Table of contents for 2024-09-25 in Post

NEW DELHI: Increased stress, anxiety, fear of failure, and high expectations, particularly at the workplace – commonly called hustle culture – coupled with no exercise and poor diet can act as a perfect mix to lead to Alzheimer’s disease, say experts. “Continuous stress, anxiety, fear of failing the targets and expectations has compelled people to detrimentally increase the number of working hours, cutting down on sleep and taking up a lifestyle with minimal physical activity and unhealthy eating habits. All these factors contribute to increased deposition of abnormal proteins and degradation of the brain,” Dr Ishu Goyal, Deputy Consultant Neurologist, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, told IANS. While these abnormal proteins are scavenged from the brain during sleep, facilitated by antioxidants obtained through a balanced diet, the hustle culture seldom…

The SAS Jalsena Naval Association KZN held a formal dinner and dance at the Greyville Racecourse last Saturday. The event celebrated the first group of 33 Indian men who were recruited into the SA Navy 50 years ago. At the event were:…

NEW DELHI: While Covid-19 did not cause much harm to children, for those with Long Covid, it is affecting their daily life with dizziness, fatigue, and brain fog, according to a study. The study, from the Kennedy Krieger Institute in the US, showed that most children with Long Covid were likely to experience orthostatic intolerance (OI) – a condition that causes the body to struggle with regulating blood pressure and heart rate when standing up. As a result, children often feel dizzy, light-headed, fatigued, and may experience “brain fog” or cognitive difficulties. The team examined nearly 100 children and found dizziness (67%), fatigue (25%), and body pain (23%) were the common symptoms, which worsened while standing but improved when lying down. These symptoms can make it difficult to perform everyday…

700g leg of lamb or lamb shoulder, cut into cubes, excess fat trimmed 4 tbs flour 1 onion, finely chopped 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves 4 large garlic cloves, minced 2 bay leaves 1 tsp chilli powder 3 cups lamb or vegetable stock 1 tbs butter (optional) 4 tbs olive oil 2 tbs tomato paste 4 medium carrots, sliced in rounds 2 potatoes, cut into small cubes salt pepper parsley to garnish Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Heat oil on medium heat. Mix the flour into the lamb cubes and season with a little salt and some pepper. Brown the meat. In the same pot melt the butter. Add the onion, bay leaves and thyme. Once the onion is translucent, add the garlic and tomato paste. Sauté for a minute.…

MOMENTS after Mason Pillay was gunned down in a robbery outside his Phoenix home, his attackers returned to the scene to make sure he was dead. Pillay, 35, a manager at a speed point company, from Whetstone, was reversing out of his driveway in his VW Golf 1, to go to work, when he was accosted by two armed men. A relative, who did not want to be named due to safety concerns, said the incident happened around 7.30am. “He got ready for work and as he left the house, he told his wife and children that he loved them and would see them later. He was reversing out of the driveway when two armed men, who were on foot, approached the car. They stood on either side of the…

WITH just a few groceries for her journey from Gauteng to Pietermaritzburg, truck driver Miriam Mzangaza warmed the tummies and hearts of motorists who were stranded on the N3 at the weekend. Mzangaza, 48, who is employed by Naysa’s Logistics, said that before leaving Johannesburg, she had stocked up on some basic necessities. “I had purchased teabags, coffee, bread, cereal, and noodles, among other small items I would need. I also had some other food items such as eggs, margarine and hot chocolate, as well as water. I have a portable gas stove in my truck, so I don’t have to stop to buy food all the time. “At the time I left Johannesburg, it was very cold, but I didn’t know that there would be a snowstorm.…

