Table of contents for 2025-03-26 in Post

1 piece corned beef (preferably the eye piece) 2 carrots, peeled and cut in half 1 large potato, peeled and cut in half 2 bay leaves 1 tsp black peppercorns 4 all spice Fill a large pot with cold water and add all the ingredients. The water must cover the corned beef. Once it boils, turn down to a medium heat. Allow it to simmer on a slow boil for three hours. Keep topping up the water, ensuring the corned beef is completely submerged in water. After three hours, remove the beef from the water and transfer to a glass dish. Lightly cover with foil and enjoy. Do not refrigerate. Leave it fresh to enjoy on Eid morning. This recipe can also be used for corned tongue.…

250g butter (softened) 2 tbs oil 1 cup sugar 2 eggs 3 tsp baking powder 2-3 cups flour (enough to form a soft dough) 2 tsp vanilla essence Topping: 2 to 3 tbs coconut 1½ cups apricot jam (use any flavour of smooth jam) Cream the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add the eggs, vanilla essence and beat. Sift in the flour and baking powder. Add enough flour to form a soft dough. Cut circles and place into individual cupcake pans. Place 2 tablespoons of jam on the base. Sprinkle coconut. Grate the remaining dough over the jam. Bake at 180ºC for 10 minutes and then reduce to 160ºC until golden and crisp. The tart can be made in a tray. The tray will take…

A SEX pest pastor from Chatsworth, who was convicted of sexual assault six years ago, has been arrested for the alleged rape of an 12-year-old boy from his congregation. The 54-year-old pastor, who runs a church from an outbuilding in Bayview, was convicted in May 2019 for the sexual assault of a 16-year-old boy in 2018. He received a three year suspended sentence. Last Wednesday, the pastor handed himself over to police amid protests and death threats from the community. He appeared in the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court on Thursday on charges of sexual assault and rape. He is expected to apply for bail later this week. It has been alleged the pastor had molested the boy from September 2024, and groomed him by kissing and fondling him at his Bayview…

RELATIONSHIP coach Irene Munthree shares vital safety tips and expert advice for those considering POST’s revamped Lonely Hearts column, offering guidance on protecting yourself, while seeking love. Plans are in the pipeline for POST to relaunch the Lonely Hearts column. Many individuals who are looking for love, often find themselves apprehensive to do so because they have fears about what could happen with someone they don’t know. Munthree is a transformational life coach, who also specialises in relationship coaching. She inspires people with her coaching to open their hearts to the infinite possibility, and has been a coach for the past eight years at her practice called “High on i”. She said everyone should practise safety online. “I suggest you protect your personal information. Do not share your full…

A LOTUS River mother took to the witness stand in the Western Cape High Court to relive her teen son’s last moments after he was allegedly shot and killed by a firearm, which the State contends was sold illegally by Anderson Padayachee. The Durban arms dealer returned to court on Monday where he is facing more than 60 charges relating to the alleged illegal sale of firearms to Cape Flats gangs. According to the indictment, Padayachee was now facing eight murder charges and five attempted murder charges, where the firearms he allegedly supplied were used in gang wars. The cases, which are spread across the Cape Flats, include the murders of several men who were killed in gang shootings in various areas, including Bonteheuwel, Kalksteenfontein and Lotus River. The court…

SOUTH Africa faces a critical anti-venom shortage due to infrastructure upgrades at the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS), leaving snakebite victims at risk. The NHLS reported that last year, the South African Vaccine Producers (SAVP) facility underwent extensive infrastructure and equipment upgrades, which contributed to the shortage of the production of anti-venom. Mzi Gcukumana, senior communications manager for the NHLS, confirmed the situation was no different at present. “Due to the extent of the work required, anti-venom manufacturing processes had to be temporarily discontinued during the renovations. “While in the middle of renovations, the project experienced delays due to the postponed delivery of specialised equipment and the requirement to ensure that the work delivered by contractors met the quality standards prescribed by the rigorous regulatory environment for sterile manufacture,” Gcukumana…

