Table of contents for 2025-12-17 in Post

ACTRESS and singer Shruti Haasan has now put out a video of her setting up her black Christmas tree. Haasan wrote on Instagram: “It’s my favourite time of the year. I love putting up my black Christmas tree in the first week of December, so I’m a little late this year Thanks to Surekha and Vaishnavi. “This year you added a lot more white to the tree and I’m loving it. Wishing you and yours a beautiful Christmas and an incredible year ahead. Love and peace to all.” The actress and singer, who was recently in the news for her spellbinding performance at the title announcement event of director SS Rajamouli's Varanasi, had recently disclosed how Oscar award-winning music director MM Keeravani had pleasantly surprised her when she had turned…

FOR many, the festive season is synonymous with joy, laughter and family gatherings. For others, it is a reminder of emptiness, absence and longing. The truth is, Christmas does not feel festive for everyone, and for some, it can be one of the loneliest times of the year. Loneliness is a reality in South Africa. Recent studies show that nearly one in five older adults report feeling lonely, while over 90% of adolescents experience moderate to severe loneliness. December often intensifies these feelings, with the pressure to celebrate, the reminders of absent loved ones, and the buzz of social activity around us. So, what does this loneliness feel like? It can be physical, sitting at a table meant for many, yet feeling unseen. Or emotional – surrounded by a crowd,…

WE OFTEN believe great relationships are built on grand gestures: luxury dinners, surprise holidays, jaw-dropping gifts. But research keeps whispering something more grounded, more intimate, and much more achievable: the tiny, everyday acts of effort matter more than the big, occasional wow. According to a 2022 study published in The Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, couples who consistently share small positive experiences like laughing together, hugging more often, or spending intentional time together report higher long-term relationship satisfaction than couples who focus only on milestone celebrations. In short: love thrives in the ordinary. Relationships thrive not on grand gestures but on the small, intentional moments that add up over time. Psychologists talk about something called “low effort”, a term that has become popular on social media. Psychology Today explains…

8 pieces of chicken drumsticks and thighs salt pepper Season the chicken with salt and pepper, and set aside Marinade: ½ cup mint leaves ½ cup yoghurt 3 large cloves garlic zest of 1 lemon 1 tbs honey 1 tbs ground coriander 2 tsp ground cumin ½ tsp cayenne pepper ½ tsp chilli flakes juice of half lemon Blend all the ingredients, except the lemon zest, into a smooth paste. You can also marinate the chicken with the ingredients without blending them. Add the chicken to a large bowl and mix in the marinade and the lemon zest. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Shake off the excess marinade. Place the chicken on a braai, or in an ovenproof dish and roast for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until cooked…

800g raw prawns 2 tsp chilli flakes 5 large cloves garlic, minced 1 lemon zest and juice ½ tsp salt 3 bird’s eye chillies, finely chopped 1 green chilli, finely chopped 3 tbs cake flour 4 tbs butter 1 tsp vegetable oil 1½ cups fresh cream or milk ½ cup pasta water 200g tagliatelle or pasta of your choice 1 tbs parsley chopped salt pepper Remove the shell of the prawns, rub in coarse salt and rinse a few times. The prawns will weigh about 700g after cleaning. Squeeze out the excess water and marinate the prawns with the chilli flakes, bird’s eye chillies, garlic, lemon zest and juice, and salt. Refrigerate for 30 minutes Boil the pasta in salted water as per instructions on the packet. Cook until…

140g flour ½ tsp bicarbonate of soda ½ tsp salt 115g butter 165g light brown sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla essence 265g crunchy peanut butter Cream together the butter and brown sugar until pale and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla essence to the butter mixture. Mix everything together. Add the peanut butter and mix. Now add the flour, salt and bicarbonate of soda. Mix until it forms a soft dough. Form into a ball and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll out tablespoonfuls of the dough into balls (should make 36 cookies). Place them well apart on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Press each cookie with a fork vertically and horizontally. Bake for 12 minutes on 180°C.…

