Table of contents for 2024-03-20 in Post

500g fish roes little water 1 tbs chicken tikka masala 1 tbs lemon juice 1 tbs ginger/garlic paste ¼ tsp turmeric powder ¼ cup oil 1 chopped onion about 5 green chillies ½ tsp jeera seeds curry leaves 1 bayleaf 1 tsp chopped garlic 1 heaped tbs chilli powder ½ tsp turmeric 1 tsp dhania/jeera powder 1 can chopped tomatoes ½ cup tomato purée Rinse the fish roes. Steam them in a little water in a non-stick frying pan, for about 20 minutes. Drop the excess water from the pan and add the chicken tikka masala, lemon juice, ginger/garlic paste, ¼ tsp turmeric powder and oil. Mix well with the fish roes and leave to marinate for a few minutes, or start cooking immediately. Fry the fish roes on high…

2 cups all purpose flour 2 cups self-raising flour 2 tsp ginger powder 1 tsp salt ½ cup brown sugar 1 x 10g sachet dried yeast 4 tbs butter, softened ½ cup warm water 1 cup warm milk 2 tsp vanilla essence 1 extra large egg Filling: ¼ cup brown sugar 2 tbs cinnamon powder +/- 1 cup raisins/choc chips Crosses: ¼ self-raising flour ¼ cup water Glaze: 2 tbs hot water and 2 tbs maple syrup mixed together Mix the flour, spice, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Make a well in the centre. Add the water, milk, vanilla essence and egg. Stir gradually to incorporate the flour to make a soft dough. Add extra flour if the…

1kg chicken pieces 1 tbs lemon pepper 3 tbs chicken spice 1 tbs rustic garlic and herb spice 1 tbs Aromat 2 tbs mayonnaise Marinate the chicken with all the ingredients and place on a tray. It is best to marinate for a few hours/overnight, but it can also be done immediately. Bake in a pre-heated oven in the middle shelf at 240°C for 15 minutes. Pour out the excess liquid (it can be used to make a gravy). Reduce the heat to 170°C and bake for half an hour or until the chicken is cooked. Brush the chicken with a sauce of your choice when you take it out of the oven.…

FRUSTRATED community leaders say that after 30 years of democracy, the Constitution means nothing to communities whose struggle for water and electricity continues unabated. This as their calls for immediate action and government intervention have fallen on deaf ears. In saying “enough is enough” ahead of this Human Rights Day, the Verulam Water Crisis Committee, Phoenix Civic and Ratepayer Association, Tongaat Civic Association and La Mercy Concerned Citizens urged community members to join their public awareness campaign at the Durban City Hall this Thursday at 8.30am. Roshan Lil-Ruthan, spokesperson for the Verulam Water Crisis Committee, said they had also taken steps to seek assistance from the UN Human Rights Office in Geneva. “As we commemorate 30 years of democracy, it is a sad reality that the Constitution means nothing to…

Ayurveda offers a variety of recipes and remedies to promote joint health. These often involve the use of specific herbs, spices and foods that support the balance of the doshas and alleviate inflammation. Ayurvedic remedies that can be incorporated into your routine: Turmeric milk 1 cup of Jersey milk ½ tsp turmeric powder A pinch of black pepper ¼ tsp grated ginger 1 tsp honey (optional) Heat milk in a saucepan. Add turmeric, black pepper, and grated ginger. Stir and bring to a gentle boil. Simmer for a few minutes, then strain. Add the honey when lukewarm. Benefits: Turmeric and black pepper have anti-inflammatory properties, and ginger provides warmth, making this a soothing drink. Triphala decoction 1 tsp triphala powder 1 cup hot water Mix the triphala powder with hot…

HYDERABAD: A team of expert urologists at the Asian Institute of Nephrology and Urology (AINU) has successfully removed 418 kidney stones from a patient with only 27% kidney function. This remarkable feat was accomplished through a minimally invasive procedure, marking a significant advancement in surgical techniques for kidney stone removal, doctors said. A 60-year-old man presented a unique challenge with an unprecedented number of kidney stones and severely impaired kidney function. Rather than opting for a conventional, more invasive approach, the team, led by Dr K Purna Chandra Reddy, Dr Gopal R Tak, and Dr Dinesh M chose to utilise Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL), a minimally invasive technique. PCNL involves making small incisions through which specialised instruments are inserted into the kidney. This allows surgeons to precisely target and remove the…

