Table of contents for 2023-11-29 in Post

Duff is a psychic medium, soul coach, spiritual mentor, healer and animal communicator. She has been connecting with spirit for more than 20 years and runs her business, Quantum Soul, from Waterfall, KZN. She can be contacted at 072 986 5514 or sharron@quantsoul.com ARIES (March 21 – April 19) Be careful of hidden intentions and trust in your intuition. There may be a secret revealed that you are not expecting. Look for a mentor to assist you with a business venture or idea. Lucky colour: purple. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) There is a silver lining for you so be patient. Stay focused on the task at hand and try not to get distracted. The upcoming period may feel like a challenge but hang in there. The cycle is…

DHANUSH is exuding devil mode in the new Captain Miller song Killer Killer. The song showcases a hardcore attitude and is no-holds-barred. Performed by Dhanush, the majority of the song is spoken word. Half of it is performed in English and it then mixes in Tamil before switching to singing. While most of the song is hushed speaking, there is a roaring rise as Dhanush’s ‘killer’ avatar slowly emerges and takes to the stage. The actor seems to have taken to his character as he renders some of his vocals with style and brilliance – giving a lot of aggression in his singing – which is backed by a marching band behind him. Captain Miller is a GV Prakash Kum ar musical that boasts an ensemble cast that includes Dr…

Radhika Apte and Keerthy Suresh will be pitted against each other in the upcoming edgy revenge thriller Akka by Yash Raj Films. A source said: “Keerthy Suresh and Radhika Apte are considered two of the most gifted female actors in India today. They are incredibly natural artistes and hailed as sheer tour de force on screen, having delivered incredible performances project after project. So, the fact that Keerthy and Radhika have been pitted against each other makes Akka one of the most intriguing streaming projects being made in the country. “The project is being helmed by debutant writer and director Dharmaraj Shetty, a disruptive creative mind that has been recently found by Aditya Chopra. His vision for Akka grabbed Aditya’s attention and the project was green lit instantly with a…

November 26 marked the 163rd anniversary of the second allotment of indentured workers arriving to their African homes aboard the SS Belvedere. The Belvedere left Calcutta on October 4, 1860, carrying 342 passengers to the port city of Natal. The 1860 Heritage Centre in the Durban CBD held an event on Sunday to mark the occasion. An indentured worker bell was rung in tribute to those indentured workers who died on the journey. There was also a workshop on how to trace one’s Indian indenture ancestry. Among the guests were ……

Parliament’s finance committee has decided to maintain the original implementation date of the two-pot retirement system of March 1 next year, despite the National Treasury and industry wanting the system to be implemented in 2025. The Treasury said it wanted to enable the SA Revenue Service (Sars) and the industry to get systems in place, which they say can be done only once the law has been proclaimed. The system would permit members of retirement schemes to access their pension funds before retirement. The new proposed two-pot system intends to allow members of retirement schemes the flexibility to access a third of their savings before retirement while keeping the other two-thirds for retirement. In the new system, members of schemes will have three “pots”: vested (built before the legislation becomes…

MORNING rituals and healthy breakfasts together form a tradition we pass down to our kids. But here is the twist: cereals might contain ingredients with damaging effects. Nupuur Patil, a nutritionist and fitness expert, breaks down cereal ingredients. Acrylamide: A potentially carcinogenic (cancer-causing) compound is formed during the cooking process of certain foods, especially those high in starch, like cereals. Acrylamide is classified as a Group 2A carcinogen by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, indicating its potential carcinogenicity to humans. The sugar dilemma: One of the primary concerns associated with cereals is the high level of added sugars. Studies suggest a possible link between excessive sugar consumption and an elevated risk of certain cancers. Refined sugars contribute to inflammation and insulin resistance. Artificial colours and flavours: Some studies…

750g paneer, sliced 60ml sunflower oil 5ml ajwain or ajmo 1 onion, finely chopped 5ml coarse salt sprig of curry leaves 10ml crushed garlic 15ml red chilli powder 600g fresh tomatoes, grated 5ml ground cumin 7.5ml ground coriander 5ml garam masala 2ml turmeric pinch of sugar 20ml tamarind fresh coriander, to garnish Heat the sunflower oil in a 24cm AMC Gourmet pot and fry the ajwain seeds until they turn a shade darker. Add the chopped onion and salt. Sauté until the onion turns golden brown and add the curry leaves and crushed garlic. Fry the garlic until pale golden and add the red chilli powder. The red chilli should only be fried for 3 to 5 seconds or it will burn in the hot oil. Add the grated…

500g pumpkin 60ml sunflower oil 5ml mustard seeds 5ml cumin seeds 1 onion, finely chopped 4 dried red chillies 7.5ml crushed garlic sprig of curry leaves 5ml coarse salt pinch of sugar, optional fresh coriander, to garnish Peel and cube the pumpkin. Heat the sunflower oil in a 24cm AMC Gourmet Unit and fry the mustard seeds until they begin to splutter. Add the cumin seeds and once they are fragrant, sauté the onion until light golden brown. Add the salt, dried red chillies, crushed garlic and curry leaves. Fry for a few seconds and add the pumpkin cubes. Stir well. When the pumpkin cubes start to stick to the pan, pour in 500ml boiled water and reduce the heat. Simmer until tender and add sugar. Garnish with fresh…

