Table of contents for 2023-09-06 in Post

A DURBAN singer/songwriter who is known by her stage name, Yashna International, released her latest EP at the weekend. Yashna, 29, of Malvern, is a full-time musician. She recently graduated with a diploma in contemporary popular music, songwriting and production from the Los Angeles Academy for Artists and Music Production, which was founded by Grammy-winning production duo Stargate. They have produced hits for, among others, Neyo, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Katy Perry and Coldplay. Yashna recalled the moment she knew music was her future. “I think it was the moment I found both my voice and my feet. Nobody could stop me, even if they tried. If my hips were not shaking, my mouth was constantly moving and blaring out vocals. “Thinking back, I probably sounded awful because I had not yet…

Inspired by Nolan Adimulam’s life and memories. Choux Pastry: 1 cup water ½ cup butter 1 cup all-purpose flour ¼ teaspoon salt 4 large eggs Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Combine the water and butter in a medium pot. Bring to a boil, stirring until the butter melts completely. Reduce the heat to low, add the flour and salt. Stir vigorously until the mixture leaves the sides of the pan and begins to form a stiff ball. Remove from the heat. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition until incorporated. Using a spoon or pastry bag fitted with a No 10 or larger tip, spoon or pipe the dough on to the prepared cookie sheet in 3cm×10cm strips. Bake in the preheated oven for 15…

EVERY year, Selina Ingram sang “happy birthday” to her daughter Tammy while she was still in bed. This year, Tammy would have turned 16. But, instead of singing to her in her room, Selina visited her grave. Tammy and her brother, 17-year-old Matthew, died of organ failure three years ago after allegedly inhaling poisonous gases from a nearby home that was fumigated. On Friday, August 21, 2020, Selina and her husband Stanton Ingram said goodnight to their children before going to bed at their home in Kabega Park, Port Elizabeth. A few hours later, Tammy, then a Grade 7 pupil at Erica Girls’ Primary School, woke up because she felt sick. Selina later checked on Matthew, then a Grade 11 pupil at Westering High School. He was also unwell. Shortly…

THE SANDF, on behalf of the South African Air Force, honoured distinguished officers with medals during a parade at the base in Durban last week. Among the medal categories were general service and good service. Nelson Mandela medals were also handed out. The medals were conferred by Major General Mayenzeke Matanda, the deputy chief of the SAAF. Among the awardees were Sergeant Sunitha Pillay, Fire Sergeant Titus Marcel Pillay and Warrant Officer Gina Mahadew, who each received 20-year medals for good service to the SAAF. Sergeant Bradley Govender received a Nelson Mandela medal. Sergeant Sunitha Pillay, 53, from the Bluff, was raised in KwaDukuza (Stanger) where she attended Stanger Secondary School. Pillay, who is married and has two daughters, enrolled for training in 1993 in Pretoria Valhalla Gymnasium. “I chose…

THE Chatsworth Informal Traders Co-operative strives to empower people to earn a living and help to grow the local economy. The group recently held an anti- corruption awareness programme at the Croftdene Library. Keith Pillay, the chairperson of the co-operative, said the organisation was formed in 2019 to advocate on behalf of those earning a living in the local economy and to ensure fair administrative action by officials. “We are a registered non-profit organisation. This means we are self-funded. All the members of the executive committee are volunteers. To quote Thomas Sankara: he who feeds you controls you. “We assisted members of the local informal community with the July 2021 unrest relief fund application process and the 2021/2022 flood relief fund process. “We recently held a programme to assist members…

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has,” remarked anthropologist Margaret Mead. Mead could well have been talking about an emerging band of black swimming activists headquartered in Springfield, Durban, in the 1960s and ’70s. This recently established national organisation, the South African Amateur Swimming Federation (SAASwiF) – assembled under the banner of non- racial swimming – did the unthinkable in the summer of 1973. Within five years of forming, they convinced the international swimming body Fina, to eject the all-white South African Amateur Swimming Union (SAASU) from competitive pools around the world. In isolating South Africa – a founding member of Fina – from international sport, they struck a crushing blow to the nation’s pride…