THE situation in Gaza is dire, with Israel’s actions being described as a “final, blood-soaked push” to exterminate and expel Palestinians from their land. In a threat evoking the hideousness of World War II, the Israeli Minister of Defence, Israel Katz, issued Gaza residents with a “final warning” to effect its settler colonial project and apartheid state policies with the seizure and annexation of all Palestinian land and displacement of all Palestinians, which has been the abiding Zionist goal. The humanitarian crisis is severe, with no food, medicine, shelter, clean water or electricity available. The fragile ceasefire deal, which came into effect on January 19 this year, between Israel and Hamas, is shattered with Israel blocking humanitarian aid. Israeli officials claimed to have struck 80 “terrorist” targets, but the reality…

ASHWIN Trikamjee was an extraordinary individual whose life and work profoundly impacted both the legal fraternity and the broader South African society. As the president of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS), Trikamjee presided over an organisation with more than 200 affiliates, embodying the ethos of unity in diversity while championing the timeless teachings of Hindu scripture. Trikamjee served the South African community with distinction, and over decades made an indelible mark on many aspects of life in our country as a lawyer, acting judge, sports administrator, anti-apartheid activist, religious and community leader, and Hindu priest. He served the democratic government at multiple levels, the most prominent being a member of the board of the SABC. A stalwart advocate for unity and compassion His unwavering commitment to serving…

KELLEN Moodley will continue his twin brother’s legacy by fulfilling his dream of becoming a renowned businessman in Dubai. He was dealt a severe blow when his identical twin, Kaden, collapsed and died last Tuesday while participating in a warm-up session for a soccer match. Kaden, 15, a Grade 10 pupil at Glenwood High School, is suspected to have suffered from cardiac arrest. Speaking to the POST on Monday, Kellen said he was still trying to come to terms with the fact that he would not spend time with Kaden again. He said they shared a special bond. “Like any siblings, we fought but we always made up. I was always there for him, and he was there for me. If I needed to speak to someone and it was…

The famous words of former Springboks coach Jacques Nienaber during the 2023 Rugby World Cup, “they can script anything they want; at the end of the day, we decide what the movie will look like”, come to mind when thinking of the version of Heinrich Klaasen that the world has had the pleasure of watching over the past three years. Down and out after scoring only 66 runs in his first two IPL seasons, where he had stints with the Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore, many would have written Klaasen off. “There’s no way he is making his way back to the IPL again; it’s over,” many would have said when Klaasen went unsold for three consecutive IPL seasons. However, the wicketkeeper-batter picked himself up and wrote his own…

A fried egg bunker shot occurs when the ball is partially buried in the sand, with the majority of the ball visible above the surface. This type of shot requires a delicate touch and precise technique to execute successfully. Before attempting the shot, take a moment to assess the situation: Bunker depth: How deep is the bunker? A deeper bunker requires a steeper angle of attack. Sand consistency: Is the sand soft, firm, or a mix of both? Soft sand requires a more delicate touch, while firm sand allows for a slightly more aggressive approach. Ball position: Where is the ball positioned in the bunker? A ball closer to the lip requires a more precise shot. For a fried egg bunker shot, you'll typically want to use a high-lofted club,…

10 crayfish tails 15 prawns (shell on, head off) ½kg kingklip or any firm fish 4 heaped tsp garlic 1 heaped tsp crushed chillies 2 tsp jeera 2 tsp koljana 3 tsp tandoori spice 2 tbs seafood masala 1 tsp turmeric the juice of half a lemon 1 cup yoghurt ½ cup freshly chopped parsley salt to taste 1 tin of tomato purée 2 grated tomatoes Rinse and drain all the seafood in the fridge overnight (in a colander) to ensure all the seafood has been thawed and there is no excess water. Marinade the seafood in all the ingredients and refrigerate for at least an hour. Braise 2 finely chopped onions and 15 curry leaves in 4 tablespoons of butter or ghee. Once golden, cook for 15 minutes…