WEALTHY men, including a Tongaat doctor and a policeman, who allegedly pursued romantic relationships on the gay dating and chat app, Grindr, claim they were lured to local guest houses under false pretences, where they were beaten, choked and robbed. There are 13 victims – some of whom are married – including Mount Edgecombe businessman, Kuben Kevin Archary, 43, who was found strangled with a rope at a Durban guest house in July. In total, the victims were robbed of R1 million. Yesterday, four suspects appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on charges of murder, robbery with aggravating circumstances and kidnapping. The accused are Khumbulani Quintin Ngubane, 40, Celempilo Nkomo, 29, Nkanyiso Ndebele, 28, and Mzwemvelo Simphiwe Ngubane, 28. Mzwemvelo was the only one who applied for bail. The other…

STRICTER regulations in the proposed Tobacco Bill have been met with criticism and concern by local tuckshop owners as the sale of “loose” cigarettes will not be allowed. In a significant stride toward public health reform, the proposed bill has undergone developments, unveiling a set of changes that aim to curb smoking and promote a healthier society. The legislative amendments, currently under scrutiny, provide a detailed framework of what can and cannot be done in the realm of tobacco consumption. The South African Medical Research Council, on behalf of the National Department of Health, implemented the first Global Adult Tobacco Survey in South Africa in 2021, which showed 29.4% of the population aged 15 and above used one or more forms of tobacco products. This week, Pietermaritzburg tuckshop owners…

Alphanumeric combination: The new number plates will feature a combination of letters and numbers, replacing the current format. This change is designed to increase the number of unique plate combinations, facilitating improved vehicle identification. Colour scheme: A revised colour scheme will be introduced for the number plates. Motorists can expect a shift in colours as part of the system update. Enhanced security features: The updated plates will incorporate advanced security features, aimed at reducing the risk of counterfeiting and ensuring the integrity of the registration system. The cost of obtaining the new number plates will be in line with the current fee structure for vehicle registrations.…

FOR years, Charles and Leila Abrahams of Phoenix have relied on the sea to feed their family and bring in extra income. Charles, known as Bob in the fishing community, said he had been fishing for 40 years and Leila for 28 years. “Because of financial challenges and circumstances at home, we had to do something to supplement our income and earn an honest living. What we catch we eat at home and sell some for extra money,” Bob said. “Fishing is costly. We need petrol and cracker bait. We also need to support our families. We have to pay rent, lights and water. What we sell helps us to cover these kinds of costs.” Leila said that on top of that, they had to deal with the many obstacles…

Market Day The Chatsworth Cheshire Home will host a Summer Carnival Market Day on December 2 from 8am to 2pm at 34 Turnstone Avenue in Bayview (Unit 2). The event is in aid of raising funds for the home, which caters for children with physical disabilities. Entrance is free. Vendors interested in booking a space, and for more information, call Vimla Pillay at 082 826 4569. Well-being The Chatsworth branch of the South African Depression and Anxiety Support Group will meet on December 2 at the Nelson Mandela Community Youth Centre from 2pm to 4pm. The support group provides a safe and confidential space for you. For more information, call Aimee at 067 005 1325.…

THE story “Son, 10, salutes ‘hero’ dad” (POST, November 22–26) by Charlene Somduth made for sad reading. Fear and frustration have prompted me to write about the murder of Sergeant Riyadh Adams. As usual, all men and women do what every person does when they leave for work, say goodbye to their family. But when you are a member of the South African Police Service, there is no guarantee you will finish your shift alive. Sergeant Adams was shot dead by robbers while on duty. It proves the justice system has failed us and it's getting worse. Crime is becoming a major problem. The solution is that harsher laws need to be in place, but sadly nothing is happening. I find this inexcusable when the men in blue are being…

I AM the manager at several high-rise accommodation buildings in the Durban CBD. Over the past few months, I have had to appoint private plumbers, at immense cost, to clear the municipal drains outside my buildings as the eThekwini Municipality just ignores our reports and never responds. This is becoming more problematic by the day as the infrastructure deteriorates. At the end of October, we reported the blockages of the drains outside a hotel, which had sewage backing up into the building. This building houses more than 600 people and food outlets, too. On November 1, after I was forced to appoint a private plumbing company to clear the drains, I took the liberty to get them to also use their cameras to find the cause of the blockage which…

I HAVE first-hand experience of the frustration of water disruptions in eThekwini and am deeply concerned about this ongoing problem facing the city. I am also the former chairperson responsible for water in the city and a board member of Umgeni Water, the bulk supplier of water to eThekwini. In Durban, water provision is a costly business with billions used annually to treat, store and distribute this resource. It is a fact that ageing infrastructure plays a key role in water outages, but sabotage, allegedly by contractors, and some rogue officials cannot be ruled out. In eThekwini, close to 60% of water purchased from Umgeni uThukela is lost and unaccounted for. This means that water users are paying for water they do not use. Unfortunately, very little is being done…

