Shalom AutoBody Repair Centre in Mount Edgecombe in 2013, was known for her philanthropic and humanitarian efforts. She was a member of various organisations, including the Tamil Business Warriors, Enspired Women and Minara Business and Professional Women. Govender often attended charity events, luncheons and conferences where she networked with like-minded business people. A drive-by funeral was held at her home on Thursday where her friend, Vino Govender, paid…

KIRTHAVIA’S SMILE DREW HER TO PEOPLE’S HEARTS Showing signs of recovery and then the worst happened THANDEKA MGQIBI Thandeka.Mgqibi@inl.co.za ON THE day of her death, Kirthavia Govender had shown signs of recovery and was confident she would go home soon. Her family said they last spoke to her on January 16, the day she died while in Isipingo Hospital. “We spoke to her and she said she was doing and feeling better. We were happy and we looked forward to her returning home,” said a family spokesperson. However, later that evening, a staff member spoke to her dad, Michael Gov-ender, requesting he go to the hospital. “Little did we know that she had already passed. It was a shock. It made no sense whatsoever as we thought she was recovering.”…

SAM AND INDRANI PILLAY DIED DAYS APART Two beautiful souls married for 40 years NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za SIBONELO NGCOBO African News Agency/ANA SAM Pillay and his wife Indrani, of Kharwastan, Chatsworth, travelled to many countries and their photographs on social media showed a couple in love with each other and with life. On Saturday, Indrani, 61, a retired librarian, died of Covid-19 while in hospital. On Monday, her husband, 64, an anti-drug activist, succumbed to the virus at the same health facility. Sam Pillay, an ex-teacher, was the founder and director of the Anti-Drug Forum SA. He helped addicts reform and he supported their families during the process. Pillay also assisted the SAPS to clamp down on the drug trade in the community. Pillay’s sister, Mogie Moodley, said her brother…

SUPPORT FOR SICK Prayer, food distribution for Covid-19 CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za RAJ Pillay, an uMhlanga businessman, knows first hand the effects of Covid-19 after he was admitted to hospital for the virus and recovered from it. Pillay, 62, who owns Fireworks King, is calling on people of all faiths to pray for healing for the sick on Thursday, which is also Kavady. Pillay, his son, Dane, and son-in-law, Donovan Govender, will distribute food from four sites in Durban – the Shri Mariamman Temple in Mount Edgecombe, the Shree Murugar Alayam in Jacobs Road, Clairwood, his business premises in Lawley Street in Jacobs, and a parking lot in Sirdar Road, Clairwood. A prayer for a Covid cure and healing for those infected will also be held at the Shri Mariamman Temple.…

BORROWING FUNDS MIGHT PROVE TO BE TOO EXPENSIVE, WHILE WE ARE SERVICING DEBT OBLIGATIONS Wealth tax: The price of the Covid-19 vaccine ADOCATE LAVAN GOPAUL MARK Twain’s quote “the only certainty is death and taxes” continues to be true today. Covid-19 threatens to destroy the world. At the same time, governments are forced to look at creative ways to fund vaccine programmes and unemployment subsidies. South Africa faces a bleak time in trying to balance our national Budget, which has swelled with extra Covid-19-related costs, including UIF payments, social grants and vaccines. On the other hand, tax collection has dwindled in the past 12 months because of low business activity and higher unemployment, while substantially less has been collected by way of corporate tax and personal income tax. Tax collection…

Not a pothole in sight I RECENTLY drove on Solomon Mahlangu Drive (formerly Edwin Swales VC Drive) between the N1 and the South Coast roads’ intersections. It was a pleasure to drive on this heavy-duty road. Except for a small section at the Titren Road intersection and the Umbilo off-ramp, the road has been completed to perfection. Although the old pothole sign has not been removed yet, there’s not a pothole in sight. Bluff residents who use this road daily must be relieved. It was once a nightmare to drive on Solomon Mahlangu Drive. The road had potholes like land-mines and these were dangerous in wet weather. You had to have the skills of a rally driver to avoid the numerous potholes. Not even the roads in Zimbabwe were as…

