Table of contents for 2024-05-28 in Post

250g pasta, uncooked 1 medium onion, chopped 1 small chilli, chopped 2 tsp crushed garlic 250g lean lamb or beef mince 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp onion powder 1½ tsp garlic powder 1 cup mushrooms, chopped 1 tub (250g) low-fat cottage cheese 1 cup low-fat milk` 2 cups loosely packed spinach leaves 85g watercress salt and pepper, to taste Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, then drain and set aside. In a pot, sauté the onion and chilli until the onion is translucent. Add the crushed garlic to the pan and sauté until aromatic. Add the mince to the pot and brown it over medium heat until cooked. Stir in the paprika, onion powder and garlic powder, and cook for 3 minutes. Add the mushrooms to the pan…

A MARBURG car enthusiast was shot dead during a cash-in-transit (CIT) heist on the N2 near Ifafa, on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, after the robbers allegedly mistook his Isuzu double cab, fitted with a strobe light, as a security vehicle. Caylin Lee Naidoo, 23, the owner of Leez Trucking, was on his way to Marburg from Durban last Wednesday, after fetching his uncle from hospital, when he was shot in the head as he approached the heist scene. The bullet had come through the windscreen. Amit Devir, the managing director of G4S Cash Solutions, said approximately 15 perpetrators in a number of vehicles were involved in the attack, firing shots to force their cash management vehicle off the road. The vehicle was subsequently bombed, he said. “The CIT industry plays…

NEW DELHI: Businessman Anil Kumar Gupta and Ajay Kumar Gupta, who were arrested by the police in Dehradun on charges of abetment of suicide of a prominent builder, were sent to judicial custody for 14 days at the weekend. While sending the Gupta brothers to judicial custody, the Special Judicial Magistrate Court also sought a response from the police on the bail application lodged by the accused. The Gupta brothers were arrested after Dehradun-based builder, Satinder Singh Sawhney, named them in a suicide note. In his note addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Sawhney said the Gupta relatives had been threatening him for some time over financial matters related to a partnership project. This, he said, led him to take his own life. Sawhney tragically ended his life by jumping…

DRY taps cost a Tongaat man his life, and his pensioner “mother” was left with only the clothes on her back after their home was gutted by a fire on Friday morning. Despite two fire extinguishers in the low-cost housing complex, Renuka Singh, 78, of Pension Cottage, in Plane Street, was helpless to contain the fire because there was no water at the time. Singh’s “son”, Steven Govender, 59, died of smoke inhalation and extensive burns. Govender had moved out of his Buffelsdale home, where he lived with his wife and children, after a domestic dispute. In an interview with the POST on Monday, Singh said she was outside her house planting a tulsi tree (holy basil) in the garden, when she saw thick, black smoke coming out of the…

THE Media Review Network welcomes the latest verdict from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), in the case brought by South Africa, ordering the Zionist entity to immediately cease all military operations and withdraw from Rafah in Gaza. The court further ordered the Zionist entity to withdraw from the Rafah Crossing and allow unhindered flow of aid into the besieged enclave. In light of the desperate humanitarian situation, the ICJ reiterated previous orders made, including ordering the entity to cease all genocidal actions against the Palestinians. Hot on the heels of news of the impending ICC arrest warrants for the Zionist entity’s chief genocide enablers, Netenyahu and Gallant, the ICJ ruling is expected to pile additional international and diplomatic pressure on the regime in Tel Aviv. The international consensus is…

THIRU Chetty of Athlone Park in eManzimtoti will participate in his first Comrades Marathon. The 33-year-old said his decision was inspired by wanting to conquer the fear of such a big event. “I’ve grown up watching the Comrades Marathon on TV with my parents and two siblings, so to have the opportunity to take part in the ‘ultimate human race’ is a dream come true,” said Chetty, who will be running for Amanzimtoti Athletic Club. “My uncles have always pushed us to play sports and to be active. This is probably my main driver to compete. These days we tend to get so distracted by our daily commitments that we forget about our health,” said Chetty, who manages a logistics company. He also manages canteens at Kingsway High and Amanzimtoti…