WE EXPRESS deep concern over the recent revelations regarding the manipulation of the rand by South African and international banks. Their actions have raised serious questions about the stability of our economy, the welfare of South African workers and the integrity of our financial systems. We vehemently condemn any attempts at destabilising our economy or orchestrating regime change through unethical financial practices. The manipulation of the rand by major banks should be a matter of concern for the nation as a whole. The severe impact that the manipulation has had on workers, businesses and the overall economy is deeply concerning, and should have major legal and criminal consequences. The burden carried by the workforce due to the manipulation of the rand, resulting in retrenchments, reduced salaries and economic instability, is…

I write to you, not just as a shopper, but as a survivor and now a chronicler of The Pavilion’s remarkable “shopping sauna” and its equally adventurous parking escapade. Picture this: a trip to The Pavilion in Durban, where one is not only treated to a sweltering shopping experience, but also to an epic saga in the parking lot. Ah, the parking at The Pavilion – a realm where functioning ticket machines are as rare as a cool breeze in the mall. Every other machine seems to have embraced a state of permanent vacation, creating an enthralling challenge for us, the patrons. The queues of cars, stretching hundreds of metres, are a testament to the endurance and patience of Durban’s finest. This is no mere inconvenience; it’s a trial by…

THROUGH the introduction of cheap Indian indentured labour to the British colony of Natal, the colonial administration discovered a source of skilled domestic and manual labour in what they called “special servants”. By the early 1900s, Natal’s growing demands of hospitals, dockyards, municipal councils, hotels, restaurants and housewives all came to rely on special servants to fulfil a range of servant-minded roles. Many of the special servants were literate and spoke English. Meeting the high demand for special servants proved to be difficult for recruiting agents (arkatiyas) in India as those fell into a higher wage bracket compared to plantation and mine workers. Although considered to be higher up the pecking order in a class-conscious social hierarchy, they were not exempt from abuse. The Protector of Indian Immigrants reports of…

Turmeric has a warm, bitter taste and a wealth of health benefits. These include reducing inflammation, increasing antioxidants and lowering the risk of heart disease. Turmeric tea is a popular way of consuming turmeric. It has a unique, but subtle flavour. 1 cup (250ml) almond milk (unsweetened) ½ tsp (2.5ml) turmeric ¼ tsp black pepper (optional) 1 tsp (5ml) brown sugar (optional) Option 1: Add all the above ingredients to a small pot and bring to a boil. The black pepper is important as it helps with curcumin absorption. Option 2: Boil 2 to 3 cups of water on the stove. Add 1–1½ teaspoons of turmeric powder, a small piece of cinnamon stick and stir. Simmer for about 5 to 10 minutes. Strain the tea into another container. You may…

THE Durban heat is here, and the summer fish have followed. Most summer accounts have opened with a bang. Have you opened yours yet? Top tip. Summer is here! The summer heat is starting to make air-conditioning a necessity and the north-east wind is starting to blow more consistently. The North Coast is where you want to be at this time of year. Make sure you have all your traces made up. Service your reels and make sure they are spooled with the best quality braid you can afford. Preparation goes a very long way when it comes to fishing and can be the difference between a good day fishing and a miserable day at the beach. Spinning along the North Coast has accounted for some very good fish recently.…

THIS Friday promises an intense showdown for cinema enthusiasts as two much-anticipated movies, Vicky Kaushal’s Sam Bahadur and Ranbir Kapoor’s Animal, hit the screens. The clash between these two films has sparked considerable buzz, with indications favouring Animal as the early front-runner. Animal Animal set pulses racing with a trailer that left fans in awe. Kapoor, who described the film as an “adult-rated Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham”, teased audiences with a glimpse into a narrative layered with action, intensity and emotion. The trailer, deemed “mental” by enthralled fans upon its recent release, portrays Kapoor’s character, shaped by a tumultuous upbringing, as fiercely protective and obsessively devoted to his father, played by the veteran actor Anil Kapoor. Threatening anyone who dares challenge his bond, Kapoor’s character navigates a world brimming with…

The Sri Sathya Sai Centre in Overport celebrated the 98th advent of Sri Sathya Sai Baba at the NPS Temple Hall in Springfield on Saturday. At the celebration were:…

Many of us invest with the hope of receiving our money back in years to come and enjoying a secure retirement. But not all of us get the opportunity to realise the full value of our investments. Here are 10 mistakes people make when it comes to saving for retirement: 1. Not educating yourself Many people are not aware that they need to start saving for retirement from a young age. The earlier you start saving for retirement, the better because of the compound interest rate. 2. Retiring too early People live longer than before, which means that retirement investments need to be meticulously planned so that you don’t end up outliving your savings. 3. High investment fees High fees erode investment growth. 10X is offering new investors six months…