THE article, “Worship leader suspected of grooming young girls”, the POST, March 13-17, sent a wave of shock and disgust through the community of Chatsworth and the surrounding areas. Again, the community of Chatsworth walks with its head low in the dark shadow of shame. Reading the article made me hang my head in shame. I mourn the loss of humanity. What else can I call it? Who do we trust? What mind could do something like this? Even the heavens will shudder. We are humans, the highest form of life on earth, and we do such despicable acts. We must never allow another child to be violated and betrayed in this manner.We are generally a community that is trusting. Sadly, it's a wake-up call for all of us. The…

It is widely established that human rights are indivisible, interdependent and interrelated. Similarly, consensus exists that water is the source of all life and therefore the right to water is the force that sustains the intrinsic connectedness of all human rights. However, in South Africa this vital right is under siege due substantially to neglected infrastructure. The nation is grappling with a growing crisis as the availability of this essential resource increasingly diminishes – leading to inequalities and adversities. The unfolding crisis is on full display in the rising number of community protests against water shortages. In the province of KwaZulu-Natal, communities living in the eThekwini Metropolitan are particularly despondent with increasing reports of water protests. In recent months, there have been increased protest action in areas such as Phoenix,…

THERE was a time not too long ago when everyone and their mother were walking around with a Blackberry phone with its characteristic qwerty keyboard. It was an era of texting via SMS and today’s popular messaging applications like WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger were unknown. BBM or BlackBerry Messenger was a highly popular messaging platform and users had to own a BlackBerry device to be part of this network. Users found each other in the network using a “PIN”. This was before smartphones made their advent. I bet you forgot about the Blackberry phone, like so many other things that were once a huge deal and then completely vanished from public life. Swatch watches, miniskirts, yo-yos, the Farmville game on Facebook, burning custom CDs, spinning rims on cars, Alice bands…

“While poverty persists, there is no true freedom.” HUMAN Rights Day is an important reminder to us of the decades of South African history in which, hideously, many human rights were denied to most of the population. But it is also a moment to consider if all South Africans yet enjoy fully their human rights. Although, from a legal point of view, the concept of human rights being enshrined in law seems very modern, the underlying concept – that all human beings are equal in dignity and worth – is ancient. It is, for example, evident in the book of Genesis (revered by Jews, Christians and Muslims) where all human beings – male and female – are made alike in the image of God and so share the same dignity.…

THE Tamil streaming series Inspector Rishi traces the journey of a sceptical inspector, Rishi Nandhan. Rishi’s convictions are challenged when he investigates a series of peculiar murders entwined with supernatural occurrences. The horror-crime-drama has been created by Nandhini JS and features Naveen Chandra, who is known for Veera Simha Reddy and was recently seen in Jigarthanda Double X along with Kanna Ravi, who is known for Kaithi. It also stars Malini Jeevarathnam, Srikrishna Dayal and Kumaravel. Talking about the series, Nandhini JS said: “As a creator, working on Inspector Rishi has been a deeply gratifying experience and I am grateful for this collaboration. “Integrating a police procedural with horror and mystery has allowed me to explore new dimensions of storytelling, delving deeper into the eerie and enigmatic world of Inspector…

KRITI Sanon, who is all geared up for the release of Crew, co-starring Tabu and Kareena Kapoor Khan, shared that the film was not about men-bashing, but the audiences would witness that women could do comedy very well. The trailer of Crew, unveiled at the weekend, gives a glimpse of what’s about to unfold in the female buddy comedy as three air hostesses take off on a thrilling journey to pull off a heist. During the trailer launch, Sanon said: “I think we always get to work with men mostly, and it was very very refreshing to actually work with women. Women who are so talented, who I have admired for years. “I think we all look up to them for what they bring to the table, and the fact…

‘Watch Tamil movies’ IF YOU enjoy watching Tamil movies in South Africa, it is because of the efforts of Elavarasan Varadharajan of Kavin Media Pty Ltd. Born and based in Cape Town, Varadharajan ensures that we have access to the latest South Indian films at cinemas closest to us. I spoke to him about his passion to promote, propagate and preserve Tamil in South Africa through entertainment. Q: When did you become a film distributor? A: In 2012. Q: Why film distribution? A: The lack of Tamil movies in South African cinemas was concerning and I felt the need to do something. Many people complained about the lack of Tamil movies, and said that in some households this was the only connection to their mother tongue and culture. In the…