THE Comrades Marathon Association has confirmed that there will be 48 well-stocked and strategically positioned refreshment stations along this year’s up-run route, from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, to provide for runners’ hydration and sustenance. The refreshment stations will be staffed by nearly 5 000 volunteers from sponsoring companies and service organisations, many of which have been providing this service for more than a decade. Along the 85.91km route from Durban to Pietermaritzburg on June 9, the 48 refreshment stations will stock the following: Coke: 30 350 litres Fanta/Crème Soda: 10 650 litres Coke paper cups (175ml): 450 000 Thirsti water sachets: 2.2 million Thirsti sports drink sachets: 600 000 Asemzansi Amahewu: 45 000 Bavaria 0.0% Beer: 10 000 x 150ml cans Cooked baby potatoes: 2 tons Bananas: 600 boxes Oranges: 4.5…

OVER the years the making and unmaking of communities was shaped by various events. Group identity was reinforced by Group Areas and “Own Affairs” legislation. This was unmade with the democratic elections in 1994, and the non-racial character of society was in the making. Currently this is being unmade with racial fears, insecurity linked to crime, a weak and declining economy, and the growing ethnic identity-based movement. Is our society becoming more divided due to greed, corruption, state failures and the lack of political hegemony? Will racial hatred and racial prejudice remain with us forever? How do we rebuild a base of ethics and responsible freedoms once more? Are women bearing the brunt of the loss of a sense of safety? The 1980s was characterised by mass political action. This…

TOMORROW, May 29, the electoral ink on your nail will carry the power to influence policies, hold leaders answerable, and create a more inclusive society. A possible 27 672 264 registered voters will decide the make-up of South Africa’s next government in the general elections. Of this number, 5 728 165 (20.7%) are in KwaZulu- Natal, the second highest number of eligible voters after Gauteng. Voting is not just a right; it is a responsibility and privilege that every citizen should cherish and embrace if you want to hold the government accountable. Election 2024 is most decisive for South Africa and has all the makings to reshape democracy. The once great and powerful ANC could lose its majority as the ruling party and President Cyril Ramaphosa will have to engage…

YOU may call me Ravi or by my legal name, John. But please do not call me “boss” or “larney”. I will ignore you if you do that. In the recent past, in this newspaper, I wrote a column on don’t call me “uncle”. On both of these subjects, I am not just being a purist, but I feel that we must adhere to proper decorum and manners when interacting with our fellow beings. I feel that as self-respecting individuals, we need not put anyone on a higher level than one’s self. I can proudly say that I have never called my employers by any term other than Mr... or Editor. While the person may be your superior in rank, he does not own you. He pays your salary and…

IN HIS quest for justice for his brother’s murder, a Durban man is challenging Sydenham police who, he alleges, are not pursuing leads that could help find the killer. Shaeen Chetty, 29, a call centre agent from Reservoir Hills, was stabbed twice in the stomach and once in the back of the neck during an alleged robbery at the Burnwood informal settlement in Sydenham on April 27. The father of one was with his brother, Amir Chetty, 33, self-employed. Amir, who lives in Sydenham, was also stabbed but survived the attack. Amir said almost every Friday he met Shaeen in the Durban CBD after work and on most occasions they went out for drinks at different bars. “On April 26, between 5pm and 6pm, Shaeen sent me a message on…

MORE than five years later, hundreds of informal dwellers who were removed from their tin homes to make way for formal housing, are still waiting for the homes they were promised. Last Thursday, eThekwini mayor Mxolisi Kaunda launched the R52 million Umbhayi Housing Project in Rajkumar (also known as Buffelskloof or Umbhayi), in Tongaat. Kaunda, who addressed the crowd, said the project was a move towards addressing the housing backlog in the city, and ensuring that people lived in a clean and conducive environment. He said the project, an informal settlement upgrade, would yield 779 double-storey housing units on completion. “The municipality has been building formal houses for people, which has restored their dignity and brought comfort to many. This project will see hundreds of beneficiaries’ dream of owning…