200ml chana dhal 50ml sunflower oil 2.5ml mustard seeds 2.5ml cumin seeds 1 onion, finely chopped 7.5ml ginger and garlic paste 10ml – 15ml red chilli powder 1 small tomato, grated 5ml ground cumin 5ml ground coriander 2ml turmeric 300g baby brinjals sunflower oil, to fry brinjals fresh coriander, to garnish Boil the dhal until it is soft and tender but still holds shape. While the dhal cooks, prepare the brinjals. Slice the brinjals, sprinkle with fine salt and toss to coat. Leave the brinjals in a colander to sweat. Wipe with a paper towel and squeeze gently to remove the excess moisture. Heat sunflower oil in a 28cm AMC Chef’s Pan and fry the brinjals until golden brown. Drain the dhall in a colander and reserve the liquid. Heat…

500g bindi or okra sunflower oil, to fry okra 4 to 5 medium potatoes 4 garlic cloves 2cm piece of ginger 4 green chillies 45ml fresh coriander, chopped 45ml sunflower oil 10ml red chilli powder 5ml ground cumin 5ml ground coriander 2ml turmeric 2 tomatoes, grated 5ml coarse salt fresh coriander, to garnish Lightly rinse the okra and use a paper towel to wipe them dry. Top and tail the okra and slit them lengthwise. Heat the sunflower oil in an AMC pan and fry the okra slices until crispy and pale golden. Remove from the oil and leave in a colander to drain. Peel the potatoes and slice them into wedges. Place them in a bowl and cover with cold water for 20 minutes before draining them in…

MAJOR water outages continue unabated in the eThekwini region with taps running dry in oThongathi (Tongaat), Verulam, Phoenix and uMhlanga for two weeks. With soaring temperatures in Durban, fears are rising about the health risks associated with a lack of water. A week ago, the Durban Heights Treatment Works was shut down in a bid to improve water supply to areas north of the city. Thirty-three reservoirs are reportedly still affected with irregular water supply. To add to residents’ woes, municipal water tankers are not adequately servicing these areas, according to ward councillors in Verulam, oThongathi, uMhlanga and Phoenix. Last week, city spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said the problem had been caused by a power failure which affected the Durban Heights Treatment Works, resulting in reduced volumes to the northern aqueduct.…

Recently, a well-known priest was “called out” on Tik Tok by a temple official for allegedly attending prayers late and a warning was issued for devotees not to donate money to him in the name of the temple. The video said Guru Kevin Munien had been asked to step down from his position as vice-chairperson of the Sri Gangaiamman Alayum Temple in Palmview, Phoenix, for his alleged late-coming. Avinash Balkisson, the chairperson of the temple, said he appointed Munien as the vice-chairperson in 2022. “I met Guru Kevin in 2019 at a ceremony. I liked the manner in which he conducted prayers. In early 2020, I was elected chairman of the temple and my vision was to expand the temple. I contacted Guru Kevin shortly after my appointment and asked…

THE five attorneys who allegedly paid bribes in exchange for acting magistrate positions, have been cited as witnesses in the indictments against suspended regional court president Eric Nzimande. Nzimande appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court last week on allegations of corruption. He is accused of taking bribes from the five attorneys in exchange for the positions. Nzimande was charged with five counts of contravening the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities (Precca) Act by allegedly receiving unauthorised gratification. According to the indictment, it is alleged that between April 2012 and January 2015, Nzimande took bribes ranging from R11 010 to R140 000. “The State is alleging that he sought and received gratification from each of these individuals either before, during, or shortly after their appointments,” said NPA spokesperson Natasha Kara-Ramkissoon.…

DRIVE-BY shootings, home invasions, petty theft and business robberies have become the norm in Verulam. Amith Parag has been living in the town for more than 12 years. “This used to be a quiet town but now simple things like hanging your washing to dry have become dangerous. We have home invasions and shootings every week. Going to the Verulam CBD to shop, we have to constantly watch our backs.” He said the biggest issue was petty crime. “I’ve been a victim of petty crime like many in our neighbourhood. There is one suspect that targets us constantly. He gets caught, goes to court and days later he is out free, committing the same crime. Residents are afraid to leave their homes and visit family because of this.” Parag said…

VIOLENT crime such as hijackings and home invasions has claimed the lives of many residents in Chatsworth. Some of the families of these victims are still waiting for justice, while others have secured convictions but are still haunted by the brutal deaths of their loved ones. l In 2021, Phildon Chetty, 39, a commercial manager for Aspen Pharmaceuticals, was travelling under a pedestrian bridge on the Higginson Highway when his vehicle, a Toyota Corolla, was struck with a rock. His brother, Veldan Chetty, said: “As he was driving towards the bridge, which is near the Shallcross and Westcliff off-ramp, the rock came through the windscreen and struck Phildon on the chin, causing his neck to break. His vehicle veered off the road and he died at the scene.” Chetty said…

