Table of contents for 2025-06-18 in Post

Marinade: 1 Cornish hen (cut and cleaned) 10g fresh mint 20g fresh coriander 3 green chillies (liquidised) 1 grated red onion 2 tbs crushed fried onions 1 cup maas (or plain yoghurt) 1 tbs lemon juice 1 tbs ginger-garlic paste 1 tsp turmeric powder 6 tbs masala (mix of Kashmiri extra special masala and romborosi), according to your preference 2 tbs garam masala 3 tbs oil salt to taste Rice: 3 cups basmati rice (soaked) 3 cloves 2 green cardamom pods (elachi) 1 star anise 1 cinnamon stick ½ tsp cumin seeds (jeera) 10g fresh coriander 10g fresh mint 1 tsp salt 1 lemon 1 sliced onion (fried until golden brown) 50g butter For the braising: 1/3 cup oil fried onions (from earlier) fresh thyme 1 cinnamon stick…

2 cups basmati rice 3 green cardamom pods ½ tsp turmeric powder salt to taste 3 tbs oil 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 cinnamon stick 1 bay leaf 3 cloves 1 tsp soomph (fennel) seeds 2 star anise 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste 1 jam tomato, blended 2 tbs masala 1 tbs breyani powder 1 tsp turmeric powder 1 tsp jeera-dhania powder ½ cup red lentils (soaked for 1 hour) 1 cup maas (blended with 3 green chilies, dhania, curry leaves and mint) mixed vegetables (green beans, carrots, peas, potatoes, double beans and gadra beans) 20g butter a pinch of saffron water (as needed) salt to taste fresh dhania and fried onions for garnish Rinse and soak the basmati rice for 30 minutes. In a large pot, bring water to…

4 ripe bananas, mashed 1½ cups brown sugar 1 cup melted butter ¼ cup vegetable oil 1 cup sour cream 6 large eggs, at room temperature 1 tbs vanilla extract 1 tbs baking powder 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 1 tsp salt 1½ tbs cinnamon powder 4 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup chopped pecan nuts Preheat the oven to 177°C. To a mixer, add the melted butter, vegetable oil and sour cream. Combine well while whisking. Add the eggs and the vanilla essence. Continue whisking until it is smooth. Gently add all the dry ingredients. Ensure that there are no lumps. Add the pecan nuts and gently mix. Pour into prepared loaf pans. Bake for 50 to 60 minutes in the lower half of the oven, until a tooth…

AN ESTCOURT woman who took to a social media platform to have fun, to cope with the grief of losing her mother and later to earn an income, did not know it would become a battleground after she was cyberbullied on a daily basis. Jessica Sewraj, 43, a businesswoman, said this had even led her to contemplate suicide to “make her bullies happy”. “I spent hours sitting on the bathroom floor, watching videos that were made of me, and thought about how all these lies had brought disgrace to my name and my family. I thought about committing suicide on a TikTok live so they would be happy. But my three young children would suffer. I could not do that.” Sewraj said she joined TikTok in 2022. “I was always…

By the late 19th century, cricket had taken root in South Africa’s racially-segregated communities. Despite apartheid divisions, inter-racial matches emerged – though fragile alliances often led to split leagues – inadvertently reinforcing the official policy of racial segregation. In 1947, the non-white cricket boards united to form the South African Cricket Board of Control (Sacboc), organising national competitions across racial lines. By 1960, Sacboc became the first non–racial, national cricket body, leading South African cricket until 1976. Football and rugby would later follow similar paths. Reverend Sigamoney and the fight for fields Access to sporting facilities for non-whites was a persistent challenge. Reverend Bernard Sigamoney, a Durban–born teacher, activist and Anglican minister, moved to Johannesburg and began advocating for Indian sports grounds. He formed the Johannesburg Indian Sports Ground…

