Table of contents for 2025-05-28 in Post

AFTER Pushpa 2: The Rule, Allu Arjun is ready to treat movie buffs with another avatar in Atlee’s next movie, tentatively titled AA22xA6. To prepare for the role, Arjun is undergoing a physical transformation, and is being guided in his journey by celebrity fitness trainer, Lloyd Stevens. Stevens took to Instagram and posted a picture from Arjun’s intense workout session. Arjun captured a photo of his fitness watch with Stevens in the background. The smartwatch showed that the Ala Vaikunthapurramuloo actor had burned 295 calories, while sweating it out in the gym with an average heart rate of 140 beats per minute. Stevens also helped Ranveer Singh, NTR and Mahesh Babu achieve their desired looks for their roles. He worked with NTR in SS Rajamouli’s RRR, co-starring Ram Charan. If…

Tourist Family is a small-budget movie that took debutant director Abishan Jeevinth about 35 days to shoot. The film has a simple premise. Dharmadas (Sasikumar) and Vasanthi (Simran) and their two young sons escape from the economically-unstable Jafna in Sri Lanka to start a new life in Tamil Nadu. They do this by using falsified documents to get into Rameshwaram, a fishing village located near Jafna. The family land in Tamil Nadu, assisted by Prakash (Yogi Babu), who plays Vasanthie’s brother. On arrival, they are spotted by the local police, headed by Bharaivan (Ramesh Tilak). But their young son, Murali Dharmadas (Kamalesh Juggan) manages to win over Bharaivan’s heart, so they are freed to proceed to Tamil Nadu to start a new life. Bharaivan asks them not to mention…

1 tbs oil 1 onion, chopped 1 carrot, chopped 2 celery sticks, chopped 1 chilli 2 sprigs of fresh thyme 1 tbs ginger and garlic 1 tsp cumin powder 1 tsp coriander powder 1 tsp chopped mint 1 tbs chopped parsley 2 cans of lentils or about 800g of cooked lentils 1 litre vegetable stock salt and pepper to taste fresh parsley for garnish In a large pot on a medium heat, add the oil, onion, carrots, celery, chilli, thyme, and garlic and ginger. Sauté until the onion is translucent. Add the cumin powder and coriander powder, and toast until fragrant. Add the lentils, vegetable stock, mint and parsley. Cook for around 30 minutes, or until the stock has reduced about half-way. Add the salt and pepper, and garnish…

250g green chillies 1 tbs fenugreek seeds (methi) 1 tbs coriander seeds (dhania) 1 tbs cumin seeds (jeera) 4 tbs tamarind pulp 1½ tbs salt (adjust to taste) ½ garlic bulb, slivered ½ tsp mustard seeds 1 cup vinegar 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp red chilli powder (optional, for extra heat) 2 tsp jaggery or sugar (to balance the acidity) Wash and dry the chillies thoroughly. Slit each chilli lengthwise, keeping them whole. In a dry pan, lightly toast the methi, coriander and cumin seeds until fragrant. Coarsely grind the toasted spices and set aside. Heat the oil until it reaches smoking point. Lower the heat and add the mustard seeds. Let them crackle. Add the garlic and sauté until golden. Stir in the…

12 large lemons or limes 4 tbs salt (for boiling) 8 tbs pickle masala 2 tbs red chilli powder 2 cups brown sugar 1 cup white vinegar 1 cup water 1 tbs mustard seeds ½ cup sunflower oil 1 sprig curry leaf 2 tbs jaggery salt to taste Wash the lemons thoroughly. Poke a small hole in each lemon to prevent bursting during boiling. Place them in a pot and cover with enough water. Add the salt. Boil for 30 to 60 minutes until soft. Drain and cool completely. Then cut into small pieces. In a saucepan, combine the brown sugar, white vinegar and water. Heat over medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Simmer for a few minutes until the mixture thickens slightly. Set aside. Heat the oil…