1kg hake (10 medium pieces) a mixture of butter and olive oil to fry (you can use normal cooking oil if you prefer) Coating: ½ cup flour ½ cup cornflour ½ tsp chilli powder salt and pepper to taste Sauce: 4 large onions, sliced into rings ½ cup of water 1½ cups white vinegar a few bay leaves 1 tsp black peppercorns 1 star anise ¾ cup brown sugar (more or less depending on your preference) 1 tsp salt 2 tbs chilli powder 1 tsp dhania/jeera powder 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp cornflour pinch saffron (optional) a few red chillies (optional) ¼ tsp mustard seeds (optional) Mix the coating ingredients together. Lightly dust the fish in the coating and fry until cooked, as per the box instruction. Boil the sauce…

1 can Nestle mint-flavoured caramel treat 1½ cup fresh cream +/- 1½ packet Tennis Biscuits 1x large Cadbury mint slab/Peppermint Crisp/Mint Aero mini Tennis Biscuits for decor Beat the caramel treat and fresh cream together. Grate/crumble the chocolate into the caramel mix. Keep a piece of chocolate to grate over the top. Start with a layer of Tennis Biscuits in a 20cm x 20cm tray. Top with a layer of caramel mix and continue. End with the caramel mix and then grate the remainder of the chocolate over the top. Set for a minimum of six hours. I doubled the recipe because I used a big dessert tray and used one can Nestle mint flavoured Caramel Treat and one can Nestle Caramel Treat.…

Mix together with a whisk: 5 cups cake flour 2 tsp baking powder 2 tbs milk powder ¼ cup brown sugar ½ tsp salt 10g (1 packet) instant yeast 30ml powdered mixed spice 10ml powdered cinnamon In a separate bowl, mix together in the following order: 3 tbs solid butter 1 cup hot water 1 tbs oil 1 cup milk 1 tsp vanilla essence Beat one egg and add to the other liquids. Add the liquid mix to the dry ingredients and mix thoroughly to form a soft, smooth dough. Add extra flour, a little at a time, if the dough is too wet but not too much because you need a moist dough for the best results. Cover the dough with a little oil and leave to rise for…

cake: 375ml oil 375ml granulated sugar 4 eggs 10ml vanilla essence 500ml cake flour 10ml bicarbonate of soda 10ml baking powder 2.5ml salt 500ml carrots, grated In a stand mixer, combine the oil and sugar. Mix until combined. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing after each addition. Add the vanilla essence and mix. Sift the flour, bicarb, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, and combine. Stir in the carrots and set aside. Grease 2 (20 cm) tins and pour half of the mixture in each. Bake in a preheated oven of 180ºC for 20 to 25 minutes or until baked. icing: 227g cream cheese, room temperature 57g salted butter, room temperature 350g icing sugar, sifted 5ml vanilla essence In a stand…

AN ELDERLY KwaDukuza woman who was allegedly forced to drink “water mixed with leaves” by two women who claimed to be campaigning for a political party, woke up in hospital only to find that she had been robbed of her savings and heirloom jewellery. A relative, who declined to be named, said the 73-year-old woman, who lives in a home for the aged, was approached by two women who claimed to be campaigning for a political party, on March 12 at about 10.30am. He said the relative lived in one of the cottages on the property, which was well-secured with fencing and security. “I am not sure how they had even got into the premises. However, my relative and a neighbour, who was with her at the time, were approached…

Professor Craig Sheridan, of the School of Geography, Archaeology and Environmental Studies at Wits University, sets out the risks posed to drinking water in the city. What can get into my water that will make me sick? Chemicals in the water can be toxic, or you can have pathogenic organisms, which can make you ill. These lead to different diseases and treatments. As a general rule, South Africa’s water works are able to remove almost all chemicals. They also disinfect the water, killing harmful bacteria and viruses, primarily with chlorine, but the water is overdosed slightly. This leaves a little chlorine in the water for “residual” disinfection as the water travels down the pipe to the reservoir and into your home, keeping it pathogen free. Pathogens include viruses, bacteria and…

