Table of contents for 2023-08-30 in Post

Anger is an emotion we learn to manage through our parents and surroundings, and our children learn to manage their anger from our reactions and words. Children give us an opportunity to see how a baby (blank slate) evolves as an emotionally and intellectually smart being. Change is a natural process. We cannot stop it, but we can control it. Kids can be moulded and the outcomes can be controlled. They experience every emotion that we experience as adults: happiness, sadness, anxiety, frustration, violence, love, empathy, etc. It’s human to feel all emotions. As adults, we have developed a method of coping with each emotion. The factors that determine how we deal with any emotions are: How you were guided to handle that emotion until the age of 5. How…

A prenuptial agreement can seem like something only high-profile people like Jeff Bezos – with his $138 billion-fortune to protect – actually need. But prenups – contracts entered into before marriage that detail how assets will be divided in the case of divorce – can be a good idea for anyone going into a marriage, according to lawyers and marriage counsellors. They have been in regular use since 1983, when a group of attorneys and law professors drafted the Uniform Premarital Agreement Act, a set of rules regulating prenups that 28 US states have since adopted. A recent poll showed that the percentage of couples with prenups had risen from 3% in 2010 to 15% in 2022. Nearly 40% of married or engaged couples between the ages of 18 and…

Obesity in adults has nearly tripled between 1975 and 2016 globally. The World Health Organization estimated that by 2016, about 1.9 billion adults worldwide were overweight. More than 650 million of these adults were obese. They represent about 39% and 13% of the world’s adult population, respectively. Women bear a disproportionately higher burden of obesity. In 2016, it was estimated that 15% of the world’s women and 11% of men were obese. Overweight and obesity are burgeoning health issues in sub-Saharan Africa – particularly in South Africa. In our recent research, we looked at the prevalence of overweight and obesity among women of childbearing age in South Africa. Earlier studies published in 2013, 2014 and 2019 (including a govern- ment report) show the prevalence of overweight and obesity at one…

AMITHA Ramlall is an accomplished former athlete, who excelled in running and swimming. She was born on January 5, 1977, and matriculated at New West Secondary School. She earned a BCom in law with a second major in organisational psychology. Ramlall has been involved in multiple athletic codes including track, road, and cross-country. She initially joined the Sunshine HMP (humility, motivation and perseverance) club before becoming a member of the Savages Athletics Club. She is currently not part of any club. Ramlall drew inspiration from her father, coach Terry Ramlall, his elder brother Louis Joshua, and her athletics coach Trevor Smith. She held several Natal records, including the girls’ under-14 record for the 1 500m in 1991; the girls’ under-16 records for the 1 500m and 3…

THE South African Hindu Maha Sabha will host a religious perspective webinar titled “Renewing South Africa’s Moral Compass” on September 2 at 2pm. The speakers are Karuna Mohan, an executive member of the Arya Samaj South Africa; Dr Saths Cooper, president of the Pan-African Psychology Union; Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana, general secretary of the South African Council of Churches; and Swami Saradaprabhananda, spiritual head and president of the Ramakrishna Centre in Phoenix. Professor Brij Maharaj, the deputy president of the Maha Sabha, said there was a need to reset the country’s ethical and moral compass. “As the faith sector maintains unequivocal support from society, religion provides hope that a better future based on justice and righteousness is still possible in our country and beyond. “Against this background, the Maha Sabha will…

DECEMBER this year will mark the 120th anniversary since man was first able to fly – a feat accomplished by the Wright brothers, Wilbur and Orville, in the plane called the Wright Flyer. That’s the version according to the western world and one most in our part of the world would have studied in school. But writings from India, thousands of years before 1903, have recorded flight in machines called Vimana. Several ancient texts make reference to these flying machines, which flew not only around planet Earth but also in space. Even the Ramayana and the Mahabharata, revered epics in Hinduism, speak of these flying machines. In the Ramayana, Ravana kidnaps Sita and escapes with her in a flying chariot known as Pushpak Vimana. After Rama defeated Ravana he returned…

WITH reference to the letter “Modi is welcome” (POST, August 23-27), just to cut short all arguments regarding Kashmir, let me point out one fact, which is not yet interred in history, but it is an ongoing phenomenon that began immediately after India attained independence. When I was a student in India for four years during the mid ’60s, I often read in many newspapers about rebel forces, wild backward tribes, adivasi terrorists and naxalites attacking legal, legitimate government-backed Indian forces in Assam, Manipur and a few other states of India. In those days the Indian press was about the most democratically free and truly liberal with its fearless exposure of events. Iconic newspapers like The Times of India, The Indian Express, Midday and Blitz published ongoing news of insurgencies…