The POST’s tribute to Covid-19 victims is commendable COVID-19 is a faceless enemy. It therefore makes it difficult to fight. The only time we know it is around is when someone we know falls ill or dies. And what’s more terrifying, we could be the victim. For many months, we have been reading the statistics on the virus, globally and in South Africa. The number of those infected and those who die continues to rise every day. We don’t know most of the victims. They are faceless numbers. They don’t touch our hearts. All we do is shake our heads in disbelief, talk about it and say how sad it is. The only time we are touched is when we read about someone we know who has died. The POST…

Play your part to stay safe ACCORDING to Zweli Mkhize, the Minister of Health, 67% of South Africans would need to be vaccinated against Covid-19 in order to reach immunity. When most of the population is immune to an infectious disease, this provides indirect protection or herd immunity to those who are immune. Recently, Mkhize announced that the approach would target front-line and health-care workers in the first phase of vaccination, followed by essential workers, institutionalised persons and the elderly. The third phase of the roll-out would be the remaining adult population. However, there have been concern about South Africa gaining access to the required doses of the vaccines. The country is taking part in the Covax vaccine distribution initiative co-led by the World Health Organization. But the scheme could…

TAKE A STEP BACK, BREATHE, REGROUP Protect your peace Dr Thirusha Mohabir Pexels. com WE HAVE reached a point in the second wave where we are inundated with Covid-19 information from news channels and social media feeds. There is news of infections and deaths of loved ones and friends, conspiracy theories and more. This can increase anxiety levels and cause one to become paranoid, depressed and traumatised, negatively affecting everyday productivity. It is important to check that the sources of information are reputable and the information is backed up by facts, not hearsay. Not all information is legitimate or necessary. It is, therefore, important that we question the validity of what is being propagated. Added stress With more people working from home during the adjusted level 3 lockdown, stress levels…

LOCKDOWN ADDS DIFFERENT DIMENSION TO WORKING FROM HOME The writing’s on the mug MaYa JagJiVan-kalicharan Supplied I WOULD like to tell you that my days regularly start off with a warm, soothing cup of tea with a slice of lemon. Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? But that’s not how most days are. In fact, my days are crazy, chaotic, and now more than ever before I find myself chasing the clock. Some days are like a storm in a teacup, make it a mug, bigger than a cup, for sure. Working from home has changed our lives. Don’t get me wrong; I’m grateful that I can work from the safety of my home amid the coronavirus pandemic. But no one said it would be easy, right? It isn’t. As I type…

2021 PREDICTIONS A lone voice will shout the loudest in SA politics SOUTH Africa will find helpful solutions to the pandemic and it will include a level of tradition to the outcome. This will be the perfect moment to make the changes we need to unite the country. There will be a reshuffle of ministers and a new lone voice will shout the loudest and cause a positive ripple effect across the country. The person will have a unique approach of getting people to stand behind them. Temperatures and rainfall will affect the coast. There will be a lot of flooding, while other provinces will experience dry weather. This will affect crops and animals, and there will be a call to the government to assist farmers in order to help…

Your Stars PRISCILLA GENDRON Aries (March 21 – April 19) This week, you should shake up things in your career path, and new and unusual opportunities will arise. Make amends with the loved ones you have wronged. It is important for your peace of mind and theirs. Lucky number: 9. Taurus (April 20 – May 20) It may not be the easiest of times. The past few months have been tough as you have had to shoulder a lot emotionally. It’s time to let got and embrace new opportunities. There will be a lot of career ideas that will motivate you to start something new. Lucky number: 2. Gemini (May 21 – June 20) It feels as if you have the weight of the world on your shoulders. Not everything…

FORMER EMPLOYEES HAVE EXPRESSED CONCERN THAT THEY ARE TOO OLD TO BE HIRED Over 700 Playtex workers lose jobs NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za MORE than 700 workers from the underwear manufacturer Playtex will join the growing queues at the unemployment office after a decision was made to liquidate the 60-year-old company. Staff were notified on January 7 that Hanes South Africa Pty had filed for liquidation a day earlier and that all activities were immediately suspended. This meant staff would not return to work on January 11 as scheduled. Instead, the premises in Lawley Street, Jacobs, would remain closed. “This was a difficult decision and we know the impact on employees,” said an SMS from employers. “You will be treated fairly and we have taken necessary steps to ensure that all…