A HOUSE fire in Caneside Drive, Phoenix, has claimed the life of a man, Allen Sahdeo, and has left his wife severely injured. As neighbours attempted to put out the fire, KZNVIP emergency response teams arrived to assist. The family could not be reached for comment. “Despite the efforts of the community and emergency responders, the male homeowner was found severely burned and showing no signs of life. Paramedics declared him deceased at the scene,” said KZN VIP Protection Services on its Facebook page. “The female occupant, believed to be his wife, sustained extensive burns and was stabilised on site before being urgently transported to a nearby medical facility. At this time, the circumstances leading up to the fire remain unknown. “Emergency services, including fire and law enforcement officials, were…

Discover how the Tongaat community united in the wake of a devastating tornado, providing relief and support to thousands affected by the disaster. Harold Maistry highlights the resilience, co-ordination, and compassion displayed by local organisations and volunteers. WHAT counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others. These words of our beloved Madiba resonate with the resilience of a community devastated by the tornado and the magnanimity of individuals and organisations in responding to this disaster. On June 3, 2024, at approximately 4.25pm, a tornado left a wake of destruction, leaving more than 3 000 residents displaced, hundreds of homes destroyed, and 12 dead. The northern and coastal areas were most affected. It was…

THE South African Hindu Dharma Sabha (SAHDS) held a prayer for world peace last Saturday in Durban. The prayer was for a cessation of all conflicts to bring humanity back from the brink of self-destruction in our war-torn world. Problems caused by human beings can be solved by human beings. The Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi ji, famously declared: “This is not the era of war, but this is also not the era of terrorism.” The SAHDS prayed for peace between India and Pakistan through bilateral dialogue and diplomacy, without foreign interference and for mutual benefit. Pakistan on probation cannot defend the indefensible, and needs to verifiably dismantle its terror ecosystem and nefarious nexus as well as vacate Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in order that the Indus Water Treaty, which…

The family of Krish Pillay, a 62-year-old taxi owner from Isipingo, believes his recent murder is linked to rivalry in the taxi industry. Pillay, the owner of Mastermind Taxis, was shot and killed in a drive-by shooting near his home last Wednesday. The suspects opened fire on his vehicle when he stopped at an intersection in Isipingo Hills before 10am. He was declared dead at the scene. Aiden David, a community leader in Isipingo, was one of the first people at the scene. He said Pillay was shot at by two gunmen who were travelling in a vehicle behind him. After he was shot, Pillay crashed his vehicle into a wall. “His vehicle was sprayed with bullets from both sides. Police found 25 AK47 bullet shells at the scene. It…

yoshini.perumal@inl.co.za RELIGIOUS organisations in South Africa are stepping up to combat the growing food insecurity and malnutrition crisis among children. However, they have cautioned that short-term interventions are not sustainable and more needs to be done to address food insecurity in the country. Pavan Maharaj, project manager of Nourish to Flourish, a feeding programme started by the Chinmaya Mission of South Africa, said the need for nutritious meals had surpassed the demand in Chatsworth and surrounding areas. He said the programme was started after they identified a need for food, especially among children. “The situation is bad. We currently feed 900 children and about 300 adults daily. The most affected areas in Chatsworth are Montford and Welbedacht. We have seen children crying from hunger when doing home visits, and it…

STATING that the response to the War 2 teaser had been incredible, Telugu star Jr NTR thanked fans for their wishes for his birthday. The actor, who turned 42, posted on X: “Thank you, my dear fans, for your constant presence and heartfelt wishes. “The response to the War 2 teaser has been incredible. “I can’t wait for you to experience it on August 14. “A big thank you to all my well-wishers, media and colleagues in the industry for your warm wishes. “Grateful, always.” Earlier, the makers of War 2 released an explosive teaser of the film, featuring Hrithik Roshan and Jr NTR in the lead.…

CHITRANGDA Singh is venturing into comedy for the first time with Housefull 5. “This is actually the first time I’m doing comedy,” said Singh. “I believe it’s harder to make people laugh than to make them cry.” She describes the genre as an different skillset, one that demands precision. “It’s a different ball game altogether. You have to be so smooth that all your jokes and timing land perfectly. It’s not just about delivering a funny line. It’s about the energy, the pacing and the set-up. Comedy is serious business.” While the film promises humour, Singh said it was more than just a comedy. “There are a lot of twists and turns. It’s a very interesting script. The character is going to surprise you.” Housefull 5 is set to release…

