Índex per 2025-07-09 a Post

The Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa held the 68th Annual Southern KwaZulu-Natal Children's Cultural Festival on Sunday at the Swami Nischalananda Hall in Montreal Road, Glen Anil. Among the solo and group performances were:…

3 cups (750ml) full cream milk 3 tbs cocoa powder 2 tbs sugar 1 tsp vanilla essence 100g dark or milk chocolate ½ cup/125ml fresh cream, whipped Add the milk, sugar and cocoa powder to a saucepan, and heat on the stovetop on medium heat. Don’t boil it. Whisk until the cocoa has dissolved. Break the chocolate into pieces and add it to the milk together with the vanilla essence. Whisk until it is fully melted and turn off the heat. Pour into mugs and serve with a dollop of whipped cream on top. You can also add some marshmallows on top should you prefer.…

AFTER appearing on a South African crime series, a Phoenix family claimed they endured police brutality during a live drug raid, leading to community backlash and severe emotional distress. Brothers Preneshen Ramsagar, of Umhlanga, and Preshen Ramsagar, of Phoenix, were charged with dealing in drugs, alleged to be rock and cocaine soon after the raid. They appeared in the Phoenix Magistrate’s Court and were released on R5 000 and R3 000 bail respectively. The brothers and their father, Rajesh Ramsagar, featured in an episode of Sizokthola, a show hosted by Xolani Khumalo and aired on DStv in June. The show features notorious drug dens and alleged drug kingpins being raided in small communities across the country, where drugs are rife. During this episode, Khumalo and his team of security guards,…

THE South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (Sdcea) is calling for the immediate repair and expansion of ambient air quality monitoring stations operated by the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea). The organisation's air quality and health officer, Bongani Mthembu, said in a bid to resolve the air quality issues, the Edtea needed transparent emissions data sharing from industries, a policy enforcement with real penalties for polluters, and community involvement in environmental decision-making. “We also call for the support of clean energy alternatives and emissions reduction technology, and a dedicated health response unit in affected areas. “Without functioning air quality monitoring stations, it becomes extremely difficult to detect, record or respond to pollution spikes in real-time. This puts vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly and people with…

THE effectiveness of a police service is a cornerstone of any stable and democratic society. Beyond enforcing laws, the police embody the social contract between the state and its citizens, where law and order are maintained in exchange for the protection of individual rights and freedoms. In a nation like South Africa, which has undergone a profound political transformation from apartheid to a constitutional democracy, the South African Police Service (SAPS) is more than just a law enforcement body – it is a guardian of the democratic ideals enshrined in the Constitution. The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, particularly Chapter 2, known as the Bill of Rights, provides the foundational framework for these ideals, and at the heart of this legal framework is the right of every person…

WE IN SOUTH Africa are the descendants and inheritors of the Indian diaspora. To inherit is to be given a gift, indeed many gifts: the riches of culture, history, tradition, memory, family, community, love. To be inheritors is also to be time-travellers, to live simultaneously in the present (here and now); in the past (the places and people we came from), and in the future (the unfolding of what we are becoming, people both old and new). Diasporic becoming happens over and over again. First, leaving the homeland, and second, creating new homes, new ways, new lives, that bind a community in multiple ways, within itself, to its new land and that land’s people and histories, and also to the memory of the homeland. We here are Indian by ethnicity,…

HANNAH Naidoo, a 74-year-old widow, is facing new charges of attempted murder and theft after allegedly drugging and robbing vulnerable victims she had befriended at Suncoast Casino. She was was arrested two weeks ago Naidoo, a mother of four from Westville, appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court last Wednesday. She was initially charged with attempted murder and theft after she allegedly laced a 66-year-old woman’s tea and robbed her of R20 000 at Suncoast Casino, in May. State prosecutor, Calvin Govender, told the court that two counts of attempted murder and two of theft were being added to the State’s case after two other women came forward and claimed they, too, had been robbed by Naidoo. Naidoo was charged for drugging and robbing a Sheffield woman at her home in…

