Table of contents for 2025-04-09 in Post

Actress Payal Rajput, who made a name for herself with her performances in films like RX100, RDX Love and Mangalvaaram, has expressed concerns about favouritism in the film industry. Rajput wrote on X: “Being an actor is one of the toughest careers out there. Each day starts with the weight of uncertainty, as I step into a world where nepotism and favouritism often overshadow talent. “There are moments of doubt when I question whether my hard work and dedication can truly shine through in a landscape dominated by privilege. I watch as opportunities slip away to those with famous last names or a powerful agent, wondering if my talent is enough to break through.”…

SONAM, who is known for Tridev and Vishwatma, recently reflected on her journey with her autistic son and process of acceptance. The actress took to Instagram and shared pictures of her son Gaurav Rai. She wrote: “No two autistic children or adults are alike. They are like fingerprints. Unique. “As a mother at age 20, I actually grew up with my son who is autistic. It was the ‘90s. People didn’t even know the spelling of autism and even if a few knew, there was a thought process which screamed that autism was a stigma. “I would go with my son to birthday parties, either we both were totally invisible, and if visible, we were sniggered at.” Sonam said she used to return home from parties and cry alone in…

500g melted butter 150ml cocoa 3 tsp strong coffee (I used Espresso) 1kg icing sugar 1 tsp vanilla essence 3 eggs 1 tbs cinnamon powder 2 packs crushed Tennis Biscuits Whisk together the first 5 ingredients. Mix in the eggs and cook on a medium heat for 5 minutes, stirring continuously to prevent sticking or burning. Mix in the cinnamon powder. Remove from the heat. Mix in the biscuits but keep ¼ cup of the crushed biscuits aside. Pour the mixture into a 20×30cm greased oven tray. Sprinkle over the reserved biscuits. Allow to cool completely at room temperature (±/- 2 hours). Slice any way you like. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.…

2kg prawns: cleaned, rinsed and drained equal amount coconut oil and butter, mixed 2 chopped onions 5 green chillies (more or less depending on your taste) ½ tsp jeera seeds curry leaves 2 tsp crushed garlic 1 tsp ginger and garlic paste 2 tbs chilli powder 2 tbs masala ½ tsp tumeric 1 tsp dhania-jeera powder 2 cans chopped tomatoes Flash fry the prawns in a little hot coconut oil and butter mix on a high heat until sealed. Fry a little at a time and don't overcrowd the pan. Remove the prawns and use the same oil (add extra oil if necessary) and fry the onions, chillies, jeera seeds, curry leaves, crushed garlic, and ginger and garlic paste. Add the chilli powder, masala, turmeric and dhania-jeera powder once…

400g mince (a good fatty mince. I used pork) 5 boiled eggs 1½ tbs black pepper salt 1 tbs smoked paprika 1 tbs garlic 1 tbs thyme 3 tbs oil You will also need: ½ tbs salt egg wash (1 egg and 3 tbs water) bread crumbs Mix everything from the first batch of ingredients together and knead for about 4 minutes. Divide the dough into five pieces. Take each one, flatten it and place a boiled egg in the centre. Bring the mince around it, so it is covered and you cannot see any egg. Shape into a ball. In a bowl, add the flour and ½ tablespoon salt. Mix. Roll each ball in flour and then the egg wash. Roll in the bread crumbs. Deep fry…

400g flour 200ml warm milk 7g yeast 40g castor sugar ¼ tsp salt 1 egg, plus 1 egg yolk 45g butter oil 1 tsp red food colouring 1 cup castor sugar for coating 2 cups whipped cream (beaten until stiff with 1/3 cup castor sugar and ½ cup strawberry jam) fresh strawberries, cut into pieces Put the flour into a bowl and make a well in the centre. Add the warm milk, food colouring, yeast and sugar. Mix into the milk. Bring a bit of flour from the sides and mix until you have a paste, while still not mixing all the flour in. Cover and rest for 20 to 30 minutes. Once done, add the egg and egg yolk, salt and butter, and mix until you form a…

