Table of contents for 2024-07-17 in Post

I recently spent 10 days in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, as well as in Istanbul, Turkey. In between conference, there were some magnificent sights to take in. But the beauty of old buildings and natural attractions were overshadowed by one thing: My craving for a good curry. There was only so much of the tastiest fettuccine alfredo pasta; pizzas where the dough just melts in your mouth; honey-soaked baklava; a variety of flavours of Turkish Delight; and calamari with chips that my taste buds could take before they started crying out for home-made curry. There are a dozen or so Indian restaurants in Ljubljana, and with names such as Namaste, Taj Mahal, Maharaja and Bombay Fresh, you would have gathered that they specialised in North Indian dishes. Lots of…

Aurets is a healer, psychic medium, intuitive mentor, masseuse and regression therapist. She also teaches meditation and breath work. She is passionate about holistic care and offers a small range of holistic products. Aurets practises in the Upper Highway, KZN. Find her on https://www.facebook.com/healing 1920. Contact her at 079 356 4657 or theeternalbreath@gmail.com ARIES (March 21 – April 19) Set daily time aside for regaining inner peace. Release worries. Releasing unserving thoughts and emotions are done by going within. Concerted efforts should be made to regain positive outlooks and thoughts. You deserve peace. Magic number: 8. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) Don’t doubt your soaring capabilities when you leap. Faith may be tested yet you have much to offer. Be brave. The first steps are the hardest.…

500g lamb mince 1 onion, finely chopped 2 celery stalks, chopped 3 large garlic cloves, minced 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves 2 carrots, diced ½ tsp chilli powder 1 tsp Ina Parmaan Garlic and Herb Seasoning 2 bay leaves 2 tbs tomato paste 1 mutton stock cube 1 tbs cornflour 2 cup hot water salt Heat a large pan and brown the mince. Add the onion, celery, garlic, thyme and carrots, and cook until the carrots are tender. Add the chilli powder, garlic and herb seasoning, bay leaf and the tomato paste. Cook for a minute. Mix the stock cube together with the cornflour in 2 cups hot water, and add it to the mince. Cook until the gravy thickens, about 20 minutes. Season with more salt. Preheat the oven…

500g portobellini mushrooms 2 tbs olive oil 1 tbs butter 1 onion, finely chopped 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves 2 tsp sweet paprika 1 tbs soy sauce 2 tsp lemon juice 1 tbs cake wheat or all-purpose flour ½ cup milk 1½ cup vegetable stock 1/3 cup sour cream 2 tbs chopped parsley Add the olive oil and onion to a pan, and sauté on low heat until translucent Turn the heat up, and add the mushrooms and the thyme. Cook until all the liquid from the mushroom has dried up, about 5 minutes Add the garlic and cook for a minute. Mix in the paprika. Add the tablespoon of flour and cook for a further minute Mix the milk and cook for 2 minutes.…

IT SEEMS that some individuals do not fully grasp the significance of the declaration that children are the most vulnerable group in society. The reality underscores the necessity for all of us to come together and actively participate in building an environment where children are free from abuse. A nation that invests in its children invests in its future. The sporadic incidences of child abuse and murders – whether occurring in private child and youth care centres, in homes or at the hands of guardians – must be universally condemned. The protection of children remains everyone’s responsibility. Some immature individuals may turn a blind eye to the abuse of children in their neighbourhoods, but this is unacceptable. Children’s rights are enshrined in the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa,…

IS THE life of fish more precious than human life? Judging by the brutal assault on an angler by a squad of police officers at eMkhomazi (Umkomaas), it would appear the long arm of the law prioritises animal life over human life. The angler was viciously attacked and hit on the head several times before being violently pushed to the ground and taken into custody. He had allegedly been in possession of more than the bag limit for shad. The fisherman was due to appear in court but the prosecution declined to take the case any further. According to a post on social media by IFP councillor Jane Naidoo who represents Umkomaas in the eThekwini Municipality, his father said there was no fish found in his son’s possession, he was…