22/3 cups flour ¼ cup cocoa powder 1 tsp baking soda ½ cup butter 1¾ cup sugar 2 eggs ½ cup oil 1 bottle red food colouring 2 tsp vanilla essence 1 tsp vinegar 1½ cups buttermilk In a bowl, add the butter and sugar, and beat. Add the eggs and mix. Add the flour, baking soda, cocoa, vanilla essence, oil, vinegar, red food colouring and buttermilk. Mix for 6 minutes until smooth. Spoon into the cupcake tin lined with cupcake cases. Bake for 15 minutes on 170ºC. Remove, cool and pipe with cream cheese frosting. Cream cheese frosting: 230g cream cheese 125g butter 400g icing sugar 2 tsp vanilla essence Cream the butter until smooth and soft. Add the cream cheese and mix. Add the icing sugar…

store-bought fruit mince filling Sweet shortcrust pastry: 200g flour 140g butter 80g castor sugar 1 tbs egg, beaten Mix the flour and castor sugar together. Rub in the butter until it resembles breadcrumbs. Use a tablespoon of a beaten egg to bring the mixture together into a dough.Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Roll out and cut, and place the cases in a greased mini cupcake pan. Add the fruit mince. Roll out the leftover pastry. Cut out shapes and place on top of each mince pie. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180ºC for about 15 to 18 minutes until golden brown.…

TEREZA van den Berg, 45, faced death, devastation and personal fear as she worked to recover victims from Verulam’s collapsed building. Her powerful first-hand account reveals the physical and emotional toll of rescue work that most will never experience. Van den Berg, of Ballito, is a qualified search and rescue specialist who did not hesitate to step into the rubble that claimed five lives on Friday. She joined the IPSS Search and Rescue in 2021, and was one of the rescuers who went into the collapsed structure to recover the bodies of those who had been trapped under the layers of reinforced concrete and steel. “The scene was just devastating – from the building collapse to the shock on people’s faces, the heartbreaking emotions and fear,” said Van den Berg.…

KARTIK Aaryan has sent a message to his South African fans before the Christmas Day release of his movie, Tu Meri Main Tera Main Tera Tu Meri, co-starring Ananya Panday, via Avalon Group CEO AB Moosa. Moosa met Aaryan at one of the side events at the Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last week. He was the only South African invited by Fahad Ahmed Khan Suri, Consul General of India to Jeddah, to the India Night Cultural Evening at Lazurde Ballroom, Park Hyatt Hotel, Jeddah. “I have heard so much about how South African fans love Bollywood generally, and more specifically my movies such as Satyaprem Ki Katha and Pati Patni Aur Woh, which also featured Ananya and Bhumi Pednekar. “I send all my love to…

INTELLECTUAL capital, intellectual property, trademarks, company names, domain names, clearance searches, licensing, patents, designs, trade secrets, copyright … These words or phrases may sound like buzzwords to entrepreneurs, but these words and phrases are keywords for the long-term success of any enterprise. Intellectual property comprises intangible assets which should be protected and leveraged to contribute to the strength and growth of any emerging enterprise. Intellectual property includes, among other things, intellectual creations, inventions, designs and brands. It is often creations of the mind or inventions that drive entrepreneurship, and start-ups’ intellectual property may be the very reason for its coming into existence. Before commencing with marketing or trading activities, start-ups should be proactive and decide on a strategy for the use and protection of their intellectual property. With this in…

OVERSIGHT failures in building regulations are killing people. Municipalities must act before the next collapse. The collapse of the four-storey structure adjacent to the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection in Redcliffe, Verulam, claiming at least five lives, is not an isolated tragedy. It is part of a deadly pattern in South Africa where non-adherence to building regulations and poor oversight by municipal authorities repeatedly cost lives. This tragedy was preventable. Yet, as in so many past disasters, authorities failed to enforce the rules, and human lives were snuffed out. South Africa’s construction sector has a grim record of collapses that should have served as warnings. The Tongaat Mall collapse on November 19, 2013, was a tragic construction accident where a concrete slab gave way, killing two people and injuring 29.…