WRITING is a passion I have courted since I was in primary school. A dream come true was when the erstwhile editor of this august publication, Brijlall Ramguthee, invited me to submit a test column to appraise the possibility of my having a regular spot in the paper. This was not a simple or rash decision on his part as anyone knowing the gentleman would attest the fact that he is thorough in everything he does. So, he had been watching my regular letters which I used to submit to the letters’ column and had approved many for publication. My test column was a piece on the legendary watering hole of the past – the iconic Himalaya Hotel. Ramguthee enjoyed it, especially the nostalgic touch and the rest is history.…

Kylian Mbappe will come up against Paris Saint-Germain for the first time since leaving the French club a year ago as Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid revolution gets its biggest test yet in today’s Club World Cup semi-final. Mbappe should be remembered as a PSG legend, having spent seven prolific campaigns there and eventually departing as their all-time top scorer with 256 goals in 308 games. But his legacy was a little tainted by the manner of his departure, the sense among many that for the last half of his time in Paris he was just waiting for the right moment to move to Madrid, the club he had dreamed of representing as a young boy. PSG, under their Qatari president Nasser al-Khelaifi, were not happy with the way in which…

Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus made sweeping changes to his team for the second Test against Italy on Saturday in Gqeberha. Veteran fullback Willie le Roux will play in his 100th Test in a new-look backline that does not feature any player who started against the Azzuri in the first clash in Pretoria. Edwill van der Merwe will get his second cap for the world champions as he joins fellow winger Makazole Mapimpi and Le Roux in the back three for the duel in the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium (5.10pm kick-off). The exciting duo of Grant Williams and Manie Libbok will start as scrumhalf and flyhalf, respectively. In a surprising midfield, Canan Moodie partners with André Esterhuizen to complete the backline. Up front, there’s a welcome sight of Pieter-Steph du Toit…

Zimbabwe fast bowler Kundai Matigimu has been fined 15 per cent of his match fees for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the ongoing second Test against South Africa at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The incident took place on Day One, during the 72nd over of South Africa’s innings when Matigimu fielded a ball in his follow-through and threw it at batter Lhuan-de Pretorius, hitting him on the wrist at close range. Following the incident, Matigimu was found to have violated Article 2.9 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which deals with “throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment) at or near a player in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an International Match”. The…

BANYANA Banyana are on course to emulate their previous success at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations after starting the ongoing tournament strongly. Banyana beat Ghana 2-0 at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda, Morocco, Monday as they climbed to the top of Group C. The Desiree Ellis-coached team wrapped up the match in the first half, courtesy of Linda Motlhalo’s penalty and a close-range finish from Jermaine Seoposenwe. Banyana breathed a heavy sigh of relief after the victory as they arrived at the tournament with the odds stacked against them defending their title. The players had staged a stay-in upon their arrival in Casablanca, citing they were owed money by the South African Football Association (Safa) relating to preparation friendlies. Upon returning to training, they were inadvertently impacted by the…

THE makers of the film, War 2, have decided to keep actors Hrithik Roshan and NTR Jr away from each other during its promotional run. This is being done so the experience of them ruthlessly fighting each other is served to the maximum for the audience. A source said: “Hrithik and NTR Jr will promote War 2 separately and all plans have been made keeping in mind that they would never share the stage together, never be in any promotional video together pre-release, and never be seen with each other. Hrithik and NTR Jr coming together is a once-in-a-lifetime cinematic moment in Indian cinema.” The film is produced by Yash Raj Films (YRF). The source mentioned: “YRF is clear that the audience should first experience this rivalry before they see…