THE Natal Indian Congress (NIC) 130 Organising Committee said in a statement this week that it was “simply wrong to attempt to use the name and identity of the NIC to promote a new political organisation, whatever its intention”. They said they had been active leaders or members of the NIC collectively over many decades. Among the members and supporters are Ela Gandhi, Sunny Singh, Pravin Gordhan, Yusuf Bhamjee, Yunus Carrim, Spider Juggernath, Alf Karrim, Logie Naidoo, Ravi Pillay, Abba Omar, Sham Maharaj, Eunice David, Maggie Govender, Ashok Chandika, Selvan Chetty, Abin Badal and Kiru Naidoo. The committee said members and supporters of the committee, both individually and collectively as the NIC, have been active participants in the Struggle that produced South Africa’s democracy and current constitutional framework. “Our…

JAISINGH Surujbullee Singh’s paternal grandmother, Takurine Singh, was an indentured labourer and a great community worker, while his late father, SM Singh, a school principal, was referred to as “a legend in our town” as a voluntary social worker. This quote by Mr YS Chinsamy appeared in the Daily News (December 19, 1989), paying tribute to SM Singh, who believed in the dictum, “Serve ’til you drop”. His son is trying to emulate this dictum. Singh attended the Umhloti Government State Aided Indian School in Verulam and then went to Sastri College, Durban (1946-1949). Tertiary education was self-study after matriculating. In 1952, he lived in Sezela Workers’ Barracks, sharing ablution facilities, etc, and here he experienced the difficult conditions under which the labourers – the workers of the estate –…

In June 2020, evangelist Simeon Bradley Chetty posted a video on Facebook of him testifying about his conversion from Hinduism to Christianity at an open-air church service. The Equality Court ordered him to apologise to the Hindu community. Two weeks later, a 16-second clip of Reverend Llewellyn Joseph from February 2020 resurfaced on Facebook, where Joseph is heard praying for a congregation of worshippers. During his prayer, he calls out for a congregation member who feels a sense of heaviness in his or her home and family when Kavady is being observed. In December last year, Pastor Bob Perumal was delivering a sermon at the Queensburgh Congregational Church when he said the Shiva Lingum was a demon, invading Europe with yoga. A video of his sermon went viral. Perumal further…

POLITICAL leaders and fishermen are calling for police officers to be held accountable for allegedly using excessive force on a fisherman. Visvin Reddy, an Umkhonto Wesizwe Party (MK Party) member of Parliament, said the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) should be tasked with investigating this incident thoroughly. “If found guilty of using excessive force, those policemen must be suspended immediately. This incident is a stark reminder of the oppressive tactics used during the apartheid era. “The recent crime statistics released by the Minister of Police did not list the catching of shad as a priority crime. Why were over seven policemen, who could have been addressing serious issues like drugs, murder and robbery, deployed to apprehend a fisherman?” He said these are not commercial fishermen who plunder the oceans throughout…

HEARTFELT congratulations to the Divine Life Society on its centenary celebrations. The event last Saturday, hosted by the Pietermaritzburg branch, was a resounding success, filled with joy, spirituality and inspiration. It was particularly heart-warming to see children and youth participating in the programme, ensuring a bright future for the society’s noble mission. The society’s selfless contributions to humanity and its tireless efforts to support the less fortunate are a beacon of hope in today’s world. Your dedication to spreading love, compassion and wisdom is a shining example for us all. May this milestone mark the beginning of another century of service, growth and spiritual evolution. May your efforts continue to uplift and transform lives, and may your message of love and kindness resonate far and wide. “The best way to…

IN HIS letter, “What exactly is an Indian”, the POST, July 3-7, Ebrahim Essa, states: “As if this community also has a fully unique voice when it comes layered with its own problematic caste system.” It is a very well-orchestrated myth that only Hindus are guilty of caste discrimination. No Hindu scriptures condone the practice of caste in the way some scriptures condone slavery and killing of people of other faiths and cultures. The Oxford Encyclopaedic English Dictionary says: “The caste system extends to Christians and Muslims. The term is frequently confused with the ancient and traditional division of society into four classes (varna) from which the caste system is erroneously said to have evolved.” The varnas are part of the religion and are decided, as the Gita says: “By…