AS WE approach this beautiful Christmas season, I would like to extend my warmest greetings to our entire community. Christmas is more than a holiday; it is a reminder of hope, unity and the extraordinary love that God has for every person in our nation. In a world filled with challenges, change, and uncertainty, the message of Christmas continues to shine brightly: Emmanuel – God with us. Whether you celebrate in large gatherings or quiet moments with loved ones, may this season remind you that you are not alone. God’s love reaches every home, every heart and every family, no matter where you are in our community. Christmas invites us to pause and reflect on what truly matters. It encourages us to look beyond our differences and celebrate the values…

THE South African Hindu Dharma Sabha has formally requested President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare Deepavali a public holiday, following the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (Unesco’s) recent recognition of the festival as intangible cultural heritage. This acknowledgment would promote social cohesion, religious diversity, and align with constitutional values in South Africa. In South Africa and throughout the world, devotees of the eternal Hindu religion, universal in essence, are instilled with profound pride and deep delight with the historic and epoch-making honour bestowed on Deepavali, glorifying it with global significance. Deepavali, the soul of Indian culture and civilisation, has now been acknowledged and accredited as a world cultural treasure to be protected, preserved and promoted on an international scale. This festival is the world’s largest celebration of light, love…

AN ETHEKWINI Municipality supervisor died after colleagues poured petrol on him during a bee attack and accidentally set him alight, causing burns to 80% of his body. The family are demanding accountability as allegations emerge about inadequate safety protocols and training. On December 5, Lenny Naicker, 59, a supervisor for the municipality’s parks and gardens department for 36 years, was lending support to a brush cutter team in Arena Park, Chatsworth, clearing bushes near an ashram, when he was stung by a swarm of bees. His family said that his death could have been avoided if the employees were trained on how to handle such situations. They are calling on the municipality to account for his death. Naicker’s sister, Tasmia Ismail, said a public outcry about the unsafe bushes in…

OF THE almost 150 Bollywood movies released for the big screen in 2025, about a third of the better ones were shown on the South African circuit, all brought in by the Avalon Group’s CineCentre cinemas. The runaway sleeper hit was Saiyaara, which saw additional shows being put on at cinemas for several weeks. This last happened many years ago. The musical romantic drama, one of very few in this genre this year, gave debutant stars Ahaan Panday and Aneet Padda a boost for their careers. The tearjerker and its box-office success was reminiscent of the era of movies such as Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Dil To Paagal Hai. The title song has also been popular this year. The changing trend of violence becoming more acceptable to both the…

THE festive season is one of the hardest times of the year to stay on track with your fitness goals. Your normal routine gets thrown off with family events, travelling, work shutdowns, late nights, and the endless food options everywhere you look. It’s easy to slip into an “all or nothing” or “yolo” mindset, but the truth is you don’t need a perfect plan to stay consistent. You just need a realistic one. Here’s how to stay in control of your diet and training even when everything around you is chaotic. Be mindful of alcohol and its impact Alcohol is one of the biggest reasons people fall off their diet during the holidays. It’s not only high in empty calories, but it also slows down protein synthesis, which means…

Roasted broccoli: 700g broccoli, broken into small florets 3 tbs olive oil 2 tsp garlic, minced 2 tsp chilli flakes 1 tsp salt ½ tsp pepper Salad: 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 2 apples, cored and chopped 2 carrots, grated ½ cup feta, crumbled ½ cup dried cranberries ½ cup roasted almonds or pecan nuts ¾ cup mayonnaise ¼ cup sour cream 2 tbs honey 2 tbs fresh lemon juice Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Mix the olive oil, chilli flakes, garlic, salt and pepper together in a bowl. Toss the broccoli in and mix well, ensuring everything is well coated. Spread on a lined baking sheet and roast in the oven for 30 minutes or until the broccoli is tender and slightly charred. Remove from…

