Table of contents for 2024-10-02 in Post

ACTRESS Mrunal Thakur, who is known for Hi Nanna, Lust Stories 2, Sita Ramam and others, has reacted after her big win at the IIFAs. She took home the trophy for Performance in a Leading Role - Female (Telugu) for her portrayal of Yashna in the hit film Hi Nanna. “I am deeply grateful for this recognition. Playing Yashna was a truly fulfilling experience that allowed me to explore the depths of love and emotion. I owe this achievement to my incredible director, talented co-stars, and the entire team whose unwavering support made this possible. This award is not just mine – it reflects our collective hard work and dedication to storytelling.” She added: “This is my first ever IIFA award and it’s a special win to be sharing this…

Duff is a psychic medium, past life specialist, spiritual coach, healer and animal communicator. She has been connecting with spirit for more than 20 years and runs her business, Quantum Soul, from Waterfall in KwaZulu-Natal. Duff can be contacted at 072 986 5514 or email sharron@quantsoul.com ARIES (March 21 – April 19) Protect yourself from gossip and drama by laying low this week. Focus on the job at hand and keep your slate clean. Work opportunities are coming your way so be aware of your work ethic. Friendships are important so nurture these. You are going to need this support in upcoming months. Lucky colour: Maroon. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) Be creative in your home and think out of the box with work projects. A good time to…

Batter: 375ml (1½ cups) cake flour 60ml (¼ cup) corn flour 2.5ml (½ tsp) baking soda 30ml (2 tbs) fish spice 15ml (1 tbs) lemon black pepper seasoning 5ml (1tsp) mustard powder 2.5ml (½ tsp) turmeric powder 1 extra large egg 185ml (1¾ cup) ice-cold soda water 8 fish pieces of choice (hake) salt to taste In a large bowl, sift the cake flour and corn flour. Add the baking soda, fish spice, lemon black pepper seasoning, mustard powder and turmeric powder. Add the egg and soda water. Stir until well incorporated. Refrigerate for a minimum of 1 hour. Season the fish with salt. Heat the oil on medium heat and do a stick test to see if the oil is hot enough. Place a wooden chopstick or toothpick in…

1 can tomato and onion mix or diced tomatoes 250ml (1 cup) chicken stock 2 to 4 tbs sugar or to taste 50g (1 sachet) tomato paste ½ onion 1 to 2 jalapeno peppers or to taste 25g taco spice 4 chicken fillets 100g chopped coriander Braising: cooking oil 1 red pepper 1 yellow pepper 1 green pepper 250g frozen sweetcorn kernels (not cream-styled sweet corn) 10ml (2 tsp) taco spice 8 large white wraps 125ml (½ cup) Mozzarella cheese and 125ml (½ cup) Cheddar cheese, mixed together 100g fresh chopped coriander Topping: 125ml (½ cup) Mozzarella cheese and 125ml (½ cup) Cheddar cheese, mixed together 1 to 2 jalapeños peppers 5ml (1 tsp) crushed chillies Condiments: avocado pear, spicy salsa, guacamole, lemon wedges and sour cream. Garnish: fresh chopped…

Pastry: 250g salted butter 250ml (1 cup) sugar 2 large eggs 10ml (2 tsp) vanilla essence 3¼ cups cake flour 15ml (1 tbs) baking powder icing sugar for dusting Filling: 3 to 4 fresh apples 250g blueberries 45ml (3 tbs) sugar 15 ml (1 tbs) ground mixed spice 15ml (1 tbs) lemon juice 15ml (1 tbs) corn flour Cream the sugar and butter together until light and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, while whisking continually. Add the vanilla essence. Whisk until fluffy. Sift in the dry ingredients a little at a time. Knead well to form a soft dough. Place half of the dough in the freezer for 30 minutes. Place the other dough in a greased baking tin with a removable bottom. For the filling, peel…