ETHICAL and moral leadership is what the new National Independent Congress of South Africa (Nicsa) is propagating before the 2024 national and provincial elections. The party, led by Narendh Ganesh, a political and social activist, was launched at the Liberty Hall on North Coast Road last week. The party is registered with the Electoral Commission of South Africa. Ganesh was a member of the United Democratic Front and the South African Student’s Congress when he was a university student. He led boycotts in the Struggle against apartheid. Ganesh, now the chairperson of the Duffs Road Civic Association, has penned several open letters challenging the president, government ministers and mayors for alleged mismanagement, corruption and incompetence. He said the party’s primary mission was to help enforce change to developments that were…

BEFORE France take on New Zealand in the opening game of the World Cup, the hosts will have to face the ferocious challenge laid down by the All Blacks in the haka. “In a rugby game, if you want victory, you have to come and get it – it’s either you or us,” Dr Taku Parai, an elder from the Ngati Toa iwi Maori tribe, said. The haka is the fierce war dance that originated to prepare Maori warriors for battle and has since been adopted by New Zealand who perform one of two versions of the haka before games. Either, Kapa O Pango, created for the All Blacks and first performed in 2005, or the traditional Ka Mate, by far the best known. Under New Zealand law, the Ngati…

YOVANI Naidoo, a Durban musician, was recently awarded with one of the highest honours at the Telegana Music Awards in India. The Shruti Laya Music Academy, based in Telegana, nominated Naidoo for an international Telegana Music Award based on her music profile and her performance at the 2021 NRI Telugu Idol. It is the Telugu Indian Idol music competition television series, part of the Indian Idol franchise. “I was honoured with the international award, titled Visishta Seva Puraskaralu. It was presented by RP Patnaik (Telugu music composer and director). “Laxman V Reddy (Telugu ambassador) and Dr K Swaroopa (international ghazal singer) recognised and nominated me for this award. “I was nominated on the basis of outstanding talent, dedication and passion I had shown towards the Telugu language, music and culture,…

CHEF Nolan Adimulam recently exited from the reality TV show The Taste- master SA. The 22-year-old had made it to the Top 4 of season 4. The 13-part competition reality show sees 12 of South Africa’s culinary talents take on a series of baking challenges in the Taste Master Kitchen. The judges are celebrity chef Zola Nene and master bread baker Fritz Schoon, along with special weekly guest chefs and celebrities. The show is broadcast on Tuesdays at 7pm on SABC2. The episodes repeat on Wednesdays at 1pm and Saturdays at 2pm. All episodes are also posted on YouTube. Adimulam said he entered after his family encouraged him. He said making it to the Top 4 and having met world-renowned chefs were some of the highlights of his experience. Adimulam…

Inspired by celebrity chef Zola Nene 30g unsalted butter, divided 2 tbs flour 1 cup whole milk 1 bay leaf ½ tsp kosher salt ¼ cup grated Parmalat Mozzarella 8 slices thick ujeqe (recipe below) 8 to 12 slices good quality ham 200g Parmalat Cheddar cheese, grated, divided 4 eggs Preheat the broiler. In a small saucepan, melt 30g butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, stirring constantly until you smell the flour and the butter cooking, about 2 to 3 minutes. Do not allow it to brown. Add the milk and bay leaf and cook, stirring from time to time until the mixture thickens like a soup, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the bay leaf and stir in the Mozzarella. Transfer to a bowl to cool.…

THIS Heritage Month, dance is being used as a platform for collaboration and understanding within indentured communities across five countries. The programme involves the shared collaboration of art and culture between Mauritius, South Africa, Reunion Island, Fiji and Trinidad and Tobago. These five nations share a common history of labour migration from India during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Verushka Pather, a dance artist and artistic director of Natya Ananda Fine Arts Academy in Ballito, is leading the Shared Histories programme. “Through this shared past, the indentured community has developed a unique cultural legacy that continues to thrive today. Indentured workers were shipped from India to work on plantations under harsh conditions. “Throughout their struggles, they managed to preserve their traditions, including various local dance forms and performances. These…