1kg cleaned crabs 7 tbs light olive oil or canola oil 4 large cloves garlic, minced 3 tbs masala 1 tsp turmeric 1 large onion, finely chopped 2 sprigs curry leaf 2 tbs chopped fresh coriander 6 green chillies, slit in halves 10 small roma tomatoes (makes 2 cups when blended) 2 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder 1 tsp tamarind 1/3 cup warm water salt Wash the crabs and rub some coarse salt into them to get them really clean. Make a few random cracks in the crab shells. Heat the oil in a large pot. Add the minced garlic and fry for a minute. Add the crabs, masala, chilli powder, turmeric and salt. Fry for 10 minutes on low heat. Add the onion, curry leaves and green chillies. Sauté…

Marinade: 2kg lamb pieces on the bone 1 cup yoghurt 2 tbs ginger/garlic paste 2 tbs masala 1 tbs Kashmiri chilli powder 1 tsp turmeric 2 tsp ground cumin 1 tbs ground coriander 2 tsp garam masala 1 tsp ground fennel/soomph ½ tsp ground elachie ½ cup chopped mint ½ cup chopped coriander juice of 1 lemon 4 sprigs thyme 2 red chillies, slit in half 2 green chillies, slit in half 1 large onion, fried until crisp 2 roma tomatoes, skin removed and puréed 2 tbs tomato paste salt Rice: 2½ cups basmati rice 1 tsp black peppercorns 8 elachie/cardamom pods 2 cinnamon sticks ½ tsp cloves 3 bay leaves 2 star anise 2 black cardamom 2 lemon slices salt Other ingredients: 5 potatoes, peeled and cut…

150g butter 100g castor sugar 225g flour 1 egg yolk 1 tsp vanilla essence In a bowl, add the flour, castor sugar and butter. Rub it until it looks like bread crumbs. Add the egg yolk and the vanilla essence. Mix it until it forms a soft dough. Knead for 3 minutes until it is a smooth ball. Roll out on a floured surface. Using a cookie cutter, cut into preferred shapes. Re-roll and cut until the dough is finished. Place the cookies on a tray and bake for 10 minutes on 180°c. Let it cool. Royal icing recipe: 1½ cups icing sugar 1 egg white 1 tsp lemon juice a few drops food colourings Mix together the egg white, lemon juice and icing sugar. Add the colouring.…

150g butter 400g chocolate 4 tbs golden syrup 120g any biscuits 100g red glaze cherries, chopped 100g mini marshmallows 60g any nuts, chopped, you can add any chocolate In a pot, add the butter, chocolate and golden syrup. Mix until melted. Cool the mixture before adding the rest of the ingredients. I put them in while it was warm, so the marshmallows started to melt. Mix everything in. Spoon the mixture into a square-lined baking tray. Set in the fridge for a couple of hours and then cut.…

Filling: 1½ cups pecan nuts, chopped 2/3 cup golden syrup 1/3 cup brown sugar 2 eggs ½ cup flour ½ tsp baking powder Mix all the ingredients, besides the pecan nuts, into a smooth paste. Add the nuts and mix. Pour the filling into a already blind baked sweet shortcrust base. Bake for 30 minutes at 160ºC. Sweet shortcrust pastry: 200g flour 140g butter 80g castor sugar 1 egg, beaten Mix the flour and castor sugar together. Rub in the butter until it resembles breadcrumbs. Use a tablespoon of the beaten egg to bring the mixture together into a dough. Refrigerate or use immediately. Roll out and place into a pan. Blind bake for 8 minutes at 180ºC.…

VICK Panday, founder of the New Ahobilam Temple of Protection, was a visionary whose dream stretched beyond bricks and mortar, said his cousin, Viresh Panday. “Vick was unique in many ways. He was all for the community and unity. One of his dreams was to create a spiritual centre incorporating a mosque, a church, a synagogue and a temple – just to bring people together,” said Panday. He said at the heart of that vision was service. Panday said under Vick’s guidance, the Food For Love Africa community kitchen was established. “Collectively, over the last five years, more than 42 million meals have been served. Disaster relief and providing free water to communities were his passion.” Panday said Vick exclusively handled all the developments of the property. “The building under…