IT WAS a great sporting weekend for rugby, tennis and soccer fans. Durban was teeming with visitors, boosting the local economy. The Irish were in the city. But not all the beers, the smell of braais and a packed Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium could stop the stubborn Irish prevailing over the Springboks in a fierce, blood-spattered tussle. And then there were the two finals at Wimbledon. Diminutive Italian Jasmine Paolini, who had been entertaining the Wimbledon crowds, eventually succumbed to Czech Barbora Krejicikova. Paolini, the smiling, crowd favourite, finished runner up at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Then it was the Spanish double on an exciting Sunday of tennis and soccer. Carlos Alcaraz outclassed Novak Djokovic in just three sets, destroying the Serbian’s dream of 25 grand slam winners. Though…

Janhvi Kapoor dropped two new posters of Ulajh, offering a glimpse into the mysterious world of the film. The first image features the entire cast, including Gulshan Devaiah, Rajesh Tailang, Roshan Mathew and Meiyang Chang, appearing to be in a serious situation. The second poster focuses on Kapoor, who is seen in a brown blazer with a Tricolor pin on it. The actress looks up at the camera while holding a file marked “confidential”. Kapoor captioned the posters: “Every face tells a story, and every story is a trap.” Uljah is about a young diplomat from a prominent family of patriots who finds herself embroiled in a dangerous personal conspiracy. Kapoor will also be seen in Devara: Part 1, marking her debut in Telugu films. The movie is set against…

2 tbs olive oil 1 small onion, diced 4 medium carrots 2 small potatoes, peeled and cubed 2 celery stalks, finely chopped 2 small bay leaves 2 large cloves garlic minced 4 sprigs fresh thyme 1 tsp curry powder 1 tsp cumin ½ tsp turmeric ½ cup brown lentils 3 roma tomatoes skin removed and chopped 4 cups vegetable stock 2 cups baby spinach salt pepper ½ cup fresh cream (optional) Add the olive oil, bay leaves, onion, thyme, carrots and celery to a pot. Sauté until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and fry for a minute. Mix the turmeric, cumin and curry powder. Fry for a minute. Add the tomatoes and potatoes. Mix in the vegetable stock. Season with more salt if required. Add some pepper.…

500g lamb mince 4 large cloves garlic, minced 1 onion, finely, diced 2 tsp dried Italian herbs 1 tsp oregano 1 tsp paprika 2 tsp chilli powder 2 cups tomato passata ½ tsp black pepper 1 cup lamb or mutton stock 2 cups dry pasta 3-4 cups warm water 2 cups grated Mozzarella cheese Heat a large pan and brown the mince on medium to high heat. Add the garlic, onion, Italian herbs, oregano, paprika and chilli powder. Sauté until the onion is translucent. Add the tomato passata and some pepper. Simmer on a low heat for about 20 to 30 minutes. Add the lamb stock, pasta and 3 cups water. If the pasta starts to dry, only then add the other cup of water. You may not require…

700g prawns, raw and peeled 2 tsp chilli flakes 4 large garlic cloves, minced 1 lemon, zest and juice salt 2-3 bird’s eye chillies, omit or add more 1 tbs cake wheat flour 3 tbs butter a few drops of vegetable oil 1½ cups fresh cream or milk 150g tagliatelle or pasta of your choice ½ tbs parsley, chopped Remove the shell of the prawns. Rub in coarse salt and rinse a few times. Note that once the prawns are cleaned, they will weigh much less than 700g. Squeeze out the excess water and marinate the prawns with chilli flakes, bird’s eye chillies, garlic, the zest and juice of 1 lemon, and salt. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Boil the pasta in salted water as per the instructions on the packet.…

THE family of a well-known Chatsworth pastor, who died from a heart attack while fishing for shad on Friday, allege that they were given the wrong ashes after his cremation at the Clare Estate Crematorium. However, Pradeep Ramlall, the chairperson and president of the Clare Estate Crematorium, said a preliminary investigation found that the correct ashes had been given to the family. Calden Naidoo, 26, said he and his grandfather, Pastor Basil Pillay, 73, an elder at Emmaus Fellowship in Silverglen, were fishing at Ansteys Beach on the Bluff when he collapsed. “My grandfather had just pulled the rod out of the water, and had a shad on the hook, when he collapsed and died,” said Naidoo. Pillay’s funeral was held on Sunday. Naidoo said that due to safety concerns,…