VERSATILE actress Shahana Goswami shared her opinion on actors putting their personal lives on social media. She said this was everyone’s personal choice. “Some people keep their lives private and only post work-related content. I completely respect that. I post things I genuinely enjoy: photography, thoughts and work. It’s my way of expressing myself, like a form of personal PR. “I’ve built real connections through Instagram, even with people I’ve never met. There’s a balance. I share some personal aspects, but mostly things that reflect who I am authentically. Everyone should do what feels right to them.” Goswami played the role of a woman named Sridevi in the web series, Four Years Later. She shared the screen with Akshay Ajit Singh. Goswami said: “When our casting director Dilip Shankar sent…

Mallaya-Pandya is a UK award-winning intuitive life coach and best-selling author. Visit her at www.mysticsisters-uk.com or mellissamallaya@hotmail.com or find her on social media at mysticsisters. Aries (March 21 – April 19) Your fire is reignited this week, but not everyone deserves your flame. Energy vampires may test your patience, but silence will speak louder than rage. Spiritual: Cleanse your space with frankincense. Journal prompt: Who do I give my fire to that doesn’t fuel me in return? Taurus (April 20 – May 20) Mars in your sign gives you a stubborn sparkle. Use it to build something that lasts, not prove your worth to someone who cannot be bothered. Spiritual: Place a carnelian or pyrite crystal on your work desk. Journal prompt: Why am I proving instead of creating?…

1 cup sago 1½ cup water 1 litre full cream milk 1 cinnamon stick ½ tsp vanilla paste 2 tbs butter plus 1 tsp 2 large eggs ½ cup condensed milk ¼ cup castor sugar ¼ tsp ground cinnamon 5 tbs apricot jam Soak the sago in the water for 15 minutes. Grease an ovenproof dish with the 1 teaspoon butter and set aside. Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Pour the milk into a large pan. Add the cinnamon stick and the vanilla paste. Heat it just until it reaches boiling point. Add the soaked sago and give it a stir. Simmer on a low heat for 5 minutes. Do not cook it too long because you don’t want a mushy pudding. The sago will be transparent once cooked.…

¾ cup Taystee Wheat or semolina 125g + 25g butter 2 cinnamon sticks 3 cups milk 1 tsp elachie/cardamom powder 1 tsp almond powder a few strands of saffron (optional) a few drops egg yellow food colouring 6-8 tbs condensed milk (add more if you prefer) fresh cream (optional) In a medium-size pot, melt the 125g butter on a low heat. Add a few drops of food colouring to the milk and set aside. Add the cinnamon sticks and Taystee Wheat to the butter, and cook for about 5 minutes. It will turn slightly brown. Remove from the heat and slowly add the milk. Use a whisk and keep stirring. Return to the heat. It will splutter a little, so be careful. Keep a close eye on it and…

AN ACTING high court judge testified how she felt insulted, embarrassed and fearful after a Durban man allegedly accused her of being "fake", slandered her on social media and made threats to incite violence, after she dismissed two of his applications. Acting judge Nomusa Khuzwayo was testifying in the trial of Avinash Ramkistan in the Durban Regional Court last Thursday. Ramkistan, 40, of Glen Ashley, was arrested and charged with several counts of intimidation, crimen injuria, contravention of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Act and contravention of the Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020, in March last year. He is alleged to have threatened Khuzwayo, law enforcement officers, magistrates, prosecutors, and Shamila Batohi, the National Director of Public Prosecutions, with “violence”, “death” and “bloodshed” in emails, voice recordings and posts shared…

A LEAKED audio recording between the State and witnesses had led to the postponement of the trial of 14 policemen charged with the murder of Regan Naidoo, 32, who was allegedly killed while in custody at the Chatsworth SAPS station holding cells. Naidoo, a security technician, was detained at the station on August 28, 2018, for questioning regarding the sale of a firearm which had been used in the murder of an alleged hitman from uMlazi, Xolani Zungu. Zungu was shot dead in Chatsworth on August 23, 2018. The morning after his arrest, police told Naidoo’s father that he had choked on a pie and had died in the holding cells. However, Naidoo had sustained multiple injuries, including bruising, fractured ribs, lung bruising and haemorrhaging. A post-mortem conducted by private…

