Table of contents for 2025-04-02 in Post

THE trailer of the streaming movie, Test, was unveiled recently. It is about the lives of a cricketer, a teacher and a scientist that are intertwined and set for the ultimate test. Saravanan and Kumudha navigate the complexities of marriage while pursuing their own dreams, and Arjun wrestles with the fine line between professional and personal choices alongside his wife Padma, who protects their personal space. The film stars R Madhavan, Nayanthara, Siddharth and Meera Jasmine. Madhavan, who essays the role of Saravanan, said: “Test captures the relentless pursuit of excellence and the sacrifices made to protect one’s legacy. “Collaborating with this fantastic team, and my bro and debut director S Sashikanth has been an incredible journey. My experience with Netflix has always been super delightful. I cannot wait to…

Sid Sriram's song, Shivanar, inspired by Thiruppugazh, will be launched tomorrow with a live interview with the artist. The Thiruppugazh (meaning “holy praise”) is a revered collection of Tamil hymns composed by Saint Arunagirinathar in the 14th century. It is a cornerstone of Tamil devotional literature, dedicated to Lord Muruga, the Hindu deity of valour, wisdom and protection. “The song taps into a deeply-sacred Tamil heritage, combining profound meanings with Sid’s artistic interpretation,” said Revathi Pillay, the youth ambassador of the NPO, Care for Africa and representative of Kamakoti Mediaworks. “Each verse from the Thiruppugazh is laden with intricate metaphors, vivid imagery and philosophical depth. It is renowned not only for its spiritual significance but also for its unique poetic structure, rhythm and melodies, which have enchanted devotees for centuries.…

April brings dynamic planetary shifts, impacting each zodiac sign uniquely. With Jupiter transiting through Aries and Saturn continuing its influence in Aquarius, there will be a strong focus on personal growth, discipline, and transformation. Let's explore what this month holds for each sign and essential Vastu tips to enhance positivity and well-being. Aries (March 21 – April 19) General prediction: April is a month of new beginnings for Aries, as the Sun and Jupiter boost your confidence and leadership skills. Career growth is indicated, but impulsive decisions should be avoided. Relationships may require patience. Health-wise, energy levels will be high, but overexertion should be avoided. Vastu tip: Place a red object in the south direction of your home to enhance motivation and success. Taurus (April 20 – May…

250g button mushrooms ½ cup cake wheat flour ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt ½ tsp dried thyme ½ tsp paprika 1 tsp garlic and herb seasoning 2 tbs grated Parmesan 1 tbs fresh lemon juice 150ml ice cold water ¾ cup panko breadcrumbs 1 cup vegetable oil or peanut oil Use a damp paper towel or a soft brush to remove any dirt from the mushrooms. Set aside. Add the breadcrumbs to one bowl. In another bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, Parmesan, salt, thyme, paprika, garlic and herb seasoning, and lemon juice. Add the water a little at a time to form a batter. It should be of a runny consistency. Heat the oil in a pan on medium heat. Dip the mushroom in the batter.…

6-8 phyllo pastry sheets Chicken marinade: 500g chicken breasts cut into cubes 2 tbs Greek yoghurt 2 tbs lemon juice 1 tsp ginger/garlic paste 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp ground coriander 2 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder 1 tsp garam masala 1/2 tsp turmeric salt 2 tbs olive or vegetable oil for frying Marinate the chicken with all the ingredients except the oil. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan on high heat and fry the chicken in small batches just until brown on all sides. It doesn’t have to be fully cooked. Set aside Butter chicken sauce: Heat 2 tablespoons of butter to the same pan the chicken was fried in, on low heat. Add the bay leaf, onion and…

5 medium potatoes cut into thin rounds 1 cup gram or pea flour ¼ cup cake wheat flour 2 tsp baking powder 2 tbs cornflour 2 tsp salt 1 tsp turmeric 2 tsp coarsley ground cumin 2 tsp coarsley ground coriander 2 tsp chilli flakes ¾ cup water vegetable oil for deep frying Peel and slice the potatoes into thin rounds. Rinse and pat dry. Mix all the other ingredients together. Pour a little water at a time to form a thick batter. You may not require all the water. Allow the batter to rest for 10 minutes. Heat the oil on medium heat. Dip the potato slices into the batter. Ensure they are coated well. Drop the battered potatoes into the oil and fry until golden brown and…