Biscuit cup base: 250g soft butter or margarine 1 small egg ½ cup castor sugar 1 tsp vanilla essence 2½ cups sifted flour 1 level tsp baking powder Cream the butter, sugar, egg and vanilla essence until all the sugar is dissolved and the butter is light, fluffy and creamy. Add the flour and baking powder, and mix until a soft dough is formed. Transfer the dough to a glass bowl. Cover the dough with cling wrap and rest in the fridge for 45 minutes until the butter has firmed up. For a stiffer dough, you can add some extra flour when rolling out. Roll out the dough on a lightly-floured surface and cut out with a large round cookie cutter or use a large glass. The dough should…

1 litre milk 1½ tsp china grass powder (I used 2 level tsp for this recipe. I wanted it to set a bit firmer since I was using a mould) 2 tbs burfee powder/Nespray 2 tbs custard powder 2 tbs cornflour 1 tsp rose essence 1 tsp elachi essence/cardamom powder 1 big tin dessert cream 1 big tin condensed milk Heat the milk in a pot. Make a paste with the falooda (china grass powder), custard powder, Nespray and cornflour, and add to the milk. Allow to boil. Add the essence and syrup. Lastly, add half the dessert cream and the tin of condensed milk. Whisk. The mixture must reach a boiling point. Pour into bowls or a mould. Refrigerate. Once set, decorate with the other half dessert cream…

125g softened butter ½ cup castor sugar 1 egg 1 tsp vanilla essence 1 cup coconut (can reduce if preferred) 1½ tsp baking powder flour to form a soft dough (start with ½ cup then add a little more to bind the dough) a handful of chopped almonds/pecans (optional) Beat the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add the egg and coconut. Add the flour to form a soft dough. Roll out and form into the desired shapes. Scrape with a fork and top with colour sprinkles. Bake at 160ºC for 15 to 20 minutes or until crisp.…

4 eggs 1 cup sugar 1¼ cup flour 3 tsp baking powder 1 tsp rose essence ½ tsp cardamom powder (optional) ½ cup milk ¼ cup oil Beat the eggs and sugar until light and creamy. Add the milk and oil. Beat lightly. Add the dry ingredients and beat slightly. Do not over beat. Pour into the desired cake pan. Bake at 180ºC for about 20 to 25 minutes. Burfee icing: 125g butter 2½ cups icing sugar 2-3 tbs milk 1 tsp rose essence ½ tsp cardamom powder Beat until smooth. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk or icing sugar.…

CONCERNED parents at Centenary Secondary School, in Asherville, are demanding answers from the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Education (DoE) following multiple violent incidents and alleged mishandling of disciplinary procedures. The department’s failure to attend a scheduled meeting last Thursday at the school, and respond to parents’ concerns, had escalated tensions, while questions about pupil safety remain unaddressed. The Concerned Parents and Guardians of Centenary Secondary School (CSCPA) – a group formed after an alleged racially-motivated fight at the school on February 4 – was meant to hand over a memorandum to a DoE official at the meeting. The DoE official was also meant to be present at the school’s internal disciplinary hearing into the February 4 incident. Kim Pillay, a member of CSCPA, said when they arrived at the school they…

DURBAN snake handler and catcher, Warren Dick, who recently removed a highly venomous black mamba from a chicken farm in Silverglen, in Chatsworth, recalled how he almost lost his life after being bitten by a black mamba in 2024. “If there was no anti-venom at the hospital at the time, I would have died. At the time, I did not read the situation nor the snake correctly, and that error nearly cost me my life. “I was photographing the snake and misjudged how close I was and how fast the snake could be. Suddenly it jumped forward and I felt a pin-prick on my right knee. A few minutes later, I started feeling a sharp burning pain in my knee. I managed to restrain the snake, put it safely back…