MTHETHWA MUST STILL GO ‘He has dragged arts department to its lowest depth’ LATOYA NEWMAN latoya.newman@inl.co.za DESPITE his apology for a comment about the arts in South Africa being alive and well, a petition calling for Minister Nathi Mthethwa’s resignation will continue, its organisers have said. The Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture issued a statement on Thursday apologising for a tweet he shared a week earlier. He tweeted: “South African theatre is alive and well with performing arts institutions of the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture such as @ArtscapeTheatre, @MarketTheatre, @PACOFS3, @ DurbanPlayhouse, @statetheatre and @ WindybrowTheatr (sic) offering an array of indigenous drama and dance etc.” The comment resulted in an outcry particularly as the arts sector has been one of the worst hit since the start…

JAY NAIDOO WAS THE FAMILY’S GO-TO PERSON FOR ADVICE Pharmacist waited in vain for life-saving Covid-19 vaccine CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za PHARMACIST Jay Naidoo could not wait for South Africa to get a Covid-19 vaccine. Bhavna Maharaj, his daughter-in-law, said: “You could hear the excitement in his voice because the vaccine meant hope for his fellow South Africans and the global citizens. He used to research and tell us about the vaccines and how he believed it was what we needed to end this deadly virus. My father-in-law also knew that as a healthcare worker, he would be the first to get the vaccination.” However, the 69-year-old, who tested positive for the virus, died on January 17. “Dad had flu-like symptoms for a few days, so he stayed at home. He…

KHATIJA SULEMAN MALL, A TOUGH BUT FAIR LEADER Gorima’s founder thrived in her celebrated spice business CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za MORE than 40 years ago, Khatija Suleman Mall started Gorima’s with a single product, Magi Masala. Today, there are 21 Gorima’s spice shops in KwaZulu-Natal. This is the legacy the 70-year-old businesswoman has left. The Clairwood resident died in hospital last Tuesday after contracting Covid-19. “My aunt made the masala in the kitchen of Zuleikha Mayat, her aunt-in-law and the author of the Indian Delights cookbook. Magi Masala was probably the first wet masala to be produced in the world,” said Suleman’s nephew, Arshaad Moola. “It was developed to provide convenience and flavour for those who didn’t have the time to buy all their spices separately or know how to make…

VISVANATHAN KEVIN NAIR WAS A DEDICATED AND HARD WORKER Detective ensured criminals were brought to book NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za FOR more than three decades, Detective Warrant Officer Visvanathan Kevin Nair, of Bayview SAPS in Chatsworth, served his community. He ensured convictions were secured in several high-profile cases, including the murder of Baby X. Nair, 52, of Chatsworth, died in hospital on Sunday from Covid-19. His daughter, Lucina Nair, said her dad and family tested positive for the virus on December 29. “We experienced flu-like symptoms. My dad had a cough, a fever and a loss of appetite. As the days progressed, my dad’s condition worsened and his oxygen levels dropped. “On December 31, we called the paramedics. At the time, there was a shortage of beds in Durban as the…

NO NEED FOR SUCH FORCE Elderly couple in farm attack CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za A SOUTH COAST farmer was dragged by his throat and his wife flung on to their coffee table during a home invasion on Friday afternoon. Eric Nunkoo, 80, suffered injuries to his neck and body. His wife, Sona, 73, sustained injuries to her hip. She was admitted to a hospital in Durban and underwent surgery on Monday. The couple, who planted and sold fresh produce, have lived on the farm in Crowder near Umkomaas for 40 years. They shared the home with their son, who was at work at the time of the attack. Vis Moodley, their son-in-law, said moments before the attack, Nunkoo had said goodbye to his workers and sat down to have supper. “My…