IT WAS sad that the smaller parties like the Democratic Liberal Congress, Truly Alliance and the People’s Revolutionary Movement voted for the ANC to adopt more than R15 million of ratepayers’ money on festivities related to arts and culture during a council meeting last week. This is an insult to hard-working ratepayers who deserve basic service delivery but the municipality always provides the reason that the lack of service delivery is due to a lack of funding. The Department of Arts and Culture has its own budget for the promotion of arts and culture. So, why does the municipality have to provide funding for these festivals when the residents of eThekwini are living in appalling conditions? To add insult to injury, if the majority of officials were competent and skilled…

AN INDEPENDENT research study has confirmed that tap water in the eThekwini Municipality is among the safest to drink in South Africa. The research investigation was conducted by an online news site and was funded by Truth First, a central lab partner and a network of laboratories all over the country. Weekly water samples were taken from taps connected directly to the municipal supply from six cities – Durban, Joburg, Pretoria, Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Gqeberha. According to the research, those samples were tested by certified laboratories using an approach codified as a national standard. They did not tell the local municipalities or the Department of Water and Sanitation they were testing the water. In South Africa, drinking water is required to come in at 1 or below, as measured…

WITH the mounting cost of monthly expenses such as rent, transport, food and electricity, financial stress has become a growing concern for South Africans in these tough economic times. Research done in 2022 for the Floatpays State of Employee Well-being Barometer looked at employees’ experiences of their working environment and how their employers support their well-being. It showed financial wellness was a key factor influencing overall well- being and ultimately, productivity in the workplace, with one in five participants reporting high levels of financial stress. Over the years, we have seen multiple ways in which debt stress affects people’s lives. Financial constraints often result in changes in both their home and work environment, and the stress can cause a direct impact on their efficiency and productivity at work. Here are…

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) There is change for some of you and spirit is asking that you go with it. Try and step back from a challenging emotional situation to gain perspective. Clear out the clutter and sell or donate to make space for better things. Lucky colour: purple. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) Don’t be too stubborn to accept help. Watch where you spend your energy and focus on putting up healthy boundaries. If you notice that you are in a toxic situation,…

India began exploring the moon’s surface with a rover last Thursday, a day after it became the first nation to land a craft near the largely unexplored lunar south pole. Pragyan – wisdom in Sanskrit – rolled out of the lander hours after the latest milestone in India’s ambitious but cut-price space programme sparked celebrations across the country. “Rover ramped down the lander and India took a walk on the moon,” the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) posted on X (formerly Twitter). The six-wheeled, solar-powered rover will amble around the relatively unmapped region and transmit images and scientific data over its two-week lifespan. The successful touchdown of the Chandrayaan-3 (Mooncraft-3) mission came days after a Russian lander crashed in the same region. It also comes four years after the previous…

IS the SAPS failing in the fight against crime? According to the World Population Review, South Africa has the third-highest crime rate in the world, and the third-highest rape rate globally as well. South Africa also has a notably high rate of assaults, homicides and other violent crimes. Likewise, the latest quarterly crime statistics released by Police Minister Bheki Cele paint a bloody picture of violence tearing away at our social fabric, while our citizens tremble in fear in their own homes. Despite small signs of improvement, as many as 6 228 people were murdered between April and June this year, equating to 68 murders a day. This is even more than the 5 448 cars hijacked in the same period, which seems to signal that our lives are even…

The Active Citizens Movement (ACM) notes the judgment and sentencing of the six accused men in the Babita Deokaran murder case, two years since her death. While we welcome the sentencing, it is concerning that the masterminds who ordered the hit are still at large. This is unacceptable, more so as it was within the Department of Health that Deokaran uncovered irregular transactions. The ACM calls upon the National Prosecuting Authority to continue in its efforts to further investigate this matter and hold those who ordered her killing to be held accountable. The matter is far from resolved if these individuals are walking free. This also does not bode well for those in leadership who speak to the protection of whistle-blowers but fail to act decisively in ensuring that transparency…

