Índex per 2025-10-15 a Post

THE sadness was etched in the air. Softly caressing and touching all around us. It felt like my Mom’s softest chiffon sari. Wrapping Dad in its caress, cloaking him, creating its own cocoon of solitude. Anand Uncle’s death really hit Dad hard. There was no outward expression of pain. No loud scream to eject the sadness from the body, rather the sadness took hold like a morning fog. Gentle, rolling and without fear, without terror or anger. And it set in. Hard. Like a fist around Dad’s heart, rhythmically pumping to jog memories. I could not understand it. We (as a family) were not close to Anand and his family. We saw them at weddings and gatherings but not that we visited homes frequently. I knew he had children, but…

A Thevaram (sacred hymns) Recital was held on Sunday at the Tamil Federation Cultural Centre in Chatsworth to commemorate the 165th departure of the SS Truro that left Madras (Chennai), India, on October 12, 1860, arriving in Port Natal on December 16, 1860. At the event were:…

VARUN Dhawan and Jahnvi Kapoor return in this movie after their previous outing together in Bawaal two years ago, with a different romcom theme this time than the somewhat violent love story of their previous film. The rather unusual title comes from their names Sunny (Dhawan) and Tulsi Kumari (Kapoor), which are also a kind of pun on the clash between traditional values of arranged marriages and the modern youth view on love, marriage and naming children. The plot that sets the scene for some very entertaining comedy is quite simple – Sunny, who hails from a middle class family, is besotted with Ananya (Sanya Malhotra) whose higher-class family has plans for her to be married to someone of their own stature, Vikram (Rohit Saraf), so she breaks up…

1 tin condensed milk 1 tbs ghee 2 cups flour, sifted 3 tsp baking powder ¼ tsp bicarb 1 tsp elachie powder a pinch of nutmeg In a bowl, add the condensed milk and ghee. Sift the elachie and baking powder with the bicarb and nutmeg. Mix well. Add the sifted flour. Keep ¼ cup aside to adjust if the dough is still sticky. Cover with a cloth and rest for 10 minutes. Pinch ball-sized dough portions and roll into logs. I weigh mine, so I get uniformity. Heat ghee in a pot to medium temperature, and fry the gulab jamuns. Dip into the syrup for 30 seconds to a minute, and drain. Set the gulab jamuns on a baking try lined with plastic. Turn after an hour for the…

½ cup soft butter 1 cup white sugar 1 tsp vanilla essence 2 cups flour 2½ tsp baking powder 1 cup buttermilk Beat the butter with the white sugar until smooth. Add the vanilla essence, flour and baking powder. Add the buttermilk and mix until smooth. Spoon into cupcake cases and bake for 15 minutes on 180ºC. Burfee icing: 250g of butter 400g icing sugar ½ cup Klim 1 tbs cardamom (elachie) powder Beat the butter, icing sugar, Klim and cardamom powder until smooth. Pipe on to the cupcakes.…

2 cups gram flour 2 tbs baking powder 1 tsp egg yellow colouring 1 tsp red colouring 1 cup cold water (add more if needed) 80ml desiccated coconut 1 cup milk powder 1 tsp cardamom (elachie) powder Syrup: 2 cups white sugar 1 cup water 1 tsp rose water (boil the sugar and water to form a sticky syrup) Sift the gram flour and baking powder into a bowl. Add the water and food colouring. Mix into a weak batter. Heat the oil in a deep saucepan. Pour the batter into a colander held over the hot oil. Bit by bit will fall into the oil. Once it starts to float and becomes a bit crispy, remove from the oil and place on a paper towel to drain.…

600g gram flour 80ml milk 1 tsp nutmeg 2 cups sugar syrup 500g butter or ghee 1 tbs cardamom (elachie) powder 1½ cups Klim colour almond nibs In a bowl, sift the gram flour and rub the milk in. Grind in a food processor until fine or use a sieve. Use a thick-bottomed pan and add 500g butter or ghee. Fry the chana mixture until golden brown on medium heat for around 15 to 20 minutes. Do not burn the mixture. Remove from the stove. Add the chana mixture into another bowl. Add the cardamom powder, nutmeg and Klim. Mix together. Add enough syrup to bring everything together. Mould and shape as desired.…