EXPECTATION from the trailer of a great comedy from ace actor Rajkumar Rao live up to it for just the first half hour before it goes completely downhill in an absurd plot twist. Despite opposition from her family because he has not had a job for several years, Ranjan (Rao) is determined to marry Titli (Wamiqa Gabbi). Engaging in all sorts of plans to get this job, he even gets involved with a corrupt priest for predictions and assistance in securing a government job. But during their haldi ceremony, there is a time loop and Ranjan repeatedly wakes up on the 29th of the month – to the pre-wedding ritual – knowing every time exactly what is going to happen to him on the day Adding an extra twist…

500g lamb pieces oil breyani seed mix 1 chopped onion 1 tsp garlic 1 tsp ginger 2 red chillies 1 tsp coriander powder 1 tsp cumin powder 1 tsp garam masala 1 tsp turmeric powder 2 tbs Kashmiri curry powder 2 grated tomatoes ½ cup fresh coriander salt to taste ½ cup water 2 large potatoes, diced In a large pot, add the breyani seed mix, chillies, onion, garlic and ginger. Sauté until the onion is translucent. Add the Kashmiri powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder and garam masala. Toast until fragrant and then add the lamb pieces with ½ cup of water. Cook on a medium heat for 45 minutes. Then add the grated tomatoes, salt, fresh coriander and potatoes. Add water if needed and continue to…

2 chicken breasts 2 tbs plain yoghurt 1½ tsp cumin spice ¼ garam masala ½ tsp turmeric ½ tsp curry powder 1 tsp coriander spice salt 2 tbs butter 1 onion, chopped 1 bay leaf 1 tbs jeera seeds 1 tbs ginger and garlic Dice the chicken breasts. Add the yoghurt, cumin, garam masala, turmeric, curry powder, coriander spice and salt. Marinate the chicken for two hours or overnight. Fry the chicken pieces in butter and remove it from the pot. In the same pot, fry the onion with the bay leaf and jeera seeds. Once lightly brown, add the garlic and ginger, and cook for a minute. Then add: 1 tsp cumin spice ¼ tsp garam masala ½ tsp turmeric ¼ tsp curry powder 1 tsp coriander spice…

300g fresh chillies, chopped or crushed, as preferred 1 cup oil (vegetable or mustard oil recommended) 1 cup vinegar 2½ tbs pickle masala 1 tsp pure Kashmiri chilli powder 1 tsp turmeric powder 1 whole head of garlic, peeled 1½ tsp coriander seeds 1½ tsp cumin seeds (jeera) 1½ tsp fennel seeds (soomph) ¾ tsp mustard seeds 1 tbs salt (adjust to taste) 2 tsp jaggery or sugar (to balance the acidity) In a dry pot over a medium-low heat, toast the coriander seeds, cumin seeds and fennel seeds until fragrant (about 2 minutes). Remove from the heat. Grind the toasted seeds with the pickle masala and turmeric powder. Set aside. In the same pot, add the vinegar, jaggery, crushed chillies and salt. Bring to a gentle simmer for…

WORKPLACE jealousy is alleged to be the motive for the murder of former Phoenix resident, Neville Ramsamy, 32, who was ambushed by two gunmen and shot 13 times, as he entered the gates of the logistics company where he worked as an operations manager. Ramsamy had relocated to Johannesburg in 2010 for better work opportunities. He was shot on the morning of May 13 and died three days later in hospital from multiple bullet wounds to his shoulders, chest and abdomen. His body was released to his family on May 19. Ramsamy’s funeral service took place in Johannesburg last Tuesday, and in Phoenix, last Thursday. His older brother, who did not want to be named because he feared for his life, said while they were baffled by his murder, they…

Research shows 90% of doctor visits are stress-related. Kids today are quietly managing more than we realise – academic and social pressures, bullying, disrupted sleep, anxiety and low self-confidence – often without the tools to cope. That’s why today’s modern parents are turning to BodyTalk Access – a science-backed healthcare course that teaches parents and kids the healing power of their hands to prevent health issues, and support emotional and physical well-being in a smarter, more effective way. It enables you to calm a hyperactive child, sleep better, ease discomfort and overwhelm, relieve headaches, speed up recovery from flu and boost learning potential – without medication. “It’s not just a course. For many, it’s a turning point. In a world that pushes us to outsource our health,” says Taryn Moorhouse.…