IT’S NO SECRET that South Africa endured decades of division, discrimination and detention at the hands of an errant elite that was hellbent on perpetuating the evils of the horrid system of apartheid. 1976 was a seminal year as the “Soweto Uprising” shook the state to the rafters. The 1980s was marked by widespread turbulence as civil society became increasingly disgruntled with the direction of the country. In the latter part of the decade, the Campaign for Open Media became a lobbying force, and the Campaign for Independent Broadcasting commenced advocating for opening up of the airwaves. I happened to be part of these trailblazing initiatives – at times, they were exciting and elevating, but at other moments eerie and excruciating. To borrow from Charles Dickens, “It was the best…

AFTER many delays and debate, construction of the monument to commemorate the arrival of indentured Indians to South Africa has commenced. November 16 will mark the 165th anniversary since the first group of Indians landed in Natal aboard the SS Truro from Madras, to work in the sugar cane plantation of the then Port Natal in 1860. The original design concept proposed was an arch of unity with a bell tower. However, following a meeting with various stakeholders earlier this year, it was decided that the bell would not be included in the design. Instead, a bronze sculpture of an indentured couple with a child would be placed on a plinth and included as part of the original arch of unity design concept. The monument is being erected at the…

28 31 19 15 51 13 To the casual eye, those may well appear like the winning numbers from last week’s Lotto. Just numbers, figures, statistics, you may think. In truth, they represent a tragic everyday reality that greets us as soon as we switch on the television each evening. They are, in fact, my record of the number of Palestinians killed in Gaza by the Israeli Defence Force during a single week. Similar scenes of misery, destruction and death are also being played out in towns, cities and villages across countries like the Ukraine and Sudan as we speak, which begs the question: are we as members of the human race becoming so callously inured to the ravages and misery of war that we now see these conflicts like…

Dinesh Karthik has thrown his weight behind Jacob Bethell to take over the crucial No. 3 spot in England’s Test batting line-up from Ollie Pope, calling the young batter “the next big one to watch out for” in English cricket. Speaking on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast Live from Lord’s, Karthik praised Bethell’s versatility, hunger, and maturity, suggesting he could be England’s long-term solution in the top order. “I am a bit biased, I would pick him (Bethell), I would bat him at No. 3,” said Karthik, who currently works as the batting coach for Royal Challengers Bangalore, Bethell’s IPL franchise. “At this point in time, I would pick him ahead of Ollie Pope, but if you are an England coach, Pope got a 100 in the previous game.” Pope’s…

AmaZulu CEO Sinenjabulo Zungu has delivered a firm defence of football club executives amid the growing backlash to the proposed sale of SuperSport United, arguing that fans rarely understand the true pressures of running a professional team. SuperSport United’s shock decision to sell their club to a private consortium has caused ripples across South African football and is currently pending approval from the Premier Soccer League (PSL). While the finer details of the transaction remain under wraps, the response from supporters – particularly those loyal to Matsatsantsa – has been overwhelmingly negative. But Zungu, speaking candidly about the realities of football ownership at the launch of the KZN Premiers' Cup, said it was important for people to grasp how complicated club operations are behind the scenes. “Fans will never understand…

The stinger shot is a type of golf shot that is played with a low trajectory and a lot of roll. It’s a great shot to have in your arsenal, especially in windy or firm conditions. To play the stinger shot, you’ll need to make some adjustments to your setup, swing, and follow-through. To start, you’ll need to adjust your ball position and weight distribution. Play the ball slightly back of centre in your stance, about 1-2 inches inside your left shoulder for right-handed golfers. Distribute your weight slightly more towards your back foot, with about 60% of your weight on your back foot and 40% on your front foot. Next, align the clubface slightly closed, aiming directly at the target or slightly left of it for right-handed golfers. This…