DEDICATED to creating unity and building a strong network among People of Indian Origin (PIO), the secretary-general of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (Gopio), Ravindran Arjunan, is in South Africa mobilising local youth. Arjunan, 62, a third generation Indian born in Malaysia, visited Durban this week, where he had been fervently championing for youth to become involved in growing a global network among Indians. He said he hoped that of the 300 spaces for youth of Indian origin from around the world, South African youth would occupy about 50 in a bid to create a strong business and cultural network in the country. Arjunan, a father of four who retired as the head of department for student affairs at a private university, had been a founding…

THE world stands at a crossroads – a place of turmoil where poor models of leadership, populism and war cast dark shadows over our collective future. It is easy to fall into despair, to feel overwhelmed by the extent of global challenges. But amid the darkness, there is a beacon of hope, a call to action that transcends borders and unites humanity. Since 2009, the global community has come together every year on Nelson Mandela’s birthday, July 18, to commemorate and honour his legacy by doing work in our communities. The call to action is to take responsibility for our communities and to work to make them better. It is a day of action, a day of coming together and a day of hope. Community responsibility goes beyond charity; it…

THREE years, many tears later on July 7, 2024, I said: “Let us bail out the water of negative ethnicity while it is still ankle deep.” I came across this powerful quote from Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart. For me, it’s a call to action for all of us, to unity, and to address and overcome divisions and conflicts before they escalate and become more destructive. On the anniversary of July 7, 2021, when post Jacob Zuma’s incarceration things potentially fell apart, the metaphor of “bailing out the water” suggests taking proactive steps to prevent a situation from getting worse. Our media, online and print, have a role to play. Achebe’s classic must-be-read work explores the complexities of ethnic identity and cultural clashes in colonial Nigeria. It resonates across…

THE South African Indian community boasts a rich history, deeply interwoven with the struggles and triumphs of indentured labourers and passenger Indians. Many descendants of these individuals faced a tumultuous journey pock-marked by colonialism and apartheid. Yet amid the hardships, a remarkable spirit of resilience emerged, giving rise to a generation of “unsung heroes”. Capturing the stories of unsung heroes into a book was the brainchild of Fawzia Peer. The Unsung Heroes embodies the spirit of acknowledging and celebrating the quiet contributions of remarkable individuals who give back to the community. Peer conceived the idea more than five years ago while she was the deputy mayor of eThekwini; she assembled a team of academics, writers and intellectuals at that time. Covid-19 and some team members’ untimely passing stalled the project.…

GOVINDSAMY Pungan, well known as John Pungan, the youngest son of Thoyee and Pungan Velan, was born in Tea Estate, Inanda. He completed his matric at the Stanger Indian High School in 1950 and then enrolled at the Springfield College of Education in 1952, where he graduated with a Natal Teachers’ Junior Diploma. In 1953, he commenced teaching at the Talwantsingh School, Verulam. In 1956, he was transferred to Moonsamy School, Inanda, where he taught until 1958. He was then transferred to Verulam High in January 1959. He married Doreen Mary, the youngest daughter of James and Alma Samuel. After marriage, he applied for a transfer to a school in Durban to complete part-time studies and attend classes. In 1961, Pungan was posted to the Hindu Institute Indian School in…

RELIGIOUS leaders are calling for “religious cohesion” after a video of a “prophet” condemning Hinduism surfaced on social media recently. In the 10-minute clip posted on the TikTok page @africabacktojahweh, titled “The judgement of Indian Descendants in South Africa”, Zukiswa Mfenqa claimed to be a prophet. In the video, she said that on June 21 she had received a “word” from God on the Indian community in South Africa, especially those living in Chats- worth, Phoenix, Westville, Overport and Parlock. Mfenqa, who according to her account is from Durban, only posted the video on July 4. According to the “word” Mfenqa received, the Lord was going to shake the Indians in South Africa for “tyranny and gatekeeping”. “I elevated them in the time of Afrikaners to build themselves for the…

Chatsworth cricketing star Denisha Devnarain ‘paid a price’ to become a professional athlete. Having to watch those closest to her die while away on tours, her belief in providence has kept her feet firmly planted through the heartache. FROM the dusty streets of Bayview, Chatsworth, to the world’s biggest cricketing stages, South African cricketing star Denisha Devnarain believes her calling to the game has kept her in it, despite the rough road she has had to travel. Starting out like most children during the 1990s, in Bakers mini cricket, Devnarain, now 35, said she took an early interest in the game because of an incident that took place at home with her father Jaynand and brother Naresh during the 1994 Cricket World Cup. “I was around 6 years old and…