A YOUNG Verulam man, who pleaded guilty to “accidentally” stabbing and killing his grandfather during an altercation, has been sentenced to three years of correctional supervision, which includes house arrest. Hamza Ally, 21, of Lotusville, was arrested and initially charged with the murder of his 76-year-old grandfather, Shaik Goolam Ally Shaik Mohammed, and attempted murder of his father, Zameer Ally, in January 2024. However, he pleaded guilty to a charge of culpable homicide in the Ntuzuma Regional Court last Thursday. He pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of his father. In his plea statement, read out by his attorney Faizel Kara, Ally said he did unlawfully and negligently cause the death of his grandfather by stabbing him with a knife on his body. He said he was at his…

AN uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) ward candidate has come to the defence of a North Coast school principal who has been accused of threatening to fire teachers who refused to wear party T-shirts. Last week, KwaZulu-Natal Education MEC Sipho Hlomuka visited Shakaskraal Primary to reaffirm that educational institutions must remain politically neutral. The incident happened before the April 2 municipal by-elections in the area. Gadafi Govender, the MK candidate for ward 28, claimed the principal Vinesh Singh had asked the teachers to wear the T-shirts “as gratitude” to him. “He didn’t force anyone to wear the T-shirts. I gave them the T-shirts like I give others. There was no motive. “The KZN Department of Education (KZN DoE) was lapsing on their nutritional programme at the school for two weeks. I…

AMID ongoing service delivery failures, the eThekwini Municipality’s plan to allocate R2.8 million for a rebranding project has ignited outrage among political parties and ratepayer associations, which argue that funds should be redirected to urgent infrastructure needs. Thabani Mthethwa, the DA’s caucus leader in eThekwini, said the party had launched a petition to oppose the city’s decision to proceed with the costly project. “We demand that these funds be redirected toward essential services. We call on the residents and businesses of eThekwini to support our petition to stop the rebranding. The petition will be submitted to the council to ensure that taxpayer money is spent wisely and in the best interest of the people.” Mthethwa said the project came at a time when eThekwini faced serious financial challenges and service…

A Chatsworth mother, who has had many sleepless nights not knowing what could be wrong with her first-born son, spent hours researching what the cause could be. This included familiarising herself about autism. Dian Naidoo said the research also prepared her for when her second son was diagnosed as being on the spectrum. She said her eldest son, Nathan, who is now 6 years old, was an “easy baby”. “We didn’t experience the exhaustion that came with having a newborn or small child. He was always happy, smiling and playful, even with people he didn’t recognise. He ate and slept well, and almost never cried. Now that I think about it, it was almost like the calm before the storm.” Naidoo said everything changed when Nathan was around 2 years…

While her life may have ended tragically, Zarah Ramsamy's legacy lives on through the Zarah Project, a feeding scheme catering to the hundreds of children living in Bonela and surrounding areas. Zarah, 11, was killed in Malvern in September 2024. She had alighted from her parent's car during a hijacking at a well-known eatery when the hijackers allegedly ran over her in the parking lot. Less than a month later, police arrested a police officer, who was allegedly found in possession of Zarah's mother's bank card. Letitia Naidoo, operations manager at the Embassy Foundation at the Embassy Church in Bonela, explained that the feeding project runs during the school holidays. "Throughout the school year, many children receive much-needed meals through the school nutrition program. “We are aware that this is…

THE Hindu community is reeling in shock over the death of spiritual leader, popular Guru Krishna Naidoo. Guru Krishna was a highly-respected and beloved figure known for his tireless efforts to promote spiritual growth, understanding and unity. Throughout his life, Guru Krishna dedicated himself to serving humanity, guiding countless individuals on their spiritual journeys. He was more than just a spiritual leader, he was a mentor of hope for many. His wisdom, compassion and kindness inspired devotees. The funeral was attended by a capacity crowd, a testament to the profound impact he had on the lives of countless devotees. This was a poignant reminder of his immense popularity and the deep affection in which he was held. The funeral procession was a majestic sight, with thousands of devotees gathering to…