JOIN us in commemorating 80 years of Tongaat Secondary, a beacon of education in South Africa, highlighting its journey and contributions to the community. The history of Tongaat is the history of Indian indenture in South Africa. Tongaat is known as the cradle of Indian indenture. It was the Saunders family of the then Tongaat Sugar Estate who mooted the idea of bringing Indians to South Africa. First generation James Renault Saunders had the experience of working with Indians in the sugar industry in Mauritius. He was astounded by the archaic production methods and work ethic in the South African sugar industry, which induced him to motivate at the provincial county of Victoria parliament, for bringing Indians to South Africa to boost the sugar industry. Thereafter everything else is history.…

IN HIS latest bid to be released on bail, Durban security boss Ferrel Govender said despite allegations of gender-based violence (GBV) against him, the court had failed to call for a statement from his former girlfriend. On Monday, Govender’s legal representative filed a notice of application for leave to appeal against the judgment handed down by Judge ME Nkosi in the Durban High Court last Thursday. The matter is expected to be heard today (Wednesday). Judge Nkosi dismissed Govender’s appeal against the ruling made by a magistrate to deny him bail. Govender’s former girlfriend and the woman allegedly at the centre of the love triangle with him and slain businessman Shailen Singh has been named as Salona Ramrutton Kisten. In January this year, Govender, 41, the group CEO of Pro…

Is there a way to stop RG Snyman? Well, Sharks lock Jason Jenkins knows it’s a tough ask, but the Durbanites will have to find a way to halt the Springbok giant in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship showdown against Leinster in Durban. John Plumtree’s team were quite fortunate to hold out for a 35-34 victory over Zebre at Kings Park last weekend, and will have to improve considerably if they hope to knock over the Irish outfit on Saturday (7.15pm start). And their first target should be Snyman, who was increasingly influential the longer the game went on for Leinster in their 21-20 loss to the Bulls in Pretoria last weekend. Jenkins will know Snyman well, having played alongside him at the Bulls and Munster over the years. But the…

After the glory of the relay silver medal at the Paris Olympics, it looks like that achievement has inspired South African athletes to greater heights this year following two medals at the world indoor championships last week. The men’s 4x100m relay team of Akani Simbine, Bayanda Walaza, Bradley Nkoana and Shaun Maswanganyi grabbed second place behind Canada on a memorable August night at the Stade de France. That was followed the next day by Jo-Ané van Dyk’s outstanding effort in the women’s javelin competition as she clinched a silver medal as well. But those were the only two medals from the athletics team, and the first podium finishes in a global event since the 2017 world championships in London. That’s right –the last time Mzansi could celebrate a world medal…

250g soft butter 1½ cups light brown sugar 1 tsp vanilla essence 2 eggs 200g coconut 2 heaped tbs cocoa 500g self-rising flour Cream the butter, sugar, vanilla essence and eggs until light, fluffy and creamy. Add all the remaining ingredients to form a soft dough. Roll into small balls and press flat. Use a cookie cutter or pipe with a nozzle. Bake on a tray lined with baking paper for 10 to 15 minutes at 170ºC (preheated oven). Drizzle with chocolate or sandwich with melted chocolate.…

1-2kg chicken pieces (with bone) ½ cup fried onion 2 tbs garlic and ginger or red wet masala 1 tsp coriander powder 1 tsp jeera powder 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp tandoori spice 2 heaped tbs achaar (red pickle masala) 1 tbs vinegar Additional ingredients: 3 tbs butter the juice of 1 lemon 2 cups yoghurt 4 grated tomatoes 1-2 tbs sugar for acidity Garnish: 2 tbs extra fried onions roast potatoes freshly chopped coriander green chillies Marinade the chicken with the fried onion, ginger and garlic, spices and vinegar for at least an hour or overnight. In a large pot on a medium heat, melt the butter until it foams. Add the marinated chicken and cook until slightly golden. Add the lemon, yoghurt and tomatoes, and…