National Wills Week will take place from September 11 to 15. The annual initiative will see participating firms affiliated to the Law Society of South Africa offer basic will-drafting services at no cost. Yolanda Akram, who owns Akram and Company Incorporated law firm in Morningside, said families were often left distraught when no valid wills were left behind. Her firm specialises in, among other things, deceased estates, wills and trusts, and human rights law. “A last will and testament is one of the best gifts you can leave behind for your family. A majority of people in our community do not have a will and, unfortunately, their estate will not always be distributed according to their wishes. By writing a will, you will ensure that your belongings are divided among…

THE cost of petrol and diesel are the highest since July and December 2022, respectively, after the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy adjusted the fuel prices. The new prices came into effect at midnight on Tuesday. Gwede Mantashe, the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, said the main reasons for the fuel price adjustments were: Crude oil prices (increased from $79.75 to $84.78). International petroleum product prices. Rand/US dollar exchange rate (from R18.28 to R18.67/$1). Implementation of the slate levy. Annual wages adjustment for the forecourt staff (5.0 c/litre increase in the price structures of petrol to accommodate the wage increase for forecourt employees). Both grades of petrol increased by R1.71/litre, while both grades of diesel increased by R2.76/litre and R2.84/litre respectively. Illuminating paraffin increased by R2.78/litre and LP…

Manchester United were extremely unlucky not to leave North London with a better result than Sunday’s dramatic 3-1 stoppage-time loss to Arsenal, said manager Erik ten Hag, who was left fuming after “everything went against” his team. The match looked destined to end in a 1-1 draw, before Declan Rice and Gabriel Jesus scored for Arsenal deep in injury-time. United had thought they were en route to victory after Alejandro Garnacho found the net in the 88th minute but it was ruled out by VAR for offside, a decision that had Ten Hag seething. “We have to improve, definitely,” Ten Hag told Sky Sports. “But you see and also what we have seen last year, we can beat everyone. “It was such small margins today, so it could also have…

The road to Germany resumes this week as Euro 2024 qualifying kicks back into action with key games for the continent’s heavyweights. These are some of the highlights with two rounds of matches spread over six days from September 7 to 12. A new coach for Italy Reigning European champions Italy have a new coach after Roberto Mancini’s resignation, with Luciano Spalletti hired as his replacement. Mancini resigned in mid-August, saying his decision had “nothing to do” with a possible move to Saudi Arabia. Two weeks later, he was named as the new Saudi coach on a four-year deal. Spalletti, who left Napoli after leading them to the Serie A title last season, takes over a team that is third in qualifying Group C, with three points from two games.…

ONE of India’s leading singers, backed by the KwaZulu-Natal Philharmonic Orchestra, will feature in a concert to raise funds for a 20-room unit for terminally ill in-patients at the Khanya Hospice on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast. Symphony of Love, with songstress Pratibha Singh Baghel, will be staged at the Durban ICC on September 24 at 7pm. The musical recital is a confluence of the musical traditions of India with Western classical music. The concert will present audiences with a curated collection of film classics, Bollywood hits and ghazals reimagined for orchestra. Singh Baghel, a singer and actress who lent her voice to many movies as well as the web series Bandish Bandits, will be supported by the 35-piece KZN Philharmonic Orchestra and an eight-member band featuring Indian musicians. Symphony of…

Inspired by master bread baker, Fritz Schoon 1kg cake wheat flour 10ml salt 30ml sugar 10ml instant dry yeast 30ml cooking oil 750ml lukewarm water Sift the flour and salt together. Add the sugar and yeast. Add the oil and enough lukewarm water. Cut in with a knife and mix to a soft, sticky dough. Add more water if necessary. Turn out the dough on to a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 to 10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover and leave to rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until doubled in size. Knock down the dough on a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. Divide into 6 to 10…

Inspired by fine-dining chef Luke-Dale Roberts Rough Puff Pastry: 11/3 cups (166g) all-purpose flour (spoon and levelled), plus more for generously flouring hands, surface and dough 1 tsp granulated sugar ½ tsp salt 170g unsalted butter, very cold and cubed 125ml ice cold water Whisk the flour, sugar and salt together in a large bowl. Place the cold cubed butter on top. Gently toss the flour and butter together with your hands, and then briefly rub the butter into the flour to begin combining them. Don’t break down the butter too much in this step. This step is only possible if the butter is very cold because if the butter is warm, you will end up with a paste. I don’t recommend a food processor, pastry cutter or mixer…