AROUND 4.30pm on Monday, June 3, 2024, a tornado slammed into Tongaat, KwaZulu-Natal, leaving 12 dead, hundreds of homes destroyed, more than 1 500 residents displaced, and service and supply lines disrupted. There was no forewarning. While those affected will forever remember the sorrow and suffering visited upon them by the natural calamity, etched in their collective memory too will be the outpouring of selfless responsiveness, concern, care and compassion. On the eve of the first anniversary of the disaster, the POST visited Tongaat and found a landscape still scarred by the tornado’s impact and on-going clean-up efforts. Families spoke of the pain of tragically losing loved ones, the destruction of their homes, schools and places of worship, and delays in rebuilding damaged dwellings. But communities that were once fractured…

ON FRIDAY, May 16, I went to Phoenix. Not the one in Arizona in the US, the one right here in KwaZulu-Natal. So, what is so special about that, you may ask? Hundreds of thousands of people do that daily. Well, it was unusual for two reasons. The last time I visited the suburb was perhaps five years ago, when I used to travel every Friday evening to present the evening music programme on Phoenix FM. It was around the same time too, as I painfully recalled the traffic congestion on the freeway and the long wait to get on to the Mount Edgecombe off-ramp. By the time I get to Phoenix (1967 song by Glen Campbell), I would have had spent a whole hour driving. My visit this time…

TWO years after Chanlall “Shan” Dwarika was kidnapped, robbed and killed, his family finally has closure. His killers were sentenced to life imprisonment in the Durban High Court last Thursday. Thobani Mhlongo, 23 and Kwanele Makhaye, 29, were also found guilty of kidnapping and robbery with aggravating circumstances. They were sentenced to five years for kidnapping and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. A third person, Siyabonga Mahaye, 35, was found guilty and sentenced to five years for kidnapping and 15 years for robbery with aggravating circumstances. The sentences will be served consecutively. He was not charged with the murder. A fourth person, Sihle Mkhize, 23, was found not guilty on all three charges. Dwarika, 62, a lecturer in the department of electrical engineering at the Mangosuthu University of…

FOR a Tongaat woman the pain of losing her husband, Arvin Ramluckan, during the tornado remains, while her two young daughters yearn for their father daily. Arvin, 37, a boilermaker, from Sandfields, died in hospital on June 6, three days after the tornado hit. He suffered extensive head injuries. At the time, a relative said Arvin’s company transport had dropped him off near a shop on Sandfields Road. He and a friend were walking to his home, a few metres away, when they were caught in the tornado. The relative said Arvin and his friend held hands and started running to another friend’s house to seek shelter. However, along the way, they were separated. He said Arvin was picked up by the tornado and flung against a brick wall, which…

A MAJESTIC sandalwood tree has been cut down – it leaves its scent upon the apparatus; such is its nature. Its aroma lingers long after it has fallen; such is its essence. Throughout its lifespan, it served many purposes – among its uses, shade and shelter, meditation and prayer. This sandalwood tree symbolises Silverglen Sri Sathya Sai education in human values. For Balvikas guru, Maggie Palanee, the characteristics described are merely the tip of the iceberg when it comes to her life and legacy. To her thousands of pupils as well as their parents, guardians, families and the community, she was affectionately and respectfully known as Mrs Palanee, Aunty Maggie or Ma’am – a benevolent beacon of love, wisdom and selfless service. Mrs Palanee took on the role of principal…

THE story of India’s most loved presidents, Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, is being adapted for the screen. The film, titled Kalam, stars Dhanush, and was announced at the recent Cannes Film Festival. Kalam’s life was a blend of rocket science and irrepressible spirit. He rose from modest beginnings to become a celebrated aerospace scientist, visionary and the people’s president. His legacy, encapsulated in his memoir Wings of Fire, continues to ignite minds across generations. The film will be directed by Om Raut, who last directed Adipurush. Raut said: “In an era starved of true statesmen, Kalam stood above politics and pettiness. He was a man who was known for power of education, excellence and indigenous innovation. “To bring his story to the screen is an artistic challenge, and a moral…

