Table of contents for 2023-01-04 in Post

THE new year is the start of the weight-loss frenzy season. But we fail to understand the importance of holistic health and wellness in dieting and detoxing. Nelile Nxumalo, a registered dietitian based in Richard’s Bay and a spokesperson for the Association for Dietetics in South Africa, said there were no quick fixes for weight loss. “The weight gain happens over an extended period, so there are no miracle solutions that will work overnight. Each person’s body is different. There are many factors that will determine whether a person will lose weight rapidly or not. These include lifestyle, age, environment, co-morbidities and social influences. “What works for one person might not particularly work for the other. If you reduce your calorie intake drastically, it often results in weight regain due…

NO MATTER how old you are, or how much junk food you consume, it is never too late to start undoing the damage caused by a poor diet. That’s the message from scientists who study how our food choices affect our lifespans and our risk of developing diseases. They found that people can gain sizeable health benefits at any age by cutting back on processed foods loaded with salt, sugar and other additives and replacing them with more nutritious foods like fruit, vegetables, nuts, beans, lentils, seafood and whole grains. Following a healthy diet from a young age will lead to gains in life expectancy. But people who wait until middle age or later to improve their eating habits can add years to their lives. The research shows that you…

ISHARA Pillay has launched her third novel, Not All Heroes Wear Capes. With this novel, Pillay wants children to know that no matter how difficult their circumstances, they can overcome anything if they put their minds to it. “The story is about an energetic, fun-loving boy who is involved in an accident. This results in a disability that shatters his dream of becoming a star rugby player. The message the story carries is for all ages.” Pillay launched her novel at the Barbara Dunbar Hall in Standerton, Mpumalanga. Born and raised in Dannhauser, KwaZulu-Natal, Pillay is an educator with 38 years of teaching experience. She matriculated at Dundee Secondary School in 1981 and graduated with a teacher’s diploma at the Springfield College of Education in 1985. The 59-year-old lives with…

AIDA Gengan, the owner of Fat Rabbit Bakery in Ballito, recently completed a special birthday bake. It was for LGB Baumann, a former MD of Bakers Biscuits and the creator of the current Bakers biscuits logo. He turned 100. According to the Bakers Facebook page, the original Bakers Man was developed in 1923. Baumann subsequently updated the logo. It is a symbol of the Bakers promise to offer quality and a guarantee to use only the finest ingredients and a touch of Bakers magic, said the social media page. In the original Bakers Man logo, the Bakers Man is not a baker but an old-time grocer, wearing an apron and a waistcoat, with a pencil behind his ear – and he carries a tin of Bakers Marie Biscuits. Gengan said…

This year, there will be an energy crisis globally. It will lead to escalated prices of bare essentials. This year’s amazing configuration of the planets that is taking place – that is the major planets Saturn, Jupiter, Rahu and Ketu – will change their zodiac sign among others that routinely change. As a result, 2023 is a mixture of good, bad, rough and fair. The world will be over the seriousness of Covid. It will be declared as a normal seasonal flu by the World Health Organization. As Saturn completes its cycle, we have also completed the era of Covid-19. Since the virus started with China, it will end with China, making a full circle. However, other infections will gain newfound strength. This new year begins on the star of…

You can’t hide it. The ANC is in a mess. President Cyril Ramaphosa might be relieved that he might have covered up the Phala Phala scandal but nothing will cover up what’s happening to the ANC. The ANC is rotting away. It has an incurable disease which affects every organ, limb and tissue of the party. It is so widespread that cutting off one part will not save the ANC. As it festers and decays, the stink gets bigger and nastier. Phew! What a stinking party we have to run the country! The 55th edition of the national elective conference at Nasrec speaks volumes of the organisational capabilities of Africa’s oldest liberation movement. For one thing, the conference could not get off on time. It started off badly, with the…

YOU have your first job. You now are earning your own money, which is amazing. You can now buy what you want without asking your parents. But with the way the world’s economies are going, one needs to think of the future and not just the here and now. Starting to save and invest your money will go a long way for your future. By investing as early as possible you allow the process of compounding to work to your advantage. As time goes on, your investments will earn interest and dividends. When starting to look at investment options it’s good to start off with an investment where you cannot lose your money easily. There are many ways to start investing. One of the most common ways is to buy…

“Our revenge will be the laughter of our children.” Those words belong to the Irish patriot Bobby Sands. I saw it emblazoned on the side of a tenement building as I walked the Falls Road in Belfast as a small tribute to the Republican volunteers. It was the same sentiment shared by Phyllis Naidoo, a veteran of the Struggle for freedom. She wrote prolifically about the ordinary people who stood up to apartheid oppression. The workers, the mothers and the children barely out of their teens pitching up on her doorstep for an unknown life in exile. Her vast body of published stories, letters and notes are the lasting memorial to those who don’t have tombstones or statues. More than any other subject is the recurrent theme of promoting and…