WHILE whistle-blowers are at the front line in the war against corruption, organisations and activists do not believe enough is being done to protect them and to bring the “masterminds” behind some of their murders to book. The killings of many whistle-blowers including Babita Deokaran, Pamela Mabini, Cloete Murray and his son, Thomas, among others, over the last few years, have sparked an outcry for the government and law enforcement agencies to be more proactive. This includes tabling of the Whistle-blower Protection Bill and implementing recommendations made during the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture (Zondo Commission). Dr Nora Saneka, chairperson of the Active Citizens Movement (ACM), said despite many promises, concrete action remained absent. “In President Cyril Ramaphosa’s 2021 commitment to the Zondo Commission, he said: ‘We need to…

FOR years now, this peculiar habit of the same “twin or triplet” Indian ladies in our community raises their toxic habit of attempting to knock down any suggestions that “we Indians” in South Africa should become united like the old days. They seem to do this by making it their lifetime mission, pointing to selected pieces of some true history, some imagined, some perceived and probably mythological. They have this most unproductive habit of picking on certain Muslim writers, as well as dragging even Hindu writers into a quagmire that serves only one function – to breed hatred. Regardless of what happened in Bangladesh, Pakistan or India during the “bad old days”, some writers make suggestions to still find general commonality between the three stratas of religions among the Indian…

AS THE South African High Commissioner to India, Bangladesh and Nepal, it is my honour and privilege to extend warmest greetings to the Sivananda World Peace Foundation on the occasion of the 11th International Day of Yoga being celebrated in KwaZulu-Natal. Yoga is an ancient science rooted in the teachings of India’s great saints and spiritual masters, as preserved in the sacred Hindu texts. It is much more than physical movement; it is a discipline that harmonises the body, mind and spirit through a combination of postures (asanas), breath control (pranayama), relaxation and meditation. Over the centuries, what began as a sacred practice has evolved into a universal language of well-being, transcending borders, cultures and religions. I am deeply inspired by the remarkable work of the Sivananda World Peace Foundation…

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched by the organisers of the Gas Motor Show after a viral video captured an altercation involving three women and a man, which raised serious concerns about safety and gender-based violence at the event. The footage shows two women hitting each other. One of them falls to the ground. A third woman then helps the woman get back up. The woman, who had fallen, then attacks a man in the crowd; and the woman who had helped her, then hits her. The man then punched the woman and she fell to the ground. The show’s head of safety and security, Percy Govender, said preliminary investigations revealed that the group were under the influence of alcohol, and the altercation stemmed from jealousy. “These types of videos are…

THE profound statement made by the director of national intelligence in the USA, Tulsi Gabbard, must be heeded by President Donald Trump. The world’s major nuclear superpowers are engaged in a dangerous exercise in political brinkmanship that could spill over into the realm of a deadly atomic holocaust. Simulated nuclear war scenarios reveal that a nuclear war involving the exchange of a fraction of their nuclear arsenals could change the climate of the entire southern and northern hemispheres, changing it abruptly from its present seasonal state to a long, sunless and frozen night. War with India and Pakistan would produce the same horrific outcome. A minimum of 100 nuclear warheads will reduce our planet to a radioactive wasteland. The human race will struggle for survival as the ozone in the…

MALVI Malhotra will make a mark in the horror-thriller space with Jenma Natchathiram. She explained why the project held a special place in her heart. Malhotra said: “Like always, I have worked very hard on it and have put my best foot forward while performing. “By God’s grace, this is a wonderful women-centric film, and I am blessed to play the lead in it. “It's an engaging horror thriller that has a blend of a love story. I am not supposed to reveal much about the plot. “All I can say is that whenever the film hits the cinemas, everyone will truly have an enjoyable experience. “I am grateful to my director, B Mani Varman, for entrusting his faith in me and having me in this project. I am really…

ABHISHEK Banerjee, whose latest release is Stolen, said he liked to believe in the character he was playing. “When I first read the script for Stolen, I loved the story and the character, but I felt there were certain creative aspects that needed deeper exploration, especially with the character’s emotional arc. “I’m the kind of actor who likes to completely believe in the character I’m playing. “Unless I feel it in my gut, I can’t do justice to the performance.” He said as an executive producer, he initially had creative differences with Stolen’s producer Gaurav Dhingra, which almost led him to step away from the project. “Gaurav and I had a pretty intense argument about these changes. I was adamant that if we wanted to make something truly memorable, we…

