Table of contents for 2025-06-25 in Post

INSPIRED by the positive impact that daily blood transfusion had on her now late brother’s life and later on in her own, Romita Hanuman actively champions blood donation awareness. Hanuman, 37, of Phoenix, who is not only a blood donor, also holds regular blood drives. “I am a controller at work, which means I organise blood drives at my workplace. I also encourage colleagues to donate. I frequently post my blood drive posters on social media to inspire others. “I am a member of the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) Donor Committee, which is a great honour as I get to contribute my ideas, discuss initiatives and implement them successfully,” she said. Hanuman, a communications officer, said she had been donating blood since 2017. “I couldn’t donate before that…

5 jumbo eggs, separated 1 cup castor sugar 2 tsp vanilla essence ¾ cup cake flour ¼ cup Maizena 2 level tsp baking powder ¼ cup oil ¼ cup boiling water 1 heaped tbs plain double cream yoghurt sweetened fresh cream, whipped Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. Mix the boiling water, oil, vanilla essence and yoghurt. Set the mixture aside. Beat the egg whites until stiff. Add the yolks and beat well. Add the castor sugar a little at a time. Add the liquid to the egg white mixture and mix well. Fold in the sifted flour, Maizena and baking powder. Do not overbeat the mixture. Pour into well-prepared tart pans and bake for about 10 to 12 minutes. Turn out the cakes on to a surface sprinkled with…

5 egg whites 1 cup castor sugar 1 tsp Maizena ½ tsp vinegar ½ tsp vanilla essence ½ tsp cream of tartar 250ml fresh cream, beaten, unsweetened. strawberries or a mixture of different berries slivered or flaked almonds, nuts or pistachios melted chocolate for drizzling icing sugar for dusting Strawberry coulis (optional): Boil the strawberries and sugar to taste. Add very little water until the strawberries are reduced to a pulp. Preheat the oven to 170°C. Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add the castor sugar gradually, beating all the time. Beat in until all the sugar is dissolved and the mixture is firm. Add the Maizena, vanilla essence, cream of tartar and vinegar. Beat well. Line a Swiss roll pan with wax-paper overlapping. Spread the…

4 XL or jumbo eggs 1 tsp vanilla essence 1 cup castor sugar 1½ cups cake flour 1/3 cup Maizena 3 tsp baking powder ½ cup oil ½ cup boiling water 1 heaped tbs plain double cream yoghurt 500ml fresh cream, sweetened Beat the eggs well until thick. Add the castor sugar and beat until thick. Mix the oil, water, vanilla essence and yoghurt together. Add it to the egg mixture and mix well. Sift the flour, Maizena and baking powder twice. Then add it to the egg mixture in 3 batches and beat on low speed until smooth. Pour into cupcake cases and bake at 180°C for about 15 to 18 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Beat the fresh cream until firm and pipe…

US researchers have developed a wearable and “smart” lactation sensor to prevent babies from over exposure to the common painkiller, acetaminophen. Acetaminophen, used for post-partum pain management, is also given to babies to treat fever, leading to potential double-dosing through administration and through breast-feeding. The drug is the leading cause of acute liver failure in children and the most frequent reason for liver transplants in the US. The acetaminophen sensor, developed by researchers at the University of Southern California in the US, gets incorporated into a nursing pad and detects acetaminophen in breast milk. For babies with immature liver metabolism, the presence of acetaminophen in breast milk posed additional risks, said the team in the paper described in the scientific journal, Device. The researchers took a lactation pad and built…

IN THIS column, I have stepped away from the traditional style of profiling a Tamil band. Instead, I have opted to profile the first South African Indian vernacular band, the Kashi Orchestra, led by Peter Jack. Next month, the Bethesda Church will turn 100 years old. The Kashi Orchestra was an integral part of the church. It was formed solely for the purpose of performing gospel vernacular music for the Christian Indian community. In 1946, Pastor Rowlands visited India and discovered the name “Kashi”. Hence on his return to South Africa, he founded the orchestra with Jack that same year and named it “Kashi”. It was based at the Bethesda Church in Carlisle Street, Durban. Prior to the formation, Jack was a member of Durban’s famous Ranjeni Orchestra, whose headquarters…

COMMUNITY leaders in Chatsworth are urgently advocating for the establishment of emergency shelters to support women and children fleeing abuse, highlighting the dire need for immediate action and resources. Brandon Pillay, a community leader in Chatsworth, and founder of the Bayview Ubuntu Community Centre, said there was a great demand and need for shelters for women, children and the elderly. “Recently, an 11-year-old rape victim, his sister and his mother were under attack in the community by the alleged perpetrator’s supporters. I worked with the police to try to find a safe house for them. “The first one we found could not accommodate the children, and it could only keep the mom. “The second one was all the way in Phoenix where there was an outbreak of hand, foot and…