210g double cream yoghurt 3 green chillies, finely chopped 3 minced garlic cloves ½ cup milk 1 medium onion, finely diced 420g cream-style corn 250g frozen sweetcorn 92g chickpea (besan) flour 40g cup semolina 50g maize meal 12g cake flour 1 tsp baking powder 200g baby spinach, finely chopped 30g coriander, finely chopped 150g feta cheese ½ cup oil 1 tsp salt 50g sesame seeds (optional) Prepare a 32cm x 22cm baking sheet tray with baking paper and set aside. Add the yoghurt, cream-style corn, minced garlic, frozen corn, green chillies, milk, oil and onion to a medium-sized bowl. Sift the flours, baking powder, maize meal, semolina and salt in a separate bowl. Gently fold into the sweetcorn mixture. Add the baby spinach, coriander and feta, and gently fold…

165g semolina 110g nibbed almonds 80g desiccated coconut 200g milk powder 2 tsp cardamom (elachie) powder ¼ tsp nutmeg 100g ghee, melted 1 can condensed milk sesame seeds toasted, optional desiccated coconut, optional Toast the semolina, nibbed almonds and desiccated coconut for 10 minutes until lightly toasted and fragrant. Remove from the heat and add to a medium-sized bowl. Add the milk powder, spices, melted ghee and condensed milk. Mix until combined, and cool completely. Once the mixture has cooled, scoop it into 3 teaspoon-sized mounds. Shape into balls, roll in desiccated coconut or sesame seeds. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Makes 20 balls.…

A 16-YEAR-OLD Chatsworth girl reveals her harrowing journey into teenage motherhood after school bullying led her to drop out and fall pregnant to a 25-year-old man. Now surviving on a child grant of R550 per month and fearing social workers might take her baby, she shares her story while trying to build a future for herself and her daughter. *Tenisha Naidoo (not her real name) fell pregnant when she was 15 and gave birth to a healthy baby girl in August. She said she lived in fear daily that her baby would be taken away from her by welfare authorities. “That is the price I have to pay for becoming a mother while under the legal age for consensual sex. The father of my baby is an unemployed man from…

FOR 29-year-old Kajal Sewpal, balancing two very different careers is a daily art in itself. By day, she works as a quantity surveyor and estimator. By night, her hands become tools of tradition and creativity as she transforms palms and fingers into intricate canvases of mendhi art. This time of year marks one of the busiest seasons for Sewpal, second only to the wedding season. With Diwali celebrations in full swing, the demand for henna art has skyrocketed, and she is embracing every moment. “It is one of the busiest times as a mendhi artist. I try to structure a timeline of appointments so that I can accommodate as many clients as possible,” said the Newlands West resident. Sewpal, who runs her business, Mendhi by Kaj, has been practising the…

NOW more than ever, as the commissions of inquiry lay bare the rot, the graft, the corruption, and betrayal of public trust, South Africa stands at a moral crossroads. Thuli Madonsela, Raymond Zondo, Babita Deokaran, Pamela Mabini, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi … names that echo not just in courtrooms and headlines, but in the aching hearts of citizens who have witnessed courage, sacrifice and the cost of truth, with some of these heroes and heroines giving their lives. Poverty deepens. Unemployment swells. Service delivery falters. South Africa is in a dark place. And yet, amid the shadows, Diwali arrives, not just as a festival of lights but as a clarion call to conscience. Diwali is not merely a celebration. It is a reckoning. A reminder that darkness, be it political, economic or…

SO, THE Indian cricket team refused to shake hands with the Pakistan team, even after winning the invisible trophies? And as usual, our honourable local wicketkeepers will find all the ethical reasons, making excuses like the unfairness of Pakistan using Chinese military goodies to fight their own wars against my still beloved motherland. I don’t have much love for either of the regimes – India or Pakistan – but would again ask that perennial question: “Why engage in the first place in a frivolous game of sports if you hate the opposition, hook line and love-to-sink-her?” Just goes to show that not mere love, not mere hate, but the common God among all gods on this planet is lots of CFC (not chlorofluorocarbons), but rather cash-filled credit. EBRAHIM ESSA…

TO MILLIONS of people throughout the world, Deepavali commemorates the return of Prince Rama, Lady Sita and Lakshmana to Ayodhya in India, after 14 years of exile in the forest, while others celebrate the defeat of the demonic King Narakasura by Shri Krishna. Whatever the reason, this festival has a universal appeal. It signifies the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance and truth over illusion. Every year in Leicester in the United Kingdom, tens of thousands of people gather in the streets to enjoy the vibrant shows of light, music and dancing. It is a time to clean and decorate the house and the yard. It is also a time to adorn new clothes. Rangoli, a popular tradition of making beautiful patterns at the entrance…