DESPITE the fact that the era of colonial empires ended a long time ago, the Western countries are still trying to control their former territories. The EU seeks to increase its level of influence through official visits, grants, humanitarian programmes and investments in infrastructure development. A well-fed and prosperous Africa is important for Europe because this is the only way to stop uncontrolled migration flows, which are caused by humanitarian disasters in different parts of the continent. Gratuitous injections from Europe look impressive – the EU spends billions of euros to create a green infrastructure, develop mining operations and build new industries, giving Africans jobs and the opportunity to feed their families. However, all these supposedly good intentions have a reverse side. The main export item of most African countries…

I HAVE been gritting my teeth every time I come across a news article about the Ambani wedding that took place at the weekend. Congratulations to the happy couple, but the sheer excess of the couple’s pre-wedding events got me feeling less congratulatory, and more and more irritated. The constant stream of images and videos of luxury cars, superstar celebrities dripping diamonds, gazillion dollar performances, ridiculously expensive watches and all the other glittery trimmings and trappings that have accompanied these events, has left me with a case of temporary blindness and permanent fury. I feel like I am a spectator in the Hunger Games. We average people are simply white noise for the ultra rich. They toss out the scraps of their fabulous lives for us to eagerly consume, like…

On Saturday, we had in excess of 47 000 patrons at Hollywoodbets Kings Park. Extensive planning for this day commenced around six months ago, including a comprehensive security plan, and we were well supported by the SAPS. It was a fantastic day at the tank and for an amazing event of this magnitude, we had no major incidents that were reported. The safety and security of our patrons are of paramount importance to us and we do everything we can to prioritise this. We are aware of the four pickpockets, who were swiftly apprehended by security and arrested by SAPS. This type of pick pocketing is an organised syndicate that purchase valid tickets, are well dressed and attend events around the country with the sole purpose of stealing cellphones and…

AUSTRALIA selector George Bailey has long-term plans for pacers Lance Morris and Jhye Richardson, after they missed out on the white-ball tour of the UK. The duo were given Cricket Australia central contracts earlier this year. Morris missed the whole winter season due to a stress fracture in his back, and he is currently undergoing further rehabilitation. It is a recurrence of what transpired following his exclusion from the Ashes trip in the 2022–2023 season. The pacer had earlier sustained a side strain in his second ODI match, which curtailed his summer. He had been due to play for Seattle Orcas in ongoing Major League Cricket before scans revealed a hot spot in his back and as a result, he was not selected for the Scotland and England trip. “Lance…

ACTOR Riteish Deshmukh has spoken about the “immense” influence of superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan on his acting career. Deshmukh, who stars in the recently-broadcast medical drama Pill, in the lead role of Dr Prakash Chauhan, spoke about his love for Hindi cinema: “I've always been a huge film buff, often watching three to four movies a day. Until 2002, I watched every Hindi film on a VHS player, and I remain a bigger fan of Hindi films than any other. “During my teenage years, I was an ardent fan of Shah Rukh Khan and Salman. I feel incredibly blessed to have had the opportunity to work with them on screen. Their influence on me during my formative years was immense, and being able to collaborate with them…

1 bulb garlic, kept whole with the top cut off 5 roma tomatoes 1 onion, cut into petals 340g roasted red pepper 3 tbs olive oil 1 tbs fresh thyme 2 green chilli 2 cups vegetable stock 8 fresh basil leaves ¼ cup fresh cream 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese, grated salt pepper Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Line a tray with baking paper and set aside. Chop the top of the garlic. Chop the tomatoes into fours and cut the onion into petals. Drain the liquid from the roasted red pepper. Place all the veggies, including the roasted red peppers, on the tray. Drizzle the olive oil over the veggies. Sprinkle the thyme on top. If you wish, place the thyme with the sprigs and remove the sprigs once roasted.…

1 cup orzo (pasta rice) 2 chicken breasts, cut in halves 2 tbs olive oil 1 tbs butter 1 small onion 2 ribs celery, diced 2 carrots, diced 2 large cloves garlic, minced 2 tsp cake wheat or all-purpose flour 2 cups baby spinach 1 tsp fresh thyme 1 tsp dried Italian herbs 3 cups chicken stock 3 cups water juice of half a lemon salt pepper ¼ cup Parmesan (optional) fresh parsley to garnish Add the olive oil, onion, celery and carrots to a pot, and sauté on a low heat until the onion is translucent, about 10 minutes. Add the butter and garlic, and fry for a minute. Mix in the flour. Slowly add the chicken stock and water. Add the chicken breasts and bring to a…