THE title of this column is slightly different from the signs usually seen. However, at the end of this piece, hopefully you will understand my angle on it. “Oh, it’s so cute”, is what precedes a lifetime of happiness, laughs, joy and sometimes heartache. That’s the moment when you see that adorable little bundle of fluff and fur, and decide to buy it and take it home. Before you make that decision, you really need to consider the responsibilities and requirements of owning a pet. The reality is that little bundle of joy, as is with humans, do not necessarily remain cute. They grow up and change. Would you still love them? Care for them? Nurture them? Additionally, and sadly, I must add, many folk get a dog for security…

DEFENCE attorneys who “exploit the challenges in the criminal justice system” and overcrowding of prisons are contributing factors for child sex offenders getting lighter or suspended sentences. Criminologist Niven Naidoo said individuals charged with sexual offences, including crimes against minors, could sometimes receive reduced sentences if they accepted a guilty verdict, especially if they could afford a private attorney. “This legal strategy allows some offenders to avoid being listed in the national register for sexual offenders, as those with suspended sentences are not included. “The overcrowding of prisons and limited correctional facilities contribute to this sentencing approach, and in some cases, defence attorneys exploit these conditions. “First-time offenders, by accepting guilt, may receive suspended sentences, effectively sidestepping the minimum sentencing requirements and the long-term consequences of being listed on the…

WHEN we go back to the generations before, the roles of a husband and wife were quite clearly defined. The man was the provider and protector. The woman was the homemaker and nurturer. In today’s times, a vast number of women are better educated and more independent. These women no longer require a provider as they can do that for themselves. Therefore, they look to their husbands as equal partners, expecting them to be their friend, lover, confidant and co-parent, and the one they create a life with as an equal decision maker. The sad truth is that while a lot of work has been done over the last few decades to empower and uplift women; no one has actually prepared men for these women. It is in their DNA…

DECLARED a national monument in 1980, the Umbilo Shree Ambalavaanar Alayam is believed to be the first public Hindu temple in South Africa, built in 1875. The First River Temple as it was known, was washed away by devastating floods in 1906. A second temple eventually made way for a new Rossburgh freeway that was built in Durban. Part of this temple is still buried underneath the freeway as it is filled with sand. In 1934, the construction of the main Shiva Temple – known as the Sri Muthulingam Natha – was built by exception temple builder Mr SP Chetty. The temple has three towers and inside each of the towers seated in the Moolasthanam are Lord Ganesha, Lord Shiva, and Lord Muruga. The entire project at that time cost…

Ryan Rickelton has been in the form of his life the past few months. A Test double ton, an ODI century, and another stealthy contribution for MI Cape Town, which powered the Newlands-based side to a maiden Betway SA20 title. Taking that all into account, Rickelton should have been filled with confidence when he headed to the Indian Premier League for his first-ever hit out at cricket’s biggest showstopper. The IPL hits differently though, and Rickelton - usually free-spirited and confident - immediately felt the spotlights turned up just a bit brighter. It didn’t help either that he had one of the greatest white-ball batters ever as his opening partner in Rohit Sharma, who he mightily wanted to impress. "Opening the batting for Mumbai Indians with Rohit Sharma, there's always…

Proteas Test captain Temba Bavuma is set to feature in the final round robin games of the Cricket South Africa Four-Day competition when the Lions travel to Bloemfontein to play against the relegation-threatened Free State Knights later this week. Bavuma’s return to domestic cricket is certainly a good feat for domestic cricket, however, the Knights will most certainly not share the same sentiments. Who could blame them, considering the red-ball form Bavuma is carrying from the summer of Test cricket? A quick glance at his numbers, which include two centuries and three fifties in seven innings, would give any bowling attack sleepless nights without the name Bavuma being attached to the numbers. The Knights are in a desperate situation with the nightmares of the 2022/23 season, when they were relegated…