At 81, culinary icon Asha Devi Maharaj prepares to release her fourth cookbook, continuing a remarkable journey from humble beginnings on a KZN farm to becoming the country’s first Indian chef on television. This celebrated chef, radio personality and brand promoter transformed South African cuisine while preserving her cultural heritage, writes Nadia Khan WITH a legacy spanning decades, Asha Devi Maharaj has established herself as a beacon of culinary excellence in South Africa. Now, at the age of 81, the renowned chef, brand promoter, radio personality and columnist will be launching the fourth series of her celebrated cookbook collection, Cooking with Asha Maharaj, which promises to unveil treasured recipes straight from her kitchen. The POST had the privilege of catching up with Maharaj at her North Beach home, where she…

AS DIWALI approaches, the Swami Abhedananda of Chinmaya Mission South Africa shares profound insights on the festival’s true spiritual essence, highlighting how the Mission’s “Nourish to Flourish” initiative exemplifies Diwali’s principles of inner light and selfless service. As homes across Durban prepare to shimmer with light this Diwali, Swami Abhedananda calls on the community to look beyond the glow of diyas and the sparkle of fireworks – toward a celebration of inner illumination, selfless love, and righteous living. Speaking in a telephonic interview from Cape Town, Swamiji shared that the true meaning of Diwali lay not only in festivity, but in rekindling the light of dharma, humility and gratitude in our hearts. “Diwali is significant because it is the victory of Bhagwan Ram over Ravan – a reminder that dharma…

THERE are moments when the law does more than amend a statute, it amends our understanding of ourselves. The Constitutional Court’s recent judgment in Van Wyk and Others v Minister of Employment and Labour is one such moment. It is revolutionary in how our country understands parenthood, work, equality, and perhaps most importantly, in how we define care. Until now, South Africa’s parental leave laws were built on an old blueprint of family life. The Basic Conditions of Employment Act (BCEA) gave birth mothers four months of maternity leave, but limited all other parents to a token 10 days. Adoptive parents received 10 weeks if the child was under 2 years old, and commissioning parents in surrogacy arrangements faced a similar patchwork of provisions. The law drew a circle around…

PHOENIX is undoubtedly Kollywood’s proud offering to the world cinema world. Kollywood’s most popular hero “Makkal” Vijay Setupathi introduces his son, Surya, as a hero in this movie to Tamil cinema. And what an introduction it is. With the uncanny resemblance to his dad, Surya makes a grand entry as a hardcore action hero. It took him about 18 months to reduce his weight from 120kg to play the hero in the sports action thriller. He was on the set of Jawaan, which starred his dad opposite Shah Rukh Khan, when stunt master Anl Arasu first met Surya. Arasu immediately told Vijay he would like to cast his son as a lead in an upcoming action movie directed by himself. Vijay said Arasu should speak to Surya about his…

500g Klim ½ cup fresh cream Add the fresh cream to the Klim. Mix until it resembles breadcrumbs. Leave the mixture for a few hours. Then grind it in a food processor until smooth. Syrup: ½ cup fresh cream ½ cup milk ½ cup dessert cream 1½ cups sifted icing sugar 2 tsp elachie powder 1 tbs ghee 1 tsp rose water Add the ingredients to a thick-based pot. Bring to a boil and then simmer on low heat for 8 minutes, stirring at intervals. Add the Klim mixture to the syrup. Stir until the mixture comes off clean from the base and sides of the pot. Empty the burfee into a casserole and cool. Use silicon moulds or cutters to shape.…

2 cups gram flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 tsp elachie powder 2 tbs ghee 1 cup water 1 tsp orange/red food colouring Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. Add the ghee and rub together. Add the water and mix into a thick batter. Add the food colouring and mix well. Syrup: 1¼ cups sugar 1 cup water 1 tsp rose essence 1 tsp lemon juice ¼ tsp orange/red food colouring Bring the ingredients to a boil. Keep the syrup on a double boiler to keep it warm. Frying: Fry in ghee or oil using a colander or a straining spoon. Fry for a few seconds, then remove and place into the warm syrup. Allow to sit for a few hours. Then use a fork to…