THE South African Pakistan Association wants justice after one of its members was shot during an attempted hijacking on Sunday. Raja Shahzad Hassan, 47, was killed near his hardware store in Pretoria North, Gauteng. Zafar Medhi, the president of the association in KwaZulu-Natal, said Hassan was the head of its Pretoria branch. He said Hassan had closed his hardware shop for the day and got into his Ford Ranger to go home to Laudium. “We believe a group of men tried to hijack him near the store and he tried to escape by driving off. The men opened fire on his vehicle causing his back glass to shatter. Bullets were lodged in his headrest and one wounded him on the neck.” Medhi said the suspects fled and people from the…

Another year has come to an end and the rock and surf summer fishing has just begun. If you haven’t opened your summer account yet, you still have time. With the summer heat comes the summer inedible smashes! The northern areas are on fire with the summer fish at the moment and some proper giants are being hooked (some landed). The north is definitely the place to go if you are looking for a bigger bite. There are many spots to go to and most of the deep-water areas will produce fish. Look for somewhere with deep water close to the shore. There are too many locations to mention on the North Coast. This area has produced the most consistent results over the past few weeks with sandies, diamonds and…

PRALENE Mahabir is a mom, poet and second-time published author. She recently released the children’s book, Cupcake Time. The 42-year-old started writing books in 2012 while working as a human resource manager at Mercedes-Benz South Africa in East London. “I lived in Durban for the first 22 years of my life, then we relocated as a family to East London in 1995,” said Mahabir. “I published my first book, First Day of the School Holidays, in 2013. I was inspired by my children Trishara (now 18) and Nirvaan (now 12). I also harboured a love for books from a young age. I believe reading is an intrinsic life skill, and it’s best imparted as early in life as possible. “I remember devouring books as a kid, as a teenager and…

Shameema Siddique-Dada has been an industrial psychologist for 17 years. Now she has ventured into the world of literature with her debut novel, The Stylish Psychologist. Siddique-Dada launched her novel at the SA Fashion Week AW 23 Collections in Midrand, Johannesburg. She said her work of fiction was about power plays between women in the corporate world. “It’s a story about a beautiful, stylish and a powerful woman named Azra Shah who lands her dream job as a psychologist in a ‘nightmare company’. “There’s so much stacked against her in this new job and she has to deal with the dynamics of the corporate space. The story has depth and meaning.” She described the book as quirky and funny, adding that she hoped it would be turned into a film.…

ON THE hunt for new and exciting ways to keep fit? As part of its recently released annual Fitness Report, PureGym has revealed the workout trends set to take the new year by storm, and it looks like the viral 12-3-30 workout will be leading the way for fitness fanatics. PureGym compiled 125 fitness trends by tracking any mentioned in news articles covering “fitness trends” from 2019 to 2022. The trends were then analysed using Google Keyword Planner. The monthly worldwide Google search volumes from July to September 2021 and from July to September 2022 were taken, and the percentage increase/decrease for each trend was calculated to provide the final ranking. Data correct as of November 2022. By analysing the number of monthly Google searches for more than 120 fitness…

With reference to the column, “Who were the three wise men?” by Eric Vanden Eykel (POST, December 21-25), which drew attention to the magi. It was, unfortunately, a deviation from the most relevant matter of interest at this time of year. Christians always give importance to the nativity. They always give it global relevance without due consideration. The most important question concerns the new King and how He is understood. The non-Christian view of Him can’t possibly be the same as Christians know Him. All discussion concerning the magi will have to be confined to the Christian context. They have no relevance to Eastern religions. One appreciates, however, that Zoroastrianism features in Christian discussion to some extent. As a Hindu I have given my respectful attention to the King over…

Many of the world’s religions condemn suicide. Some faiths argue that suicide is self-murder, and it is the same as if the person killed another human being. Traditional Christian beliefs discourage suicide. Among Catholics, suicide was traditionally considered a mortal sin. Hadiths, or sayings attributed to the Prophet Muhammad, warn Muslims against committing suicide, saying those who kill themselves will suffer in hell. In Hinduism, suicide is referred to by the Sanskrit word atmahatya which literally means “soul-murder”, and which is said to produce a string of karmic reactions that prevent the soul from obtaining liberation. According to the Hindu philosophy of birth and rebirth, in not being reincarnated, souls linger on the earth, and at times, trouble the living. Here, think Highway Sheila. Legend has it that she met…

STRINI Chetty is still on the run. Chetty, 35, has been wanted by Durban North police since December 2019, for allegedly killing Bilquees Hussain and Bradley Hiralal. It is alleged that Hussain, 29, and Hiralal, 34, were travelling in a black BMW convertible on uMhlanga Rocks Drive near the Douglas Saunders Circle when Chetty who was also driving a black BMW, fired at them and sped off. The convertible crashed into a barrier at the traffic circle. Hussain, from Newlands West, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and died at the scene. Hiralal, of Phoenix, also sustained multiple gunshot wounds and later died in hospital. Chetty and Hussain were previously in a relationship and were parents of two boys. Chetty has been missing since the shooting. Harilal’s sister, Nerisa Harilal, said: “The…