RELIGIOUS leaders have welcomed the ruling by the Bloemfontein High Court, saying that the shift from the age-old tradition would not affect religion in any way. Ashwin Trikamjee, the president of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha, said he believed there was a paradigm shift under way, driving the young millennial population to adopt 21st-century attitudes and practices. “Although the traditional marriage story is deeply embedded in many people’s brains, traditional Indian marital rituals are steadily disappearing. After marriage, it has been a Hindu practice for the wife to take on the Gotra (In Hindu culture, the term gotra is commonly used to describe a clan.) “It refers to those who are descended from an unbroken male line of a common male ancestor or based on the relationship to the…

NEWCASTLE was once known as one of the cleanest towns in KwaZulu-Natal. However, in recent years it has fallen into a state of decay with ongoing sewer issues, potholes, non-functioning street lights and overgrown verges. In addition to service delivery woes, residents are also battling high electricity bills while those who live in council homes claim they are paying rent to the Newcastle Municipality but their homes were “falling apart”. Matthew Shunmugam, a former councillor and now the chairperson of the Newcastle Residents Association, said: “This government is useless. Many years ago, when I was a councillor, we won awards for Newcastle being one of the cleanest towns in the province. Today we are one of the dirtiest. “We have a defiant council that does not care about the area.…

EVERY year, more than 1 400 children are diagnosed with blood cancer in South Africa. However, while blood cancer, such as acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), accounts for 33% of all childhood cancers in the country, other types, including acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), Hodgkin’s disease, neuroblastoma and brain tumours, remain prevalent. In commemoration of the recently held Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, organisations have encouraged parents to look out for early warning signs, which could save their child’s life, and lend their support to those in need. Agie Govender, the KZN regional manager for the CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa, said children with cancer have a survival rate of between 40 and 50% in the country. “Sadly, the survival rate is significantly lower than in developed countries, which is between 80…

FOUR years ago, while the country and world was battling with the Covid-19 pandemic, a Hillary family found themselves fighting another disease, cancer. Amanda Chellan said her then 3-year-old daughter, Ariella, was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML) on October 28, 2020. AML is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow with excess immature white blood cells. It progresses rapidly, with myeloid cells interfering with the production of normal white blood cells, red blood cells and platelets. Chellan said despite it being one of the most difficult times in their lives, their faith in God kept them strong. She said in early October 2020, Ariella appeared to have had a bladder infection. “However, with the strict Covid-19 protocols, we could only go to the doctor if it…

THE precious gift of life, more cherished than anything else on earth, is becoming an easily dispensable commodity. For some people, the purpose of life may be to make the world a better place through kindness. Others may believe that the point of life is to find personal fulfilment through the love of family and material comforts. And some may feel that the point of life is simply to enjoy it as much as possible. Then there are those who show scant regard for life. Their indifference to human life shown in the repeated occurrence of all forms of killing, from murder to reckless driving, begs the question: Has man not evolved sufficiently to have shed the bloodlust of brutal aggression and lethal violence? What is human life worth in…

A CHAMPION activist and devoted family man, Dharam Naidoo has left an indelible mark on the world. Born on October 18, 1937, in Durban’s May Street, Dharam’s life was a testament to resilience, passion, and community. Growing up in Pietermaritzburg, Dharam excelled in athletics and soccer at the Methodist Primary School. Despite financial constraints preventing him from attending secondary school, he persevered through night school. This period sparked his involvement with the banned ANC, where he covertly spread liberation ideologies in Pietermaritzburg households. Dharam’s professional journey began at Nestlé’s Victoria Road factory, where he became a shop steward. However, it was table tennis that ignited his true passion. Joining the Rangers Table Tennis Club in 1961, Dharam’s impressive record includes: The Northern Natal Singles Champion (1961, 1962, 1967), the Men’s…

THE case against Durban businessman Thoshan Panday, who was arrested and charged for alleged tax fraud of more than R7 million early last month, was adjourned after he failed to appear in court. Panday, 52, was charged with 27 counts of fraud, as well as contraventions of tax legislation that outlaws false VAT and income tax returns. This follows an investigation into the tax compliance of entities he controlled. Henry Mamothame, spokesperson for the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (Idac), said investigations conducted by the South African Revenue Service (SARS) suggested that declarations made in the tax returns were false and that SARS had allegedly “suffered prejudice in the amount of about R7.3 million” as a result. Panday, who was denied bail on September 9, was expected to appear in the…