Batter: 1 cup cake flour 2 tbs corn flour 2 tbs yoghurt 1 tsp yellow food colouring 2 tsp baking powder 2/3 cups warm water 2 tsp sugar 2 tbs oil Add everything into a bowl. Make a thick and smooth batter. Rest the batter for 15 to 30 minutes Heat the oil in a deep frying pan. To check if the oil is ready, put a drop of batter in the oil. The batter should sizzle and come up right away without changing colour. Fill the batter into a squeeze bottle or piping bag. You can also use an empty bottle (empty tomato sauce or mustard bottle). Squeeze the batter in the medium-hot oil into a pretzel shape. Fry the jalebi until the oil around it bubbles less.…

725ml cake flour 1 tin condensed milk 50ml semolina 2 tbs baking powder ½ tsp nutmeg 2 tsp cardamon (elachie) powder 60ml butter or ghee oil for frying In a bowl, add the condensed milk, baking powder, cardamom powder, nutmeg and semolina. Mix and then add the melted butter or ghee. Add the flour and mix into a soft dough. Roll the balls and form finger shapes between the palms of your hands. Heat the oil to medium low. Fry until light golden brown. Drain and put the gulab jamuns immediately into the syrup for 12 seconds. Remove and cool. Syrup: 2 cups sugar 1 cup water 5ml cardamom powder Boil the water, sugar and cardamom powder together. The sugar must be dissolved and clear. Remove and set aside.…

unsalted butter Place the butter in a large pan and melt over medium-low heat. After around 5 to 6 minutes, the melted butter will start to foam. By 10 minutes most of the foam should be gone. The ghee is ready once all the milk solids turn golden brown and settle on the bottom of the pan. I recommend using a pan with a silver base so the browned milk solids are more visible. Place a mesh sieve over a bowl, and line the sieve with a paper towel. Slowly pour in the ghee mixture and strain. Pour the ghee into a jar with a lid and store in the fridge for up to a year. Use the ghee over popcorn, and to make mithai, curries and roasts.…

60ml tikka masala paste 2 tbs natural yoghurt 400g paneer, cubed 1 green bell pepper, diced 1 onion, finely chopped 2 tsp ginger and garlic paste 2 tbs curry powder 400g Roma tomatoes, chopped 2 tsp tomato purée 1 cup double cream 1 tbs butter a handful of coriander, chopped cooked basmati rice and naan bread to serve Mix the tikka masala paste and yoghurt in a bowl. Add the paneer and green pepper. Mix well and refrigerate. Heat the oil in a pan and fry the onion until soft and golden brown. Add the ginger and garlic paste, and cook for 1 minute. Add the curry powder and stir until the mixture smells fragrant. Then add the chopped tomatoes, and tomato purée, and bring everything to a simmer.…

Pastry: 390g cake flour 150g cold butter, cut into cubes cold water ½ tsp fine salt Sift the flour. Add the butter and mix into fine breadcrumbs. Add cold water, a tablespoon at a time, until a smooth dough forms. Split the dough into half, wrap one half in cling wrap, and set aside. Roll out the dough. The dough must be smooth and evenly thick. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Filling: 80g desiccated or fresh coconut 135g semolina 3 tbs butter 160g castor sugar 30g sesame seeds 1 tsp cardamom (elachie) powder Place the desiccated coconut and sesame seeds in a saucepan on medium-low heat and lightly roast until the coconut turns a light brown colour. Heat the butter in a pan and lightly…

THERE is much merit in arguing for a public holiday to celebrate the highlight (pun intended) of the Hindu religious calendar, Diwali or Deepavali (the Festival of Lights). And it is also cogent to argue, as some have done, that Family Day (the day after Easter Sunday) and the Day of Goodwill (the day after Christmas) have no spiritual significance. In the US, a predominantly Christian society, there is no such holiday as “Easter Monday” as we South Africans once knew it. I learnt about this on one of my early visits to the US over two decades ago. I had gone to the hotel reception to change a $50 travellers cheque (before the advent of the credit card) into smaller currency for tipping (as you know, tipping is mandatory…

SIMON Dehal has forgotten that South Africa is one country, but India and Pakistan are two entirely different countries. Citing rugby’s unifying effect in South Africa is illogical. “India-Pakistan cricket clash raises questions about sporting ethics”, the POST, October 8-12, refers. Otherwise, why not recommend it to Israel and Gaza? He has never had a problem with those in this country calling for Israel’s exclusion from all sporting activities. All his clichés about sports are meaningless when it comes to a nation that allows the practice of terrorism as an instrument of state, sports and everything else. Aside from affording terrorist funerals with full state honours, coffins draped in the Pakistani flag, and the participation of military officials and politicians, there is a possibility of shrines to the dead terrorists…