RUN OVER TWICE SANDF trainee dreamt of serving country CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za VISHAY SINGH dreamt of serving his country in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). But earlier this month, he was run over twice – by two vehicles – that allegedly belonged to his friends. Singh, 23, of Marburg, in Port Shepstone, a trainee officer at the SANDF, is now in a critical condition in hospital. He suffered a brain injury and a broken neck. His two friends were arrested and charged with attempted murder. They appeared in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Their bail application was denied and they were remanded in custody. Vishay’s father, Vijay Singh, said he would never forget the events of January 9. “Vishay and my son-in-law (Renesh Moodley) were moving…

ONLINE AND IN THE CLASSROOM Covid-19 puts new demands on teachers NHLANHLA MPOFU AS A RESULT of the Covid-19 pandemic, schools were on lockdown in South Africa from March 2020. They only partially reopened in June, despite teacher unions’ concerns about the timing and lack of adequate protection for teachers and learners. The unions’ objections about having to work in conditions that posed a risk to health were understandable. But they have been less vocal about the teachers’ need to be equipped with the skills and infrastructure to teach during a pandemic. The unpredictability of the pandemic and the restrictions on social interaction remain in place. No immediate end is in sight. Teachers have had to move from a space in which they have years of experience to the unknown…

Time for turning the other cheek is over THE article in the POST, “Families milked for funeral costs” (January 20-24), has been the discussion on everyone’s lips, seeing that almost everyone has lost someone during the pandemic. This is irksome and worrisome. Against the backdrop of our country in mourning, with families being destroyed by Covid-19, this has demonstrated our frailty at the hands of Mother Nature at whose mercy we all succumb. The funeral industry has been tainted for far too long. It has taken abuse from deceased families. The time for turning the other cheek is over. During the pandemic, undertakers have made great sacrifices, with some of them working throughout the night. Paying a mere R25 a month, excluding Covid funerals, families expect not to pay for…

Pravin Gordhan ‘never stole money’ AS ONE watches the Zondo Commission into allegations of state capture, there always seems to be a haibo moment. Listening to the testimony by Brian Molefe castigating Pravin Gordhan seems irrelevant and sinister. Gordhan has been implicated in a few issues related to Sars but he has been vindicated in the High Court. This has silenced many of his critics. The irony is that Gordhan never stole money. Ministers have been implicated in stealing millions of rand of taxpayers’ money without repercussions, which seems to be a norm. Gordhan’s only “slight” as the previous governor of Sars and the minister of finance was to bring more money into state coffers, which was known as the Rogue Unit. However, he was cleared after a drawn-out battle…

Remember your loved one’s individualism during these trying times PERHAPS we should forget about Donald Trump and his trumpeters and focus on our own heroes who have fallen victim to Covid-19. In my family, I lost Azhar, 32, married for barely three months. His last recorded words from the hospital were: “Please wear your mask!” It’s ironic that he had been careful with Covid protocols, so it is uncertain how he contracted the virus. Professor Neren Bhana, ex-Mancosa, and his wife, Sister Laxmi Bhana, were both public figures and close friends of my immediate family. For many years, we used to exchange a tray of home-made sweetmeats during Eid and Diwali. Sister Laxmi served the RP Moodley School as a professional medical nurse, attending to a variety of ailments in…

PSYCHOLOGIST UNCOVERS CHANGES How mourning affects us Erin blakEMorE IF YOU have ever received news of the death of a loved one, you know the feeling: full-body grief that hits you from the inside out. You may breathe more rapidly or feel nauseous; your blood pressure may rise. You may feel your life separate into before and after – your insides for ever changed. There’s a reason for that, wrote Dorothy P Holinger. In The Anatomy of Grief, the psychologist uncovers the very real physical changes that accompany mourning – and the mental processes that grief entails. She wrote: “As grief unfolds, the brain will develop new neuronal connections – creating the new patterns, new habits, of a life that is happening without the missing loved one.” That’s just the…