A Phoenix digital content creator who posted a series of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated images online of himself walking next to Hindu deities dressed in casual clothing and takkies has been labelled as “blasphemous”. In the images Ash Naidoo is seen walking down a busy street, hand in hand with the deities, including Ganesha, Hanuman, Lord Krishna and the goddess Laxmi. Naidoo is dressed in ripped jeans, a T-shirt, coat and takkies. Dr Lokesh Ramnath Maharajh, the chairperson of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha Priest’s Council, said: “Hindu deities are sacred and revered. Devotees worship at the feet of the Gods. Any attempt to present humans as equal to Gods via digitisation would be offensive. “Devotion can be expressed by different forms of worship, and especially seva to those in…

This year, Chatsworth, one of the most vibrant townships in the country, celebrates 60 years since it was founded in the 1960s. To mark this anniversary, the POST is publishing a series of articles from Kiru Naidoo’s book, Made in Chatsworth. I PRETEND to know a lot about wine. Winemakers. Estates. Fine vintages. You could say I have an educated palate. I know my Cape from my South of France to the New World. My cubby has successive book editions of Platter’s South African Wine Guide and I salivate over social media’s über connoisseur Yegas Naidoo who travels the globe, first class mind you, savouring some of the world’s finest brews. But that is just snobbery. I have been deceived by Odd Bins and Château de Box, even the kraaitjie…

MEDIA personality Uveka Rangappa believes “everything that happens to you is part of your journey; take the lessons and keep going”. Rangappa, who was raised in Durban and now lives in Johannesburg, stars in the movie Greytown Girl produced by Rani Sitaram and directed by Darrell Roodt. She spoke to the POST about life, work and the possibility of pursuing acting. Q: You grew up in Verulam. Are your parents/family still there and what do you miss about Verulam? A: Yes, my parents still live there. I love going home because it feels like a different world where time has stood still. I miss the simplicity of life there and the humility that comes with it. Q: Most of us know you as being a news anchor and a media…

2kg pork ribs or ribs of your choice 30ml (2 tbs) BBQ spice To a pressure cooker add the ribs, enough water to submerge the ribs, and seasoning of your choice. Pressure cook for 10 minutes. This ensures the ribs get soft and juicy. BBQ sauce: 125 ml (½ cup) grown sugar 60ml (¼ cup) brown vinegar 30ml (2 tbs) soya sauce 30ml (2 tbs) Worcestershire sauce 125ml (½ cup) tomato sauce To a pot, add brown sugar, brown vinegar, soya sauce, Worcestershire sauce and tomato sauce. Cook on medium heat for 10 minutes or until the sauce reduces to a sticky consistency. Remove the ribs from the pressure cooker and brush with BBQ sauce. Keep additional sauce for basting. Place on hot coals and baste every 5 minutes for…

800g prawns (shelled and deveined); keep the heads aside for stock Stock: 45ml cooking oil 4 chopped spring onions prawn heads 750 ml (3 cups) fish stock or vegetable stock 30ml fish sauce 6 crayfish tails 800g prawns 400g shelled mussels 400g paella mix seafood 30 ml (2 tbs) fish spice 1 tbs salted butter and 1 tsp chopped fresh parsley and 1 tsp crushed garlic per fry. 15ml (1 tbs) crushed garlic 500ml (2 cups) soaked rice 10ml (2 tsp) smoked paprika 5ml (1 tsp) turmeric powder 15ml (1 tbs) fish spice 3 spring onions 5ml (1 tsp) sweet basil herbs 1 red pepper 250ml (1 cup) whole kernels ¼ cup frozen peas 30ml fish sauce garnish: fresh chopped parsley and lemon slices Clean the prawns by deveining and…