IT’S DORADO and kingy time. Learn how to catch these fish in five minutes. As the water and season warm up, we head into summer fishing. The first two edible species that come to mind for the shore and offshore fishermen are dorado and kingies. The timing of the upcoming ladies comp at the uMhlanga Ski Boat Club couldn’t be more exciting. As the thermocline is relatively closer to shore, we usually get sailys and dorado near our bait marks along our coastline at the beginning and ending of our dorado season. Kingies: there have been some lovely GT around. Again with gingies. It’s always best to put a decent live bait/chokka and sardine combo bait near a formation or structure where the bait fish frequent. To catch a fish,…

THE WomanPACT Awake 2023 Benefit – a gala dinner to raise awareness and funds to combat gender-based violence (GBV) in South Africa – will take place in uMhlanga next month. The event, hosted by WomanPACT, a women empowerment non-profit organisation, will focus on the communities of Phoenix, Chatsworth, Newlands, KwaMashu and surrounding areas. It will also honour activists with a WomanPACT Vanguard of Change Award for their dedication to combating GBV. Charlene Singh, spokesperson for WomanPACT, said: “The benefit is in response to the pressing GBV crisis in Durban where WomanPACT has been diligently working to address this pervasive issue through impactful programmes. These include educational campaigns, survivor support programmes and community engagement, to foster a culture of respect and understanding. “The event aims to shed light on countless individuals…

IN AN OVERWHELMING majority, South African parliamentarians recently passed a motion to close the Israeli embassy in South Africa by a vote of 248 in favour (EFF, ANC, PAC, Al Jama-ah, NFP and ATM) and 91 against (DA, IFP, FF+ and ACDP). The motion, which the EFF initiated and was backed by the ANC, accurately reflects the views of the people of South Africa and our support for human rights, international law and justice for the Palestinian people. We commend the EFF, ANC and all other parties who in unison, voted in support of morality and our interconnected humanity. In 2017, the ANC resolved to downgrade diplomatic relations with Israel. Subsequently, in 2018, the government withdrew its ambassador from Israel. Last week, ahead of the parliamentary vote, the Israeli ambassador…

Apartheid South Africa shared a cosy relationship with Israel, along with Taiwan and Chile, while the ANC shared ties of solidarity with the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), along with the Irish Republican Army (IRA). Along with the deep ties between the ANC and the PLO, leading to wider solidarity with Palestine, there is also a general solidarity with Palestine within South African society. The largest mass organisations in the country, such as Cosatu, Numsa and Abahlali baseMjondolo, are all resolutely in support of the Palestinian struggle. It comes as no surprise that the ANC voted in favour of a resolution to cut diplomatic relations with Israel. But while the Israeli ambassador has left and our Tel Aviv-based diplomats have been recalled, there seems to be concern in some quarters that…

WE HAVE called on the city and the KZN Provincial Government to intervene in the city’s water crisis and place the eThekwini Water and Sanitation Unit under administration. It is no secret that the city is faced with a water crisis of unprecedented proportions. The city claims that the floods of April 2022 have impacted the department’s ability to provide water services. They further claim that a delay in receiving national funding to repair damaged infrastructure resulted in unfathomable interruptions of water supply to many parts of the city, particularly in areas that are serviced by eThekwini’s Northern Aqueduct Reservoirs. There are also claims of restricted supply from Umgeni Water to the Durban Heights Water Treatment Plant, impacting on water supply to various parts in the city. These claims could…

THE recent cartel rand manipulation leaves South Africans frustrated and disadvantaged. The economy finds itself in a downward spiral due to these actions, which adversely affect South Africa’s credit ratings as financial monopolies become richer and minorities become poorer. Citizens are unable to trade fairly in comparison to our local and international competitors in the marketplace. Recent reports about UK banking multinational Standard Chartered Bank’s (SCB) admission of liability and subsequent agreement to settle with the Competition Commission for R42.7 million, in connection with the rand/dollar manipulation scandal that was exposed in 2017, has brought to the fore the unscrupulous activities within South Africa’s banking system. In the process, it has damaged the public’s faith in the integrity of the South African financial markets. The case has been under prosecution…

NICHOLAS Peter Pillay is lucky to be alive after being bitten by a venomous stiletto snake at his home in Malvern, last Monday. Pillay, a DJ on Lotus FM, had arrived home from work with his fiancée when they encountered the snake. “We got out of our vehicle and my fiancée saw it. She screamed ‘snake’ and I went around the car to check. It was lying curled on our driveway. At first I thought it was a common brown house snake.” He said he took a video of the snake before trying to pick it up with a broom. “It was dark and I thought I was picking it up by the tail but it was the head. As I picked it up it struck me on the hand.…