TR Jayaprakash Kutty once served as his dad's assistant and interpreter, never envisioning he would one day follow in his footsteps. Today, Kutty, of Kerala in South India, like his father, the late Dr TMR Kutty Swamiji, is a respected palmist and astrologer worldwide. "I graduated with a B.com degree and worked on my family's farm specialising in agriculture. I was young when I started helping my dad translate his readings from Malayalam into English or Tamil for those who sought his guidance. "I also travelled abroad with him to countries including Dubai, Kenya, Saudi Arabia and Muscat. My father used to tell me that I could also learn astrology but I didn't think much of it at the time," said Jayaprakash Kutty. His father died in December 2009 and…

DEVOTEES at eight temples across Gauteng, as well as many from neighbouring provinces who joined them, received 60 000 copies of a pocket-sized Hanuman Chalisa when SA Hindus members, led by bikers from various clubs in Lenasia and Johannesburg, undertook a distribution drive on Sunday. They also collected almost two tons of groceries for the SA Hindus annual project to distribute 888 hampers to the needy. “We were blessed to see so many devotees at the temples, and many from neighbouring provinces, especially from KwaZulu-Natal, supporting the double-headed venture, so enthusiastically,” said SA Hindus founder Pandita Lucy Sigaban. “We must thank all the leadership and devotees at all those temples for helping make the lives of the beneficiaries of the hampers so much better. The hampers will be distributed in…

2 chicken breasts, about 250g 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp ground cumin ½ tsp chilli powder 1 tsp dried oregano 1 tsp garlic powder juice of 1 lime 2 tbs tomato paste 1 tbs hot sauce 1 cup chicken stock 3 tbs olive oil 100g tortilla chips 1 cup Cheddar cheese, use less or more if you prefer coriander (optional) sour cream (optional) guacamole (optional) jalapeno (optional) Mix the paprika, cumin, chilli powder, oregano, garlic powder, 1 tablespoon olive oil and lime juice together. Rub it into the chicken. Add a bit of salt, but not too much as the stock may be enough. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a pan. Sear the chicken breasts for about 3 minutes on each side until nicely browned. It doesn’t have…

500g prawns 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp chilli flakes 1 tsp paprika 3 green chillies finely chopped 3 tbs vegetable oil ½ tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper Chilli garlic butter: 100g butter 6 large cloves garlic 3 bird’s eye chillies 1½ tsp paprika 1 tsp chilli flakes salt pepper lemon parsley Clean and wash the prawns well. Squeeze out all the excess water. Place the prawns in a large bowl. Add the garlic powder, green chillies, paprika, chilli flakes, salt and pepper. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Heat the oil in a large pan on high heat. Fry the prawns in two batches, not more than 30 seconds on each side. Remove from the pan and set aside. Using the same pan, add the butter, garlic, bird’s…

4 chicken breasts, cut in halves 1 tsp paprika 1 tsp garlic powder salt pepper 1 cup Salticrax with roasted onion crumbs 1 large egg, beaten oil Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Beat the egg and set aside. Place the crackers into a ziplock bag and bash them into crumbs with a rolling pin or use a food processor. Set aside. Cut the chicken breasts in halves, lengthwise. Season the breasts with salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Dip each chicken piece into the egg, shake off the excess and dip into the cracker crumbs. Place the chicken tenders on a greased baking sheet. Drizzle more oil on top of the chicken and bake at 180ºC for 20 minutes or until the chicken is cooked through. After 10 minutes,…

A SEX pest pastor from Chatsworth, charged for the alleged rape of a 12-year-old boy from his congregation, abandoned his bail application at the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Thursday. Sitham Baram Michael Andrew Chetty, 54, who runs a church from an outbuilding in Bayview, was previously convicted in May 2019 of the sexual assault of a 16-year-old boy in 2018. He received a three-year suspended sentence. Chetty’s attorney, Priyanka Naicker, said they had no comment regarding Chetty’s reasons for abandoning his bail application. “Chetty has elected to abandon his bail at this point. But this does not prevent him from making an application for bail in the future,” Naicker said. On March 12, Chetty, who is unmarried and has no children of his own, handed himself over to police amid…