I GUESS the extra ii’s in the title, translating as “trembling”, are designed to create the impression that the cast will be extremely frightened by a spook called up by the Ouija board that they play with, but don’t go looking for the kind of terror that was the hallmark of films like Stree. Manu (Shreyas Talpade) initiates the game with the board. He and his flat-mate con their other house-mates as well as two young women, Kavya (Siddhi Idnani) and Madhu (Sonia Rathee), who live next door, by faking movements on the board that spells out the ghost’s name as they call her. The other young men living together with Manu are Achyut (Dinker Sharma), Nanku (Jay Thakkar), Nirup (Varun Pande), Rivin (Abishek Kumar) and Vijay (Dherendra Tiwari).…

Chicken: 2 large chicken breasts, sliced 1 tbs salt and pepper 1 tsp garlic powder 1 tsp dried thyme 1 tsp smoked paprika 1 tsp smoked chilli flakes 1 tbs olive oil Pasta sauce: 1 tbs butter 1 tbs thyme 1 tbs garlic 150g sliced mushrooms 400ml cream ¼ cup grated Parmesan cheese ½ cup grated Cheddar cheese ¼ cup parsley salt and pepper to taste 300g cooked pasta In a large bowl, add the sliced chicken breasts with the olive oil, salt and pepper, garlic powder, dried thyme, smoked paprika and smoked chilli flakes. Mix well. To a heated pot, add the olive oil and fry the chicken on a high heat to a golden colour on the outside. Remove the chicken from the pan. On a…

1½ kg butternut, washed, cleaned and cut into 5cm chunks 1 tbs vegetable seasoning of your choice 2 tbs oil 1 large brown onion, chopped 2 green chillies, chopped 1 tsp garlic and ginger 1 tbs turmeric 1 tbs smoked paprika 1 tbs cumin 500ml vegetable or chicken stock a pinch each of salt and pepper 200ml cream 1 tbs butter 250g biltong powder 1 tsp lime juice fresh coriander In a large bowl, mix the butternut, vegetable seasoning and oil. Place the mixture on a tray and bake at 180ºC for 20 minutes. Heat the oil in a large pot and add the onion and chillies. Fry until the onion is translucent. Add the ginger and garlic, and sauté for 30 seconds. Add the turmeric, smoked paprika and…

Chutney: 3 bunches fresh mint leaves, washed, stems removed 1 bunch fresh coriander, washed, tender stems included 1 cup roasted peanuts, roasted for 15 minutes or in the oven 1 large garlic clove ½ tsp cumin seeds (jeera) 4 green chillies (adjust to taste) 1 tsp tamarind paste mixed in ¼ cup water juice of half a lemon salt to taste water (as needed to blend) Braising: 1 tbs oil ½ tsp mustard seeds 1 small onion, finely diced Cool the roasted peanuts slightly. Rub them between your hands, or in a clean cloth to remove the skins. Blend into a coarse powder or paste and set aside. To the ground peanuts, add the mint, coriander, garlic, jeera, green chillies, tamarind water, lemon juice and salt. Add the…

A CHATSWORTH married father-of-two has been sentenced to 23 years in prison for the premeditated murder of his lover, following a violent argument which was sparked by the discovery of four voodoo dolls in her bedroom. In the Durban High Court last Wednesday, Sugendren Rodney Naicker, 35, pleaded guilty to killing his lover, Vyaksha Sookdew, with a four-pound hammer on December 21, 2023. Sookdew’s decomposed body was discovered wrapped in black plastic bin bags in the bathroom of her Havenside home, on December 25, 2023. Her body was identified by a relative only through her belly ring and clothes. At the time of her death, Sookdew, 35, was an instrumentation technician at AECI Mining Chemicals in Amanzimtoti. During Naicker’s bail application in January last year, the court heard that he…