IN 2016, Theshen Naicker posted a video following the death of his grandmother. It was of a glamorous, fashionable Indian aunty, who was not afraid to “say it like it is”. This video marked the birth of his alter-ego, the sassy Aunty Sheila. Today, Aunty Sheila is a household name on social media and she has already starred in four stage productions. The long-haired beauty, with a bindi to boot, is gearing up for her new show, Monster-in-Law, which will be staged at The Globe at Suncoast next month. Speaking on the birth of Aunty Sheila, Naicker, 38, of Musgrave, said: “I made the video because I wanted to keep my grandmother’s legacy, spirit and personality alive. Aunty Sheila is not afraid to ‘tell it like it is’. She loves…

THE quinquennial election cycle will culminate in our seventh national elections on May 29. Many are calling it a watershed moment and touting it as the most important elections since the dawn of our democracy, three decades ago. Herman Mashaba’s Action SA, Mmusi Maimane’s Bosa, Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party and Songezo Zibi’s Rise Mzansi are the most notable new players entering the political fray in the elections. Action SA is part of the newly-formed Multi Party Charter coalition group. Coalitions have not had a great track record and we will have to wait and see as the jostling for power intensifies. The DA’s recent letter to the US Secretary of State requesting international observers for the elections was met with harsh criticism and condemnation from most, with the…

Letter to Mxolisi Kaunda, mayor of eThekwini Municipality Dear Mr Mayor (Mxolisi Kaunda), here is photographic evidence (right) of eThekwini Municipality contractors on March 5, unnecessarily painting the Phoenix Highway streetlight poles instead of fixing the hundreds of streets lights that have not been working for more than two years. Fixing the street lights with energy saving quality lighting is a priority; not painting the light poles. Do you as a leader agree? Most of these street light poles were installed more than 45 years ago, made during the apartheid period with care and quality. The truth is the quality street light poles were not made during ANC rule. No, I have never supported the apartheid regime but I am merely stating facts with evidence. Do you have the courage…

“Hello Dear”. If you are a social media user, especially on Facebook, and you get the above message in your inbox, run for your life and warn your wife, too. You are about to be scammed. Cryptocurrency is a digital currency. Unlike hard cash, you can’t see it. Social media has become a playground for people purporting to be crypto traders. The tale they spin is, if you invest say R10 000, in just a few days you will earn R100 000. Sounds tempting, right? To reinforce their sales pitch, their social media profile photos show off expensive cars and homes, designer clothing and expensive jewellery. Their supposed trappings of wealth. However, beware! If you part with your hard-earned money, it will be the last that you would see of…

A PHOENIX family had to flee their home after it was allegedly petrol bombed by a disgruntled druglord in the early hours of Saturday morning. Angel Govender, 45, shared the home with her partner, son, daughter and 4-year-old granddaughter. “Our home is part of a four unit flat. We lived on the first floor. Our area is riddled with drugs. The flat below me has been vacant and drug users go there to get high. “Some of these users steal our clothing from our line, break our water pipes for water, they defecate and urinate on the property.” Govender said it was becoming unhygienic and unsafe. “Everyone in the community is fed-up but too scared to speak out. I have lived in the house for 28 years and have had…

Mala Lutchmanan There are some highly anticipated movies scheduled to release this year, starring the biggest names in Tamil cinema. Here is a brief overview of the movies I cannot wait to watch: Kamal Haasan’s Indian 2 is an upcoming Tamil movie directed by S Shankar. It is a sequel to the original that was realised in 1996. Haasan will reprise his role as Senapathy, an ageing freedom fighter turned vigilante, who fights against corruption. His co-stars include Kajol Agarwal, Priya Bhavani, SJ Suriya and Rakul Preet Singh. The movie is expected to release on the Tamil New Year in April. Parts of the movie were shot in South Africa. Thug Life is a Tamil movie directed by Mani Ratnam, who co-wrote the script with Haasan. The two collaborated on…

PRITHVIRAJ Sukumaran, who predominantly works in Malayalam cinema, is gearing up for his new movie, The Goat Life. Sukumaran was in Mumbai recently where he spoke about being part of the film and said working with the director, Blessy, was something every Malayalam actor looked forward to. The actor spoke to the media at a Mumbai press event which he attended with the director, and Grammy- and Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman. “In the Malayalam film industry, when Blessy calls you, you pick up your phone. He is one of the most committed film-makers the Malayalam film industry has. A Blessy film is a box that all of us want to tick at least once in a lifetime and have it in our filmography.” He spoke about the film’s journey: “This…