RETIREMENT is not the end of the road – it is a new journey, a rediscovery of self, and a chance to craft a life of meaning, fulfilment, and happiness. Many people spend years preparing financially but overlook the psychological, emotional, and soulful aspects of this transition. A successful retirement isn’t just about how much you’ve saved. It’s about how you choose to live. It’s about staying engaged, connected and rooted in who you are and where you come from. Here’s how you can prepare your mind, heart and soul for a fulfilling, joyful and meaningful retirement. l Redefine who you are beyond your job title For decades, your career defined you. You were a doctor, a teacher, an engineer, a business owner – your profession shaped your identity.…

POLITICAL leaders have voiced concerns over the proposed VAT increase, arguing it would exacerbate poverty and inequality in South Africa. KwaZulu–Natal Finance MEC, Francois Rodgers, said any increase in VAT would compound poverty and inequality, and further impact inflation. That, he said, ultimately meant that people paid more. "The poorest of the poor will take the brunt even if it’s 0.5% this year and 0.5% the following year. It's still going to have an impact and an inflationary impact. We have already seen that the Reserve Bank and the governor general are no longer looking at cutting back on interest rates, and this all impacts on cash that is available in the economy. Therefore, we believe that taxation is not the way forward. "We need to look at the history…

FOR decades before 1961, at the height of apartheid, Indians were still regarded as a problem in South Africa. How to get rid of them? For a long time, they were considered to be “temporary” in South Africa and a thorn in the flesh of those who felt threatened. The authorities plotted all sorts of schemes to send them back to India, without success. Why were the industrious Indians so despised? Well, after completing their contracts as girmitiyas or indentured labourers, many stayed and became traders or small business owners. Their economic success often led to resentment from both the white colonial settlers and the local African population, who saw them as competitors. Thus the anti-Indian agitation. Also, Indians were opposed to white domination. They were active in resisting discriminatory…

A cold-blooded attack orchestrated by the son-in-law of a Muslim couple, who were attacked in their Cape Town home, in Northpine, while getting ready for their morning prayers, resulted in one of the attackers being convicted on a charge of murder and two charges of attempted murder. Brent Williams, who hired two hitmen to attack his in-laws, had meanwhile died shortly before the conclusion of his murder trial before the Western Cape High Court. One of the killers, Reagan Davids, was meanwhile convicted, while the third perpetrator is still unknown. The court heard that there were tensions in the home environment that led Williams to obtain hitmen to kill his in-laws to “neutralise” his marital problems. He and his wife, Ibtisaan Dennis, lived in the same house but in different…

yoshini.perumal@inl.co.za SINCE the beginning of March, 40 sexual assault and rape cases involving children, between the ages of 1 and 12 years old, were reported to the Child Welfare Chatsworth. Prenashen Pillay, director of Child Welfare Chatsworth, said for the first quarter (January to March), there were 42 allegations of rape and 24 confirmed cases of sexual crimes against children in Chatsworth. “These statistics only reflect the cases which were reported. Last Monday and Tuesday, we had three cases of 3-year-old children who came in with medical reports of broken hymens and vaginal trauma. We also dealt with the case of the pastor, who is a convicted sexual offender, who allegedly raped a minor boy,” said Pillay. “We had another case of siblings, aged 4 and 6, who were…

LOLAN Naicker and his teammate are flying high after they placed first for their invention - on producing clean water on the moon as part of the Aqualunar Challenge. They won £150 000 in prize money. Naicker, who was raised in Chatsworth and now calls Tetbury in Southwest England his home, said the £1.2 million challenge tasked innovators, engineers and scientists to develop new technologies that would provide a permanent crew base on the moon with reliable water supplies. He said the project was a collaboration between the United Kingdom and Canadian space agencies. Last July, 10 finalists from the UK received seed-funding of £30 000 each to develop their ideas. In March this year, three teams were named the winner and runners-up. Naicker, the owner and technical director of…

Arne Slot reiterated Liverpool remain laser-focused on their English Premier League title challenge despite reports that Trent Alexander-Arnold is closing in on a move to Real Madrid. The England defender has long been linked with a free transfer to the Bernabéu, and talks between the 26-year-old and the Spanish giants are understood to be progressing. Alexander-Arnold is one of three marquee players out of contract at the end of the season, along with Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk. All three have been able to discuss terms with overseas clubs since January. Slot’s side, who are red-hot favourites to win the Premier League, host local rivals Everton on Wednesday following the international break. “His situation is, unfortunately, that he is injured; otherwise, people would probably be talking about him having…