ISRAEL’S bravery has been unlike anything I have ever seen. Not only is it a tiny nation, but in contrast Iran, together with all its proxies, is hugely intimidating. For years now, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have oppressed its people, terrorised the Middle East region, and struck fear into Western civilisation through its obsession with martyrdom, aggressive ideology and willingness to attack regardless of the damage it could do to civilians. In a recent attack on Haifa in Israel, the IRGC fired missiles at civilian targets without even flinching. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to strike the city of Tehran pre-emptively was not only brave, but a necessary one. The free world owes Israel every bit of respect and gratitude. Those who criticise Netanyahu and the IDF,…

THE gender-based violence (GBV) incident which took place during the recent Gas Motor show in Durban, is appalling and disturbing. What was intended to be a high-profile event, celebrating automotive culture, has now become a chilling reminder of the pervasive and unchecked violence that women continue to face in our country. Footage and eyewitness accounts of the brutal assault – which occurred in full view of the public – have sparked national outrage, and rightly so. Even more disturbing, however, is the inaction of on-site security and the SAPS members, who failed to intervene decisively to stop the assault or apprehend the perpetrator in real-time. Such passivity in the face of a blatant act of violence raises serious questions about the readiness and willingness of law enforcement to respond to…

THE family of a Chatsworth man who was shot and killed while delivering food in Crossmoor last Wednesday evening, have called on police to hunt down his killers and bring them to book. Jayseelan Jayce Naicker, 45, a father of three of Montford, was shot twice and died 15 minutes later at the gate of the home he was delivering food to. Naicker had jumped off his vehicle at the home where the food was to be delivered, and called out for the homeowners. During this time, two men on foot approached him. One was armed with a gun and shot at Naicker. They fled with his cellphone only. His brother-in-law, Kogilan Pillay, said Naicker was a private transporter. At around 7pm, he was delivering a meal from Swaadisht in…

DISCOVER the inspiring journeys of blood donors who have made significant contributions of a 100 pints or more to saving lives. From personal motivations to the impact of their donations, these stories highlight the importance of blood donation in medical emergencies. l Seenavasan Munien Naicken, 65, of Chatsworth, said he started donating blood in his early 30s. He donated his 100th pint of blood on June 8. “At the time, I was inspired when the blood bank visited my workplace. After hearing about how you could save a person’s life, I was encouraged on that day to donate blood for the first time. I have not stopped since then. “Being a donor has brought me inner joy and a sense of fulfilment, especially when I think about how many lives…

What a way to kick off the week! The Shad and Garrick are going completely bonkers – and the gamefish? They’re charging like missiles! If you’ve ever needed a reason to hit the water, this is it. If you don’t have a boat, now’s the time to buy one. Seriously. Clean drifts. Baitballs getting demolished. That salt-burned grin from ear to ear. The ocean is alive and pulsing with energy. Every drop is a chance, a chase, a strike waiting to happen. The bite is hot, and it’s calling your name. You ready? North Coast – Umdloti's on fire Early morning ski missions are delivering the goods. Couta and snoek are smashing lures left, right, and center. Small-lipped lures equals big action. Even the backline’s lit – hit it hard,…

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5 eggs, separated 1 cup castor sugar 1 tsp vanilla essence 1/3 cup oil 1/3 cup boiling water 2 tbs cocoa 1 tbs double cream yoghurt ¾ cup cake flour ¼ cup Maizena 1 heaped tsp baking powder Add the cocoa to the boiling water and set them aside. Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add the castor sugar a little at a time, beating well. Mix the egg yolks, yoghurt, vanilla and oil into the cocoa mixture. Then add it to the egg whites in batches. Beat well. Sift the dry ingredients and add a little at a time, mixing it in carefully to retain a foamy light texture. Line a Swiss roll pan with parchment paper. Pour the cake batter into the pan, and tap…

250g butter ½ cup sugar 2 tbs oil 1 tsp vanilla essence a pinch of salt 2 eggs 3 cups cake flour 2 level tsp baking powder Cream the butter and sugar well. Add the oil and beat. Now add the eggs and vanilla essence, and beat. Lastly, add the sifted flour and baking powder, and mix to a nice and not too stiff biscuit dough. Roll out the dough on to a floured surface (not too thin). Using the biggest scone cutter, cut out rounds. Press it into a well prepared muffin/cupcake pan. Place a piece of baking paper inside and fill it up with dry beans. Bake at 180°C for about 15 minutes or until light browned. Remove the beans and bake for a further 5 to…