2021 HOROSCOPES New year, new changes HEENA GOKHRU Pixabay Aries (March 21 – April 19) This year is all about spreading your wings. The Mars transit on February 22 may bring about a few changes in your life. On a personal note, proper care will help you recover from any disease. This year, you might have to face hurdles in your romantic life if you have an unstable relationship with your partner. An outgoing individual will contact you. Some Aries people might encounter someone from a foreign origin and they will exert a certain influence on you. Taurus (April 20 – May 20) For the lovers of beauty and art, 2021 will offer you huge gains in the romantic department. Around February 2, Tauruses will have big projects lined up…

Key areas Sharks need to dominate to take out Bulls MIKE GREENAWAY mike.greenaway@inl.co.za CHRISTIAN KOTZE BackpagePix THE Sharks travel to Pretoria on Saturday for the big one, the Currie Cup final against the Bulls, and the home team are overwhelming favourites. It is true that the Sharks recently enjoyed a narrow win over Jake White’s team at Jonsson Kings Park but in their previous two visits to Loftus Versfeld they lost heavily. The Sharks were good value for their semi-final win over Western Province last week and Mike Greenaway looks at three key areas the Sharks need to get right if they are to upset the Bulls STOP THD BULLY BOYS IN THDIR TRACKS When former Springbok coach Jake White took over at the Bulls last April, the first thing…

Reds’ woes continues ESHLIN VEDAN eshlin.vedan@inl.co.za THE last week was one full of frustration for defending Premier League champions Liverpool. The Reds’ 68-game home unbeaten run was ended when they lost to Burnley in the league last week. Their defensive frailties and lack of attacking confidence against the Clarets was on full display as centre-back Joel Matip was virtually their only player who put in a decent shift in the game. The Reds problems were further compounded in their FA Cup elimination against Manchester United. Liverpool’s performance against United was vastly improved as Roberto Firmino and Mohamed Salah (who didn’t play against Burnley) returned to the side and inspired confidence up front with the Egyptian bagging a brace. They looked up for the challenge as their movement was sharp, passing…

VIRTUAL CONCERT TO HELP STRUGGLING SINGERS, ACTORS Artists put heads together to survive LATOYA NEWMAN latoya.newman@inl.co.za THE toll that the pandemic has taken on the arts and live entertainment sector is like a row of dominoes that was set off in March and just keeps falling. Siva Naidoo, a Durban entertainer and owner of the Enchanted Garden franchise (four venues) and a restaurant in Chatsworth, and the head of Men in Black Entertainment, has had his businesses come to a standstill. He and his employees in these respective operations are affected. That’s live band performers, catering, venue, restaurant and administration staff, among others. This is the fate that has befallen many of those who work in and run businesses in the arts and entertainment sectors. “On average, our loss in…

THE DEPARTMENT RESPONDS MASECHABA Khumalo, spokesperson for the Ministry of Sport, Arts and Culture, said Nathi Mthethwa would not take action or respond to the petition. “The minister is investing his time in developing solutions to alleviate the plight of artists during these difficult times.” Addressing concerns raised in the petition, he said: ◆ The department is fast-tracking a third phase of relief funding for the industry. The department has implemented the first and second phases of the Covid-19 Relief Fund. Nearly 5000 practitioners were recommended for the first phase and more than R80 million was paid out to the sector. In the second phase, and as of December 14, more than R2m was paid out to practitioners in the sector. ◆ 3658 practitioners benefited from the Solidarity Fund with…

NAMES ARE TARNISHED Funeral parlours investigated after price gouging complaints CHANELLE LUTCHMAN chanelle.lutchman@inl.co.za THE Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Traditional Affairs has launched an investigation into price gouging by funeral parlours in Durban during the pandemic. The department said it continued to receive complaints from grieving families over the alleged increase in prices that prompted the investigation. Last week, a woman told the POST she was quoted R10500 for a funeral. She said the funeral parlour later told her it required an additional R3000. A man said he had paid R4000 for his brother’s funeral despite his sibling having a funeral policy. Funeral parlour owners said they charged an extra R2 500, which covered personal protective equipment, sanitisers and foggers. They said families requested doves and bagpipers for funerals,…