SIDHARTH Malhotra as Arun Katyal dedicates his life to the task force, Yodha, the Indian army’s special unit. Arun idolises his soldier father, who earlier ran the unit before he was slain in the line of duty leaving some heavy Freud-like shoes to fill in. Within the context of two plane hijacking episodes, the narrative delves into Katyal’s representation as a genuine “Yodha” which (once again) sees Malhotra in a patriotic avatar after Shershaah, and most recently Indian Police Force among others. Presenting Malhotra as the archetypal Bollywood hero is the main focus of the movie, all while displaying his character’s wounds from his personal and professional failures. The film, directed by Sagar Ambre and Pushkar Ojha in their debut, takes the audience on an exhilarating flight. The set-up is…

KYLIAN Mbappe’s reduced playing time with Paris St Germain in recent weeks could be good news for the France national team as it may keep him fresh for the European Championship and Olympic Games, manager Didier Deschamps said. The France captain, who informed PSG last month that he would leave them as a free agent at the end of the season, has played the full 90 minutes in just three matches since February 14, a 2-1 Champions League win at Real Sociedad, a 3-1 French Cup win over Nice and a 6-2 league win over Montpellier on Sunday. Asked about Mbappe’s game time, Deschamps told reporters on Monday: “It’s important to be physically fresh for a major competition. In any case, all the players will arrive at the end of…

1 leg of lamb (I used a +/- 2.5kg leg) +/- 3 heaped tbs all-in-one seasoning (use any braai or meat seasoning) 1 tbs garlic powder a lot of freshly ground black pepper fresh mint crushed garlic fresh mixed herbs 1 stock cube of your choice mixed into 2 cups of boiling water Place the leg in a deep oven-proof pan. Poke deep holes all around the leg of lamb. Stuff each hole generously with garlic and mint. Mix the dry ingredients together and rub generously on to the leg. Place a lot of mixed herbs all around the leg in the pan. Pour the stock into the sides of the pan. Be careful not to wash off the rub from the leg. Cover it with foil or another tray.…

¼-½ cup oil 1 tsp fennel seeds 10 curry leaves 2 tsp mustard seeds 1 tsp cumin seeds 2 tbs crushed ginger/garlic 1 large onion, finely chopped 5-10 green chillies, as per your preference 1 tsp turmeric 3 tbs mixed masala, add more if you like 1 can chopped tomatoes 1 can tomato purée 3kg crabs, after cleaning +/-2 tbs tamarind paste dissolved in 1 cup of water (optional) Heat the oil in a large pot. Add the roasted and ground fennel seeds, mustard seeds and cumin. Add the ginger/garlic, onion and chillies. Fry on medium heat until the onion is soft. Add the turmeric and masala. Cook on low heat for a few minutes. Add the crabs, mix well and fry for a few minutes. Add the tomatoes and…

Marinade 2kg to 3kg fresh fish of your choice (cleaned, washed and dried) with a mixture of the ingredients below. I used the large red fish: 2 tbs ginger and garlic paste 2 tbs chilli powder 2 tbs dhania/jeera powder 1 tbs turmeric powder 1 tbs garam masala 1 tsp powdered food colouring 2 tbs chicken tikka paste 2 tbs oil 2 tbs lemon juice salt and pepper to taste Rub the fish well with the mixture. Refrigerate for a minimum of an hour. Fry in hot oil for about 4 minutes on each side. Enjoy with chips and buttered bread, or dhal and rice.…

50g flour 40g cocoa powder 400g sugar 100g M&Ms 280g milk chocolate, melted 250g butter (melted) 4 eggs, lightly beaten 30ml vanilla extract Mix the flour, cocoa powder, sugar and M&Ms together. Add the melted chocolate to the cocoa, mix and whisk. Add the melted butter and continue whisking. Then add the eggs and vanilla extract to the mixture. Mix until combined. Pour into a lined baking tray. Bake at 180°C for 40 minutes. Place in the fridge for one to two hours. Cut once cooled. Makes 9 squares…

A PHOENIX granny was allegedly killed in a “revenge attack” by her gardener after she quizzed him about stealing money from her relative’s home. Neighbours who had found out about the alleged theft, immediately discontinued his gardening services. The alleged suspect had been employed by several of the residents in the area to clean their gardens. Ramrathie Rajcoomar, 77, was found strangled to death – with her white Punjabi scarf – in the bathroom of her Sastri Park, Phoenix home, last Monday. Rajen Rajcoomar told the POST that his mother had woken up early that day to prepare for a family prayer that afternoon. “My mother was a very organised person. She woke up in the morning and did the cooking for the prayer and then went to clean the…