Swiss roll: 5 eggs, separated ¾ cup castor sugar 1 tsp vanilla essence 1/3 cup oil 1/3 cup boiling water 1 tbs double cream yoghurt ¾ cup cake flour ¼ cup Maizena 1 heaped tsp baking powder Beat the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add the castor sugar a little at a time, beating well. Mix the egg yolks, yoghurt, vanilla essence, water and oil, and then add it to the egg whites in batches, beating well. Sift the dry ingredients and add a little at a time, mixing it in carefully to retain a foamy light texture. Line a Swiss roll pan with parchment paper. Pour the cake batter into a pan. Tap the pan a few times to air out the bubbles. Bake at 180°C for…

A SEVENTY-four-year-old woman has been re-arrested for allegedly drugging and robbing another vulnerable, elderly woman at Suncoast Casino. It has been alleged that the suspect preyed on the victims in the casino by striking up a conversation and befriending them. Hannah Naidoo, of Westville, was first arrested in October 2024 after she allegedly assaulted, drugged and robbed a 92-year-old grandmother of R337 000 worth of jewellery and watches from her flat, in March of the same year. According to the charge sheet, Naidoo befriended the woman about a month before the crime at the casino, and their friendship grew. The woman lived alone. On March 22, 2024, Naidoo and an accomplice – who is unknown to the State – visited the woman in the late afternoon at her flat in…

ACCORDING to crime analysts, the lack of sanctions being imposed on “ill-disciplined” police officers has been an ongoing concern, which could impact public respect and trust in the SAPS if not urgently addressed. This comes after the recent acquittal of eight members of Deputy President Paul Mashatile’s VIP Protection Unit following a SAPS internal disciplinary process. In a viral video on social media, the members were filmed allegedly assaulting civilians on the N1 highway in Johannesburg in July 2023. They allegedly dragged a driver and two passengers out of a vehicle and repeatedly kicked them as they lay on the ground. The criminal trial is currently ongoing. On the back of this, an analysis compiled by David Bruce, a policing research consultant to the Institute for Security Studies, showed that…

ONE year ago, Rivek Dawlat Ram began playing hockey in school, and since then, he has attained a string of achievements. The most notable, said his mother, Varsha Ramnanan, was becoming the first under-14 Indian male goalie to represent Mpumalanga in the sport. From today to July 2, the Grade 8 pupil from Middelburg Hoerskool will represent Mpumalanga in the under-14C team in the Boys’ North Regional Tournament in Kearsney College in Durban. The tournament is for B and C teams. “Other than Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal, two other provinces, Gauteng and Limpopo, will compete,” said 13-year-old Rivek. Formerly from KZN, his parents moved to Middelburg 20 years ago. “Prior to this, I did not play any sports at school. I only played social soccer with family and friends. I was…

WARD boundary changes must be guided by principles of fairness, voter equity and service delivery – not race. The proposed amalgamation of Mobeni Heights and Havenside in Chatsworth, into Lamontville, has rightly raised concerns. Unless tangible reasons are given for the change, the race card will be held up as the supposed motive for moving the boundaries ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections. The realignment of boundaries will see the geographic area of Mobeni Heights and Havenside change from ward 69 in Chatsworth to ward 74 in Lamontville. The Municipal Demarcation Board is responsible for delimiting wards, typically every five years, to ensure that each ward has a roughly equal number of registered voters, and that communities are represented equitably in local government. That said, ward changes can become…

IT WAS a sultry weekday afternoon 31 years ago when I met the most beautiful woman in the world. I cannot remember exactly what day of the week it was. I do know it was a few days after Saturday, November 19, 1994, when a 21-year-old Aishwarya Rai beat 86 contestants to win the Miss World title at a glittering pageant at Sun City. A few days after the contest, Sun International, the event’s main sponsor, hosted the newly-crowned Miss World at a photo-shoot at the Wild Coast Sun Resort which three decades ago was my stamping ground. As a journalist on the Sunday Tribune at that time, I was assigned the task of interviewing Aishwarya, not that I complained. With photographer Puri Devjee capturing the striking and classically beautiful…