1½ packets Tennis Biscuits 175g salted butter 10g (1 sachet) gelatine 100ml cold water 300ml fresh cream (whipping cream) 250g full fat cream cheese, plain 100ml icing sugar 4tbs to 6 tbs lemon juice to taste Crush the Tennis Biscuits until they resemble fine breadcrumbs. Melt the butter and add it to the crushed biscuits. Mix and press into a round oven-proof tin with a removable bottom. Freeze for 30 minutes. To a small bowl, add the gelatine and water. Allow to soak and set aside. To a medium-size bowl, add the fresh cream. Whip until thick. To a separate bowl, add the cream cheese and whisk until smooth. Sift in the icing sugar and lemon juice. Whisk until smooth. Add the whipped cream to the cream cheese mixture. Microwave…

A PHOENIX mother who allegedly sold her 3-day-old baby boy to a childless couple for R20 after she “brokered a deal with a relative”, has been arrested and charged for child abandonment. The 26-year-old mother, who allegedly has a history of drug abuse, is believed to have three other children in foster care. The “adoptive couple” and a relative could face charges of human trafficking, a police source told the POST. It has been alleged they are related to the mother and the deal was “brokered through the relative”, the source said. The source said that the “adoptive couple” had been married for 18 years and had been unable to conceive a baby of their own. The relative allegedly approached the mother when she was pregnant about the couple “adopting”…

LEILA Khaled was born in Haifa, Israel, and was later forced to flee her home with her family, settling in the Lebanese city of Tyre. She became famous after she joined the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), a Syria-based terrorist group as soon as it was founded in 1967. From 1969 to 1972, Khaled took part in foreign military operations of the PFLP. In August 1969, she and her comrade Salim Isawi hijacked a TWA airliner and were imprisoned in Syria for a month-and-a-half before being released. In September 1970, she was one of the hijackers of an Israeli El Al airliner and was detained for a month in Britain when the pilot landed in London. Between 1973 and 1977, Khaled joined the Palestinian resistance in Lebanon,…

CLAIMS that social workers are being harassed by extortionists for protection fees in the Western Cape, have raised safety concerns for welfare organisations in Durban. Mala Pather, the manager at the Verulam Child and Family Welfare Society, said they have had meetings with their staff to discuss precautions they needed to take when going out to meet families. “The majority of our social workers are women. They are always in danger because of the nature of their job. They go out into communities and are not always sure of the type of people they are dealing with. “Sometimes they remove children from homes and these situations can get volatile. “Reading about the extortion in the Western Cape has us concerned. “We have told our staff to go out in a…

RATEPAYER associations in the eThekwini, Msunduzi and KwaDukuza regions have vowed to fight tooth and nail against Eskom’s proposed tariffs. Eskom has made an application to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) proposing average price increases for Eskom direct customers at 36.15% for April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026; 11.81% for April 1, 2026, to March 31, 2027, and 9.10% for April 1, 2027, to March 31, 2028. Ish Prahladh, the chairman of the eThekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association (Erra), said if the increase was approved it would “bleed residents and businesses dry”. “The impact of this hike would have a chain reaction that could very well lead to financial instability in eThekwini and possibly Eskom as well. “Imagine the number of low-income households that will struggle…

AT AGE three, Joel Subban was diagnosed with one of the most common and serious types of cancer in children, Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL). Almost two decades later, the 24-year-old, of Durban, said he was “healed” and believed there was hope for others to beat cancer. Subban, who works in marketing, said he had a prolonged temperature and his parents took him to the doctor. “This was an indication that something was wrong. After the tests were done, the doctor informed my parents that I had ALL.” ALL is a type of cancer of the blood and bone marrow that affects white blood cells. It occurs when a bone marrow cell develops errors in its DNA. Symptoms may include enlarged lymph nodes, bruising, fever, bone pain, bleeding from the gums…

RECENTLY, over 300 people turned out on a wet, cold day, to celebrate the 130th anniversary of the Natal Indian Congress (NIC) at Sastri. The attendees were largely Indian, with many women present. There were very few under the age of 30. Ela Gandhi, the Mahatma’s granddaughter, spoke with great conviction, railing at our many ills – like growing inequality and poverty, populism and chauvinism, right-wing, sectarian identity politics and complicity in genocide. We can add to those problems dominant ideological and political beliefs that celebrate individualism and the “free market”, advocate the privatisation of public goods and services and impose “democracy” through invasion, violence and regime change. These beliefs, held by powerful people and institutions in the West, are against ideas like the common public good, solidarity, equity, public…