South Africa is becoming Animal Farm, and the capture of the state is under way. The shortlisting of Kholeka Gcaleka, the deputy public protector, for the post occupied by Busisiwe Mkhwebane, the suspended public protector, is just one example of how politics is encroaching on every aspect of the country’s governance. The public protector’s office is a critical institution, one that must be independent and impartial. It should look out for the interests of the people, not political parties. Sadly, this is not always the case. Should Gcaleka succeed with her application, it will raise questions about the level of independence that the office can claim. The fact that President Cyril Ramaphosa will have the final say over who is appointed as the public protector is also concerning. This is…

THE SABC has banned the broadcasting of a radio advertisement wherein AfriForum asked the public to support its campaign against polarising statements like “kill the boer”. In this advertisement, AfriForum indicates that the organisation will oppose polarisation in the case that will be heard in the Supreme Court of Appeal on September 4 and through projects that promote mutual respect between different communities. The SABC’s ban is a gross censorship that ridicules the public broadcaster’s claims that the SABC is impartial and against divisive statements. The SABC has now positioned itself firmly behind Julius Malema, the EFF and this party’s divisive use of the “kill the boer” phrase by trying to silence those, like AfriForum, who are promoting mutual respect by opposing polarisation. It is shocking that the SABC, given…

AN ALLEGED drive-by shooting in uMhlanga Rocks has claimed the life of businessman Jullian Moonsamy. The 38-year-old, of Southgate in Phoenix, was shot while returning home in his BMW from the gym. His friend, a passenger in the car, was also shot and hospitalised. The incident took place on Lighthouse Road near the Oceans Mall on Monday night. Moonsamy, a father of one, co-owned a BMW car workshop in Phoenix with his younger brother. The sibling, who declined to be named, said: “My brother and I travelled to the gym in separate cars. When we were done at the gym, he drove off first with his friend. I was behind them but I needed to go to the store for a few things, so we went our separate routes. “When…

THE South African Council on Sport (Sacos) Commemoration Committee is celebrating the organisation’s 50th anniversary. For this reason, the SA Federation of Soccer Legends has facilitated the formation of the KZN Sacos Commemoration Committee in partnership with the George Ramalu Memorial Trust and Umongo Petroleum to plan a fun sports day for 340 children at Currie’s Fountain in Durban on Sunday, September 10 from 9am to 5pm. Activities include soccer for under-9s and under-11s, mini cricket, volleyball (2 courts), and netball. The Southern Natal Soccer Legends will host Northern Natal Soccer Legends at Currie’s Fountain at 3pm. All are welcome to enjoy a fun-filled day. Secure parking will be provided.…

THE rock and surf fishing is starting to head towards a summer pattern. There are still plenty of winter edibles on offer but the wind makes planning a bit tricky. The North Coast has seen some decent kob action. Chokka baits, live baits and paddletails have all been effective. Remember to retrieve very slowly with the paddletails and keep the lure close to the bottom. Use longer, slender baits for these fish as they will provide a bit more movement to entice the kob. There have been some snoek, garrick and the odd inedible as well for those who put in the effort. Stumpies, shad and snoek have been on the menu for the past week. The fishing along the beachfront and off the piers has been good. Cracker shrimp…

THE Department of Home Affairs has published a new draft Marriage Bill and is inviting the public to comment on this Bill until August 31, 2023. The bill seeks to rationalise South Africa’s fragmented marriage law regime and to recognise religious marriages that are not legally protected by existing marriage laws. It gives effect to the White Paper on Marriages in South Africa, which sets out the department’s official policy position and is the outcome of a lengthy public participation process. Freedom of Religion South Africa (FOR SA) is generally happy that the bill reflects the outcomes of the white paper. However, we remain concerned that it does not contain a clause that expressly protects the religious freedom of religious marriage officers. “This is needed to ensure that they cannot…

In the paediatric world, we’ve worried a great deal about what we call ACEs, or adverse childhood experiences, which can disrupt children’s lives and get in the way of the safe and stable nurturing relationships they need. Research has shown us the long shadows that early adversity can cast over health and mental health. But more recently, the relatively newer science of PCEs, or positive childhood experiences, has reframed the discussion, and helped balance out our understanding of how children grow, and the power of parents and caregivers to help them, even in tough times. A study published in the journal JAMA Pediatrics in 2019 examined the effect of these PCEs. In addition to asking about ACEs, the researchers asked 6 188 adults seven additional questions about their childhoods. Had…