THE proposed amendments to South Africa’s private security regulations have sparked significant backlash from stakeholders, who argue that the changes could hinder crime-fighting efforts and empower criminals. After consultation with the council of the Private Security Industry Regulatory Authority (PSiRA), Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu, recently issued a government gazette calling for public comments on the draft amendments to the private security industry regulations. However, many of the draft amendments have come under scrutiny from various stakeholders, who say it would be detrimental to the industry that plays a pivotal role in the fight against crime in the country. Among the amendments that have caused concern is that a firearm may not be issued if there is a pending improper conduct enquiry or if a company/officer is under State…

THE air is thick with the scent of wild grass and the faint, earthy aroma of rain-soaked soil, as though the land itself exhales the memories of a struggle etched into its very core. Above, the sky stretches in a vast, unbroken expanse of cerulean blue, punctuated by the occasional drift of cotton-like clouds that seem to pause, as if in reverence. A lone Hadida circles high above, its piercing cry echoing across the rolling hills of Groutville, KwaZulu-Natal, where the final resting place of Inkosi Albert Luthuli is located—a simple yet profound memorial of stone, weathered by time but unyielding in its dignity. Bees hum lazily around clusters of wildflowers, their golden petals trembling in the breeze, while a chorus of cicadas thrums in the background, an ensemble of…

LIKE many of my generations, I was reared in a time when the prospect of growth and advancement was bleak, especially for people of my ethnicity. The restrictions imposed by the racist regime had somewhat limited our parents and forebears from achieving the success which would have otherwise materialised in a free and fair democratic society. It is against this backdrop that I write to congratulate the newly-appointed principal of Hopeville Primary School, Adrien Steed Reddy. Having known Mr Reddy since our formative years, I can attest to the fact that the odds were stacked against him. He was not raised in a home without hardships, and it was certainly not one of opulence and infinite resources. His passion for education is matched only by the genuine desire to provide…

WHILE Postbank recently announced an extension on the use of Sassa gold cards to May 31, we urge KwaZulu-Natal grant recipients, who have not yet done so, to urgently apply for the new black card. For the next two months only, gold cards may still be used at all retailers and any ATM. This decision came about after stakeholders raised concerns that some recipients had not had sufficient time to replace their cards. Postbank has urged recipients not to wait until the last minute to renew their cards as they are currently processing more than 30 000 cards daily, with long queues the norm. With close to 1.4 million beneficiaries having rolled over from the gold card to the new black card and almost 500 000 beneficiaries being processed across…

ESKOM wants to punish the innocent consumer. The power utility enjoyed an unchallenged monopoly in electricity generation from way back in 1923. As the population and economy grew, Eskom expanded until it became the largest power utility on the continent. It generates 95% of South Africa’s electricity needs. It never had any competition until the dawn of democracy saw the power utility choke with inefficiency, mismanagement and corruption never before seen in the country. Eskom became unprofitable and needed constant bailouts from the government. Since 2008 it has received R500 billion in bailouts. Still it could not generate enough power and began implementing load-shedding, plunging the country into darkness. Many consumers left Eskom in droves and sought alternative sources of energy like solar. Although the initial outlay was expensive, it…

THIS year is limping towards a tumultuous military climax. The world is in a monumental crisis, as economies are shattered by the tariffs imposed by the USA under President Donald Trump. Aggressive, powerful military nations flex their bulging military muscles. Nuclear nations are engaged in a dangerous exercise in political brinkmanship that could spill over into the realm of a deadly atomic holocaust. Vladimir Putin is practising roulette in the Ukraine, while Trump and Xi Jinping rehearse a deadly game of military chess in Asia. Catastrophic events will spiral out of control as nation upon nation make preparations to intensify war as an instrument of expansion and military and political dominance in every hemisphere. Climate change has begun to devastate the global landscape in frightening proportions. Civilisation is on the…

STALL owners at Bangladesh Market fear for their safety following an armed robbery that targeted vendors early Saturday morning. With calls for enhanced security measures, the incident has raised concerns about the safety of elderly traders and the market's reputation. Armed men allegedly stormed the market demanding cash and valuables from vendors as they were setting up their stalls on Saturday morning. Mahen Govender, a member of the Bangladesh market committee, said two poultry vendors were allegedly held up by four young men. He said there were claims that one of the suspects was an assistant who did odd jobs at the market. “This suspect had been hired by some of the stall owners to assist them to off-load their goods. The suspect also helped customers carry their market bags…