KRITI Sanon penned a gratitude note for her Tere Ishk Mein team, including co-star Dhanush, as she wrapped up the shoot for the highly-anticipated drama. She posted some behind-the-scenes photos from the set of the spiritual successor of Raanjhanaa, on Instagram. “Love wrapped in Anand Rai-style drama and intensity, after a roller-coaster ride, and a marathon of emotionally and physically draining schedules. “Another beautiful journey comes to an end, but this one has given me memories and equations that will last forever,” she captioned the post. Sanon penned to her co-star, Dhanush: “You are one of the finest and most intelligent actors I have worked with. “Such a pleasure doing scenes with you, my friend. Here’s to many more together. Stay amazing and stay in touch.” Tere Ishk Mein is…

7 cardamom pods, slightly crushed 3 cinnamon sticks, about 5cm each 2 tsp chopped ginger 2 star aniseed 4 cloves 6 peppercorns 2 tea bags 1 cup water 1 cup full cream milk 1½ tbs sugar Crush all the spices, except the ginger, in a pestle and mortar. Place the spices and the ginger in a saucepan. Add a cup of water and simmer gently on a low heat. Once the water heats, add the tea bags and simmer until the water changes to a dark brown. Add the milk and bring it to a gentle boil. Add the sugar and mix well. The sugar can be adjusted according to your preference. Strain the tea into 2 cups. Froth some milk if your prefer and scoop it on top.…

1 cup or 250ml white rice or jasmine rice 1½ cups water 3 cups milk or as required 1 tbs butter ghee 1/3 cup condensed milk or more if your prefer sweeter ½ tsp ground cardamom/elachie 2 tsp ground almonds Rinse the rice well and drain the water. Add the water to the rice and boil on medium heat. Once the water starts to reduce almost completely, add the milk and simmer on a low heat. Stir the rice often as it tends to burn quite easily. Once the milk has reduced and the rice is soft and creamy, turn the heat off. If the rice is still not quite soft, add more milk and boil for a short while longer. Add the butter ghee, condensed milk, cardamom powder and…

FOllowing the tragic events of the July 2021 unrest, families who continue to grapple with the loss of their loved ones, share their stories of grief and remembrance. Tashleen Moodley’s son Faybian, 17, was shot and killed during the unrest. She said not a day had gone by that she and his two younger sisters did not miss him. Faybian of Trenance Park, Verulam, was shot and killed while standing guard at the entrance to the area on July 13. It is alleged that a group of men were trying to sneak through a sports ground to get into the area. When the patrollers saw them, they approached. However, as the group fled, they allegedly opened fire. Faybian was shot under his arm and died at the scene. “I cry…

WITH all six air quality stations in KwaZulu-Natal non-operational due to budget constraints, the Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (Edtea) has failed to assess the health risks posed by deteriorating air quality in local communities. The state of the air quality stations were revealed in a parliamentary response to the DA’s Hannah Lidgett, spokesperson on environmental affairs for KZN. The stations are located in Newcastle, Stanger, Ngwelezane, Port Shepstone, Pietermaritzburg, and Estcourt. Dr Bonginkosi Dlamini, chief director of environmental management for the Edtea, said there was a lack of budget to operate the stations in Newcastle and Stanger, while at the Ngwelezane and Estcourt stations there was no budget available to repair the instruments. He said at Port Shepstone, the instruments were beyond repair and the facility…

AS WE CELEBRATE Mandela Month, we are called to reflect not merely on historical remembrance but to embody Madiba’s enduring vision of a society rooted in Ubuntu – that profound African philosophy declaring: “I am because we are.” In a world still fractured by division, inequality, and discrimination, Nelson Mandela’s life offers us both a mirror and a map, revealing humanity’s capacity for both oppression and extraordinary redemption. Centred around Mandela’s birthday on July 18, this annual observance transcends mere commemoration. It is a global call to action, a reminder of the power of individuals to shape a better world amid strife and discord. Mandela Month underscores the transformative potential of empathy, forgiveness and collective action. Mandela’s enduring legacy Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, affectionately known as Madiba, left an indelible…