12 trotters pieces, cleaned and cut 2 cups sugar beans (soak overnight) 1/3 cup sunflower oil 1 red onion, sliced 1 brown onion, sliced 1 cinnamon stick 3 star anise seeds 3 cloves 1 bay leaf 1 sprig curry leaves finely chopped coriander mint thyme chillies garlic 3 tomatoes, peeled and chopped 1 tbs ginger-garlic paste 1 cup trotters stock 4 tbs masala (mix of roborossi, mother-in-law masala, and Kashmiri extra special masala) ½ tsp garam masala 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp cumin powder (jeera) ½ tsp fennel powder (somph) ½ tsp coriander powder salt to taste fresh coriander for garnish Drain the soaked sugar beans and rinse them. Place them in a pot with fresh water and boil until tender (about an hour). Drain and set aside. Rinse…

500g crayfish tails/meat (shelled, deveined, washed and cut into chunks) ½ tsp turmeric powder 2 tbs butter ½ cup oil (reserve some for frying the crayfish) 1½ tbs crushed garlic 2 extra-large onions, finely sliced 1 tsp braising spice 3 whole green chillies (slit) 5 large tomatoes (grated or roughly blended) 1 tsp sugar 2–3 tsp Kashmiri extra special masala ½ tsp fish masala salt to taste 1 sprig curry leaves lemon juice chopped coriander for garnish Season the cleaned crayfish chunks with turmeric, lemon and a pinch of salt. Heat a little oil in a pan and lightly fry the crayfish on medium-high heat until just cooked and golden. Set aside. Avoid overcooking. They will finish cooking in the curry. In the same pan, add the butter and…

In the realm of digital communication, ensuring the safety and integrity of online interactions have become paramount. Our law combats cybercrimes, and protects individuals from online harassment and harmful content. These laws address online contraventions and cyber threats. Recent cases like the Musa Khawula case, a popular online blogger who was arrested and denied bail, addressed the criminal implications of such online behaviours where he was charged with crimen injuria and violations of the Cybercrimes Act for derogatory comments made online. This case highlighted the effects of online hate speech and the legal consequences of cyberbullying. This behaviour has serious consequences, and the Criminal Procedure Act provides that you can be criminally charged. The Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020 criminalises the distribution of harmful data messages, including those that incite…

THERE have been heightened calls for the Government of National Unity (GNU) to provide better protection to whistle-blowers. Recently members of Parliament from various political parties debated the need for strengthening whistleblower protection by enacting robust laws which guaranteed anonymity, job security and legal support for individuals who reported corruption. Visvin Reddy, an uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party MP, said: “We don’t silence whistle-blowers. We protect them because in a country drowning in lies, the person who tells the truth is the bravest one of all. I will say this loud and clear, if Babita Deokaran had spoken out under an MK government, she would still be alive today. She would be protected, not hunted; celebrated not assassinated; and the people stealing from our people, they would be behind bars, and…

WHISTLE-BLOWER Adila Chowan, who was the group financial executive manager of Associated Motor Holdings, a subsidiary of Imperial Holdings Limited, had filed a discrimination case in the North Gauteng High Court. She had taken Associated Motor Holdings, as well as Imperial Holdings Limited and its chief executive officer, Mark Lamberti, to court and won her case in 2018. Chowan said despite being a chartered accountant with motor industry experience, she was overlooked on two occasions to the appointment of the chief financial officer. “When I raised my concerns, Lamberti addressed me as a ‘black female employment equity’ and that if I was not happy I should consider options external to the organisation. He failed to recognise that I am a qualified chartered accountant and held numerous executive positions. “He…

WHEN rising costs make it difficult to manage hunger pangs, it paints a grim picture for families facing escalating food prices. The latest findings from the Pietermaritzburg Economic Justice and Dignity Group (PMBEJD) reveal a worrying trend: the average household food basket has surged by R46.29 (0.9%) from R5 420.30 in April 2025 to R5 466.59 in May 2025. This increase highlights a broader issue faced by families who are already struggling to cope with stagnant salaries. Over the past year, the average cost of feeding a household has risen by R136.29 (2.6%), going from R5 330.30 in May 2024 to R5 466.59 in May 2025. This upward trend has sent shockwaves through communities already grappling with economic hardships, leading many to re-evaluate their budgets and priorities. According to the…