CHRISTIANS represent the majority in South Africa, much like in the USA. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that despite this demographic reality, the Christian voice has been systematically silenced in our democracy. Christian activism, which laid the foundation for the Struggle, has been relegated to the sidelines, overshadowed by a Constitution that acts as an “alternative Bible of pie-in-the-sky values”. Unlike in the USA, Christians in South Africa are not informed that the essence of democracy, and freedom here stems from the secularisation of New Testament values, rebranded as “rights”. This strategy has permitted the democratic government to dilute the ethos of our Christian majority and introduce an array of conflicting values. A glance at the history and function of the CRL Commission reveals its true purpose: to pave…

A SHALLCROSS man related to notorious drug kingpin “Teddy Mafia” was arrested for murder just moments before he was due to stand trial for attempted murder. Nashlin Krishin now faces charges for the execution-style killing of Justin Pillay, who was shot over 30 times in his home in July this year. It emerged in court that Krishin, 28, was a relative of the late drug kingpin Yaganathan “Teddy Mafia” Pillay. He was arrested by detectives on Friday, moments before he was due to appear in the Durban Regional Court with Teddy Mafia’s son-in-law and grandson for start of the attempted murder trial of Andile Cele in September last year. Cele was employed by Pillay and was shot during an altercation between Teddy Mafia’s family and Pillay. Pillay, 40, was shot…

The Sharks will get a timely lift this weekend from the availability of more of their Springbok big guns on their return to Kings Park for their United Rugby Championship (URC) clash against Ulster, but anyone expecting a comfortable homecoming victory could be in for a surprise. The Irish visitors have started their URC campaign strongly, showing a disregard for big reputations in last weekend’s dismantling of the Bulls, where they combined sharp execution with defensive discipline to claim a second five-pointer and position themselves among the form sides of the competition. The Bulls opted for a Springbok-laden squad in pursuit of their third consecutive win in the competition but came undone thanks to a second-half onslaught from the Irish side in Belfast. Sharks head coach John Plumtree recalled Bok…

England bowling great Stuart Broad says Australia have their "worst" team since 2010 as a war of words intensifies ahead of the Ashes series. The retired paceman was responding to the prediction of former Australia batter David Warner that the visitors would lose the five-match Test series, which starts next month, 4-0. England, now led by all-rounder Ben Stokes, have not won the Ashes in Australia since 2010/11, when Broad was part of a squad that triumphed 3-1. Since then they have a shocking record Down Under, losing 13 and drawing two of their Tests against their oldest rivals. "It's very, very difficult to win in Australia as an England side, or any side - it just is," Broad told the BBC podcast For the Love of Cricket. "Australia have…

AS THE Hindu community celebrates Diwali, the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil, I extend warmest greetings to all. May this auspicious occasion bring joy, prosperity and happiness to your families and communities. The Hindu community’s contributions to KwaZulu-Natal are invaluable, and their commitment to service, volunteerism, and community development is truly inspiring. As we light the lamps of Diwali, may the light guide us on the path of truth, goodness and righteousness. Let us strive to create a society that is just, equitable and prosperous for all. May the blessings of Lord Rama and Goddess Lakshmi be upon us. Happy Diwali Ntuli is the premier of KwaZulu-Natal…

PRAYAGRAJ (Uttar Pradesh): As Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is just around the corner, potters and diya (traditional clay lamps) makers across India are celebrating a surge in demand following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call to adopt Swadeshi products. Modi’s recent appeal to prioritise Indian-made goods has led to a significant rise in orders for diyas, bringing hope and renewed enthusiasm among potters. They believe this initiative will not only revive their traditional craft but also provide a major economic boost during the festive season. Potters say this Diwali feels different and brighter, in more ways than one. A potter shared insights into their festive preparations: “This year, the demand is quite high. Ever since PM Modi called for buying Swadeshi, more people are coming to us. We’ve been doing…