On the 4th anniversary of the July 2021 unrest, Ravi Pillay explores the ongoing challenges of nation building in South Africa, the need for unity, and the importance of the national dialogue in healing our communities “TOWARDS nation building” is the title of a comprehensive submission that some of us made to the Human Rights Commission at its national investigative hearing into the July 2021 unrest. As we approach the 4th anniversary of this most traumatic period in our democratic era, we have to confront the reality that we have not moved forward towards nation building. At best we have treaded water. Many will argue that we have regressed. I remain convinced that there is an overwhelming body of goodwill among the majority of our people who are ready…

FOR the past three decades, Professor Quarraisha Abdool Karim, a world-renowned infectious disease epidemiologist and the associate scientific director of the Centre for the Aids Programme of Research South Africa (Caprisa), has made an indelible contribution globally through her research on HIV and Aids. In addition to her numerous local and international recognitions for her contributions to science, the 65-year-old of Musgrave was recently elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society, the world’s oldest and prestigious scientific academy. Childhood For Abdool Karim, who is the third born of nine children, her journey stemmed from humble beginnings growing up in Tongaat. Her maternal great-grandfather came to South Africa in 1860, and served as a mediator between the indentured labourers and the British. “He had a farm in Emona which…

WHEN Wiaan Mulder’s professional career started, he was still a high school student at St Stithians. His skill was good enough to start his professional career with the Lions. However, at 18 years old at the time, Mulder had a long way to go and entering the Lions dressing room would have been intimidating for any youngster. Mulder needed a mentor, an experienced Lions player that would take him under his wing and show him the ropes as a professional cricketer. Lions captain, Dominic Hendricks, became that mentor for Mulder. In an exclusive interview with Independent Media, Hendricks highlighted how Mulder’s preparation was undercooked when he burst onto the professional set-up and how their chat helped him (Mulder) raise his training standards to meet what is required to succeed at…

A couple of races ago, it looked like Oscar Piastri was firmly on course to win the World Championship with McLaren, but after Sunday’s dramatic outing at Silverstone, the young Australian showed that he is human after all. It was the first time this season fans and fellow drivers saw any real emotion from the usually composed 24-year-old, who openly vented his frustrations over a steward’s decision that cost him victory. Piastri had been leading the race but was hit with a 10-second time penalty for braking “erratically” behind the safety car. The penalty allowed his team-mate Lando Norris to capitalise, taking the win and narrowing the championship gap from 15 points to just eight. The incident occurred after the safety car was deployed following a crash involving Isack Hadjar.…

Liverpool and Portugal star Diogo Jota was likely speeding when his car veered off a motorway in Spain last week killing him and his brother, Spanish police said yesterday. The shock deaths of Jota, 28, and Andre Silva, 25, on July 3 plunged the football world into mourning, less than two weeks after the striker had got married. An ongoing investigation is examining “the marks left by one of the vehicle's wheels... everything points to a possible excessive speed beyond the road's speed limit”, the Civil Guard said. “All the tests conducted so far indicate that the driver of the vehicle was Diogo Jota,” it added. The force had previously said a tyre had probably blown out while the vehicle was overtaking, causing it to crash and burst into flames…

Star Proteas netball duo Refiloe “Fifi” Nketsa and Owethu “Sammy” Ngubane teamed up with former skipper Bongi Msomi to give kids from two Kokstad schools a fighting chance in the coming DStv Schools Netball Challenge. The pupils from Shaya Moya Secondary and Thembalethu Secondary will represent KwaZulu-Natal at the national under-19 tournament at Hoerskool Dr EG Jansen in Johannesburg on July 26 and 27. They were inspired by the Puma ambassadors’ stories of their rise to the top from similarly impoverished backgrounds.They were then taken through the ir paces in drills and other training exercises on a bitterly cold Monday morning in the small town in the shadow of Mount Currie, southern KZN. For Nketsa, in particular, the clinic represented a full-circle moment as she went to school at Shaya…