CONGRATULATIONS to all the Comrades Marathon qualifiers. Here are some interesting training facts relating to the countdown: From now until June 9, most of you will be running an average of 110km a week. I recommend that your chosen daily running distance is combined with weight training. Keep up with aerobics and robust muscle strength exercises. Weight training includes abdominal strength training, deadlifts as well as squats and arms. Road runners are reaching their peak condition. If not, you have a few days left to spur you on. Taper down on strong exercise. Tapering down means that all cross training, weight training and bulking will gradually be reduced to zero. Thereafter you are in a rest period. Research has shown that runners who train hard will continue to gain strength,…

SACKED Barcelona coach Xavi Hernandez said he leaves the club disappointed after feeling his work was not appreciated enough as they finished the season with a 2-1 win at Sevilla on Sunday. Xavi, 44, who joined Bara on a three-year deal when Dutchman Ronald Koeman left in 2021, led the Catalan giants to their 27th league title last season. He compiled 90 wins, 23 draws and 29 defeats in 142 games in charge but was fired on Friday. “I have the feeling that everything I have done in these two-and-a-half years has caused an earthquake. I have been targeted many times in many situations,” Xavi said. “I think that the work has not been sufficiently appreciated. This year we haven’t been up to the task because of details. We had…

While parenthood comes easy for some, for more than 20% of mothers the new chapter of life creates stress, anxiety and post-partum depression, which can turn fatal for both the mother and child without adequate support. According to doctors, post-partum depression is common, but it is also a treatable medical condition that many women face after childbirth. The exact cause can be difficult to identify, but several factors can contribute to these feelings of sadness, anxiety and tiredness. It can occur as a result of genetics, hormonal changes, sleep deprivation, fatigue or the pressure of becoming a mother. A total of 22% of women report post-partum depression within two weeks of delivery. Dr Saurabh Mehrotra, associate director of psychiatry at the Institute of Neurosciences in Medanta, Gurugram, India, said…

Vermicelli: 1 cup vermicelli 1½ cups almond milk ½ tsp cardamom powder 1 tsp vanilla essence 2 tbs honey 1/3 cup roasted almonds, chopped ¼ cup desiccated coconut salt to taste Toast the vermicelli until nutty brown. Add the almond milk, cardamom powder, vanilla essence and honey. Boil, then simmer. Stir in the roasted almonds and desiccated coconut. Cook until creamy. Cool and refrigerate. Mango purée: 2 cups fresh mango or frozen mango, chopped 1 tbs honey Blend the mangoes and honey until smooth. Reserve two tablespoons. Chia pudding: 3 tbs chia seeds ½ cup almond milk ½ tsp vanilla essence 1 tbs honey 2 tbs mango purée (reserved from the mango purée) Mix the chia seeds with the almond milk, vanilla essence, honey and reserved mango purée. Refrigerate for…

MORE than 70 individuals, activists and members of civil society organisations, drawn from a range of faith communities, have added their names to a list citing concern at the statements Imraan Moosa is alleged to have made on a WhatsApp group. The signatories challenged the statements on several levels. “First, inflammatory and bigoted statements made in the context of an election campaign go against the letter and spirit of the pledges made by all political parties, including your Al Jama-Ah party, to the IEC, and South Africa as a whole. It may even contravene our electoral laws and regulations. “Second, the statements smack of vulgar religious superiority and arrogance. No religious group has the right to assert its supposed superiority over any other and underpin our laws governing hate speech.…

Despite experiencing problems with his heart, Perumal “Richard” Naidoo, a member of the Team Vitality Running Club, has been given the green light to participate in his 13th Comrades Marathon. Naidoo, 62, of the Bluff, said he started training and getting into marathon running in 2000. “I did this primarily for health reasons. While growing up, my parents did not have good health, so I was determined to live a healthier life to promote that kind of lifestyle for my kids,” said Naidoo, a retired transport manager. “The road to marathon running began with 5km family fun runs hosted by Chatsworth Athletic Club. I then set the bar higher and eventually attempted my first Comrades Marathon in 2003. “Accomplishing the Comrades Marathon was an amazing experience and got me hooked…