The Aston Martin brand will be in Formula One for decades to come, team owner Lawrence Stroll said on Monday after the sportscar maker announced the sale of its stake in the Silverstone-based outfit. Aston Martin AML.L said it is raising more than 125 million pounds through funding from Stroll, its chairman, and the sale of its stake in the F1 team which is controlled by the Canadian. “These moves demonstrate that Aston Martin’s place on the Formula One grid is as secure as ever,” the billionaire said in a statement. “AML recently re-committed to its long-term sponsorship and licensing agreement with AMF1, confirming that the legendary Aston Martin brand and its British racing green colours will compete in Formula One for decades to come.” The racing team, whose title…

ONALENNA KHONKHOBE was not feeling well on Tuesday. The defending champion of the Totalsports Two Oceans Marathon told Independent Media that while his training for the Mother City’s 56km ultra was on track, he had taken ill. “I’m not feeling well, champ,” Khonkhobe said. “And because of that, I’m not sure if I will be able to defend my title.” Despite this, the Nedbank Running Club athlete will toe the start line on Saturday as the favourite, given his victory last year. Khonkhobe won the race in 3:09:30, beating his teammate Lloyd Bosman into second place by 28 seconds, while then-title holder Givemore Mudzinganyama occupied the final podium place with 3:11:13. Khonkhobe had confidently promised to emerge victorious, the runner from North West Province declaring at the pre-race conference that…

When Japan won the rights to host the 2019 Rugby World Cup, I wasn’t too excited. The decision was made in July 2009, with England chosen for the 2015 edition and Japan four years later. While Japan had competed in previous tournaments, they were far from a ‘real’ rugby nation at that stage. Yet, they broke all sorts of records in every respect of the event as they staged arguably the most successful RWC of all time. Of course, it held special significance for South Africans as Siya Kolisi went on to lift the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019. And it was especially memorable personally, as I was at the Yokohama Stadium on that unforgettable night, having been honoured to be part of the Rugby News Service team for the…

Nilavuku En Mel Ennadi Kobam (Why is the moon angry with me) is a modern love story that cannot be missed. The movie stars Pavish Narayan, who makes his debut, child actress Anikha Surendran and yesteryear icons R Sarathkumar, Saranya Ponvannan and Aadukalam Naren. The film dramatically starts off with heartbroken Prabhu (Narayan) whose parents want him to settle down and get married. He agrees and to his surprise, the girl he meets is Preeti (Priya Prakash Varrier), who was his classmate. Like every modern-day arranged marriage, they ask for a week to get to know each other before they agree to anything. However, their decision of marriage is based on the love story of Prabhu’s first love Nila (Surendran). It is a classic teenage love story. However, things…

4 slices sour dough bread butter for spreading 4 tbs cream cheese 1 cup Mozzarella cheese, grated 1 cup Cheddar cheese, grated ¼ green pepper diced ½ small red onion, diced 1 small spring onion, chopped 1 green chilli, chopped ¼ cup fresh coriander chopped 3 tbs mayonnaise ¼ tsp chaat masala ¼ tsp chilli powder tomato sauce or chilli sauce for serving Preheat the oven using the grill/broil function. Spread some butter on both sides of the bread. Heat a pan on the stovetop on medium heat and toast the bread on both sides, just until it turns slightly brown. Remove the bread from the pan and spread 1 tablespoon of cream cheese on top of each slice of the bread. In a bowl, mix all of the…

1.5kg chicken wings Flour coating: 1 cup cake wheat or all purpose flour 1 tbs baking powder 1 tbs Cajun spice 1 tsp garlic powder 2 tsp paprika 1 tsp salt ½ tsp pepper Sauce: ¼ cup butter ¼ cup Wellingtons red pepper hot sauce ¼ cup habanero sauce 2 tbs Cajun spice ¼ cup honey Ranch dip: ¼ cup mayonnaise ¼ cup sour cream ½ tsp hot sauce ½ tsp dried parsley ½ tsp garlic powder 1/8 tsp dried thyme ¼ tsp mustard powder salt pepper Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Cut the wings into wingettes and drumettes. Use a kitchen scissors to cut off the excess skin or hair on them. Mix all the ingredients for the flour coating together. Pat the chicken wings dry…