2 cups dried pasta ¼ cup olive oil 1 small onion, finely chopped 3 large garlic cloves 1 green chilli, finely chopped 8 tbs tomato paste 2 tsp chilli flakes 1½ cup fresh cream ½ cup grated Parmesan salt pepper pinch of sugar (optional) 1 tbs butter (optional) Boil the pasta as per the package instructions. Reserve one cup of the pasta water and drain the pasta. Set aside. Add the olive oil and onion to a large pan, on low heat, and fry until the onion is translucent. Add the garlic and green chilli, and fry for a minute. Add the tomato paste and cook until it starts to get dark in colour, about a minute. Add the chilli flakes and cook for a few seconds. Mix in…

IT IS A beautiful morning at the Dezzi Raceway on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, and the air is tainted with the smell of methanol as thunderous 16 valves fire off in the background. For car lovers and racing enthusiasts, this is a dream setting. Many see the sport in a negative light, but for most legal racers, who take the time and spend the money to make their way to one of the two race tracks available in KZN – the Dezzi Raceway, in Port Shepstone, or the Mkuze Airfield, in the uMkhanyakude Municipality – it is about fun, passion, hard work and results. For the Govender family of Savannah Park, racing their 1978 smurf blue Mazda 323, FE 2-litre turbo-powered street car, the sport is about cherishing the memory…

The BRICS nations – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa – represent a formidable force in the global economy, accounting for significant portions of the world’s population, GDP, and trade. However, the economic relations within BRICS face numerous security problems and challenges that threaten their cohesion and long-term stability. These challenges stem from geopolitical tensions, economic disparities, and internal political dynamics, each posing threats to the bloc’s economic security. One of the primary security concerns within BRICS is the geopolitical rivalry between China and India. The two largest members of the group have long-standing border disputes, which have occasionally flared into military skirmishes. This rivalry not only creates direct security risks but also undermines trust and co-operation within BRICS. As China and India vie for regional dominance, their economic…

I WRITE this letter with a heavy heart, mourning the tragic loss of six brave firefighters who lost their lives battling fires in KwaZulu-Natal. Their sacrifice is a poignant reminder of the dangers faced by those who dedicate their lives to protecting our communities. These firefighters were more than just courageous individuals; they were our heroes. They exemplified selflessness, bravery, and an unwavering commitment to duty. Their loss is not just a blow to their families and colleagues but to all of us who depend on their valour and professionalism. This tragedy compels us to reflect on the conditions under which our emergency responders operate. We must ensure that they are adequately equipped, trained, and supported to carry out their critical roles safely. It is our collective responsibility to advocate…

FROM comedian to an independent candidate in the recent elections, Thanasagren Rubbanathan Moodley, also known as “Karou Charou”, now intends to launch his own political party, 1860NIC Congress (1860NICC). Moodley said the formation of the party was mooted when he entered the race as an independent candidate. “I publicly declared that whether I got a seat in the legislature or not, I would form a political party to be able to have a seat at the table, so that the voice of the Indian and other minorities could be heard. Indians currently have no voice or representation at both provincial or national level.” Moodley said he was one of 11 independent candidates in the country, and the only independent to contest in the KZN provincial elections – garnering more than…

DR ZULEIKHA Mayat’s family was from India. She was born in Potchefstroom, South Africa, in 1926. She completed her studies via correspondence through Union College. In 1947, she moved to Durban after her marriage to Dr GHM Mayat. In 1954, she was a founding member of the “Women’s Cultural Group”. Although membership comprised predominantly Muslim women, the group’s membership was open to all women and included women across race and religion. It acquired an international reputation for its iconic Indian Delights series of cook books, which included various updated editions. Indian Delights is a treasury of South African Indian recipes. It was first published in 1961 and has sold over 500 000 copies. It remains one of the best-selling books of any genre in South Africa. Unknown to many,…