Naidoo’s best time in the Comrades was 6 hours and 7 minutes in 1986. He won the 42km Coca-Cola Marathon from Greytown to Pietermaritzburg in 1979. He broke the 100km track record in the Sax Young Oval in Pietermaritzburg at a time of 7 hours and 9 minutes. He completed the Bergville to Ladysmith 56km marathon from 1978 to 1993, achieving 15 medals. He ran the Two Oceans Marathon eight times. He took part in the Dusi Canoe Race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban from 1981 to 1983 and the Iron Man in Pietermaritzburg in 1983. He competed in a relay for Nike in the US.…

SOUTH Africans are jittery about the outcome of the forthcoming elections tomorrow. President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent signing of the NHI Bill into law has further aggravated feelings and ruffled feathers. The nation’s sense of patriotism is at its lowest ebb. There is widespread consensus that South Africa is on a downward trajectory. At this time of uncertainty, what does patriotism mean, asks an eminent academic, Norah Hashim Msuya. Patriotism, she says, is an inclusive feeling of pride and love for one’s country and its people accompanied by feelings of wanting to serve and uplift one’s country. “It translates into responsible active citizenship and a deep respect for all the symbols that characterise one’s place in that society.” How many South Africans can say that they have this feeling of belonging…

WHAT started as the Moonshot Pact has now become the Multi-Party Charter (MPC). The obvious question is, why was this coalition formed? The simple answer is that none of these parties had the influence or ability to attract a large enough voter base to challenge the ruling ANC on their own. Why is this so? The policies and values of these individual parties do not appeal to most South African people. The DA, as the country’s official opposition, has come to realise that there is no substantial growth as a party and this MPC has become a hopeful throw of the dice. The DA embarked on winning back its conservative following after 2019, with realigned policy direction compatible not only to these voters but its funders as well. The party’s…

THE upcoming 97th edition of the Comrades Marathon marks another milestone in the legacy of this ultimate human race run between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. In this column, I delve into the domain of Ayurveda, offering insights into the best Ayurvedic herbs renowned for enhancing stamina and endurance. Additionally, I explore a spectrum of Ayurvedic treatments, accessible both within the comfort of one’s home and under the guidance of an Ayurvedic practitioner. Lastly, I touch on the crucial aspects of diet, essential for maintaining peak performance of both the body and mind. Ayurveda, an ancient and holistic system of medicine, aims to foster a harmonious equilibrium between the body and mind. Ayurvedic practices are supported by scientific principles, with many medicinal herbs garnering support from clinical evidence. Within this system of…

PARIS Saint-Germain finished the season with a domestic double after beating Lyon in Saturday’s French Cup final but will now start building for another assault on the Champions League next year, this time without Kylian Mbappe. The France captain brought the curtain down on his seven-year spell at PSG in the 2-1 win over Lyon, in which he failed to add to his club-record tally of 256 goals as Ousmane Dembele and Fabian Ruiz netted on the night. It was a deserved victory against a Lyon team that had been the best side in France in the second half of the season after sitting bottom of the table in December. But PSG’s ongoing dominance of the French game simply reflects their crushing financial power compared to every other club. Going…

Proper intake of calcium and vitamin D in pregnancy might be key for good bone health in women during and after birth, said experts. A woman’s bone health can change before and after pregnancy. Her body undergoes changes to support the foetus, and this affects bone health. “Oestrogen that helps maintain bone density reduces during pregnancy, leading to increased bone resorption. This involves breaking down old bones in the body to release calcium needed by a growing baby. Vitamin D deficiency and anaemia further add to bone loss,” said Sandhya Rani, a senior consultant in obstetrics and gynaecology at the Aster Women and Children Hospital in Bengaluru, India. Some women with inadequate levels of calcium and vitamin D are likely to suffer from pregnancy-associated osteoporosis. Although rare, these women experience…