THE recent increase in pet food recalls due to contamination and the increased risk of disease has highlighted the need for the screening of dog and cat food in the form of pellets. In a research paper, four local scientists concluded that heavy metals contributed to the development of animal disease. They said heavy metal content in pet food must be investigated. The research was carried out by Professor Sooraj Baijnath, bioanalytical scientist at the University of the Witwatersrand; Professor Thishana Singh, physical chemistry scientist at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN); Dr Sanil Singh, a practising veterinary surgeon and biomedical research fellow at UKZN; and Kerusha Kalicharan, a research and development chemist with a Master’s in chemistry from UKZN. Their study has resulted in a paper titled “Determination of Heavy…

“FAR too much of tossing around the Tamil eisteddfod in SA,” by Saranya Devan, the POST, April 2-6, refers. I write to you as a youth member, who has been involved in the KZN Tamil Vedic Society (KZN TVS) for the past 20 years. As a member of the youth that played a role in the planning and execution of the official opening ceremony event, which Devan had criticised, to her I ask the question: why not use your position to applaud the resounding success of this event? This day saw elderly participants performing to their hearts’ content, young pre-schoolers braving the stage and even established musicians, who grew within this organisation, choose to voluntarily contribute their time and skills to growing the legacy of our arts. These are the…

BURIED in the archives repository at Pietermaritzburg is a letter that discusses the correspondence between the Transvaal Tamil Benefit Society and the Commissioner for Immigration & Asiatic Affairs in 1936. The Transvaal Tamil Benefit Society appeals for the Principal of the Doornfontein Indian Tamil School, Mr Thiagarajoo Suppan, to be granted permission to remain in Transvaal to mitigate the stipulations of the Asiatic Registration Act of 1906, of the Transvaal Colony, specifically aimed at Asians (Indians and Chinese) that required every Asian male to register himself and produce on demand a thumb-printed certificate of identity. Reading against the archival grain of The Transvaal Tamil Benefit Society appeal merges the desperation of the Tamil community to retain the services of the Tamil Language teacher to ensure their children “don't suffer” the…

It’s been widely documented that the Warriors endured a difficult conclusion to their season, mostly due to issues far away from the cricket pitch. And for all-rounder Senuran Muthusamy it has come as welcome relief that his side came away unscathed. The Warriors were docked five points in the One-Day Cup for failing to meet the Cricket SA (CSA) transformation requirements during a group stage match against the Dolphins. It meant instead of making it to the playoffs, the Dolphins benefitted and proceeded to progress to the final before winning the trophy. For Muthusamy, it’s probably not a bad thing that the season is finally over. “It’s been really tough this season but it’s not just been for us, I think three or four teams when the relegation scrap, so…

ACTRESS Bhavani Sre, whose performance as the female lead in director Vetrimaran’s franchise Viduthalai was praised, has penned an emotional note on her role in this film. Taking to Instagram to pen a post of gratitude to Vetrimaran, Sre wrote: “Two years since Viduthalai, and this journey still feels special. This film wasn’t just a role – it challenged me, shaped me and pushed me beyond limits I didn’t know existed. Every moment on set was raw, real and unforgettable. “Grateful for the people who made it what it was and for the lessons that will stay with me forever. Some films come and go, but this one stays with you. I thank Vetrimaaran Sir for this wonderful journey.”…

WHEN a movie brings together three brilliant actors and brings out the best in them, it’s a guaranteed winner for every movie buff. Test tells the story of how three individual lives are intertwined over one cricket Test series. Arjun (played by Siddharth) is a successful Indian cricketer, who is losing his form and is heavily criticised by fans, his team and selectors. His only love is cricket. He spends less time and focus on his family, with his wife and son craving for his love and attention. On the contrary, Kumudha (played by Nayanthara) and Saravanan (played by R Madhavan) are a happily married middle-class couple. Kumudha is a working woman, who is eager to have a child, while Saravanan is a scientist, who is waiting for his…