USHABEN DESAI WAS AN EXPERT IN HINDI AND GUJARATI Passionate professor loved, propagated Indian languages CHARLENE SOMDUTH charlene.somduth@inl.co.za PROFESSOR Ushaben Desai, the first female president of the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha South Africa, was passionate about languages. Desai, 75, of Durban, died in hospital on January 13 after contracting Covid-19. She was born in India and immigrated to South Africa with her parents when she was five years old. Her sister, Vidhu Vedalankar, said Desai was an expert in the Hindi and Gujarati languages. In 1980, she graduated with a BA Honours in Hindi through the Rashtrabhasha Prachar Samiti in Maharashtra, India, and thereafter her Masters at the then University of Durban-Westville (UDW). In 2003, she was appointed an associate professor at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN). “She was a part-time…

NORMA JOAN SUKDEV’S LAST WORDS TO HER FAMILY WERE ‘I LOVE YOU’ ‘My mother dedicated her life to helping other people’ JANINE MOODLEY janine.moodley@inl.co.za NORMA Joan Sukdev, who dedicated her life to helping those in need, died on Wednesday from Covid-19 complications. Sukdev, 69, of Woodview, Phoenix, was the founder of the Woodview Hindu Dharma Sabha and part of the parent/teacher association at Woodview Primary, where she helped secure a swimming pool. Her daughter, Lisa Sukdev, said her mother had become ill a few days before being admitted to the hospital. “She just kept falling. At first, we thought it was due to her diabetes. We then had her tested for Covid and the results were negative. However, she continued to be unwell. Our doctor advised that she must be…

CHRIS PILLAY WAS COMMITTED TO THE SUCCESS OF OTHERS ‘He was one of the best bodybuilders in the country’ NADIA KHAN nadia.khan@inl.co.za CHRIS Pillay, a professional bodybuilder, took pride in his health and well-being. On Saturday, the 50-year-old Clare Estate personal trainer and co-owner of the Body Guru Gym in uMhlanga, died in hospital. Abhir Dayaram, a friend and the gym co-owner, said Pillay tested positive for Covid-19 on December 26 and was then admitted to St Augustine’s Hospital. “He had a fever and he had picked up a chest infection. After two weeks in the hospital, he died on Saturday.” “Chris was one of the first Indian personal trainers in Durban. His business acumen led to him co-owning the gym and he was committed to the long-term success of…

Editor’s View Create your own job prospects WITH the number of new Covid-19 infections and deaths starting to drop, we turn our focus this week to the economic fallout of the pandemic. According to the United Nations International Labour Organisation (ILO), millions of jobs have been lost around the world. The ILO says the world of work is undergoing its worst crisis since the Great Depression in the 1930s. South Africa was already experiencing an unemployment crisis before the pandemic hit in March last year. Experts now predict that by the end of this year our unemployment rate could be over 50%. Those looking for jobs are likely to fare better if they create their own jobs rather than wait for someone to employ them. Furthermore, Covid-19 has changed the…

BEE WAS INTENDED AS A TOOL TO HELP FIX INJUSTICES OF PAST Impractical implications are wide-reaching HERMANN PRETORIUS and DUWAYNE ESAU SOUTH Africans must conclude from President Cyril Ramaphosa’s remarks last week on BEE that the ANC government has learnt nothing from the catastrophic failure of race-based empowerment policy, while ignoring better alternatives. Empowerment remains a critical challenge: South Africa’s high levels of joblessness, poverty and poor education outcomes point to the real needs of millions of citizens whose hopes of a better life have been, at best, poorly addressed by the race-based measures the ANC has stubbornly persisted in applying for more than two decades. A ready alternative is available. The Economic Empowerment for the Disadvantaged (EED) policy, formulated by Dr Anthea Jeffery, the head of policy research at…

Biden is no sleepy Joe JOE Biden, the 46th president of the US, is not only the oldest president in the country but he has 36 years of experience in the senate, eight of which were as a vice-president. His inauguration has been the culmination of his life’s political journey – a well-deserved prize for keeping the faith as a democrat. But the celebrations were marred by outgoing president Donald Trump who refused to attend the inauguration and traditionally welcome the new incumbent to the White House. The misery was further galvanised by the global coronavirus pandemic, which has claimed more than 400 000 American lives. Not since Lyndon Johnson in 1896, has a president not attended the inauguration of his successor. At 78, Biden did not deserve such treatment.…