IN 2005, the decision of former president Thabo Mbeki to dismiss his deputy, Jacob Zuma, revealed the ANC’s true intentions and character. The era of feigning a struggle for the people was over, replaced by a race to surpass the corruption of the apartheid regime. Ironically, it was “our people” who initiated this shift. Suddenly, Mbeki, who had secured a two-thirds majority for the ANC, became vilified, all for the sake of “Msholozi”. It’s noteworthy that Mbeki was the first black man to govern all of South Africa, a milestone not even Nelson Mandela achieved, nor has it been matched since. Previously, KwaZulu-Natal was associated with the IFP or the belief that only a person of true Zulu descent could unite the province. However, a mix of repressed aspirations, waning…

VERY few pass from this strange world with happiness and a smile. I wonder what thoughts buzzed through Pravin Gordhan’s mind during his last days. I knew Pravin personally from the time he was barely 8 years old. His father, Mr Jamnadas Gordhan, and my dad were inseparable friends for over three decades, in the 1950s. Although Mr Jamnadas was a very strict “high-caste” Hindu and very seldom allowed “others” into his then Prince Edward Street home, he actually used to sit on the floor and dine with my father. They often travelled across India together and even went into a temporary business partnership, Modern Sarie Centre, in central Durban, between1956 and 1960. Emerging from a background of relative affluence, we all expected Pravin to become just another spoiled brat,…

SOUTH Africa stands at a critical juncture, grappling with the legacy of Pravin Gordhan’s unwavering commitment to good governance, anti-corruption, and economic equality. As the nation mourns his passing, reflections on his life’s work underscore the urgent need for transformative change. To break free from stagnation, South Africa must adopt policies that foster economic freedom, embracing free markets and competition. This entails streamlining legislation, reducing regulatory hurdles, and promoting entrepreneurship. By doing so, the country can unlock its potential, create jobs, and stimulate growth. The BEE policy needs to be weaned and fitness for purpose prioritised. The scourge of state capture and corruption must be eradicated. This demands committed leadership, robust institutions, and accountability. Municipalities, currently plagued by inefficiency and mismanagement, require reform. Ensuring transparent governance, auditing municipal funds, and…

WHILE delivering a tribute at the memorial service held by the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation on Sunday, Priyesha Gordhan took the opportunity to lambaste two SABC journalists who “spewed hateful and untrue things while on air” about her father, while covering his funeral at the Durban ICC. “To the two female reporters from the SABC who deemed my father’s funeral an appropriate place and time to spew hateful and untrue things while on air, I am sure you have parents. “How would you feel if people said abhorrent and disgusting things about them on the day that you lay them to rest? Your voices are aligned with his detractors and his detractors are the people who sought to malign his character to distract from their own roles and ulterior motives in…

HOMEOWNERS have welcomed the recent decision by the Monetary Policy Committee of the South African Reserve Bank to lower the interest rate by 25 basis points, shifting the prime lending rate to 11.50%, from 11.75%. Aimed at providing much-needed relief to households, many said the few extra hundred rand in their pockets would be used to free existing debt. Mellissia Padayachee, 45, from Phoenix, said she had taken over the bond after her mother had passed. “The interest rate cut would see me saving about R350 a month. This will go a long way to pay the electricity bill, which has gone up in recent months. But we need a much bigger rate cut to see a significant saving,” she said. Rajis Odayar, 58, a homeowner from Moorton, said the…

Uma Dhupelia-Mesthrie, Emeritus Professor in the History Department at the University of the Western Cape, will launch the book, Gandhi’s African Legacy: Phoenix Settlement (1904-2024), A History Through Letters, on October 5 at the Phoenix Settlement IN 1904 the thirty-five year old lawyer, Mohandas Gandhi, became a property owner in Natal. The 100 acres lay some distance (fifteen miles) from the city of Durban and could be reached by train on the north coast railway line with an exit at Phoenix, the seventh station. The journey then continued for another two and a half miles by foot through dirt roads. Situated along the Piezang River in Victoria County, the land was undeveloped, dominated by long grass and unoccupied. There were a few fruit trees and a small hut. For Gandhi…