EXCELLENT column by Selvan Naidoo, Kiru Naidoo and advocate Zandile Qono Reddy, “The Kindness of Harriet Bolton and clothing factory workers”, the POST, June 18-22. She was a pivotal figure in the labour movement. Her tireless advocacy for workers’ rights, particularly in the clothing industry, left a lasting impact on workers’ protection. During the apartheid era, the clothing industry exploited clothing factory workers. Thankfully, Bolton played a crucial role in organising workers, and advocating for better working conditions and benefits. Her legacy continues to inspire labour activists to this very day. She was also known for her fiery speeches, her ability to rally workers, and her unwavering commitment to social justice. Recognising Bolton’s contributions to the labour movement is essential to honour her legacy every year. We need to recognise…

A DURBAN man who allegedly intimidated and threatened a judge, prosecutors, police and Shamila Batohi, the national director of public prosecution, with “death” and “bloodshed” after he had lost a court case, had his application for the presiding magistrate, prosecutor and investigating officer to be recused dismissed in the Durban Regional Court on Tuesday. Avinash Ramkistan, 39, of Durban North, 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 in April last year. He further requested that the matter be transferred to another court jurisdiction. During his bail application last year, the investigating officer, Detective Warrant Officer Sivan Naidoo of the Hawks led evidence that the threats stemmed from a civil matter after the…

THE Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa will host the 68th annual southern KwaZulu-Natal children’s cultural festival on July 6, at the Swami Nischalananda Hall, Montreal Road, Glen Anil. First held in 1955 and inaugurated by Swami Nischalananda, founder and first president of the Ramakrishna Centre of South Africa, this annual festival, formerly known as the Children’s Rally, is a key event on the centre’s calendar. Children from the centre’s various southern KwaZulu-Natal sub-centres and satsang groups will participate in cultural performances, including classical dance, devotional music, speeches and dramatic sketches. The festival is an important initiative aimed at nurturing cultural values among the youth. It encourages a sense of belonging, strengthens character, and promotes mutual respect. By fostering participation in such events, the centre hopes to broaden the perspective of…

U&G Factory Shop offers premium decor at unbeatable prices. Home decor enthusiasts are in for a treat at the U&G Factory Shop, where exceptional quality meets incredible value. Located in the heart of Overport, Durban, the factory shop offers the public access to a wide range of end-of-range decor products at factory-direct prices. From luxurious upholstery and curtain fabrics to elegant ready-made curtains, scatter cushions and bed linen, the U&G Factory Shop is a one-stop destination for affordable, stylish living. Whether you are redecorating a single room or furnishing an entire home, there is something to suit every taste and budget. “We believe beautiful living spaces should be accessible to everyone,” said a spokesperson for U&G Fabrics. “Our factory shop gives customers the opportunity to enjoy designer-level fabrics and decor…

Base: 1 packet Tennis Biscuits, crushed 100g melted butter Crush the Tennis Biscuits and mix them with the melted butter. Mix well and spoon it into mounds. Press down. Makes about 24. Filling: 3 x creamed cheese (230g) 1 cup icing sugar 2 tbs lemon juice 2 tsp vanilla essence 500ml fresh cream 1 tbs gelatine ¼ cup water (room temperature) Microwave the gelatine in the water for 40 seconds until it dissolves. Let it cool, but not set. Beat the cream cheese and icing sugar until creamy. Add the cream, lemon juice and vanilla essence, and beat until thick. Then add the gelatine and beat well. Pipe on to the biscuit bases and refrigerate until set. Beat 250ml fresh cream with 1 tbs icing sugar. Pipe some…

250g butter ½ cup sugar 2 tbs oil 1 tsp vanilla essence a pinch of salt 2 eggs 3 cups cake flour 2 level tsp baking powder Cream the butter and sugar well. Add the oil and beat. Add the eggs and vanilla essence. Lastly, add the sifted flour and baking powder. Mix to a soft biscuit dough. Roll out the dough on to a floured surface (not too thin). Using a big scone cutter, cut out rounds. Press them into a prepared muffin/cupcake pan. The dough should go ¾ way up. The bottom must be thick or else the liquid will make holes at the bottom. The filling: ¾ cup brown sugar 1/3 cup white sugar 3 tbs slightly melted butter 3 eggs, beaten 1 tbs vanilla…

BHAJAN singer Kevin Akaloo is in South Africa to join fellow Sai devotees to commemorate the 100th birthday of Sri Sathya Sai Baba this Saturday at the outerfields of the Kings Park Stadium in Durban. Sai aspirants will unite to further the teachings of Sai Baba through bhajans, which Akaloo and friends will render. They will sing 100 bhajans to mark the start of the centenary celebrations – ahead of Sai Baba’s official birthday on November 23. “Sai devotees can expect a medley of melodious, soulful bhajans dedicated to our divine master, and a tsunami of Sai Soldiers will gather to generate divine energy and love to power the world,” said Akaloo. The Sai Soldiers, he said, referred to approximately 5 000 devotees who will attend dressed in white. He…