AHEAD of Human Rights Day on Thursday, residents who have been without water for more than 200 days and endured ongoing electricity outages, say they are being “robbed” of their constitutional rights. For months now, residents in the northern suburbs, including Verulam, Phoenix and oThongathi (Tongaat), have been left with dry taps or an intermittent water supply. In Verulam, some areas, such as Trenance Park, have not had piped water for more than 200 days. In the oThongathi south region, areas such as Buffels- dale, Flamingo Heights, Chelmsford Height, Watsonia and Gandhinagar are also without water for weeks. Some residents of Phoenix took to the streets last week in protest after being left without electricity following substations “blowing up”. The illegal municipal workers’ strike, which started on February 27, made…

THE eThekwini Municipality is working around the clock to ensure electricity is restored in areas hit by power outages and that refuse is being collected, after Durban Solid Waste employees returned to work following a two-week long strike. The strike severely impacted service delivery in the city, including the supply of water and electricity which was disrupted after infrastructure was damaged by the striking workers. Gugu Sisilana, the city’s spokesperson, said refuse collection and street sweeping services which were affected by the illegal strike, had resumed. “Massive clean-up operations and the clearing of the waste collection backlog has already commenced. Residents are requested to take out their refuse bags on the morning of their scheduled collection days.” She said the city’s electricity department was also making notable progress in…

HAVE you noticed that as we get older, our joint health naturally starts to deteriorate? This is not just coincidental. According to Ayurvedic medicine, our bones and joints are dominated by Vata Dosha and Shleshaka Kapha, respectively. Vata has a dry nature. It is believed to influence the joints: spaces filled with synovial fluid. Adequate lubrication is essential for smooth joint function. When Vata is imbalanced, it may lead to excessive dryness, affecting joint lubrication and potentially causing pain and discomfort. Vata is also associated with the principle of movement, and its influence on joints is related to their flexibility and mobility. Imbalances in Vata may lead to excessive movement, contributing to joint instability, or, conversely, restricted movement causing stiffness. Shleshaka Kapha is responsible for providing lubrication and cushioning to…

NEW DELHI: While it may seem wise to take vitamin supplements daily, regular consumption without consulting a doctor may be detrimental to your health, experts warn. Vitamins may help people with deficiencies, the elderly or pregnant women, but research has shown that an overdose may result in problems like digestive issues, kidney stones and even heart disease. The pills are also not a substitute for a healthy diet. “Without medical supervision, using multivitamin pills or calcium on a regular basis can have negative health consequences. Taking too much of these supplements might result in overdosing, which can harm organs over time and cause symptoms like nausea, vomiting and stomach pain,” said Mohan Kumar Singh, Senior Consultant at Internal Medicine, Marengo Asia Hospital in Gurugram. “These supplements may also reduce the…

NEW DELHI: Childhood kidney disease is increasing due to unhealthy lifestyles and a diet rich in salt and sugar, doctors recently said on World Kidney Day. The event was aimed at raising awareness about risks to kidneys as well as to improve access to treatment. The theme this year was, “Kidney Health for All – Advancing Equitable Access to Care and Optimal Medication”. Key lifestyle factors like unhealthy fast foods and lack of exercise have been major factors for the development of kidney diseases. These factors also lead to hypertension and diabetes, which increase harm to the kidneys. “There is data suggesting an increase in childhood kidney disease. This rise is partly linked to lifestyle factors like processed food intake, hidden salt and sugar, and a lack of physical activity.…

THE nation will face its most crucial election in May. Pretenders to the throne are strutting the landmass of the country seeking your precious vote. All of them, from the big and emerging parties, have betrayed our country, its peoples, its Constitution and, in the process, left 60 million people impoverished. Every section of our institutions relating to proper governance was left to rot and decay. We shamelessly pretend to care for the masses but in reality our leaders that we elected, showed us the middle finger. With the elections approaching, political chameleons in democratic garb are knocking on your doors seeking your approval to desecrate the country for another five years. Do not be misled by their new garb, their enticing political fragrance and their lofty promises, which they…