THE flop shot is a high-arching, soft-landing shot that can save par or even secure birdie from seemingly impossible positions. It’s a shot that requires finesse, precision, and confidence. This week we will break down the keys to hitting a successful flop shot. Understanding the Flop Shot A flop shot is typically played from a short distance (20-50 yards) with a high loft angle (50-60°) to clear obstacles and land softly on the green. This shot is ideal for ⁠hitting over sand traps or tight lies, ⁠clearing hazards or uneven terrain and stopping quickly on slick greens. Before attempting a flop shot: Assess the lie: Evaluate the ball’s position, slope, and grass conditions. Choose the right club: Select a lob wedge (60°) or sand wedge (56°) for optimal loft.…

NEW DELHI: The Union Labour Ministry has said it will officially probe the death of a 26-year-old woman working at audit firm Ernst and Young (EY) in Pune after her mother blamed the company for overwork. Anna Sebastian Perayil, 26, died last month after being burdened with a “backbreaking workload” and “work stress”, claimed her mother Anita Augustine in a letter to chairman Rajiv Memani. Anna worked for four months at the accounting firm. “Deeply saddened by the tragic loss of Anna Sebastian Perayil. A thorough investigation into the allegations of an unsafe and exploitative work environment is under way,” Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje said in a post on X. “We are committed to ensuring justice and the Labour Ministry has officially taken up…

Mallaya-Pandya is a UK-based award-winning intuitive life coach and best selling author. For information, visit www.mysticsisters-uk.com, log on to mellissamallaya@hotmail.com or find her on social media @mysticsisters ARIES (March 21 – April 19) Stay cautious in your associations. Selfish people may cause unnecessary stress. Stay firm in your choices. Let go of past bitterness. Highs: Relationship breakthrough. Lows: Poor money management. TAURUS (April 20 – May 20) Resolve family issues this week, including generational or inheritance conflicts. Some may experience a peaceful separation. Avoid arguments and stay spiritually elevated. Highs: Feeling empowered. Lows: Losing your temper. GEMINI (May 21 – June 20) Now is the time to check if your work aligns with your values and goals. If not, take steps to realign and find balance. Concrete actions will help…

NEW DELHI: The World Health Organization (WHO) has called on countries to strengthen policies to promote healthy diets and physical activity to combat rising overweight, obesity, and noncommunicable (NCDs) diseases like diabetes and cancers – a leading cause of death. “The burden of overweight, obesity, and associated metabolic disorders has been steadily rising, affecting both children and adults,” said Saima Wazed, regional director, WHO South-East Asia. She noted that these have spiked cases of “non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer” which are now “responsible for nearly two-thirds of all deaths in the region”. Besides adults, about 5 million children under the age of 5 are overweight, and 37 million children between the ages of 5 and 19 are affected in the region. The region is also experiencing…

1 cup cake wheat flour 1½ tsp baking powder 1 tbs granulated sugar 2 tbs melted butter or oil plus a little extra butter to grease the pan 1 large egg 200 ml milk You may need more or less milk for the batter. Please adjust accordingly. However, ensure that your batter is not too runny or it will be difficult to keep the shape. When pouring the batter, it should form a ribbon. It’s how I judge the consistency of my batter. Ensure that you cook the flapjacks on a medium heat but you may need to adjust the temperature from time to time if the pan becomes too hot. You don’t want them cooking too quickly as the insides will not be cooked. You can make them…

SEVEN years after a Cape Town woman was doused with a flammable substance and set alight on Women’s Day, her family believe justice has finally been served. Yeshnee Kuni, who was 33 at the time, had been set alight in the home, a secured complex, she shared with her boyfriend, Darren Leslie Kershaw in Burgundy Estate on August 9 in 2017. Kuni, a manager for an import and distribution company, suffered extensive burn wounds and smoke inhalation. She died in hospital shortly thereafter. Last Tuesday, Kershaw, 40, who was arrested and charged in connection with her death, was found guilty of murder and arson in the Western Cape High Court. His bail was also revoked. Kuni’s younger sister, Ushanta Gangen, 38, also of Cape Town, said justice had been served.…