1kg chicken wings, cut in half at the joints 2 large cloves garlic minced ¼ cup tomato sauce 1 tbs Worcestershire sauce ¼ cup barbecue sauce ¼ cup hot sauce 3 tbs honey 2 tsp paprika 2 tsp chilli flakes 1 tsp salt ½ tsp pepper Place the chicken wings in a bowl. Mix all the ingredients for the marinade. Mix the marinade into the chicken wings and refrigerate for 2 hours. Preheat the oven to 200ºC. Line a large baking tray with parchment/baking paper. Place the wings in a single layer on the tray and bake for 30 to 35 minutes. Baste the chicken at regular intervals, with the sauce. Halfway through cooking, turn the wings over Sauce (optional): 1/3 cup brown sugar 3 tbs hot sauce…

AS the POST newspaper celebrates a remarkable 70 years of serving South Africa’s communities, it embraces its enduring commitment to uplift lives through the launch of a heartfelt initiative: the “Adopt A Child” partnership with Nourish to Flourish (N2F). This collaborative effort aims to bring essential nourishment to the most vulnerable children within our communities – something that resonates deeply with the POST’s mission to serve humanity. The partnership, which officially kicks off this week, aligns perfectly with the paper’s ethos as the voice and heart of the community. For decades, the POST has been a steadfast advocate for important local issues, and now, in this significant milestone year, it seeks to make a tangible difference in the lives of children who need it most. N2F is a feeding programme…

At age 45, Mogamad Salie received a diagnosis that would change his life. He was on the autism spectrum, a revelation that has since shaped his understanding of himself. The now 54-year-old from Cape Town said no one in his family, including his mother, had a clue about the disorder. “They did not understand what ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) or autism was. I could also speak from a young age and loved maths. I could tell the time and count to a thousand by the time I was 3 years old. “However, I had special eating needs and sensory issues. My mother was quite accommodating and even though we weren’t well-to-do, she bought food that I enjoyed eating. I was also quite sensitive to light, touch and smell, even to…

WE ARE in the grip of a deepening food price crisis. Currently, most households struggle to pay for basic groceries. The expectation of further increases in food prices, coupled with impending tax hikes and fuel increases, threatens to push strained families further into poverty. The expected VAT increase set to take effect in a few weeks, coupled with a potential petrol price hike, will be another assault on the wallet. Stats SA Consumer Price Index (CPI) reveal that food inflation has remained stubbornly high. In February 2024, annual food inflation was recorded at 6.1%, with staples like bread, cereals, and meat seeing significant increases. The Bureau for Food and Agricultural Policy (BFAP) warns that food prices could rise by another 5%–7% in 2025, driven by a combination of local and…

Diverse communities no matter where they find themselves in our country, have a social responsibility in terms of nation-building to integrate and live in harmony. Ever since its establishment the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) has pursued the ideal of an integrated society living in harmony, while retaining its identity, cultural and religious values. This year marks 50 years since the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi and visionary leaders gathered at KwaNzimela in KwaZulu on March 21, 1975, to discuss the future of our country. After intense deliberations they established Inkatha yeNkululeko yeSizwe, a national cultural liberation movement, which later became the IFP. Prince Buthelezi founded the party in response to the banning of the ANC and other political movements, creating a powerful organisation that became a refuge for the oppressed from…

yoshini.perumal@inl.co.za A RECENT study by the Teddy Bear Foundation reveals alarming gaps in the South African criminal justice system, with only 15% of child abuse cases reaching finalisation and a mere 4% resulting in convictions. The study analysed court outcomes for 5 385 children, who attended the foundation’s court preparation programme between 2019 and 2024, in a bid to provide insights into the efficacy of current processes in securing justice for child victims Of those cases, 838 cases were finalised, 59 were acquitted, 230 perpetrators were found guilty and 514 cases were withdrawn. There were 4 547 outstanding or pending cases. In only 35 of the cases, the perpetrators were unknown. The 514 withdrawn cases were as a result of the suspects being unknown, a lack of evidence or the…