THERE is something about a poor movie review that sends audiences for at least another week to the cinemas to see exactly what was bad. To capitalise further on that, producer Sajid Nadiadwala went one step further in planning for that in a different way by launching Housefull B a week after Housefull A, with two different killers in the absurd murder comedy in the climax of each version. To be a little fair to big stars like Akshay Kumar (who excelled in previous versions of the series), Nana Patekar, Sanjay Dutt, Riteish Deshmukh, Abhishek Bachchan and Jackie Shroff, they appeared to have had fun with the comedy roles that they played in the film, either as murder suspects aboard a ship or as supposed Scotland Yard and Interpol…

THE Cape Town Ulama Board reiterates its firm support for Iran in its recent military defence against Israel. With a keen emphasis on backing Iran’s efforts to dismantle Israel, we stand in solidarity with Iran as it endeavours to administer a stark lesson to apartheid Israel, highlighting the imperative to address the extensive history of terrorism, oppression and destruction inflicted by Israel on the Palestinian people. We call for unwavering international backing and intervention in support of Iran’s mission to combat what is Israel’s genocidal undertakings. In alignment with voices advocating for justice and humanity, notwithstanding our differences, the Cape Town Ulama Board urges the global ummah to unite behind Iran’s initiatives to challenge Zionist Israel’s actions against Palestine and other afflicted countries. We implore the global community’s collective conscience…

EBRAHIM Essa’s letter, “Call for unity among SA Indians”, the POST, June 18-22, refers. If he really believed the hijacking of the Indian platform since the days of indenture by members of a particular ideological group to leap into our religious, cultural or political space and proclaim to be the “voice of the Indian community”, is an act that “encourages bonding between the different Indian religious groups”, then he is living in cloud cuckoo land. He merely displays his arrogance and presumptuousness in whatever he writes, and yet has the gall to brag about his writings. The invasion of our sacred space and the appropriation of our voice are merely to silence our voice, or to deny us our own voice in this country. And Essa’s is but one such…

THE more our country’s people read, think and understand our so-called Government of National Unity’s (GNU) support for old age pensioners, the more the government’s insensitivity and care-a-damn attitude is revealed. In a survey of 90 countries where elderly people could live comfortably, South Africa ranked 84th. Because of the poor support by our self-employed ministers, the life expectancy of our old age pensioners is 64.9 years and our health care index is 63.7. In Switzerland, the life expectancy is 84.3 years and health care index 74.5. Even with their tested glasses and cataracts removed, these ministers cannot see that they are making our old people suffer. In South Africa, old age pensioners receive a paltry R2 200 per month. Zambia pays an old age pension of R3 830 per…

A SYNDICATE is believed to be behind a string of violent house robberies in Havenside in Chatsworth, with the latest victims being elderly siblings. A 65-year-old man and his 70-year-old sister, of Zintex Street, heard noises at their home on Sunday morning. When the man went to the kitchen, he was confronted by a gunman. The gunman and two accomplices had forced open the security gate, and removed a glass panel from the aluminum door before unlocking it. He then struck the elderly man on the head with the firearm and shot him. The bullet grazed his head. The elderly man remains in the ICU. A neighbour, who responded to his calls for help, said despite his injuries the man activated the panic alarm. “Unfortunately, this did not deter the…

Now that the ICC World Test Championship celebrations are over, the Proteas Test team switch focus to this week’s first of two Test matches against Zimbabwe at the Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo. The series falls outside the new World Test Championship cycle. However, it still carries significant weight as South Africa’s fringe players will get a taste of Test cricket, further widening the talent pool for head coach Shukri Conrad to choose from for the 14 Tests that lie ahead in the new cycle. Five key Test players will be rested for the series, including Kagiso Rabada, Aiden Markram, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton and Marco Jansen. In addition, captain Temba Bavuma has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury sustained during the WTC final at Lord’s earlier this…

Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus sprung a few surprises with the uncapped players for the clash with the Barbarians on Saturday but selected an experienced side to try and lay a strong season-opening platform in Cape Town. While they will approach the game at the DHL Stadium (5.10pm start) with a Test-match mentality, four uncapped players – two in the starting XV and two off the bench – will make their debut. The team also consists of four other players with less than 10 caps. However, the rest of the side is stacked with World Cup winners. Judging by the experience they’ve gone with, the world champions should have no trouble putting the “Baabaas” away. The invitational side, finally to an almost full complement, assembled in Cape Town yesterday ahead…