AN OXYGEN-dependent man with severe heart problems died of a heart attack while climbing to help at the collapsed building at the River Range Ranch in Verulam. Despite his family's concerns, Ajit Manilall’s devotion to the temple and desire to help others drove him to make the ultimate sacrifice, collapsing at the foot of the sacred chakra statue outside the temple. Despite his poor health, Manilall, 62, a retired businessman and temple devotee, insisted on going to the scene to see if he could assist in any way. His daughter, Aishwaria Manilall, 28, an attorney and member of the temple’s management committee, fought back tears as she recalled her father’s final hours. She described him as a man whose instinct was always to serve, no matter the cost. “No matter…

Fifteen-year-old Kale Smith delivered his own eulogy at the Wentworth Rise Against Violence campaign launch. Kale’s powerful poem demands action from community leaders to end the violence that threatens young lives in Wentworth ‘For when my voice can no longer speak’ My name is Kale Smith … and today I'm going to read my own eulogy, not because I am dead, but because in Wentworth, children like me don’t know if we will live long enough for someone else to read it for us. And as all of our speakers speak today, may they be reminded that the commitments and promises that they make must be something that they follow through on because every young person is counting on you. Today, I speak for myself… And for every child whose…

DEAR friends and loved ones, as the year draws to a close and the festive season’s gentle light begins to shine, our hearts turn toward reflection. This is a sacred time, a pause for deep gratitude for the blessings we’ve received, and a moment to remember the promise and hope found in our Lord. We know that for many, the path this year has been heavy. Scripture teaches us to carry one another’s burdens, and today, we lift up those in need to the only One who can truly sustain us. To those grappling with the worry of unemployment and financial strain: do not lose heart. Cast your anxiety upon Him, for He cares for you. Remember that your worth is a gift from God, and no worldly circumstance…

THE festive season has arrived. The atmosphere seems joyful. We behold the music, lights, decorations, gifts and social activities that are generally associated with this season of merrymaking, holidays and a well deserved rest. Many are looking forward to a break from work as usual to enjoy quality time with family and friends. Millions around the globe are celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, God’s greatest gift to mankind. The Holy Bible in Matthew Chapter 1 verses 20 and 21 tells us that an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said: “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary home as your wife, because what is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will give birth to a son and…

WHENEVER I walk past the local cafe the craving always hits me the same way, a steaming quarter beans bunny chow – that hollowed-out loaf soaked with spicy curry, flanked by sharp side pickles, and washed down with an ice-cold creme soda. However, reading Kiri Naidoo’s piece – “Busting the bunny chow story”, the POST, December 10 – 14, on this iconic Durban street food, brought a sharper question into focus. Why has this curry-in-bread staple, born from the Indian diaspora, never migrated back to the motherland? Perhaps it’s a matter of hands. In a culture where eating with the left hand is often considered anathema, try tearing into a bunny chow with your right hand alone. It’s a delicious, messy failure. Here in South Africa, that’s precisely the point.…

SOUTH Africans stand at a peculiar crossroads as 2026 approaches. After enduring a decade of economic stagnation, analyst JP Landman notes that “the reforms are a journey, but they have started working. Step by step, South Africa is opening its economy, modernising infrastructure and rebuilding credibility”. Yet this cautious optimism collides with harsh realities: unemployment hovering at 32%, crime costing the economy 10% of GDP annually, and the Madlanga Commission’s revelations of deep corruption within our criminal justice system. For consumers, 2026 will be a year of contrasts – genuine reasons for hope mixed with stubborn structural challenges that won’t disappear overnight. The good news: what consumers can actually look forward to l Relief at the grocery till and interest rate counter Old Mutual chief economist Johann Els explains…