GAISHRIE Sharon Singh launched her debut novel, Pain to Power to Purpose: A Journey of Transformation, at the Made in Chatsworth Market recently. She said it was a memoir of her journey as a girl from Redcliffe, Verulam, and how she rose above physical and emotional abuse, patriarchy, and colourism to achieve success in South Africa. “While the story is written as a memoir, it intends to decipher the healing process and uncover many catalysts in the healing journey.” Singh is the founder/director of the Institute of Metaphysical Science, SA; the sole proprietor of Educate Africa as well as the founder/director of Soul Sutra (Pty) Ltd. She said she was prompted by assumptions made by people about her life to write. “People see me and assume I have lived an…

If PEOPLE changed the way they looked at the world, they moved away from a boxed to a box-less mentality, said Stanley Munsami of Woodview, Phoenix. The 67-year-old – a former high school secretary and the owner of Adonai Gowns, a manufacturer of legal and graduation attire – recently wrote the 200-page self-help book, Next New. “I believe people empowerment brings self-fulfilment. I was a facilitator on leadership, training and empowerment. The training was consistently geared towards transforming leaders to become culturally relevant and sensitive. “The idea for the book emerged from my dissertation Paradigm Shift in Leadership for a doctorate in leadership in 2018 at American Vision University in California. “I started writing during the Covid-19 lockdown and after my son Jeremy’s death due to heart failure in 2020.…

SHORTLY after Babita Deokaran was killed, Joe Nkuna planted a nectarine tree in her memory. Last month, the tree bore its first fruit. Nkuna, 48, is a businessman from Tshwane. In 2021, he was fined R1 500 by the Tshwane Municipality for planting cabbages outside his home, for his wife, Lorica, a volunteer social worker. She distributed the produce to underprivileged families in the Soshanguve area. Nkuna, pictured, took the matter to court and won. In August 2021, Deokaran, 53, who was the chief director of financial accounting at the Gauteng Department of Health, was shot outside her home in Mondeor, south of Johannesburg. Deokaran had returned home from leaving her daughter, 17, at school. Gunmen opened fire on her vehicle while she waited to enter her property. She was…

“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.” Those were the poignant words that reverberated in the United States during the presidency of John F Kennedy until he was assassinated in 1963. In fact, President Kennedy was the only president to challenge all citizens to sacrifice and inspire people to commit to his vision. Taking up the cudgel were many South African freedom fighters. During 1963 and 1964, one of the chief architects of the country’s freedom Struggle, Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, also made a courageous speech at the Rivonia Trial: “During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this Struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished…

THE kindness, warmth, and assistance given to the Boksburg gas explosion victims is an act of humanity. Helpers bravely assisted the injured as flames shattered the environment. The impact area resembled a war zone. Communities and organisations rallied to confront a raging inferno that placed a neighbourhood in danger. Among these organisations were the Gift of the Givers and the directors of Goodies Funerals. December 24 will be embedded in our collective memories. To all those who contributed, your selfless actions reflect the indomitable spirit of our rainbow country and this spirit will inspire the recovery ahead. FAROUK ARAIE Benoni…

This Sunday the ANC will turn 111 – an auspicious number irrespective of your religious views. In Christianity, the number supposedly represents the Holy Trinity – God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit. The number is seen as a wake-up call and a chance at salvation. And God knows, there are many in the ruling party who are in need of salvation. Psalms is the only Biblical book that has chapter 111. These lines praise God’s faithfulness and enduring righteousness – something many in the ANC should strive for in their personal and public lives. In Islam, chapter 111 of the Qur’an tells of the punishment Abu Lahab and his wife would experience in hell for trying to frustrate the message of Islam that was being…

BLOOD stocks at the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) remain critically low. This prompted the non-profit organisation that provides human blood for transfusion to appeal for blood donations. “Blood stocks fluctuate throughout the year. As we enter the new year, the bloodstock levels become even more compromised. This period traditionally yields low collections, especially because a number of corporates at which we do regular blood drives have closed for the festive season. As a result, it is difficult to reach our regular donors,” said Thandi Mosupye, the communications and marketing manager at SANBS. She said the demand for blood supplies increased over the holidays due to the increased number of road fatalities. “Considering that less than 1% of South Africans donate blood, the requirement for blood becomes much higher…

A 15-YEAR-OLD girl’s hair and scalp were ripped off while go-karting. The incident happened last week at Action Karting Gateway at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping. Kristen Govender’s long hair allegedly became entangled in the go-kart axle while she was enjoying her second lap with her younger brother on the track. Her father, Vernon Govender, said Kristin, a Grade 10 pupil at Palmview Secondary School, was with his son, his sister and his brother-in-law. “During her first lap of the course, Kristin did spin off on to the barrier. That is when the back of the go-kart became loose. “The cover covering the axel looked loose to her. When one of the officials came up to her, she asked about the loose cover. The official told her it was fine,…