ASAD Haniff Ramjan will spend the festive season behind bars. On November 13, Ramjan allegedly shot and killed Constable Thabani Gwala during a road rage incident in Oribi Road, Pietermaritzburg. On Friday, the Pietermaritzburg Magistrate’s Court denied bail to Ramjan, 29, an employee at a local gun shop. Gwala, 35, of KwaSwayimane, was a member of the Public Order Policing Unit based at the Alexandra Police Station. Ramjan was arrested at the scene and charged with murder. The State opposed his bail, citing concerns about the safety of witnesses and Ramjan’s safety. Captain Simphiwe Mhlongo said the matter was adjourned to January. According to a police source, it was alleged that at the time of the incident, Gwala, who was off duty, was travelling in a VW Polo and Ramjan…

Rasam is a South Indian staple. It is also known as the King of Soups. There are many variations of rasam, which differ from state to state in India. However, there are a few ingredients that are essential to all variations of rasam. The key ingredients are tamarind, coriander seeds, turmeric powder, curry leaves, asafoetida, cumin seeds, mustard seeds and garlic. 1/2 cup (125ml) dried tamarind soaked in 1 cup of water for 5 minutes (black or brown tamarind), or 1-2 tbsp tamarind concentrate. You may use more tamarind for a tangier outcome. 3-4 cups water A glug of oil ¼ tsp mustard seeds 10-12 curry leaves ½ small onion finely sliced (optional) 4-6 small cloves garlic peeled and roughly smashed ½ tbsp (7.5ml) chopped ginger 1-2 red chillies roughly…

HEALTHY hair is a statement of one’s confidence and overall health. Amid high stress levels and following the Covid-19 pandemic, poor hair health has been on the rise. Hair loss, dandruff, premature greying and male pattern baldness have become a common occurrence, with people spending hundreds to thousands of rand on everything from creams to shampoos and supplements. But there are more natural solutions that will give you the results you want at half the cost. Hair is considered to be the by-product of bone formation. The health of hair also depends on the health of your central nervous system and the gut. According to the ancient classical text of Ayurveda, it has been mentioned that the structure, colour and quantity of hair of a progeny are dependent on the…

BRUNO Fernandes says he is relishing the prospect of playing in a hostile atmosphere at Galatasaray this week as Manchester United seek to keep their slim Champions League hopes alive. Erik ten Hag’s side appear unlikely to reach the knockout stages after defeats in three of their four Group A matches left them rooted at the bottom of the table. The three-time European champions have lost away to Bayern Munich and Copenhagen and at home to Galatasaray, meaning another defeat in Istanbul tonight would end their Champions League dreams with a match to spare. But United captain Fernandes said the players were confident they could turn things around, with today’s match at Galatasaray followed by a home game against already-qualified Bayern. “We know that’s going to be tough, it’s going…

FURIOUS Wolves boss Gary O’Neil said bad refereeing decisions were hurting his reputation and “people’s livelihoods” after his team were on the wrong end of more VAR controversy in their 3-2 Premier League defeat at Fulham on Monday. Willian scored two penalties – including a stoppage-time winner – while Alex Iwobi’s early strike for Fulham was cancelled out by Matheus Cunha and Wolves’ Hwang Hee-chan also netted from the spot. But VAR was again the talking point after an engrossing match at Craven Cottage. Fulham started the match brightly and took a deserved lead in the seventh minute with a nicely worked goal down the left, finished by Iwobi. The visitors were level midway through the first half when Cunha headed home after sparkling wing play on the right by…

MUSIC maestro AR Rahman’s daughter, Khatija Rahman, will make her international debut with the composition of the soundtrack for the film Lioness, which is an India-UK co-production directed by film-maker Kajri Babbar. She will make her local debut as a film composer in the upcoming Tamil film Minmini. Khatija released her first single Farishton in 2020, which was composed and produced by her Oscar-winning father. She later featured on Grammy Award-winning composer and environmentalist Ricky Kej’s song Iltaja, and collaborated with Tamil rapper-playback singer Arivu on Sagavaasi. Lioness is a drama centred around the lives of two women, who live 100 years apart, according to Variety. The first story revolves around the suffragette (protester for women’s right to vote) Princess Sophia Duleep Singh, the granddaughter of King Maharaja Ranjit Singh…

Financial services provider Liberty has announced that as part of its Unclaimed Benefits Funds tracing efforts, this year, it has identified more than 13 000 people and paid more than R105 million to members and beneficiaries who had a legitimate claim. The group said it had embarked on community outreach programmes in an attempt to trace members and beneficiaries. Liberty’s head of unclaimed benefits, Kabelo van der Merwe, said: “Our up-to-date systems make it easy for members of the public to check if they may have benefits owed to them. “We appeal to anyone who suspects that a benefit from a previous employer might be owed to them to come forward and check with us. All we need is their identification document,” said Van der Merwe. Check if you have…

WAITING for two minutes or longer to clamp the umbilical cord of a premature baby soon after birth could help reduce the risk of death by more than half, compared with immediately clamping, or waiting a shorter time before doing so, according to studies published in the journal The Lancet. For the new findings, more than 100 international researchers examined clinical trial data and outcomes of thousands of premature babies, detailed in more than 60 studies involving more than 9 000 babies. Delaying clamping of the umbilical cord allows blood to flow from the placenta to the baby while the baby’s lungs fill with air. This is thought to help ease the transition to breathing in the infant. “Worldwide, almost 13 million babies are born prematurely each year and, sadly,…