Three dogs that were temporarily blinded after they were attacked by a Mozambican spitting cobra had to be rushed to a vet in Verulam last Wednesday. Prem Balram, spokesperson for Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), said officers were called out to Everest Heights where a homeowner had requested assistance after the snake lunged at the family pets. “Our area manager and snake catcher, Nathi Ndaba, was immediately dispatched and identified the snake as a highly venomous Mozambican spitting cobra. “He captured the reptile and released it into a dense bush,” said Balram. The dogs were treated by the vet and recovered from their ordeal. Snake catcher Nick Evans said while there was not much snake activity in winter, it was still warm in Durban, so there might be snake encounters.…

TWO mothers have accused Effingham Secondary School of violating their sons’ rights after the toilet facilities were allegedly locked, resulting in them soiling themselves. The parents, who declined to be named, said the school’s “toilet policy” was “unfair” and that their children, aged 13 and 15, were struggling to get over their embarrassment. Both parents claimed the “toilet policy” required the gate to the toilets to be locked during class hours because some of the pupils were allegedly smoking and “getting up to mischief” inside the facility. They said the pupils were only allowed to use the toilets during their lunch breaks. The mother of the 13-year-old said the school called her at 10.30am on the day of the incident, asking her to pick up her son because he was…

PHOENIX and Chatsworth residents are under siege from copper pipe and cable thieves, who with a monstrous appetite for cheap-fix drugs, will do anything to feed their addictive habits. These sulphurous predators, who employ thieves’ hours – sleep all day and prowl all night – are running amok in local communities. It’s like a smash and grab technique. They get in and out quickly. In Phoenix last week, copper pipes were stolen from the Stonebridge Community Hall, which resulted in parts of Stonebridge being without water for 24 hours. Last week, Chatsworth police shot dead two cable thieves who were caught at the former Sassa offices. As long as there is a market in scrap metal dealers, their purloined booty will always yield the desired cash. They steal washing from…

I WAS one of the 50 000 odd people at Hollywoodbets Kings Park on Saturday. It was a great occasion, notwithstanding the loss to Ireland, full of emotion, colour, noise and festivities. Unfortunately it ended on a sour note for some people. At around 7.30pm as we came down exit ramp No 4 still in the stadium precinct, there was great congestion of people. Suddenly we were being pushed and pulled by several persons when a shout went out from a lady that her wallet had been taken. I immediately put my hand in my pocket and discovered my cellphone was missing. People were milling around shouting and crying when an individual suspected of being a “pickpocket” was held by one of the spectators. Three SAPS members appeared on the…

Jaycees (JCI – Junior Chamber International) is a self-development organisation through community involvement for the sole purpose of developing the individuals’ leadership skills. It is the bridging gap between tertiary education and the outside world, and is for persons between the ages of 18 and 40. Our 50-year anniversary reunion will be held on October 18 at the Umhlatuzana Civic Hall at 1pm. Former members who wish to attend the reunion, can call Gona Nambiar at 078 727 1692, Omie Singh at 083 272 4686, Siva Naidoo at 082 622 5940 or Jay Govender at 062 875 4021.…

SALMAAN Moerat will become the 66th Springbok captain in Saturday’s one-off Test against Portugal in Bloemfontein (5pm kick-off). But the world champions have also been rocked by injuries to key players who will face a race against time to be fit for the opening Rugby Championship clash against Australia on August 10 in Brisbane. Erasmus said at a media conference in Bloemfontein yesterday that Franco Mostert “broke his leg” in the game against Ireland last weekend, hooker Malcolm Marx has a “little tibia fracture”, Pieter-Steph du Toit is out for four to six weeks with an unspecified injury, Edwill van der Merwe is also out for six weeks, and Cheslin Kolbe may only return for the second Test against Australia on August 17. Stormers lock Moerat was named No 4…

THE winter chill came back and hit Durban with a proper smack. It has kept the sardines around and the chilly nights have been fishing well. There’s plenty of fish for all. Whether you prefer the fast-paced predators or the strong-pulling bottom fish, there is something for you! The North Coast has been the most productive section of coast. There have been plenty of fish coming out on the skis and boats. The couta have been around and the guys with the friskiest live baits have been the successful ones. Make getting some decent live baits your number one priority once launched and then look for the spots to fish. “If you are having trouble hooking the live baits, add some bits of sardine on to the hooks for some…