THE recent crime statistics reveal a troubling rise in serious offences in Chatsworth, Phoenix and Verulam, prompting calls for urgent action to address the escalating violence. Last Friday, the SAPS released its fourth quarter crime statistics for the 2024/2025 financial year (January 2025 to March 2025). According to the statistics, over the three-month period, there were 5 727 murders in the country – with 1 193 occurring in KwaZulu-Natal. The province reported 1 670 attempted murders, 7 535 assaults (GBH), 7 661 assaults (common), 5 629 robberies with aggravating circumstances, 1 892 common robberies, 583 carjackings, and 2 614 sexual offences cases. In addition, there were 1 328 residential and 559 non-residential robberies reported. Among the top 30 police stations that had the highest number of community-reported serious crimes in…

“Kashmir’s struggle for recognition”, the POST, May 21-25, refers. Ebrahim Essa’s recourse to wholesale distortions of history cunningly presented to bash India’s legitimate claim to this territory. Thankfully, in the era of ready access to information and the facilitation of fact checking, this can no longer sustain. In reflecting on “Kashmir is overrun by Indians” and reference to “indigenous Kashmiris”, it is opposite to state that Kashmir has been a Hindu homeland since time immemorial. Hindu cultural imprints and religious importance that have existed millennia before the Islamic invasion, a brutal exercise that began circa 8th century. Thus, it is historical negationism to suggest that the Kashmir issue is rooted from just seven decades ago, from the time of the partition. The sustained Islamic invasions and forced conversions would alter…

THE Child Welfare Chatsworth (CWC) is shining the spotlight on the rising cases of malnutrition among children amid systemic issues contributing to them being hospitilised due to not having sufficient nutrition. The increase in cases has been attributed to paternal abandonment, poverty, rising food prices and the breakdown of family structures. Last week – in a parliamentary response to the DA – Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said that KwaZulu-Natal’s malnutrition figures for children under the age of 5 remained unacceptably high, with 177 deaths recorded last year alone. Motsoaledi said that 59 children had died of moderate acute malnutrition in KZN’s public health facilities, while 118 succumbed due to severe acute malnutrition. This figure rose by 26% during the past five years. This year, in KZN, eight children died of…

SINCE retiring from the eThekwini council nine years ago, it is a rare occasion to feel the need to comment on the remarks of two of my fellow former councillors, Logie Naidoo and Visvin Reddy, of the Far Left. “Afrikaners in the US: genocide narrative condemned” and “City’s debt relief programme: genuine support or an insult to ratepayers?” the POST, May 21-25, refers. Naidoo’s reference to Orania as “an exclusive racial enclave no other country would tolerate”, needs contextual right-sizing. First, Section 235 of our Constitution permits the existence of Orania. Second, Orania is private property. What one does on private property is one’s own business. Third, Orania is self-sufficient. It has its own power and infrastructure, and is independent, so it is not costing anyone outside of Orania anything.…

I FIND it highly disappointing and shocking at how some “truly South African writers” can actually applaud the cowardly manner in which US President Donald Trump tried to bush-whack President Cyril Ramaphosa, using his oval homeground advantage and protected only by the power he wields due to his wealth. Also, true high-class breeding is demonstrated only by the polite manner in which we treat the most disadvantaged classes of people around us. Even the Bible shouts this out loudly. And we all know (or should know by now) that journalists are not the highest paid personnel around. Jobs are difficult to obtain worldwide now, so quite often, for want of a better safer vocation, people grab whatever is available. And the fact that journalists are not being protected has…

The buzz is unmistakable along South Africa’s East Coast – the Sardine Run is coming, and the excitement is electric. As cold fronts begin to roll in, anglers and ocean enthusiasts alike are tuning in to early signs of what promises to be one of the most dynamic runs in recent memory. Early drone footage and on-the-ground reports hint at increasing marine activity, and with temperatures dropping just right, the stage is being set for a spectacular oceanic event. The Sardine Run, often referred to as the “Greatest Shoal on Earth”, attracts not only massive shoals of sardines, but also predators, birds, and fishermen eager to get in on the action. Rock and Surf Lighting Up The entire East Coast is experiencing a fishing boom, with Transkei’s rugged coastline delivering…