Raghukul reet sada chali aayi, pran jaaye par vachan na jaayi,Ram Siya Ram, Siya Ram Jai Jai Ram. The melodic proverb from Ramanand Sagar’s epic television series based on the Ramayan echoes through our home in the late 1980s – powerful and profound. Musical notes merge with the distinct scent of sandalwood incense sticks burning – a memory framed beautifully by perfectly round, bright orange marigolds gently plucked from our garden. Over the years, the entire VHS collection, purchased by my parents from the iconic Roopanands, takes pride of place in our cabinet. Fast forward to my home today, that childhood nostalgia is replaced by me streaming the same song on my smart television or cellphone, in fervent prayer that my children will understand the deep meaning of the proverb.…

EKTA Somera, a 26-year-old published poet from Umkomaas, whose journey from writing in solitude to creating literary communities, is inspiring a new generation of South African writers. Recently selected for a Poetry Scrum and working as an editor, Somera juggles multiple roles: editor at Sakura Book Publishing, community facilitator at Youth Capital, freelance graphic designer, and author of three poetry collections, Made in Poetry, Twenty-Two and Social Misfit. Despite the titles and responsibilities, she remains grounded in her mission. “I felt a great sense of fulfilment, not only for myself, but for every woman who has ever been made to feel small and insignificant. I feel like when one of us achieves a goal, especially in a space where we have not always been seen, it is a win for…

1½ cups Klim 1½ cups icing sugar, sifted 3 tbs condensed milk ¼ tbs rose essence ¼ tsp elachie powder food colouring of your choice In a bowl, add the dry ingredients and mix. In a separate bowl, add all the wet ingredients, including the food colouring. Mix well. Mix the wet and dry ingredients until they are well incorporated. Cling wrap the mixture and refrigerate for an hour. This allows the mixture to set, making it easier to shape or roll. Use a flower cutter and shape. Alternatively, roll into balls. Place into a paper cup and top with a gold or silver bead.…

100g butter or ghee, melted 1 cup semolina ½ tsp nutmeg ½ cup finely chopped almonds 2 tsp cardamom (elachie) powder 1 cup coconut 2 cups Klim 1 cup icing sugar ¼ cup sesame seeds Syrup: 1 cup sugar ½ cup water Boil the sugar and water for seven minutes. Set aside. Toast the semolina, coconut, cardamom, sesame seeds, nutmeg and almonds for six to eight minutes until hot to the touch. Remove and add the Klim, melted butter or ghee and icing sugar. Mix. Add the syrup, a little at a time, until it comes together, followed by the food colouring. Mould or roll however you want.…

500ml cake flour 2ml baking powder 250ml water 3ml lemon juice 125ml melted butter (2 tbs for the dough) 125ml corn flour Sift the dry ingredients. Rub 2 tablespoons of butter into the dry ingredients. Add the cold water with the lemon juice in it, to form a dough. Knead until smooth. Divide the dough into 8 portions and roll them into normal-sized rotis. Brush the first one with melted butter and then sprinkle with corn flour. Place another roti on top. Continue this until all the rotis are stacked on top of one another. The roti on top of the stack should not have butter or corn flour. Roll into large rectangular shapes. Cut the edges to make them straight. Cut into 3cm-sized strips. Fold each strip 5 times.…

396g can sweetened condensed milk 92g dry milk powder 30ml ghee or butter 30ml milk 1 tsp freshly ground cardamom ¼ tsp salt Remove the label from the can of condensed milk and place the can in a big casserole. Pour in enough water to cover the can. Place the casserole on the stove on high heat and bring the water to a boil. Turn the heat down and simmer for 3 hours. Top up with water because it will evaporate. When done, remove the can and let it cool completely. I like doing this the night before. To make the peda, toast the milk powder for around 4 to 5 minutes in a non-stick pan. Keep stirring to toast evenly, and prevent it from burning. Pour in 200g…

227g ghee, room temperature 165g castor sugar 2 tbs semolina 325g cake flour + 2 tbs 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 2 tsp cardamom (elachie) powder almonds Prepare a baking tray with baking paper and set it aside. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat the ghee and sugar for 1 to 2 minutes on medium speed, or until the mixture is light and fluffy. In a separate bowl, sift together the cake flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda. Add the flour to the ghee and sugar mixture, and mix slowly until combined. The dough should be crumbly. Shape 1½ tablespoons of the dough into balls, and flatten slightly using the palms of your hands. Place on the baking tray. Top each…