THE first day in January is observed as New Year’s Day in the Western world, which follows the Gregorian calendar. Celebrations may include family gatherings, feasting on good food, drinking, fireworks, enjoying the holiday atmosphere, and taking the day to relax and reflect on the past year while making plans for the coming year. While January 1 may be a world-wide New Year’s Day, many religious and linguistic groups have their own New Year’s Day. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. The Islamic New Year is on the first day of Muharram. The new year is celebrated differently in every Buddhist culture. The Chinese New Year coincides with the Lunar New Year some time in January. Among Hindus, there is no common new year’s day. Each Hindu linguistic group…

500g to 1kg rinsed and dried haddock oil 2 chopped onions 5 green chillies (more or less depending on your taste), ½ tsp jeera seeds ½ tsp mustard seeds curry leaves 4 cloves garlic 1 tsp ginger and garlic paste 1 tbs of chilli powder 1 tbs masala ½ tsp turmeric 1 tsp dhania-jeera powder 10 grated tomatoes Flash fry the haddock in a little oil until sealed. Remove the haddock and use the same oil (add extra oil if necessary) and fry the onions, green chillies, jeera seeds, mustard seeds, curry leaves, garlic, and ginger and garlic paste. Add the chilli powder, masala, turmeric and dhania-jeera powder once the onions are fried. Cook on a low heat for 5 to 10 minutes. Add the grated tomatoes and cook…

500g hake fillet salt ½ cup self-rising flour ¼ cup buttermilk or water 4 sliced onions 1 tbs whole black pepper 6 bay leaves 6 dried red chillies 4 tbs oil 1 cup sugar ¾ cup vinegar ½ cup water 1 tsp turmeric 1 tbs all-in-one masala. Cut the hake fillets into pieces. Add the salt, flour and buttermilk or water. Mix until it becomes a sticky batter. Deep fry the fish until golden brown. In a pot, add the sliced onions, whole black pepper, bay leaves, dry red chillies and oil. Fry everything for 6 minutes. Add the sugar, vinegar and water. Mix. Add the turmeric and masala as well as salt to taste. Cook for 10 minutes. Add the fish and mix. Cook for 4 minutes, cool…

1 cup butter, melted 2 tbs oil 1¼ cup white sugar 1 cup brown sugar 4 eggs 1 tbs vanilla ¾ tsp salt 1 cup flour 1 cup cocoa powder 200g milk chocolate, chopped Whisk the eggs, sugars, butter, oil and vanilla together until the sugar dissolves. Now mix in the dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Add the chocolate and mix. Spoon into a lined baking tray and bake on 170ºC for 35 minutes. Cool and cut into squares. Drizzle with melted chocolate and top with speckled eggs.…

100g butter, melted 400g shortbread biscuits 500g cream cheese 2 cans condensed milk 500ml whipping cream 2 tsp gelatin, bloomed and melted 1 cup strawberry jam fresh strawberries Crush the biscuits and mix in the melted butter. Press into a base. Leave in the fridge to set for 10 minutes. Whip the cream cheese and condensed milk together. Take a couple of tablespoons of the mixture and add to a pot. Now add the gelatin and melt until everything comes together. Add the remaining mixture as well as the whipping cream and whip until the mixture doubles. Pour into the base and set in the fridge. Garnish with the strawberry jam and fresh strawberries.…

religious intolerance TWO months after allegations surfaced of a Muslim teacher forcing Hindu pupils to remove their red Lakshmi prayer strings at Drakensberg Secondary School, the affected families have had no progress in the investigation. Parents claim their complaints have been ignored while pupils continue to fear victimisation. The South African Hindu Maha Sabha said on Monday it had now escalated the matter to the Cultural, Religious and Linguistic (CRL) Rights Commission. The POST broke the story on January 29. On February 3, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (DoE) visited the school and launched an investigation into the allegations of racial intolerance at the school. Four parents of the alleged victims claimed they had no feedback from the school or the department about the investigation. Two of the parents said…

WHEN 15-year-old Zulfia responded to the POST's Lonely Hearts column in 1993 “just for fun”, little did she know she would meet Fazil, her future husband. Now, 31 years, two children and one grandchild later, they share their remarkable journey, and attribute their lasting love to that fateful column. Fazil, 53, and Zulfia Abbas, 48, celebrated their wedding anniversary on March 26. Due to ill health, Fazil retired early but always had Zulfia to fall back on for love and support. Now living in Howick, the couple first met in 1993, when Fazil was 20 and Zulfia was 15. Zulfia was originally from Tongaat, while Fazil was from Howick and worked as a truck driver. Their love story started when Zulfia was still in school. She said she was curious…