1 litre milk 2 Tetley Masala Chai tea bags 1 tin Ideal Milk 1 tin Nestlé Cream (optional) 1 tin condensed milk 1-2 tsp elachi powder 2 tbs coconut 4 tbs vermicelli 4 tbs sago a few cardamom pods 2 tbs almond powder a handful of pistachios and almonds Heat the milk and add the tea bags. Allow to infuse and remove the tea bags. Add the remaining ingredients except the Nestlé Cream and condensed milk. Allow to cook on medium to low heat. Once the sago is translucent, add the condensed milk and cream. Whisk well and remove from the heat. Adjust the sweetness and flavours as desired. Top with pistachios and almonds.…

2 eggs 1 cup sugar 125g softened butter 2 tbs oil ½ cup milk or yoghurt 1 tsp lemon essence 2 tbs to 3 tbs fresh lemon juice grated rind of ½ lemon 2 cups flour 3 tsp baking powder Add the lemon rind to the sugar and mix together. Cream the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add the oil, lemon juice essence and milk or yoghurt. Mix together. Fold in the flour mixture. Pour into a loaf pan and bake at 180ºc for 25 to 30 minutes. Glaze icing: 1 cup icing sugar juice of half lemon ½ tsp lemon essence Pour over the cake. Butter icing: 125g butter 2 cups icing sugar 2 tbs lemon juice ½ tsp lemon essence Beat well. Pipe…

A VERULAM family are lucky to be alive after they were viciously mauled by their pet pit bull, as they were preparing meals for iftar – to break their fast for Ramadaan. The father was forced to take drastic action by stabbing the dog in its chest to save his family members during a sudden attack, which started on their 10-year-old child. While social media critics condemned the family’s actions, the Pit Bull Federation of South Africa (PBFSA) has defended them, stating they had no choice in what became a “kill or be killed situation”. Four members of the Parkgate family – the father, mother, grandfather and child – sustained serious injuries after they were mauled by the dog. The family did not want to be named or interviewed. When…

IN 1992, a young Christian woman took a chance on POST’s Lonely Hearts column. Three decades later, Sean and Pamela Singh share their remarkable journey from newspaper advertisement to lasting love, proving that sometimes the perfect match is just a letter away. The couple said they took a chance 33 years ago when they wrote in to the POST’s Lonely Hearts, in the hopes of finding “the one”. Pamela, 57, said she was 25 years old at the time, and had just come out of a relationship because of differences in religion. She said her friend suggested she write to the newspaper. “I was in a relationship which did not work out. I needed to meet someone who shared the same interests, including my religion. That’s when my close friend…

LOCAL business owners have expressed concerns over the recent ban on cannabis-infused edibles, fearing job losses and economic downturns as the government enforces strict regulations. This comes after Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, the Minister of Health, earlier this month issued a Government Gazette announcement under the Foodstuffs, Cosmetics and Disinfectants Act 1972. The regulation prohibits the sale, importation and manufacturing of foodstuffs containing “any part of the plant or component derived from the genus Cannabis sativa L, hemp and hemp seed oil or flour”. Any person who sells, imports or manufactures foodstuff containing the prohibited substances is guilty of an offence, and is liable on conviction to a fine or imprisonment. Randhir Singh, the owner of Zulu Roots Herbal, said while unemployed last year, he saw an opportunity to start a…

WITH a “massive” backlog of 140 000 DNA cases at the SAPS Forensic Science Laboratory, stakeholders are calling for immediate action, including the use of private laboratories. Stakeholders further warned that if not dealt with swiftly, there could be serious consequences for victims and families in pursuit of justice. The integrity of the justice system could also be comprised, they added. The backlog was revealed by Ian Cameron, the DA’s spokesperson on police, during a recent Parliament meeting. Cameron called on the auditor-general (AG) to conduct a full forensic audit into the SAPS’s DNA processing and forensic laboratories, and the contract management. He said this included looking into the serious mismanagement of DNA evidence, especially in gender-based violence (GBV) and rape cases, which could be the leading cause for the…