THURSDAY, March 21, 2024, marks yet another day dedicated to the celebration of the human rights of all South Africans which came through the immense sacrifices that accompanied the Struggle for the attainment of democracy. While this day marks the 64th anniversary of the horrific Sharpeville Massacre in 1960 in which 69 lives were snuffed out by police bullets and 180 people were wounded for peacefully protesting against the hurtful pass laws, it now also commemorates the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Human Rights Month will be observed during March 2024 with the theme: “Three Decades of Respect for and Promotion of Human Rights.” In South Africa, March 21 is observed as Human Rights Day and it signifies the lengthy battle in the fight for democracy and…

THE Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 10, 1948, and it recognised the “inherent dignity and … equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family” as the “foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world”. [The Hindu equivalent of the human family is Vasudev Kutambhakam – the world is one family and all humans are connected (Maha Upanishad, V. 71), written about 5 000 years ago. The African equivalent is Ubuntu – I am because you are, which “embraces the idea that humans cannot exist in isolation. We depend on connection, community and caring – simply, we cannot be without each other”.] Initially, the focus was on civil and political rights, considered a first generation…

A GLEN Anil resident has been acquitted of murdering his mother, Debigee Pillay, because the court found him to be not criminally responsible for her death. In May last year, Krishen Pillay, 40, had an argument with his 64-year-old mother over the cleaning of his room. This led to him stabbing her. She died from her injuries. His sister, Lutchmee Pillay, was injured. Pillay then stabbed himself in the neck. He was charged with the murder of his mother and attempted murder of his sister. Pillay was represented by attorney Anand Nepaul, who handed to the court two medical certificates, which stated that Pillay sufferred from schizophrenia, a psychotic medical condition. Following observation at Ford Napier hospital and subsequent reports, an inquiry by the courts found that Pillay was not…

HUMA Qureshi, who is getting a lot of positive response to the recently released third season of her hit streaming show Maharani, has shed light on the different layers of her show’s titular character. In the third season, Qureshi’s lead character – Rani Bharti – who was framed and sentenced to jail following the killing of her husband, makes a comeback as she takes her political opponents head-on after an attempt is made to take her kids’ lives. The actress recently spoke with IANS about the changing trajectory of her character in the new season and what made Maharani a compelling watch. “Rani Bharti keeps the cards close to her heart. She is aware of the conspiracies being hatched to bring her down. “But she always rises like a phoenix…

Mallaya-Pandya is a UK based award-winning intuitive life coach and best selling author. www.mysticsisters-uk.com, mellissamallaya@hotmail.com. Find her on social media @mysticsisters ARIES (March 21 – April 19) This month brings about a need to focus on spirituality. You may feel a bit of mixed emotions with Mercury getting ready to appear. It’s time to repair relationships. You are so strong but remember it’s okay to lean on a shoulder now and again. Highs: Unleashing ambition. Lows: Losing your temper. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) You will feel like a bull in a china shop. This is a great time to reset goals. New friendships bloom. Focusing on budgeting will serve you well. Personal relationships will heal. Highs: Feeling a sense of drive. Lows: Health issues. GEMINI (May 21 –…

SARA Ali Khan, gearing up for her streaming release Murder Mubarak, has shared what she would steal from her fellow cast members if she was a kleptomaniac. Murder Mubarak is an adaptation of the murder-mystery novel, Club You To Death by Anuja Chauhan. The cast and the director, Homi Adajania, appeared on IMDb’s original series Burning Questions to talk about their film. Asked what she would steal from the cast if she were a kleptomaniac in real life, Khan said: “I think I would take Tisca (Chopra) ma’am’s bilingual eloquence. Lolo’s (Karisma Kapoor) infectious energy while singing. Sanjay’s (Kapoor) selflessness. And Vijay’s (Varma) versatility.” Murder Mubarak is available to stream on Netflix.…

THE weather has been windy, to say the least. Luckily the north-easterly wind has been blowing, making the fish turn on the bite most days. Everyone always asks: “What colour lure was that caught on?” Colour is often the last thing on the list of importance when it comes to lures. Retrieve speed, depth, size of lure and then colour. If your lure is not in the right place, going at the right speed and a similar size to the fish being targeted by the predators it is not going to get a bite. Try to focus more on the retrieve speed and the depth at which you are fishing and you will definitely get more bites. Offshore fishing has been going great guns along the KZN coast. The…