THE Indian presence in South Africa came through various routes. In the millennium before the Dutch conquest of the Cape in 1652, one theory put forward by Cyril Hromnik points to Dravidian gold miners having settled in Southern Africa perhaps a thousand years ago. A preserved site of Shiva worship from the period lies deep in the greenery of Mpumalanga province. Their likely port of entry was present- day Maputo traversing Komatipoort, a name derived from Tamil, and travelling beyond into the Karoo. Khoisan folklore is a potent encyclopedia of the mixing of the heritages of the southernmost tips of Africa and India. Indian migration that is better known is that of 152 184 indentured workers that were shipped from 1860 until 1911 to provide labour in the growing ailing…

THE hasty and rash decision of the Board of the Aryan Benevolent Home (ABH) last week to close the doors of its children’s home within 90 days is thoughtless conduct by the custodians of a hallowed public benefit organisation. A day before this bombshell announcement by the ABH, KwaZulu-Natal Social Development MEC Mbali Shinga presented the findings of an investigation which confirmed as true the allegations that children at the Bhai Rambharos Home in Chatsworth had suffered from abuse at the hands of their care workers. The abuse included malnutrition, corporal punishment, stigmatisation about their upbringing, and not being allowed to participate in religions of their background. Rather than deliberating on the report; taking it on the chin that some of the accusations were based on a modicum of truth;…

IN A 2021 global literacy survey conducted with 400 000 pupils, South Africa came last out of 57 countries. President Cyril Ramaphosa has passed into law the Bela Bill which seeks to transform our education system and overhaul the outdated SA Schools Act. But stiff opposition from the DA, backed by the Freedom Front Plus, regarding the language issue threatened to bring the Government of National Unity (GNU) crashing down this past week. Afrikaans, the last cultural bastion of the white minority is a hot button issue. The bill will no doubt test the strength of the GNU and the synergy between the ANC and the DA. While the ANC government introduced a non-fee paying school, a national nutrition programme, free text books and scholar transport, the new bill seeks…

THERE is one extremely important point that people in South Africa’s Indian community could take note of at this time. The first edition of the magnificent Cultural Heritage of India appeared in three volumes. It was revised and republished recently in nine volumes. The work refers, as the title indicates, to Hindu India’s contribution to world thought in science, religion, philosophy and almost all branches of civilisation. Her contribution to religious thought is unparalleled anywhere else in the world. The nine volumes are equivalent to 5 317 pages, produced by Bharat’s greatest scholars. At this time that marks Heritage Day, there are some of us who give thought to the fact that all people in South Africa celebrate the day with their respective cultures in mind. Heritage Day marks the…

NEW DELHI: People suffering from common laryngopharyngeal dysfunction like chronic cough, hoarseness, recurrent throat clearing, especially after Covid, may be at significant risk of developing a heart attack or stroke, warns a study. Researchers from the University of Southampton observed a reduction in baroreflex sensitivity – a measure of how much a person’s heart rate changes in response to changes in blood pressure – in patients with throat symptoms. The study, published in JAMA Otolaryngology, showed that “in patients with a faulty throat, the heart, specifically a function called baroreflex, is less well controlled”. This can “likely impact long-term survival, as patients with reduced baroreflex function are more likely to die of a heart attack or stroke,” said lead author Reza Nouraei, Professor of Laryngology and Clinical Informatics at the…

500g butternut 420g cream style sweetcorn ½ cup or 125ml fresh cream 1 tsp chilli flakes 100g Cheddar cheese salt pepper paprika Steam the butternut until tender. Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Smash the butternut once cooked and place in an oven-proof dish. Pour the cream-style sweetcorn over the butternut and roughly mix it together. Don’t over-mix. Season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with the chilli flakes. Pour the fresh cream over. Sprinkle the grated Cheddar cheese on top. Sprinkle a little paprika over the cheese and bake for about 45 minutes. I usually add about a ¼ cup of water to the butternut and simmer it on a low heat until soft and tender. You can also cook it in the microwave.…