2 tbs olive oil or Canola 1 tsp paprika ½ tsp black pepper 1 ½ tsp garlic powder 1 tsp onion powder 2 tsp honey salt to taste 2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into wedges 1 small butternut squash or ½ of a medium one, peeled, seeded and cut into wedges Preheat the air fryer to 180°C for 3 minutes. In a bowl, combine the oil, paprika, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, honey and salt. Add the sweet potato and butternut squash wedges to the bowl and toss until evenly coated with the seasoning mixture. Arrange the wedges in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd them. Air fry the wedges for 15 to 20 minutes, flipping halfway through the cooking time,…

2 tbs oil 1 medium onion, chopped 1 long sprig curry leaves 1 small chilli, chopped 2 tbs crushed garlic 1 tbs ginger 2 medium tomatoes, grated 1 tsp Kashmiri masala 1 can (453g) chickpeas, drained and rinsed ½ tsp salt (or to taste) 1½ tsp cumin powder (jeera) 1 tsp coriander powder (dhania) ¼ tsp turmeric powder ½ tsp garam masala 1 cup boiled water 3 cups loosely packed baby spinach ½ cup plain low-fat yoghurt Heat the oil in a pan. Add the onion, curry leaves and chilli. Sauté until the onions are translucent. Add the garlic and ginger, and sauté until fragrant. Add the tomatoes and cook until they break down. Add the Kashmiri masala powder. Mix well. Add the chickpeas, salt, jeera powder, dhania powder, turmeric…

INSPIRED by her forefathers and her father who made an indelible mark in the sugar industry, Sinthi Rama Naidoo made history when she was recently appointed as the first female general manager of the 114-year-old Tongaat Hulett Maidstone Sugar Mill. Naidoo, 43, of Gledhow, in KwaDukuza, said she was honoured by her appointment, and aimed to serve and make a difference at the mill. She said she had been acting in the position since the beginning of the year. Her appointment as the general manager will be effective as of June 1 “Having come from humble beginnings, I was blessed to have parents who did their best, with limited resources, to open doors for me. Once I got through the door, it was up to me to keep pushing and…

LENASIA ward 9 councillor Imraan Moosa is feeling the heat ahead of tomorrow’s election after the director of the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Neeshan Balton, accused him of “treating South Africans who are of other faiths with contempt”. Balton challenged Moosa over a WhatsApp message purportedly posted by him on a private Islamic group. The message called on Muslims to “… open the pathway to guidance by enjoining right and forbidding evil”. It goes on to say: “It’s time for a CALL TO JUSTICE FOR THE MUSLIMS. NO BETTER NATION TO DO IT… *MUSLIMS MUST LEAD*. Non-Muslims waiting for guidance.” However, Moosa accused Balton of posting “misleading and disingenuous” information on social media ahead of the national elections. In the letter by Balton, written in his personal capacity to Moosa, he…

ON DECEMBER 29, 2023, or thereabouts, South Africa instituted a case under the 1948 genocide convention following the Holocaust. South Africa argued Palestinians’ inalienable right to protection under that convention was at risk of being violated and called on the ICJ, as guardian of that treaty, to step in. The May 24, 2024, decision isn’t about whether or not genocidal acts are being committed in Gaza, but rather whether there is a plausible risk to the Palestinian people’s right to protection. Israel has vehemently denied South Africa’s allegations. On Friday, an international panel of judges at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled 13-2 that Israel should halt its offensive in Rafah and open the border crossing with Egypt to allow in more humanitarian aid. It also called upon Israel…

ROSHNI Pillay is set to complete her 10th Comrades Marathon. Pillay, 52, of Phoenix, a housewife, said: “I joined the Woodview Athletic Club in early 2000 to keep fit and destress. “Not long thereafter, I discovered my love for running and took on longer- distance races. “My first Comrades run was in 2010 from Durban to Pietermaritzburg. I completed the race under the 12-hour cut-off, which was both a phenomenal and emotional experience. “The experience year after year is beyond words and that is all thanks to the amazing support given to us along the way by complete strangers on the sidelines, and to fellow athletes running alongside us. “In this race there are no men and women, only determined humans,” said Pillay. She followed no particular plan, she said.…