750g potatoes 60ml sunflower oil 5ml mustard seeds 5ml cumin seeds 1 onion, finely chopped 7ml coarse salt 4 dried red chillies 4-6 fresh green chillies 10ml freshly crushed garlic 2.5ml turmeric 3-4 small bunches fresh methi 5ml kasori methi or dried fenugreek leaves, optional sprig of curry leaves fresh coriander, to garnish Peel the potatoes and slice them into cubes. Rinse under cold running water to wash off the excess starch. Place the potatoes in a bowl of water to prevent them from discolouring. Heat the sunflower oil in a 28cm AMC chef’s pan. Add the mustard seeds and once they splutter, add the cumin seeds. Once the cumin seeds turn a shade darker and become fragrant, add the chopped onion and coarse salt. While the onion is…

AN EMPLOYEE of Aqua Transport and Plant Hire has been shot dead and another is in hospital after gunmen opened fire on their vehicle just metres away from their business premises, in Westmead, Pinetown, late last week. Ruben Naicker, the company’s legal adviser, confirmed the victims were employees at the company. “One of the victims died in hospital on Monday and the other is in a stable condition. Our condolences go out to his family.” Naicker said the shooting occurred a few metres from the business premises. “We are all in shock at the moment. We are not sure what the reason for the shooting was. We are waiting for feedback from the police investigation.” He said for safety reasons he could not release the names of the employees. Last…

RELIGIOUS organisations which take to social media to air their dirty laundry are often fuelled by “egotistical” personalities. Moulana Abdullah Khan, of the Jamiatul Ulama, said it was important for those managing religious institutions to sit down and resolve their issues in a calm manner. “Turning to social media to talk about the internal problems of an organisation is not the right thing to do and brings more harm to the organisation than good. Most religious organisations have a code of conduct and it must be followed.” Pastor Cyril Pillay, spiritual leader of the People’s Church of God, said at a time of relentless social, political, economic and emotional turmoil in the world, there was a call for church leaders to conduct themselves in a manner that was exemplary and…

CHATSWORTH residents are concerned over what seems to them to be a growing crime problem in the area in recent months. Selvan Moodley, the PRO for the Chatsworth Concerned Citizens and Chatsworth Civic Organisation, said residents felt crime was getting out of hand. “I live in Arena Park and, in my area alone, we have had a few incidents, including one where a perpetrator broke into a home. “When the resident tried to ward him off, he stabbed her in the hand with a screwdriver. “Since the Covid pandemic, a lot of older persons passed on, resulting in a lot of our elders living at home alone. They become greater targets for criminals. “A lot of residents are complaining about copper pipes being stolen at their homes. Crime seems to…

POST Reporter Recreational fishing permit: Recreational fishers can now apply for their monthly and annual Recreational Fishing Permits on the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE)’s online Recreational Fishing Permit Application The online application platform was launch in October for recreational fishers and members of the public to easily access a recreational permit without having to do so via the South African Post Office (Sapo), given the closure of many of its branches Applicants can choose the type of permit they require, select the period of validity, process payments and download the permit. The online solution is complementary to Sapo issued permits, so members of the public with no internet access can use the nearest Sapo branch. Permit conditions include that: No more than 10 fish shall be…

IT IS with much regret, sadness and a heavy heart that I learnt of another senseless and ruthless killing of a police officer in KwaZulu-Natal. The first was last week. After an argument with a motorist during an alleged road rage incident, a policeman, Constable Thabani Gwala, was shot dead in Oribi Road, Pietermaritzburg. Last Sunday, Sergeant Riyadh Adams was responding to an armed robbery and was mercilessly shot and killed by fleeing robbers from the Pavilion mall in Durban. What a loss of life. This highlights the state of lawlessness that exists in our so-called “democratic Rainbow Nation”. The SAPS must ensure that both cases are thoroughly investigated and watertight cases are presented at court for conviction and appropriate sentencing. Unfortunately, it is the time of year when crime…

Load shedding during mealtimes was a huge problem during the early days, but these days innovative South Africans are using the occasion for outside entertainment, demonstrating their culinary skills to family and friends. I always thought that the ubiquitous traditional South African braai was the invention of the Afrikaans-speaking community and that the three-legged cast iron “potjie” pot was made famous by the indigenous black man. How wrong I was in both instances. Both these concepts were brought to this country by the early European settlers, particularly the Dutch, who arrived in the Cape in the 17th century. Both are entrenched as national pastimes and if you are of my generation, you will remember the ‘70s radio advert, “Braai vleis , sunny skies and Chevrolet … ” A quick introspection…