125g or ½ cup butter at room temperature 3 large eggs, room temperature 1 cup castor sugar 1 tbs lemon zest 2 tbs fresh lemon juice 12/3 cups cake wheat flour ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda ½ cup sour cream, room temperature Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Grease a 22cm x 11cm loaf pan with butter, and line the bottom of the pan with parchment paper. Sift the flour and bicarbonate of soda, and set aside. In a large bowl, beat the butter and sour cream together for at least one minute, using an electric hand mixer. Rub the lemon zest into the sugar. Add it to the butter mixture and beat for 4 minutes until it’s light in colour. Beat this on a medium speed. Mix in the eggs,…

TWO women, pretending to be relatives delivering a memorial service invitation, duped a Chatsworth grandfather into letting them into the house, where they drugged his daughter and robbed them of jewellery. The 70-year-old grandfather, from Woodhurst, who did not want to be named, said on the day of the incident his wife had been admitted to hospital. He was at home with his daughter. He said he was in the house when someone called from the driveway gate. “There were two Indian women at the gate. One was a middle-aged lady dressed in a white sari with gold embroidery, while the younger one was in a pants and top. They said they were there to deliver an invitation for a memorial service of a deceased relative,” said the grandfather. “The…

A GAUTENG family travelling to Durban did not see the weather warning about the cold and snow and were left stranded on the N3 for more than 30 hours. Josias Naidoo, his wife, Rosanna, and their 9-year-old daughter, Ranya, had left their home in Gauteng on Friday at about 3pm. They were expected to spend the weekend with their family in Durban. Naidoo said that although it had been very cold and windy, the authorities had not provided any indication of what they were about to experience. “We would have rescheduled our trip had there been an indication that we should not use the N3, but there was nothing. “We had stopped in Bergview where there was very light snow. My daughter played outside for a little while and we…

DEVOTEES are invited to attend the Chinmaya Navaratri from October 3 to 11 from 6.30pm to 8pm daily at the recently revamped Chinmaya Annapoorna at Rajput Hall (9 Trisula Avenue, Arena Park, Chatsworth). The nine-day festival to invoke Mother Durga’s grace will be conducted in the presence of Pujya Swami Abhedananda. Those who attend will get an opportunity to make sacred offerings like chuniri, sindoor and shri yantra to Deviji and take home prasad. The nine nights will be filled with bhajans and dances by local and international artists. Devotees will also get the opportunity to discover the power of Ma Durga via the satsangs of Swamiji. Dinner prasad (blessed food) will be served every day and parking will be provided. There will be a free bus service for all…

THE eThekwini Municipality has offered a lifeline to beneficiaries of deceased and insolvent estates, by writing off debts of properties to the value of over R1 million, and that are over 24 months. Currently, the debt owed by the deceased estates where the executors had not been appointed, is estimated at over R900 million. IFP councillor Jonathan Annipen said the situation was grave because the city was owed in excess of R949 525 984.67 in late estate debt. Annipen has been helping residents with the applications for the debt write-off through town hall meetings. “This debt does not look good for us as a city. “We had to do something decisive about it. The move by the city is to ensure that while we write off the debt, customers who…

THE BELA Bill was signed into law in South Africa two weeks ago. The Bill prescribes various amendments to the South African Schools Act of 1996 and the Employment of Educators Act of 1998. Reviewing policy is good practice and is usually in response to flaws or loopholes in existing policy. Changes to education policy in racially and linguistically diverse contexts like South Africa will always raise contestation, especially from those who feel that their powers are being eroded. The Department of Basic Education has been criticised on various issues in the last three decades, and there are indeed valid questions about this entity’s capacity to deliver on amended policy. The Bela Bill now decrees that critical final decision-making shifts away from school governing bodies to provincial heads of departments…