This past weekend’s Alfred Dunhill Championship proved a real thrill for golf fans, as it went into a play-off, where 24-year-old Jayden Schaper beat seasoned winner Shaun Norris. I have played with Shaun a few times in the past, and he is certainly one mentally strong pro. Going into the play-off, Jayden hit his ball into the fairway bunker. Playing a miraculous fairway wood, he landed it just behind the flag and went on to make eagle and secure the win. Let’s take a look at playing this shot ... You’re in a fairway bunker with a fairway wood in your hand – a tricky spot, but far from hopeless. The key is to adjust your setup and swing to ensure clean contact and enough loft to escape the bunker.…

TELEVISION actress Aditi Malikk has opened up about the year-end hustle that every mother can relate to. Taking to Instagram, she candidly described how December felt like “a sprint for moms”, with Christmas decorations, festive preparations and New Year deadlines all piling up at once. She shared a video in which she is seen preparing breakfast and getting her son Ekbir ready for school. The text on the clip read: “My morning routine on weekdays.” For the caption, the Shararat actress wrote: “Being a mom means starting each day like a sprint. But #December takes that madness all the way up. “Christmas set-ups, new year deadlines … everything happening all at once. “But no matter how crazy the month gets, I make sure this little ritual stays mine in spite…

NOT feeling so festive this season? Not feeling like in the mood to celebrate or feel as though this year has been a ride on its own that wished you didn’t pay for? You aren’t alone. Thousands of people experience “festive blues” and this could be due to a magnitude of reasons. The first reason is the financial weight the festive time carries on one’s soul. You want the perfect gifts to be given and the beautiful tree, not forgetting a full table spread of food as you scramble to cover the costs and find the energy to fulfil this wish. You want everything perfect. The table setting and decor, the fully-decked tree with countless beautifully wrapped gifts for your loved ones just like the ones you see on social…

THE festive season is a time of joy, food, family and celebrations. But it can also bring overeating, bloating and guilt if we’re not careful. The good news? You don’t have to avoid your favourite festive meals – just enjoy them more mindfully. Mindful eating is a simple way to eat with awareness, helping you enjoy food while still taking care of your health. Eat your foods in the right order. To manage hunger and avoid overeating, try eating your food in this order: Start with a salad or cooked vegetables: this fills you up with fibre and water, and primes the gut for good health. Next, eat the protein: it keeps you full for longer and helps with muscle repair. Finally, add starches like rice, roti, or potatoes. This…

500g hake fish fillets 50g butter, salted or unsalted ¼ cup fresh cream 2 medium garlic cloves, minced 2 tsp Dijon mustard 1½ tbs lemon juice 1 small shallot or 2 spring onions, finely chopped salt and pepper fresh parsley Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Place the butter, garlic, cream, mustard and lemon juice in a small jug. Heat in the microwave for 30 to 40 seconds, or longer until melted. Stir until smooth. Pat the fish dry with paper towels. Season with salt and pepper. Scatter the shallot or white parts of the spring onion on top of the fish. Pour the sauce over the fish and bake in the oven for 12 to 15 minutes depending on how thick the fish is. Do not over bake because…

2 medium butternuts 1½ cups water 1 tsp chilli flakes 1 tsp fresh thyme leaves ½ cup panko breadcrumbs 1½ cup Mozarella cheese Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Scrub the butternuts well and cut them in halves down the middle, lengthwise. I usually start from the centre and then work down either side. A rocking motion helps get it cut without destroying the butternut. Remove the seeds from the butternuts. Place the halves in a roasting dish. Pour in the water. Cover the butternuts with foil and cook for about 1 hour or until they are soft and tender. In the last 15 minutes, remove the foil and allow them to roast. Remove the cooked butternuts from the oven. Scoop out some of the flesh of the butternut, to…

5kg leg of lamb 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 2 tsp fresh thyme leaves 5 large cloves garlic (2 minced and 3 chopped into four pieces each 3 sprigs rosemary 12 cloves 1 cup vegetable stock ½ tsp salt ½tsp pepper Gravy: 1 tbs butter 1 tbs cake wheat flour or all purpose flour pan drippings Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Bring the lamb to room temperature. Pat it dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine the thyme, mustard, minced garlic, salt and pepper. Set aside. Use a sharp knife and make deep indents in the lamb – about 6 on each side. Stuff a piece of garlic, a small piece of rosemary and a clove in each indent. Rub the marinade all over the lamb. Place…