ON APRIL 3, the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE) experienced its most significant single-day decline since 2020. This decline resulted in a market value loss of nearly R1 trillion, with the all-share index dropping as much as 4.5%. Two primary factors have been identified as driving this reaction in the markets, namely, the local political instability, with the Government of National Unity (GNU) fears being realised with the DA, the GNU’s second largest political party within our new coalition government, opposed the fiscal framework (or what has now been referred to as the VAT-hike budget) and will be challenging its outcome in court. The second primary factor made the headlines throughout the world. US President Donald Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on all imports into the US, with specific duties…

RESIDENTS of Reservoir Hills in Durban, once regarded as the Beverly Hills for Indians, were without electricity for at least four days last week. Large parts of Clare Estate suffered a similar fate. Food in refrigerators and freezers became spoiled and had to be discarded. Children were kept away from school when uniforms could not be pressed. Those who did not have gas stoves for cooking had to rely on take-outs or relatives. Mobile phones could not be charged. Agitation ran rampant. To rub salt into the wound, the eThekwini Municipality has proposed tariff increases and this is stirring significant unease among residents and businesses as they grapple with the ever-increasing cost of living. Constant water and power outages also continue unabated, leaving residents frustrated and questioning why they should…

THIS is a response to the letter by IFP councillor Jonathan Annipen: “Water crisis blame game”, the POST, April 2-6. The service delivery issues in Phoenix, after 1994, have remained stagnant and not improved much whether it is water related, electricity outages, etc. There is no political party that can claim credit for improving service delivery because they lack the courage and political will to do so as public representatives. The burning issue that affects thousands of senior citizens, more especially the poor and unemployed, is the inflated and estimated billing system that has deprived our people of their dignity to a better life as they struggle daily to cope with the high cost of living while our councillors remain silent in council. Phoenix councillors have failed us over…

“Far too much of tossing around for the Tamil eisteddfod”, by Saranya Devan, the POST, April 2-6 refers. Referring to the above column, let us start with the line which states, “I don’t care if people label me ‘sensationalist’, but if truth be told...”. This statement implies that you are a truthful writer, but regarding the matter in your column, one wonders if you have actually researched your facts with regards to the financial assistance that the International Movement for Tamil Culture (IMTC) has given to the KZN Tamil Vedic Society provincial body, which conducts the eisteddfod. We bring to your attention that the IMTC is an independent body, which is not funded by the government but rather funded by its executive and well-wishers on a project basis, and is…

Autumn is here, and the fishing is on fire! For our rock and surf anglers, autumn has officially arrived, and both the inedibles and edibles are absolutely smashing it! From rockcod to shad, garrick to bronze bream, the action is INSANE with these species showing up in full force. It’s clear: the change of season is bringing some serious heat to our fishing spots! The upper reaches of KZN have been a bit quiet over the summer, but when the fish have been biting, it’s been EPIC. The raggies have been coming out strong at Tugela, with the bigger head baits pulling in some of the most jaw-dropping catches. Expect some Kob alongside the raggies too – seriously, the bite is real! The North Coast has been a bit of…

Playback singer Shreya Ghosal has regained control of her X account. Her account was hacked in February. Ghosal said: “Hello everyone, I am back on X. It took me a really long time to get the communication started. Now I am here, I am going to keep talking to you.” She also raised her concern regarding the AI-generated ads that are being used as click baits. She said X should take some action. “There are many weird ads that are running, which are articles about me with very absurd headlines and AI-generated pictures. “Please keep reporting these ads. I have no power in putting them down. I have tried my best.”…