India made history as the first country to land near the south pole of the moon, with its Chandrayaan-3 lander on August 23. This also makes it the first country to land on the moon since China in 2020. India is one of several countries, including the US with its Artemis programme, endeavouring to land on the moon. Why are countries like India looking to go to the moon? Countries are interested in going to the moon because it can inspire people, test the limits of human technical capabilities and allow us to discover more about our solar system. The moon has a historical and cultural significance that seems to resonate with people – anyone in the world can look up at the night sky, see the moon and understand…

Eskom’s own data shows that households and businesses have installed an estimated 4 400MW of rooftop solar PV which, according to independent energy analysts, is double the solar capacity procured under Eskom’s four bid windows. This remarkable feat has been achieved in just one year. The DA thanks South Africans for both their resilience and their willingness to focus on solutions in the face of ANC failure and mismanagement of the electricity sector. When South Africa appeared to be hurtling towards an inevitable grid failure and unavoidable economic ruin, it was ordinary citizens who stood up and turned the hopeless situation around. The DA categorically rejects the shameful attempts by President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa to hijack the people’s power generation success as evidence that the ANC government…

A 65-year-old woman repeatedly seeks medical help for her failing memory. She is first told it’s nothing to worry about, then, a year later, that it’s “just normal ageing”. Until finally, the penny drops: “It’s Alzheimer’s. There is no cure.” Scenarios like this are too common. Dementia remains largely under- detected, even in high-income countries such as Canada where rates of undetected cases exceed 60%. Beliefs that cognitive deficits are normal in elderly people and the lack of knowledge of dementia symptoms and of diagnostic criteria among medical doctors have been identified as the main culprits of missed cases and delayed diagnosis. Age-related memory losses should not be shaken off as just part of normal ageing. Occasionally forgetting where we parked the car or where we left our keys can…

IT WAS a harmless kiss, but the world did not see it that way. It caused a stir in sporting circles. Fifa and the Spanish nation are outraged at Spain’s soccer chief’s indecent behaviour. At the World Cup finals medal ceremony in Sydney, Luis Rubiales, head of Spain’s soccer federation, in a moment of madness forcibly kissed Spanish soccer star Jenni Hermoso in full view of the public, the media and the world. In his defence, he said it was consensual but Hermoso denied she had consented to the kiss. But the World Cup kiss has turned ugly for Rabiales and Spanish soccer. There have been several repercussions over the soccer scandal. Hermoso’s team mates protested and said they would not play for Spain again if Rabiales did not go.…

Caroline Michael is using social media to empower women to be strong after CCTV footage of her being robbed went viral. Michael, the owner of Innovation Hair Company, was robbed outside the Country Bakery on Musgrave Road last week. She said while at the bakery, two unknown men kept trying to talk to her. “This robbery was orchestrated by a consortium of people. Two people in the bakery were trying to strike up a conversation with me but I resisted. I felt something was wrong. When I left the bakery, a guy was waiting outside for me. “In the video, you can see a car waiting for him to get in after he robbed me.” She said when she was attacked, she did not do much to defend herself. “He…

SOUTH Africa has been named the third worst country for expatriates to live in. This is according to a report by William Russel, an insurance company for expatriates. Based in the UK, William Russel was founded by Inez Cooper in 1992. The insurance provider offers international health insurance, life insurance and income protection to expats of all nationalities living and working in the Far East, Middle East and East Africa, South America, Europe and Asia. This includes expats, individuals, professionals, families, remote workers, digital nomads, frequent travellers, start-ups, small and medium-sized businesses, large corporates, charities and governmental organisations According to the company’s Worldwide Expat Index, released recently, an estimated 281 million people live in a different country to the one they were born in. The company looked at 59 countries…

CENTRAL Durban Golf Club are holding their 2023 KZN Junior Masters Golf Tournament in October and are looking forward to hosting a field of 120 golfing enthusiasts. The tournament will be played at Royal Durban Golf Club on Friday, October 6. Club Pro Gary Govindsamy says the enthusiasm shown by children and their parents was so overwhelming that they extended the field to a whopping 120 children. “Although we don’t have an anchor sponsor, Central Durban Golf Club is working flat out to make this year’s tournament far more attractive than we had for the 84 children who participated last year. “We understand that economic times are tough and businesses are battling to keep their heads above water, small entrepreneurs have rallied together with small donations to ensure our October…