Ramaphosa: invite US leaders to SA THE recent election of US President Joe Biden is a blessing for Africa. The continent would not be referred to as a s***hole anymore. Former president Donald Trump abolished the Southern African Free Trade Agreement, and now South Africa should approach the US via diplomatic channels to reinstate it. The treaty will be a positive signal for both our countries. It will also create jobs and wealth for unemployed people. President Thomas Jefferson, in 1801, advocated “peace, commerce and honest friendship with all nations”. President Cyril Ramaphosa should invite Biden and Vice-President Kamala Harris to an official visit next year. We must work for the social, economic and political revolution, which is also being pursued by Biden. SDARS APPALSAMY Netherlands…

LITTLE ANGELS TO ENTER Email a high resolution (between 500KB and 1MB) close-up picture of your baby to postbaby@inl.co.za Please include the baby’s name, age at the time of picture, parents’ names and contact details. Each monthly winner will go into the finals, where the POST Baby of the Year will be selected.…

THINK ABOUT MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WELL-BEING AS CONNECTED Looking after the body and mind in 2021 Dr Pascal burgMEr WHEN making resolutions for the new year, individuals often prioritise improving physical health or mental health, but rarely consider how one can affect the other. Should we be focusing on a new diet and a new exercise regime to get in shape? Or should we finally download that meditation or mindfulness app and start training our mental muscle? Research at the intersection of social psychology and philosophy suggests that it might be helpful to consider how the body and mind are interconnected, rather than focusing on one over the other. People have different viewpoints on how minds and bodies are related to each other, and we can reliably measure these lay…

THREE TRENDS TO LOOK OUT FOR Defining the future plans ISHAAN THAROOR IF YOU are like me, you were probably flooded with jubilant messages and memes about the end of 2020. Our black swan year of crisis and calamity, plague and polarisation is over. And this year, there are reasons for optimism, not least as countries around the world roll out the first phases of Covid-19 vaccine plans. But the broader picture could yet be quite grim. The beginning of this month marked the formal start of a new decade. To kick it off, I am spotlighting three trendlines that could define the years to come. Changing demographics According to a 2015 UN study, the world is expected to have a population of about 8.5 billion people in 2030 –…

getting HOOKED Dorado continue to steal the show THE fishing has been going very well along most of the KZN coast. The offshore and shore based anglers are all having a fantastic start to 2021. Dorado, dorado and some more dorado. These jumping bream have stolen the offshore show for the past few weeks and we are not complaining! The North Coast has seen plenty of action in the deep and shallow. The couta have been around in good numbers. Zinkwazi has been a hot spot but most of the lower North Coast has seen a good showing. Bait remains the main problem with getting a livey taking up most of the time. Get your hands on the best quality dead bait that you can and do not be afraid…

UPCOMING EPL FIXTURES TONIGHT Chelsea v Wolves (Live from 8pm on SuperSport); Burnley v Aston Villa (Live from 8pm on SuperSport); Brighton v Fulham (Live from 9.30pm on SuperSport); Manchester United v Sheffield United (Live from 10.15pm on SuperSport); Everton v Leicester City (Live from 10.15pm on SuperSport) TOMORROW JANUARY 28 Tottenham v Liverpool (Live from 10pm on SuperSport) SATURDAY, JANUARY 30 Everton v Newcastle (Live from 2.30pm on SuperSport); Crystal Palace v Wolves (Live from 5pm on SuperSport; Manchester City v Sheffield United (Live from 5pm on SuperSport); West Brom v Fulham (Live from 5pm on SuperSport); Arsenal v Man United (Live from 7.30pm on SuperSport);- Southampton v Aston Villa (Live from 10pm on SuperSport) SUNDAY, JANUARY 31 Chelsea v Burnley (Live from 2pm on Super-Sport); Leicester v Leeds…