POOBIE Naidoo’s feet have carried him further than most people could ever dream. His journey, spanning decades and countless kilometres as a runner, particularly in the Comrades Marathon, is a testament to his unwavering dedication, passion and unbreakable spirit. From the sun-drenched streets of Pietermaritzburg to the gruelling hills of Durban, Naidoo has conquered it all – one step at a time. The 76-year-old of Town Bush Valley in Pietermaritzburg, the founder of Poobie Naidoo Sports, got into marathon running after failing to get his black belt in karate for the second time. “Once I started running in the 1970s, a passion was ignited in me and I couldn’t stop,” said Naidoo, who completed 26 Comrades Marathons. “I realised that when I was running, it allowed my mind to almost…

READING the first three pages of the POST, May 22-26, made me feel absolutely sad. The reported crimes highlighted the significant challenges our nation is currently facing. We have the power to come together and drive positive change. Instead of feeling disheartened, we can take proactive steps to enhance safety in our communities for everyone. This involves being more vigilant in protecting vulnerable citizens and addressing the underlying causes of crime. While the recent events are distressing, they also serve as a wake-up call for us to hold our government accountable and advocate for policies that prioritise safety and justice. We must channel our concerns into constructive action, whether advocating for improved law enforcement, supporting community initiatives, or engaging in discussions about potential solutions. We can utilise our voices and…

AS WE prepare for the most crucial general elections, the most pivotal issue that will direct the fate of our country will be the abject poverty. Ten percent of South Africans live in opulence, while 35% are ranked as the middle class and more than 50% live in abject poverty – a ticking time bomb involving over 50 million people. Poverty is a weapon of mass destruction that could set this country ablaze, until and unless it is eliminated. It was poverty that served as a catalyst during the chaos of the July 2021 riots, which came so close to decimating the country. The major cause of all the unrest in our rainbow nation is endemic poverty. Poverty is the absence of all human rights. The frustrations and anger generated…

THREE Chatsworth men accused of kidnapping, assault, murder and defeating the ends of justice after they allegedly “hid the body of their friend”, want to be released on bail. Shiraz Parmanand, 41, Akhilesh “Beef” Bugwandeen, 27, Ismael Mohammed “Smiley” Khan, 18, and Azghar Ally “Babu” Khan, 31, appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday last week. Azghar, charged only with kidnapping and assault, was granted R8 000 bail. The other suspects were remanded in custody until their bail application is heard this week. It has been alleged the four accused, who live in Montford, had an altercation with their neighbour and friend, Mohamed Zayed Sultan, 45, on April 24. They had allegedly gone in search of Sultan when they came in contact with his friend, Ifthikar Singh. It’s alleged…

AS I embark on my journey towards the ultimate human race, the Comrades Marathon, every step becomes a testament to dedication, perseverance and the power of disciplined training. Having had the opportunity of being at the starting line eight times already, gives me the sense of pride that as a young South African I could be part of one of the world’s greatest sporting events. With each sunrise, my preparation for this gruelling ultra-marathon unfolds; blending rigorous training sessions with meticulous attention to nutrition, and meal preparation. A typical day in the week kicks-off with an early start; usually waking up before the sun rises to gear up for a run. This happens before many people start their day’s activities. My training regimen is a carefully-crafted tapestry by specialists within…

THE rock and surf fishing has seen a mix of edibles mainly. The inedibles caught have been with the smaller pockets of sardines or up north. Spoons come in many shapes, sizes and amazing colours. They can be very beautiful to look at and extremely confusing to buy. To break it down as simply as possible; spoons can be broken down in to straight and bent spoons. Straight spoons are for faster retrieves and a more reaction-style bite. Bent spoons are for slower retrieves and an injured baitfish look. Species that prefer a slower spoon are the likes of kob, shad and garrick. Straight/fast spoons are for the likes of couta, snoek and yellowtail. Of course, there are no rules so don’t be surprised when a couta eats a slow…