2 cups water, plus ½ cup 50g tamarind paste 90g jaggery, substitute with dark brown sugar 100g dates, finely chopped 1 tsp chilli powder ½ tsp jeera/cumin powder ½ tsp fennel powder ½ tsp ginger powder ½ tsp dhania/coriander powder Add 2 cups water to a large saucepan on medium to high heat Add the tamarind paste, jaggery or dark brown sugar and finely chopped dates to the saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring every 5 minutes. Boil until the dates are completely soft and mushy (about 15 minutes) I use a potato masher to ensure the dates and tamarind have dissolved, and the sauce is smooth. Stir in the spices and simmer the sauce gently on low heat for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and cool completely.…

A SHOCKING report by the Health Systems Trust (HST) reveals over 31 000 KwaZulu-Natal pupils fell pregnant in a single year, including 610 girls aged between 10 and 14. The DA is demanding an urgent task team to tackle this crisis, calling for better tracking and prosecution in statutory rape cases. The KZN Department of Social Development cites poverty, poor parenting and absent fathers among the contributing factors. The HST’s Phakama Digest report indicated that 31 088 girls between the ages of 10 and 19 gave birth in KZN between April 2023 and March 2024. The figures have been recorded at KZN’s public health facilities only. The report stated that between April 2020 and March 2023, almost 11 500 babies were born to girls aged 10 to 14. “Between April…

South African teachers are increasingly relocating to South Korea in search of better pay, safety, and career growth. While they enjoy the benefits of a safer environment and improved working conditions, they also face challenges like cultural differences and homesickness. After a recent scare involving a former Durban teacher, who could not be reached by her South African family after her phone was stolen in Seoul, we speak to teachers about their real experiences abroad. Last week, Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) put out an alert after a Durban family were unable to make contact with their daughter who is teaching in South Korea. Rusa head, Prem Balram, said her family was concerned for her safety after unknown males had answered her phone during a wellness check. However, she was…

A 60-YEAR-OLD Phoenix man died while waiting to apply for his pension at the Department of Labour in Verulam, with his family alleging that staff at a nearby government clinic refused to assist despite being just 50 metres away. Manikum Pillay, of Phoenix, collapsed and and died while waiting in line with his wife, Rachel Pillay, to submit his Sassa pension application. He sustained a serious head injury when he fell. According to Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa), paramedics arrived shortly after 9am and declared him dead at the scene. “My husband and I went to the Sassa offices in Verulam. Manikum turned 60 last month and wanted to apply for his pension,” said 58-year-old Rachel. “We were waiting in the queue from early in the morning, and the line…

DESIGNER Deepa Jagjivan Singh transforms generations of family tailoring tradition into contemporary Indo-African fusion wear through her label “Jivan by Deepa". This Durban-based creator honours her Gujarati heritage, while crafting exclusive, handmade pieces that empower women to connect with their roots. The brand, launched in 2023, has quickly become a name to watch in the world of Indo-African fusion wear. “Fashion has always been part of my story. Growing up in a family of tailors, or Darjees as we are known in the Gujarati community, my inspiration began at home.” Singh’s roots run deep. Both sets of her grandparents were professional tailors. Her paternal grandfather, Ishwarlal Jagjivan, owned Springbok Tailors, in Grey Street, while her grandmother, Kalavati, created garments with loving precision on a vintage Singer sewing machine. On her…

maHATMA Gandhi is known all over the world for his development of nonviolent protest action against injustice, Satyagraha, and for the development of a culture of non-violence, Sarvodaya. In both these activities his close companion and helpmate was Kasturba. Kasturba was a strong person in her own right, and while she stood with Gandhiji in his various campaigns, she also helped to formulate them and develop the principles on which their campaigns should be run. She was simple yet intelligent, and had a deep understanding of common human values, which she practised in her daily life. Her courage and wisdom have been written about by Gandhiji himself and could be seen in her various actions, including her willingness to undergo surgery without anesthetic or chloroform, as her fragile condition could…

The KingFisher’s Scratch & Win Event is officially up and running, and anglers across KwaZulu-Natal are already diving into the action. Running throughout October across all seven KingFisher stores and online, this month-long promotion is reeling in excitement with over R500,000 worth of discounts and giveaways up for grabs. Adding to the buzz, seven Golden Tickets are hidden among the prizes, each giving one lucky angler the ultimate reward — their entire purchase absolutely free. Getting involved is simple: spend R300, collect a Scratch & Win ticket, and you’re guaranteed a prize. With every ticket winning something, and Golden Tickets waiting to be discovered, October at The KingFisher is shaping up to be a month of unbeatable value and fishing fever. THE COAST IS ALIVE — SUMMER FISHING IS ON…