THE most brutal year in living memory enters the final stretch. The current conflicts are undoubtedly the most inhuman in recorded history. It is an act of insanity when self-defence is allowed to commit slaughter on such a horrendous scale. Our failure to stem the brutal carnage is unconscionably irresponsible. Anger and despair have enveloped the world, and the hatred and division that afflicts and divides humanity are increasing by the hour. The grim signs of impending convulsions and human destruction can now be discerned, in as much as the prevailing pleas for tolerance appear to be selectively ignored. Unimaginable horrors precipitated by certain powers serve as a prelude to global events that could decimate the whole of humanity. When uncritical assent is given to certain countries to commit atrocities…

I EXTEND my heartfelt regards to all Tamil and Telugu-speaking Hindus for Purtassi. This period observed in the South Indian calendar provides an opportunity for introspection, self-reflection and spiritual advancement. Many devoted individuals will refrain from consuming non-vegetarian foods, alcohol, and tobacco, endeavouring to establish a deeper connection with their faith. As we embark on this journey, let us uphold a fundamental Hindu principle: That our blessings emanate from our mothers and elders. It is imperative to honour and respect this custom, passing it on to forthcoming generations. In this context, our religious institutions serve as crucial moral compasses, guiding us towards ethical, moral, and spiritually upright behaviour. I encourage our community to scrutinise these establishments, ensuring that they cherish the values we hold dear. As I extend my prayers…

The new book, Gandhi’s African Legacy – Phoenix Settlement 1904-2024 – A History through Letters, by noted historian, Uma Dhupelia-Mesthrie, is a treasure trove, par excellence. It recounts the history of the Phoenix Settlement from the early years of its development, over the changing decades of the 20th century, and into the 21st century to the present time. This excellent biography of place, using archival sources and a wide range of letters, also tells the story of the City of Durban, and beyond, from a particular vantage point, against the background of national and international politics. Its portrayals of a diverse range of individuals connected with the Phoenix Settlement are particularly compelling. Drawing from the book, I have composed, here, a poetic portrait of one of its “noble sons”, Manilal…

TO CRACK down on the notorious drug trade in Phoenix, police have stepped away from the conventional methods and are using undercover agents to infiltrate the drug dens. On Monday, after months of investigation, an infamous drug syndicate operating next to a primary school in Phoenix was busted. Four men, three of whom are believed to be related, were arrested and charged with the possession of drugs and dealing in drugs. They are expected to appear in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court this week. According to a police source, the men have been under surveillance for months. “We believe that some of the accused are related to a former police officer and a member of crime intelligence. “They have been selling drugs for more than a year. Our major concern was…

ACTIVISTS are calling for stricter laws and harsher penalties following recent horrific cases of animal cruelty in Chatsworth and Isipingo where the paws of two puppies were hacked off. Pat Naidoo, who rescues animals in Chatsworth, said she was horrified when she recently collected a litter of stray puppies from a family in Havenside. “A family had been feeding a stray pregnant dog that lived behind their home. They told us about the litter and we secured a kennel from a donor for them. When we arrived, one of the pups only had half of his front leg. His leg was cleanly cut off. The person made two other lacerations higher up on the pup’s leg, but failed to hack it off and then chopped it off at the bottom.”…

There were many sights and sounds in the Casbah in the ‘60s and ‘70s that produced low-intensity “warfare” for those of us straining against childhood. Ajmeri Arcade linked the Casbah to the cacophony of voices that was the Top Market, and as lunch threatened, there were always masala chips at Pravina’s. But the real joy of the Casbah was the bioscopes. For a moment, it offered another world for those of us caught every day on congested pavements, if only just for a moment. This column takes us to those times, once upon a time. What shall we say to the lost picture palaces of youth? I admired especially the magnificent scarlet curtain, with its softly curved fluting and delicate frills … It did not rise this curtain ……