2 cups all purpose flour 2 cups self-raising flour 2 tsp ginger powder 1 tsp salt ½ cup brown sugar 10g dried yeast 4 tbs butter, softened ½ cup warm water 1 cup warm milk 2 tsp vanilla essence 1 extra large egg Filling: ¼ cup brown sugar 2 tbs cinnamon powder +/- 1 cup raisins or choc chips Crosses: ¼ self-raising flour ¼ cup water Glaze: 2 tbs hot water and 2 tbs maple syrup mixed together Mix the flour, spice, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Make a well in the centre. Add the water, milk, vanilla essence and lightly beaten egg. Stir gradually to incorporate the flour to make a soft dough.…

250g butter ¼ cup oil 1 tsp vanilla essence ¾ cup icing sugar ½ cup corn flour 2-3 cups flour ½ cup desiccated coconut (optional) ¼ cup sugar (optional) ½-1 bottle fruit mince Mix the first 4 ingredients together until creamy. Mix in the corn flour and flour (a little at a time) until the dough is soft and workable. Press down ¾ of the dough into a greased oven tray. Spread jam evenly over the dough and then sprinkle the desiccated coconut over the jam. Grate the remaining ¼ dough over the jam and coconut. Sprinkle sugar over the top (optional). Bake for about 15 minutes, or until lightly browned in a preheated oven at 180ºC. Remove from the oven, cut into squares (at this point you will…

1kg chicken pieces 1 tbs lemon pepper 3 tbs chicken spice 1 tbs rustic garlic and herb spice 1 tbs Aromat 2 tbs mayonnaise Marinate the chicken pieces with all the ingredients and place in an oven-suitable tray. It's best to marinate for a few hours or overnight, but it can also be done immediately with great results. Bake in a pre-heated oven in the middle rack at 240°C for 15 minutes. Pour out the excess liquid (optional but recommended). Reduce the heat to 170°C and bake for a further half hour or until the chicken is cooked. You can brush the roasted chicken with a sauce of your choice before serving. Tip: the liquid you poured out of the chicken can be used to make a gravy, or…

525g flour 50g castor sugar 170ml warm milk 4 tsp dried yeast 2 tsp mixed spice 1 tsp cinnamon powder 100g currants or raisins 75g mixed peel 50g butter 1 egg 50g white sugar Take 125g of flour from the full amount. Mix in the castor sugar and yeast. Add the warm milk and mix until it forms a paste. Leave to proof for 20 minutes. In another bowl or mixer bowl, add 325g flour with the spices, currants, mixed peel, egg and melted butter. When the mixture is double in volume, add to a bowl and mix everything until it comes to a fairly soft dough. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes. Cover and allow to proof for 30 minutes until double. Once done, knock back the dough. Divide…

100ml soft butter ¾ cup castor sugar 2 eggs ½ cup milk 2 tsp vanilla essence 1½ tsp baking powder 1 cup + 4 tbs flour ¼ cup oil You will also need: 1/3 cup rainbow sprinkles 500ml whipping cream 5 tbs icing sugar 1 tbs vanilla essence Cream the butter and sugar. Add the eggs and oil, and beat. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix until smooth. Spoon into a muffin tin lined with cases. Bake at 170ºC for 15 to 16 minutes or until golden. Topping: Whisk the whipping cream, icing sugar and vanilla essence until stiff. Pipe on to the cupcakes and garnish with rainbow sprinkles.…

RESIDENTS of Reservoir Hills and Clare Estate have been left in the dark since Friday, after multiple cable faults left them without power, leading to food spoilage and safety concerns. Yogesh Naidoo, director of the Reservoir Hills Ratepayers Association NPC, said the prolonged electricity outages had crippled over 50 streets across Reservoir Hills, Athol Heights (Westville North), and Clare Estate. He said, while the bulk of the power was restored late on Monday, several streets still remained without electricity yesterday (Tuesday). “Residents and businesses had food spoilage. This has resulted in increased household costs due to the wastage, reliance on gas, generators and battery-operated devices. There has also been severe disruption to livelihoods, particularly for those working from home and small businesses. “In addition, there have been heightened security risks…

THE Fidelity Services Group intends on legally opposing the proposed amendments to the private security industry regulations. Wahl Bartmann, the group’s chief executive officer, said the amendments could lead to a dramatic increase in the already unacceptably high levels of crime South Africa was experiencing. “The changes, which are intended to tighten firearm and weapon controls while increasing regulatory oversight, could have far-reaching negative consequences for both industry operations and public safety. “It proposes that armed guards be prohibited from performing their duties if their employing company is under investigation - regardless of any proven wrongdoing, could significantly disrupt security operations and potentially leave vulnerable areas unprotected,” he said. Bartmann said another critical issue was the limitation on firearm use and ammunition. “The proposed restrictions on firearms in public spaces…