THE Bayview Ubuntu Community Centre, which opened its doors in May last year, is striving to assist children who have been abused, and tackling the social ills that plague the community. Director of the centre, Brandon Pillay, said they needed professional counsellors, psychologists, clinical psychologists, doctors, nurses, attorneys and legal experts to join the centre and provide services on a voluntary basis to curb social ills and crimes against children. “We have various social ills and crimes against children, and with poverty and unemployment being rife in this area, free services are needed. “The centre is a multi-purpose community centre, which offers free services including counselling, support services, feeding schemes, gender-based violence programmes and youth programmes. We also offer initiatives aimed at children and senior citizens. To turn things around…

IN COMMEMORATING the 165th anniversary of the first indentured workers arriving in their African homes on November 16, 1860, we must acknowledge that this history is far more complex than ordinarily summarised. In comparison to other former imperial colonies like Reunion, Mauritius, Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana, and Fiji, South African scholarship on indenture has been limited to a small cohort of historians, only able to uncover a range that is possible in the average lifespan of an academic. Eminent scholar on indenture in South Africa, Surendra Bhana’s challenge in 1987 to future scholars to unpack the 75 linear meters of archival data that exists in the archive may never be fully realised if we don’t encourage and devote more time and energy towards developing historians that are devoted to telling…

Manchester City’s hopes of securing Uefa Champions League football next season were dealt a hefty blow with the news that star striker Erling Haaland will miss a big chunk of the run-in. Manager Pepe Guardiola confirmed on Tuesday that the star could be out for between five and seven weeks. He is likely to only be back for the last few league games of the season, and a potential FA Cup final should City progress. The lethal attacker picked up an ankle injury in the comeback FA Cup semi-final away win against Bournemouth on Sunday. He netted City’s equaliser in the 2-1 victory, having had a penalty saved in the first half. But Haaland limped off after his left foot was caught under the body of Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook…

Indian batting stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are all set to retain their A+ grade contract, which is worth Rs 7 crore in the BCCI’s annual player contracts. Even after retiring from the T20 format, Rohit and Kohli will continue in the elusive A+ category. Shreyas Iyer, India’s leading run-getter in the recent Champions Trophy, is all set to make his comeback in the central contract list,” sources told IANS. “Wicketkeeper batter Ishan Kishan, who was notably excluded alongside Iyer last year, still has to wait for his return in central contracts,” it added. All-rounder Axar Patel, who played a vital role in India’s unbeaten runs in the T20 World Cup and Champions Trophy, also stands a good chance to earn a promotion. Varun Chakaravarthy, Nitish Kumar Reddy and…

The topped-shot is one of the most frustrating errors in golf, resulting in a low-flying shot that often rolls or skids along the ground. It’s a common issue that can plague golfers of all skill levels, from beginners to seasoned pros. In this golf segment, we’ll explore the causes of the topped shot, provide potential cures, and offer drills to help you overcome this frustrating error. Before we dive into the cures, it’s essential to understand what causes the topped-shot. Here are some common culprits: Incorrect ball position: When the ball is positioned too far back in your stance, it can lead to a topped-shot. Inadequate ball striking: Striking the ball with the top half of the clubhead can result in a topped shot. Insufficient loft: Using a club with…

Punjab Kings pacer Arshdeep Singh is banking on their squad’s strength to end the 18-year-long title hiatus in the IPL and celebrate the feat with fans in an open-bus parade in Chandigarh. Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Lucknow Super Giants and Punjab are the only teams to have never lifted the title in the tournament’s history. Arshdeep, who has become a mainstay in India’s white-ball line-up, remains committed to his process and hopes to turn things around this season under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership. “Life hasn’t changed much; it’s still the same, but it’s fun. As they say, change is the only constant. Staying stable and managing the highs and lows is crucial when playing at this level. “I focus on strengthening my mental resilience and enjoying the present moment. I’m…