KAVISH Ramnarayan and Zithulele Ntshangase shared a common purpose: to help people in need. But both died doing so. On Friday night, the two men responded to an incident on the N3 near the Liberty Mall in Pietermaritzburg where a truck had overturned. Ntshangase, 47, a Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) officer, had cordoned off the area, allowing paramedics to assist the injured driver. While Ramnarayan, 31, a tow-truck operator, was trying to recover the vehicle, another truck ploughed into them. Both men were killed while the paramedic sustained severe injuries and was taken to hospital in a critical condition. Ramnarayan’s brother, Mark, said: “Kavish leaves a wife and two beautiful daughters who are only 5 and 2. He was a wonderful father, brother, husband and friend. Everyone loved him.” Mark…

TeKayha Sukuram, an actress, dancer and model, recently won an acting scholarship at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy after her performance at the 2023 International Modeling and Talent Association (Imta) convention in New York City. Sukuram, 21, of uMhlanga, who matriculated at Mount Edgecombe Private School, said she always wanted to be involved in the entertainment industry. “I remember watching Hollywood and Bollywood movies as a child and envisioning myself as one of the actresses on screen. I started dancing at the age of 5 and modelling followed. I’ve definitely envisioned myself on a world stage and that is what led me to follow this path,” said Sukuram. “I auditioned for the provincial auditions in 2020 and later went through to the national auditions where I was selected to…

RUWAYDA Noor (Henri) is a former athlete who made a name for herself in sprinting during her school years. She was born and raised in Durban and attended Epsom Road Primary and later Wentworth High. Her athletic journey began at her primary school’s inter-house athletics meeting at Greyville Racecourse. Her mother, who was the guest of honour, played a significant role in inspiring and supporting her. From an early age, Noor recognised her talent and knew she was a gifted athlete. She achieved success in Natal and South African schools’ competitions, where she became a sprint champion and set records. In the triangular athletics meeting in Johannesburg in 1973 and the South African Senior Schools Sports Association Athletics Championships in 1975, she represented Natal High Schools with distinction, setting national…

MY DEEPLY pious mother prohibited the eating of any food she had specially prepared for a prayer until it had been first offered to God. But she made an exception for children whose milk or baby teeth had not fallen off. In my biased view, my mother made the best vades and gulgulas – and there was no way I could suppress the urge to taste her savouries and sweets before they were placed before the deities. Thus, I would tease my mother that many of my teeth had never fallen out since birth, as I gingerly reached into the large cardboard box filled with just-fried crispy vades. Knowing I was playfully manipulating the situation, she would smile, shake her head and continue labouring at the hot stove. I grew…

Solomon (Solly) Parthasarthy Pillay, a musician and cultural stalwart, recently delivered a paper at the first World Tamil Development Conference in Chennai, India, on the challenges faced in upholding the Tamil language and culture in diaspora communities. His paper, published below, was titled ‘The Tamil Expatriate Perspective’ I AM a third generation Thamizhan, born in South Africa, with my grandparents having come from Pallavarum, Chengelpet and Salem in the late 1890s. For those who may not know, the first arrival of Dravidians into South Africa dates back to around 1652, when they came as slaves. There were also waves of migration of South Indians who came as gold miners in the Johannesburg areas. Then, as recorded in history, we were brought as indentured labourers to the British sugar farmers from…

A FAN was ejected from the US Open on Monday after Germany’s Alexander Zverev protested about the words of a Nazi-era anthem being shouted from the stands. Zverev was serving in the fourth set of his last-16 victory over Italy’s Jannik Sinner at the Arthur Ashe Stadium when the drama unfolded. The 12th-seeded Zverev approached chair umpire James Keothavong to complain about the alleged catcall. “He just said the most famous Hitler phrase there is in this world,” Zverev told the umpire. “This is unbelievable.” Keothavong consulted with security officials in an attempt to identify the culprit. Eventually a man wearing a blue baseball cap was singled out and ordered to leave the arena. Zverev later told reporters he had heard the fan singing the opening words of Germany’s Nazi-era…