SOCIAL media was and still is abuzz with the 2025 Budget. We saw words like “sell-outs”, “bullies”, etc, being thrown around by political parties. Let’s look at the parties that rejected the fiscal framework of the Budget that was passed in Parliament. The EFF and MK Party’s stance is clear and was a given that they would vote against a VAT hike in the adoption of the Budget. So how is it that the DA, which are the political opposite of the EFF and MKP in policy, now find themselves on the same side of their political foes? Remember, the chief purpose of any political party optimistically is to become the ruling party and the government of the day. Not too long ago, Francois Rodgers, the KwaZulu-Natal leader of the…

I NOTE that the Minister of Justice Mmamoloko Kubayi has requested a comprehensive report of what transpired following the appalling judgment in the Timothy Omotoso rape trial. As a citizen activist, I do not want this matter to be flushed down the tunnel of distraction for that would be tantamount to abandoning victims of sexual predators. I am truly shocked. Following that judgment, which I have studied, notably the learned judge criticised the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) on multiple occasions throughout the trial. Allow me to recap what the judge said. The evidence presented in court did not align with the indictment, suggesting a lack of preparation or diligence on the part of the prosecution. There was a disconnect between the evidence and the facts present and this revealed either…

Dr Raymond Perrier of the Denis Hurley Centre Trust talks about the complex realities of begging in South African cities, challenging common misconceptions and offering practical advice on how to respond compassionately while truly helping those in need, writes Monishka Govender BEGGING was a survival instinct for those who were trying to help themselves, said Dr Raymond Perrier, the director of the Denis Hurley Centre Trust. He said there were many reasons why people turned to begging, the most common being the lack of jobs in the country. “Young men come to the city looking for work. There is a very high unemployment rate, and many of them end up begging as a way of surviving. They live in the hope that if they stay in the city, they…

THE eThekwini Municipality’s proposed tariff increases have been met with concern as residents and businesses continue to battle the rising cost of living. In a recent statement, the city said the urgent need to revitalise ageing infrastructure, particularly electricity, roads, and water, had resulted in the proposed essential tariff adjustments. It said the adjustments had been “well calculated to ensure both cost-effectiveness and affordability for residents and businesses”. The proposed average tariff increases for the 2025/26 financial year are 6.5%, with the adjustments in electricity of 12.72%; water: domestic (15%) and business (16%); refuse removal: domestic (9.9) and business (9%), and sanitation: domestic (13%) and business (14%). “These adjustments are essential to ensure the sustainable delivery of essential services and the long-term viability of municipal infrastructure,” read the city’s…

AS AN INDIVIDUAL who has been actively involved in the Tamil Eisteddfod for many years – an event hosted by the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Tamil Vedic Society provincial body – I feel compelled to respond to a column by Saranya Devan, “Far too much of tossing around the Tamil eisteddfod in SA”, the POST, April 2-6. It was in reference to the recent official opening of the 2025 Tamil eisteddfod. If the eisteddfod is so close to Devan’s heart – as she so passionately claims – then I must ask: what has she done as an individual to support or promote the event or the organisation behind it? Support does not only have to be financial. It could be through participation, volunteering, mentorship, or simply encouraging the next generation to take…

IN HER address, Kogie Moorthi, chairperson of the eisteddfod committee, said the movement did not receive any funding from departmental institutions. She said they relied solely on individuals and organisations to put this event together. “So, ladies and gentlemen today we are reaching out to you who are here to see how you can help the eisteddfod movement to sustain itself financially,” said Moorthi in her welcoming address at the opening event of the 2025 Tamil eisteddfod last week. Moorthi’s plea to the audience for donations was clear that funding was desperately needed. She made no mention of any organisations that were currently funding the eisteddfod. Hence, for the sake of clarification and factual accuracy, I sent Moorthi the following questions around funding on March 30, the same day of…