WHAT’S good for the goose is good for the gander. Punishment must fit the crime. The two maxims must apply to errant banks. Banks adopted a holier-than-thou attitude in closing Independent Media’s bank accounts, citing “reputational risks” as the reason. Yet, banks complicit in the malicious and immoral rand-fixing scandal, appear to be getting away with a mere slap on the wrist. Last week, Standard Chartered Bank agreed to pay a paltry R42.7 million admission of guilt penalty for manipulating the rand through fixing bids, offers and trades in alliance with other banks. This is indeed a pocket money fine for a major international bank. Evidence points to a network of well-co-ordinated corrupt activity as banks colluded on prices in the trading of the rand in a six-year period, from…

PEOPLE going to the beachfront unaware of the problems at Transnet must be surprised to see the dozens of ships crowding the outer anchorage, waiting to enter the Port of Durban. Once the busiest port on the continent, Durban has now sunk to the bottom of the list of the world’s ports. The cause? The congestion dilemma caused by poor planning, gross inefficiency and mismanagement, a collapsed rail network, hundreds of trucks clogging the road entrances to the port, and a corrupt, inefficient and unskilled, lethargic workforce and management at Transnet. The congestion at the Durban Harbour is an old story. The management at Transnet and its subsidiary Transnet Port Terminals have repeatedly failed in their duties to address the issues crippling the port. Like Eskom, they have not taken…

FOR many, the last paper of the matric exams is cause for great celebration – the end of an era and the start of new beginnings. It is the culmination of 12, and perhaps even more, years of schooling, dedication and parental involvement. It is a time of joy, comfort and pride for parents and extended family. It is also a time when pens-down parties and other celebrations are commonplace. In this regard, learners need to exercise great responsibility, care and caution to avoid any circumstance that would endanger their lives and well-being. This requires maturity and not recklessness. It cannot be that all of their effort ends in tragedy, as has happened in some instances. Parents and schools have the responsibility to ensure that matriculants do not place themselves…

A CHATSWORTH mother is demanding answers after her schizophrenic son allegedly hanged himself in an isolation ward at the RK Khan Hospital. Another family has also alleged ill treatment of patients by the staff. Keegan Govender, 31, of Unit 5, was admitted to the hospital on October 29. On November 7, he was found dead. His mother Charmaine Govender is seeking answers as she does not believe he would have ended his life. She has reported the matter to the police. Govender said that during a hospital visit on November 5, Keegan had claimed that a nurse who was treating him had allegedly stolen medical supplies from the ward. “My son told me this in the presence of the nurse. From that day on, this nurse began mistreating…

VIKASH Brian Sewnath’s bid for bail has been postponed. Sewnath, 45, made his second appearance in the Umlazi Magistrate’s Court on Monday for the killing of former councillor Sunil Brijmohan, 46, who was shot in Amanzimtoti in October last year. Shortly after the killing, police arrested five suspects and charged them with murder. Two of the accused pleaded guilty in October this year and were sentenced to 18 and 20 years in jail, respectively. The other three suspects are still in custody. Shortly afterwards, Sewnath, who was also Brijmohan’s business partner, was identified as the alleged mastermind behind the killing. He is facing charges of conspiracy to commit murder, murder, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. The bail application, was adjourned to December 6, because Sewnath stopped…

THE landscape of Durban’s prized Golden Mile could change should the eThekwini Municipality not renew the lease of the iconic Elangeni and Maharani hotels. Facing an uncertain future as their age-old lease agreements with the municipality are set to expire at the close of 2025 – the Southern Sun group has made it clear that it will have no qualms about “having to strip these two iconic hotels and move its operations to new premises”. The group is, however, convinced that the loss of these hotels would be detrimental to the Durban beachfront. Their closure would also lead to job losses for many who have worked there for their entire lives, and even generationally. Hundreds of families in the community were brought up on an income earned by the…

Take one teaspoon of amla powder with desi cow ghee in the morning on an empty stomach. Amla is a rich source of vitamin C, which is essential for producing collagen. It has potent antioxidant properties, promotes hair growth, and prevents dandruff. Desi cow ghee is a rich source of essential vitamins. It nourishes the body and enhances digestion. It is usually found in local Indian grocery stores. Soak fenugreek seeds overnight in warm water. The next morning grind the seeds into a thick paste and mix it with plain Greek yoghurt. Apply it on the scalp like a hair mask. Leave the mixture for about 20 minutes, then wash with shampoo. The combination of fenugreek and yoghurt as a hair mask strengthens the hair, reduces hair loss, promotes hair…

THE pressure that comes with representing South Africa on the biggest stage is much different from other countries, purely because of how the Proteas have performed at ICC events. The recently concluded World Cup campaign was no different in that the South African public made their thoughts and views known through social media platforms. One individual took most of the criticism: captain Temba Bavuma. It was not just the normal heat that any captain has to brace himself for after crashing out of a World Cup – instead, in this instance it seemed personal. However, it is nothing new for Bavuma, as throughout his career his spot in the team has always been something that was questioned. Within the team, it’s a different story, as Rassie van der Dussen told…