The Sivananda World Peace Foundation in association with the World Tribal Alliance hosted a Heritage Multicultural Festival on Friday at the Zululand Yacht Club in Richards Bay. The guest of honour was spiritual leader and humanitarian, Mohanji. At the event were:…

BOLLYWOOD icon Shah Rukh Khan and actress Rani Mukerji had a reunion of sorts at the 24th edition of IIFA which was held in Abu Dhabi for the third consecutive year. While the stars, who first collaborated on Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, took home the Best Actor awards trophies in their categories, the two also had a great time chatting. Khan won for Jawan and Mukerji for Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway. A video shared by IIFA on its Insta- gram handle showed the two sitting in the audience, applauding the act on stage. Mukerji could be seen holding her Best Actress trophy. Mrs Chatterjee vs Norway was the first content-driven film in the post-pandemic era, which got a positive response upon its theatrical release, implying that the audience was ready…

If you set aside all reason and dismiss disbelief, Devara: Part 1 somewhat sets off to a good start. It’s enjoyable in the first half, but incredibly dull and unimpressive in the second. The film, by Koratala Siva, is undoubtedly captivating, but the shoddy scripting wrecked what could have been a hit. The film’s primary undoing, aside from its brittle and even gimmicky dialogue, is its pretty bland plot, which is centred on four communities perched atop a mountain island overlooking a sea rife with sharks. The people who live there revere their arsenals as gods and have a violent past. The anarchic region is home to the courageous warriors’ descendants, who once defeated their British oppressors in battle. These days, the men who live there have become compelled to…

500ml (2 cups) rice 60ml (¼ cup) cooking oil 2 star anise 2 sticks cinnamon 2 bay leaves 5ml (1 tsp) cumin/jeera seeds 1 chopped onion 10ml (2 tsp) turmeric powder 2.5ml (½ tsp) garam masala 2.5ml (½ tsp) cumin/jeera powder 2.5ml (½ tsp) dhania/coriander powder 30ml (2 tbs) masala/chilli powder or curry powder of choice 10ml (2 tsp) garlic and ginger paste 2 stems of curry leaves 2 grated tomatoes dash of water 10ml (2 tsp) salt or salt to taste dash of water 12 to 14 chicken pieces 6 potatoes handful of fresh chopped coriander/dhania enough boiling water to cover the rice 150g salted butter garnish with fresh chopped coriander/dhania Soak the rice in cold water for 30 minutes. To a large pot add the cooking oil, star…

2x chicken fillets 5ml (1tsp) Cajun spice 2.5ml (½ tsp) paprika 5 ml (1 tsp) cayenne pepper 5ml (1 tsp) BBQ spice Juice of a ½ lemon 60ml (¼ cup) cooking oil for frying Prego sauce Burger buns 15ml (1 tbs) mayonnaise 2 slices of cheese Tomato Pound the chicken fillets until flat and even. Marinate the chicken with spices and a squeeze of lemon. Allow to rest at room temperature for 20 minutes. Add the cooking oil to a pan. Add the marinated chicken fillets and fry for 6 to 7 minutes on each side. Remove the chicken fillets and place on a wired rack. Add the cheese immediately after frying. Lightly toast the inner part of the bun. Assemble burger: Add mayonnaise to the base of the burger…

THE Bloemfontein High Court has ruled that two husbands can use the surnames of their wives, after it found that a section of the Births and Registration Act was discriminatory on the grounds of gender. The proposed change to the act is expected to be brought before the Constitutional Court for a verdict on the constitutionality of it. The ruling comes after two couples challenged the law and the husbands were given permission to use their wives surnames, when the Bloemfontein High Court overturned the provisions of the “outdated law” that prohibited this, last week. The first couple, who were identified only by their initials (J), said they were told by an official at the Department of Home Affairs that the husband would not be allowed to assume the wife’s…

THERE has been much debate following the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Muncipality’s proposal to rename a street to that of a former Palestinian militant and activist. The municipality has since called for public submissions in the renaming process of Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive in Sandton. Abdool Valodia, president of United for Palestine (UFP), said they fully-supported the proposal. He said Khaled was a symbol of resistance and a torchbearer of hope for many who fought against colonialism and systemic injustice. “Her actions, though contentious, were driven by a profound commitment to liberate her people from occupation and oppression. Just as South Africa honours its own heroes of resistance, it is fitting to recognise international figures who embody similar principles.” Valodia said Khaled's activism and dedication to the Palestinian…