1½ packets Tennis Biscuits 1 tin Caramel Treat 500ml whipping cream 2 Flake chocolates 1 slab Peppermint Crisp chocolate, cut into small pieces Whisk the whipping cream and Caramel Treat until almost stiff and incorporated. Set aside. Use a rectangular dish. Divide the Tennis Biscuits into two lots. Layer the first lot of biscuits on the dish. Add half the cream mixture on top of the layer of biscuits. Add half of the Peppermint Crisp chocolate pieces on top of the second layer. Now place the remaining Tennis Biscuits on top, and add the last of the cream mixture. Add the remaining Peppermint Crisp chocolate pieces on top. Sprinkle the top with crushed Flake chocolates. Refrigerate until set (3 hours or overnight).…

1 cup butter, melted 2 tbs oil 1¼ cup white sugar 1 cup brown sugar 4 eggs 1 tbs vanilla essence ¾ tsp salt 1 cup flour 1 cup cocoa powder 200g milk chocolate, chopped Whisk the eggs, sugars, butter, oil and vanilla essence together until the sugar dissolves. Add the dry ingredients and mix until smooth. Add the chocolate and mix. Spoon into lined baking paper and bake on 170ºC for 35 to 40 minutes. Cut into rectangles, and decorate with pretzels, candy eyes and red Smarties.…

250g butter 1 cup brown sugar 2 cups water 1kg cake mix 1 tsp cinnamon powder ½ tsp ginger powder ½ tsp mixed spice 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 3 eggs 2 cups flour Syrup: 2 cups white sugar 1 cup water 2 cinnamon sticks 1 cup brandy In a pot, add the butter, brown sugar and water. Bring to a boil. Add the cake mix and boil for 5 minutes. Allow to cool. Add the cinnamon powder, ginger powder, mixed spice and bicarbonate of soda. Mix. Add the eggs and flour. Mix. Bake in two 18cm tins or one 25cm tin for about an hour on 150ºC, or until baked. To make the syrup, add the white sugar, water and cinnamon sticks to pot. Boil for about 15…

Kishore Hurribhujan was a commercial farmer from Verulam with a fine arts degree. He dedicated 40 years of his life to building JH Fresh Produce, and generously donated vegetables several times a week to feed the local community. His daughter shared how this artistic soul tragically lost his life while delivering fresh produce for charity. An emotional Bhavisha Soorajmoney said her father was demanding, but loved deeply. “I grew up with tough love. My father wanted me to learn his business. He was strong-minded and always wanted to build big things. He had a big heart, and helped anybody and everyone. We would never find another person like him,” she said. She said her father supplied vegetables free of charge to Food For Love Africa. “He was close to Vick…

The premiere of My Cousin’s Big Fat Durban Wedding, by director-producer Theshan Naicker, was held last Wednesday at Cinecentre Suncoast. The film starrted Naicker, Kajal Maharaj, Rashid Mlongo, Musawenkosi M Shozi, Zukhanye Sihlobo and Mishka Pillay. At the event were:…

WENTWORTH community leaders have delivered a formal memorandum to the office of KwaZulu-Natal Premier Thamsanqa Ntuli, demanding he fulfil his promise of additional police deployments to address rampant gang violence. With 97% of residents feeling unsafe and shootings becoming a daily reality, the community is seeking urgent intervention through a five-point action plan that includes independent police oversight, increased police presence, tackling the drug trade, anti-gang youth programmes, and criminal justice system reforms. Two weeks ago, Ntuli released a statement where he said he would engage with the KZN police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, to ensure the immediate deployment of additional police officers to Wentworth. He said this was aimed at strengthening police visibility, and restoring peace and stability in the area.” Ntuli said his office was planning to take…