Monday marked 25 years since the Throb Nightclub disaster in Chatsworth that claimed the lives of 13 children. As the community remembers this tragedy, Lazarus Soobramoney shared the enduring pain of losing his son, Rory, that fateful day in March 2000. At the time, there were 600 children in the nightclub enjoying their end-of-term party. Besides those who died, 100 others were injured, leaving many families traumatised. The children who lost their lives were Jadeine Mohunlal, 11; Sumeshan Govender, 12; Preston Premsingh, 13; Sumaya Jhetam, 13; Leeosha Sowrimuthu, 14; Guresha Naidoo, 15; Prean Govindsamy, 15; Rory Soobramoney, 15; Chantal Maduray, 16; Vaneshree Pillay, 16; Sumaya Kudoos, 16; Nolan Pillay, 17; and Junaid Gaffoor, 18. At the time, Nelson Mandela, created the Nelson Mandela Youth Centre – in memory of…

IT IS SIGNIFICANT that the topic under discussion at the Indo Caribbean Cultural Centre this week has been about family responsibility for the elderly in the Indian diaspora. Speakers from Trinidad, Guyana, New Zealand and South Africa participated in this important think-tank. Each discussed how the landscape is rapidly changing to the detriment of society. There is a widely held perception among non-Indians that members of the Indian community, among other attributes, hold their aged in high esteem. Indeed there are strong elements of truth in this perception. In the past we traditionally displayed reverence for the aged by genuflecting at their feet, asking for their blessings, and valuing their good counsel. No wedding ceremony could begin without their blessings. In the old Buddhist tradition, the presence of an elder…

THE eThekwini Municipality has approved an additional R3 million to replace the failed furnace at Tongaat Crematorium, bringing the total allocation to R8 million. This urgent intervention comes after the facility's complete breakdown in January, leaving northern region residents without cremation services for religious and cultural ceremonies. Yesterday the eThekwini Municipality’s Executive Committee (Exco) approved an additional R3 million to the initial allocation of R5 million for the replacement of the furnace at the Tongaat Crematorium. For many years, the existing cremator had repeated breakdowns before completely failing on January 24, leaving the crematorium closed, having no crematorium in the northern region. Through technical assessments, it was confirmed that the furnace had reached the end of its lifespan and a full replacement was necessary. The furnace was meant to be…

Thomas Tuchel admitted that Jude Bellingham was “lucky” to escape a red card as England “struggled” to secure a 3-0 win against minnows Latvia on Monday. Just two days after claiming that Bellingham can be “very emotional” and needed to control his mood on the pitch, the Real Madrid star was fortunate not to be sent off in the World Cup qualifier at Wembley. After being booked in the first half, Bellingham avoided a second yellow card despite crunching into a crude challenge on Raivis Jurkovskis soon after the interval. England boss Tuchel responded by sending on Phil Foden to replace the midfielder moments later to ensure he was not given his marching orders. “A bit lucky. We took straight away the decision to not take the risk and take…

THE Lions have an in-form Dolphins travelling up to the highveld this week for the penultimate round-robin fixture of the Cricket South Africa Four-Day competition. The Dolphins are coming off an impressive victory over the North West Dragons in Durban last week, a match in which a number of their key players, including Jason Smith, who scored a century, picked up confidence in the business end of the competition. The victory meant that the Dolphins were unbeaten in seven domestic fixtures, having won six straight matches on their way to winning the recently concluded One Day Cup competition. They now sit in second place on the Four-Day competition standings, behind only the Lions. However, the Dolphins lost Proteas spinner Keshav Maharaj, who suffered a season-ending injury last week. On the…