LOCAL social workers believe their profession has become more dangerous over the years, due to an increase in crime and substance and alcohol abuse. Leenie Gounder, a social worker at the Phoenix Child and Family Welfare, said she has been attacked by the mother of a man who had been accused of abusing a child. “It was one of the most frightening experiences that I had in my 10-year career as a social worker. The mother had come to our offices and I did not know who she was at the time. I took her into an interview room so we could speak privately. “She started the conversation by denying her son had been involved in the abuse and demanded access to the child, which was allowed at the time.…

IN commemoration of the recent Blood Cancer and Childhood Cancer Awareness Month in September, the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) encourages people to roll up their sleeves and become a “life saver”. The SANBS, in a statement said donating blood was not just a personal act of kindness, but a powerful way to support your community. “You’re not just donating blood; you're inspiring a culture of giving and compassion. “Your donation can help save lives in emergencies, support patients undergoing surgeries or cancer treatments, and contribute to the overall health and well-being of your community. “By donating, you are also setting a positive trend and encouraging others to do the same. “Whether you are a first-time donor or a regular supporter, your contribution is invaluable.” According to the SANBS,…

FOR a Bluff mother, accepting her emotions and taking each day as it comes has played a pivotal role in her healing journey after the death of her son due to cancer almost 14 years ago. Vanishree Archary, 45, an accountant, said losing a child was an “incredibly unnatural experience”. “Fourteen years later I am still circling the stages of grief, but I have learnt that it is important to accept your emotions.” Archary, said her son, Sayurin, passed away at the age of three, after he was diagnosed with Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma. Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare histological form of cancer in the connective tissue. It is the most common soft tissue sarcoma occurring in children. “It affects soft tissue like the arm or leg, in his case, it was…

A DURBAN author hopes to take readers on a historical journey into the lives and successes of eight trailblazing indentured descendants with her latest book. Dr Kogielam Archary, 59, of Glen Anil, recently launched her book, Reflective Memories – Voices of Indentured Labourer Descendants: South Africans born between 1924 and 1944 – Volume One. The 180-page historical book was launched at the 1860 Heritage Centre. Archary, a research associate at Unisa, said she saw the need to capture stories, reflective memories and personal testimonies from South African Indians born before 1950. “As an oral historian, the gap exists to change the narrative regarding South African, Indian diasporic and local history. The book is about eight individuals, who reflect on their lives, their parents who were born in the colony of…

PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa's address at the UN last week reaffirmed South Africa’s stance on Palestine. He spoke concisely and did not mince his words. He called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and echoed the calls of people around the world for the international community to put an end to the carnage in Gaza, which unbelievably, has now spread to Lebanon. He called on the international community to put pressure on Israel to end the war in Gaza. What international community, I ask? The international community at whose doorstep the citizens of the world are begging to end this destruction only refers to the US, because only America, blue, red, white, starry and free, liberal, land of Coca-Cola and honey America, can pull the leash on Israel’s genocidal aspirations, and…

THE illicit drug trade is a huge multi- billion dollar business. It is estimated that the 2014 drug trade was worth as much as $652 billion. Today it must be worth much more. It is such huge sums that drive trade. It is so lucrative that crime syndicates and unscrupulous drug lords go to any lengths to get their product across the borders into the markets using women, children, animals, reptiles, pigeons and even babies. Despite the vigilance of the police and border guards, many drug mules are still able to slip through with their haul. Even if they are caught, the drug lords don’t give up but try again and again to get their drugs across. At the airports they even use a decoy. While the police are busy…