WHAT a brave woman! Brave daughter rammed armed robbers, the POST, September 4-8 refers. She didn’t panic, scream or freeze. But keeping cool and calm, she saved her mother from armed robbers who had held her up at gunpoint. Which man would do what Tasneem Essob did, ram the robbers’ car again and again, and make them flee empty handed? You got to admire this woman and her incredible feat. What a great story of bravery, courage and determination. Her heroic feat has won her many admirers. Not so lucky was 11 year- old Zarah Ramsamy, who was crushed to death by hijackers, who drove over with her mother’s car. Seeing the armed robbers, the little girl panicked and hid under her mother’s vehicle. The desperate cries of her mother…

THERE are some who believe that the name Chatsworth came about when the huge township was developed from around 1960. Actually, Chatsworth was a vast banana plantation area, with the Cavendish dwarf being the type of banana plant. The fruit is actually a berry. Thousands of the plants studded the landscape of hills and dales stretching from Mobeni Heights in the east to Welbedacht in the south and Wyebank in the West. I was born there in 1932 in what is now Bayview. My father was a banana farmer there, alongside hundreds of Indians, the predominant group. Cavendish was the business area with railway and bus transport to the city. Of course, the farmers took their produce of bananas, mainly, and ginger and fruit, by spring cart drawn by mules,…

THE lead story in the POST, “Damning Findings into ABH abuse claims”, September 18-22, refers. The findings are disturbing but come as no surprise. Thanks to the fearless reporting by Yoshini Perumal. She has shed light on the shocking mistreatment of children, including physical and emotional abuse. This horrific reality underscores the glaring inadequacy of the current management. KZN social development MEC Mbali Shinga’s report is validation of these claims and only reinforces the urgent need for change. The incumbent board’s inability to respond constructively to these findings seals their fate. They must step down. My appeal to Logan Naidu, director of Child Welfare Chatsworth, is to leave no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to book. The well-being and safety of the children must be the top priority. To…

“REPREHENSIBLE” and “completely unacceptable” were the terms used by anti-apartheid activists, who condemned the remarks by two female reporters from the SABC, who “laughed wickedly” while covering former minister Pravin Gordhan’s funeral in Durban, last week. It is alleged the reporters did not know their microphones were on during the live broadcast of the official funeral. Social media users who had watched the coverage on the SABC Youtube channel, later questioned why the footage had been edited and the remarks removed without an explanation. “Is it just me or did this stream get edited? I watched this stream and those reporters who were providing live streaming from in front of the hearse ... the two female reporters made a mockery of the late Pravin Gordhan and laughed wickedly,” said Hezron…

Mikel Arteta stood by Arsenal’s defensive tactics in their explosive Premier League clash with Manchester City, saying he would have been “thick” not to learn from previous clashes. Leandro Trossard was shown a second yellow card for kicking the ball away when Arsenal were 2-1 up at the end of the first half at the Etihad on Sunday. After the break the Gunners sat back and soaked up pressure, ceding almost all the possession to the Premier League champions until John Stones netted a stoppage-time equaliser. Arsenal, who had led for most of the contest after goals from Riccardo Calafiori and Gabriel Magalhaes, were accused of employing the “dark arts” by City defenders Kyle Walker and Stones. City forward Bernardo Silva accused them of “time-wasting“. But Arsenal boss Arteta stood…

THE rock and surf scene has gone to summer mode. The fishing is picking up and the conditions are starting to settle enough that we can predict better days. The North Coast has seen a lot of fish even though the fish have been patchy. Try to fish and move to find the fish. Bloody and fleshy baits are the way to go. The banks have produced diamonds recently, but you need to find them. Most of the North Coast has seen good fishing off the points with sandies and honeycombs being the main bigger fish being caught. There have also been plenty of grey sharks on the lighter tackle. There has been an influx of reports of edibles being caught recently, so get your sealice and smaller prawn/chokka baits…