CHILDREN rarely disappear without reason – yet when a child goes missing in the company of an adult, society often frames it as rebellion, misbehaviour or a conscious choice. But the truth is far more troubling. While it is not common practice for children to “run away” with adults, the cases that do occur reveal deep vulnerabilities in the environments meant to protect them. These incidents are seldom spontaneous acts of adventure; they are almost always rooted in emotional manipulation, unmet needs, and systemic failures. Children do not run toward danger. They run toward what feels like safety. In South Africa especially – where many children navigate complex realities such as violence, instability and fractured family structures – an adult who offers attention, validation or understanding becomes a magnet. Grooming,…

AS WE APPROACH this sacred Christmas season, my heart is filled with gratitude and renewed hope for our community. This year has not been easy. We have walked through the shadows of unemployment, rising crime, gender-based violence, and many other social ills that have weighed heavily on our families. Yet, even in the midst of these challenges, Christmas arrives to remind us of a powerful truth: light always shines brightest in the darkest night. Christmas is more than a date on the calendar. It is a message. A message of love, joy and peace given to us through the birth of Jesus Christ. It is a message that reassures us that no matter how tough life becomes, God has not forgotten us. He is Emmanuel, God with us, walking beside…

AS THE year draws to an end, I find myself reflecting on the moments that have shaped me, the people who have grounded me, and the lessons that continue to guide me. I deem it fitting to address the youth – readers up to the age of 35 – before we step into the new year. Last weekend, I was hosted by family in Cape Town for a relaxed Sunday lunch. There were about 25 of us gathered around the table, laughter echoing through the house, and plates filled with the most delicious home-cooked meals. There was Durban-style curried chicken culls, lamb curry with gravy-soaking potatoes, fluffy rotis and buttery soji. Among the group, 10 were youth. What caught my attention was how they appeared to struggle to strike up…

nadia.khan@inl.co.za WHEN Reaction Unit South Africa (Rusa) operations manager and paramedic Devan Perumal responded to a building collapse in Verulam, he discovered his father trapped under the rubble. The tragedy claimed five lives, including his father’s, who communicated with him for over an hour before falling silent. When Perumal was alerted to the building collapse at the River Range Ranch in Verulam, he led the convoy of emergency vehicles to the scene and was ready to assist. However, on arrival, he found his 58-year-old father, Jayaseelan “Jayce” Perumal’s vehicle almost completely buried under layers of rubble. Jayaseelan, a self-employed electrician, of Verulam, was among the five people killed after the four-storey building collapsed last Friday. His body was recovered on Sunday. He was believed to have been doing the electrical…

Fish this summer: KZN rides the Dorado wave – DORADO-O-O-O-O! That’s not a typo. That’s the sound echoing off slipways, ski-boats and radios up and down the KwaZulu-Natal coast right now. Offshore is absolutely unhinged, and KZN anglers are strapped in for one of the wildest dorado runs of the season. From the north to the south, rods are folding, reels are screaming and coolers are earning their keep. This bite is loud, fast and relentless. The North Coast has gone nuclear. Boats and skis are buckling under non-stop action, with tuna pitching up thick and heavy. Live bait is king. Mackerel rigged on Pelagic Series Live Bait Clips are staying alive, kicking and deadly. When bait gets scarce, anglers are switching gears with Pelagic Bait Swimmers and staying…

The Bulls are sweating on the fitness of influential veteran Marcell Coetzee and scrumhalf Zak Burger ahead of their Durban derby against the Sharks on Saturday (kick-off 6pm). While the duo are not believed to be seriously injured ahead of the United Rugby Championship (URC) clash, things are looking far gloomier for flyhalf Kade Wolhuter, who appears to have picked up a serious knee injury in the devastating loss to Northampton Saints this past weekend. The flyhalf, who joined the Bulls on loan from the Lions, has apparently damaged his MCL and is currently on crutches. He will go for scans on Wednesday and only then will there be clarity on the extent of the injury. Coetzee and Burger are senior players, and the Loftus side will hope for better…