THE KZN Department of Social Development (DSD) said it had received official word from the Aryan Benevolent Home (ABH) in Chatsworth that the children’s home would close in less than 90 days. Thuba Vilane, spokesperson for the KZN DSD, said they were in the process of making alternate arrangements for the children. “We are engaging with the ABH, so that the closure would be a smooth transition. “In terms of the care and the wellbeing of the children, we are receiving support from other organisations. They want to assist and house the children. “It’s for the betterment of the children. Wherever they are placed after the ABH children’s home closes, they will receive the care they deserve. The department puts a lot of money into that home. If DSD…

ETHEKWINI residents and ratepayers are blaming the city’s poor management for the upcoming water curtailment plan, which will be implemented for one year from October 10. Cyril Xaba, eThekwini Mayor, said the curtailment was due to high water usage attributed to rapid urbanisation, aging infrastructure, water leaks and illegal connections. At a council meeting on Monday, Xaba said: “As a city, we have been constantly saying that the demand for water far exceeds supply and we continue to plead with all stakeholders, especially the public, to work with us to address this challenge. It is important to mention that the bulk of water supply to the eThekwini Municipality comes from the Umgeni/uThukela Water catchment system.” He said the Department of Water and Sanitation had imposed water curtailment in a…

WITH just weeks to go until the final matric exams commence on October 21, the POST spoke to several pupils about their state of readiness. l Chloe Appalsamy, 18, from Merebank Secondary School, said: “At this stage, I feel stressed out and nervous but also a bit excited to get these exams over with.” She said in the final stretch with revision being the order of the day, she was focusing on past year papers. To unwind, she turns to prayer, brief TikTok sessions, or music. Chloe wants to study human resource management. Her subjects include history, life sciences, and dramatic arts. l Alia Fathima Bhagwan, 18, from Tongaat Secondary School, is experiencing an overwhelming mix of excitement and fear. “I am excited and scared at the same time, knowing…

WHILE growing up in eMkhomazi (Umkomaas), a “small village” on the KZN South Coast, Narend Singh witnessed the oppression of apartheid in his community and knew from a young age that he wanted to be a change-maker. Singh, the Deputy Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, recently turned 70; and reflected on his journey from managing his family’s businesses, including driving buses, to his political involvement that spans more than five decades. Early life “My political involvement started at an early age, while I was still in school, and then it intensified at university and the years that followed. I participated in many boycotts and organisations that opposed apartheid.” Singh, who attended Umkomaas Drift Primary School, said having seen the challenges faced by the community, he became somewhat of…

MAY 29, 2024, was declared a public holiday by the President of the Republic of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, for the holding of the general elections. Since there was no clear majority party that won the elections, a Government of National Unity (GNU) was negotiated between several political parties that had won parliamentary seats. Arising from such negotiations, John Steenhuisen, the leader of the DA, became the Minister of Agriculture and in this capacity, he acquired the right to appoint his chief of staff to manage this department – and he chose Roman Cabanac. Besides the other perks that government employees acquire, the position of chief of staff came with a salary of R1.43 million per annum. After making the appointment, critics drew media attention to posts made by Cabanac…

THE Springboks have become a symbol of success and an inspiration for other South African national teams across different sporting codes for them to start producing positive results. The Proteas seemed to be following the same trajectory when they bulldozed their way to the semi-final of the 2023 ODI World Cup in India. Earlier this year, South Africa broke the shackles that have kept the country hostage for as long as Cricket World Cups have been in existence as the T20I team played the country’s first-ever Men’s ICC World Cup final in the Caribbean. However, after that historic achievement in Barbados over the winter, the team has tasted victory sparingly. Since then, the white ball teams have won only two out of eight matches, including a historic series loss against…

As the end of the year draws near and the festive season looms, fishing enthusiasts in South Africa are experiencing a mixed bag of cool mornings and rising temperatures that have created the perfect, albeit challenging, climate for a winter fishing adventure. Although the cold snap of the past week has somewhat slowed down the number of anglers hitting the waters, those that have braved the elements are reporting rewarding outcomes. **Top Tip: Mastering Layering for Winter Fishing** Winter fishing success starts with comfort, and this season’s key to enduring the chilly dawns and warmer afternoons is all about mastering your layering. Don a series of layers to stay snug during the early, frosty hours. As the day heats up, you can peel off the warm jackets and trousers, only…