THE Gauteng branch of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS) proudly congratulates Ela Gandhi on her appointment to the Eminent Persons Group, as recently announced by the president of the Republic of South Africa. This prestigious appointment stands as a national and international recognition of Gandhi’s unwavering dedication to advancing peace, social justice and human rights throughout her lifelong service. As a stalwart of South Africa's liberation Struggle, her tireless advocacy for non-violence and equality continues to inspire generations across our country and beyond. Her exemplary commitment to the principles of Mahatma Gandhi has not only earned her numerous global humanitarian accolades, but also the deep respect and love of the South African people, who fondly honour her as a “Mother of our nation”. Her life’s work exemplifies the…

I REFER to the POST’s exposé on the gruesome and heartbreaking murders in Phoenix and Bellair, where lives were taken in cold blood – not by strangers, but by those within the family circle. These tragedies have shaken our communities to the core and demand an urgent, honest and uncomfortable conversation. In Bellair, a man reportedly gunned down his elderly mother before taking his own life. In Phoenix, a blind and vulnerable grandmother was stabbed to death, allegedly by a relative who also slit the throat of his own mother. These are not isolated incidents. They are chilling echoes of a breakdown in our family structures, our social safety nets and our moral foundations. This is not who we are. The Indian community in South Africa has always prided itself…

GAY politician Martin Meyer’s appeal for recognition of his status to be “truly who he is”, raises the question: why? “Pride Month: a plea for protection”, the POST, June 10-16, refers. Why is it necessary to flaunt that status in the full knowledge that it is not a normal condition? Identity politics promotes division, discrimination, disdain and social wariness. Far better to practice discretion. Publicly proclaiming one’s vice or aberration, wittingly or unwittingly, promotes an attitude or a view of a person which otherwise might not exist. Striving to express open solidarity with each other as gays, which is the intention of Pride Month, should be a private pursuit. Not something that egregiously seeks to be enshrined as normality. Meyer is a competent and astute public representative. What does his…

ON BEHALF of the Government of KwaZulu-Natal, I am honoured to extend my warmest greetings to the Sivananda World Peace Foundation on the occasion of the 11th International Day of Yoga, to be held at the Durban Amphitheatre on June 21. As we celebrate this special day, we acknowledge the profound impact that yoga has on our physical, mental and emotional well-being. Yoga unites us, fosters peace and harmony, and inspires us to live in balance with ourselves and nature. I commend Prince lshwar Mabheka Zulu and the Sivananda World Peace Foundation for their unwavering commitment to promoting yoga and its benefits across our communities, particularly in deep rural areas. Your dedication to advancing peace, harmony and holistic well-being is truly inspiring. As we mark this day, I encourage all…

WHEN Indian communities first arrived in South Africa in 1860, they predominantly came as indentured labourers and traders with a value system based on their ancestral land. They prided themselves on their distinctive practices and values shaped by their diverse backgrounds, which they imported from the subcontinent. Among their value and cultural systems was a strong emphasis on non-violence, deeply rooted in the teachings of Hinduism, Islam and Christianity traditions. This ethos permeated their approach to conflict resolution, fostering a culture of dialogue and mutual understanding within their communities. They often employed panchayat-style mechanisms for resolving disputes, where elders and respected leaders guided discussions within tightly-knit groups based on shared religious or caste identities. Furthermore, while tensions could arise, acts of violence within these communities were typically rare and confined.…

APARTHEID Israel’s unprovoked military assault on Iran, a sovereign country, violates international law and is a shameless act of imperialist violence that needs to be unequivocally condemned. African countries, Asian countries and Middle Eastern countries need to take a lesson from apartheid Israel’s “self-defence” and “pre-emptive strike”. Most Western countries, including apartheid Israel, are not interested in negotiations and peaceful co-existence. Why will the US support a strike on Iran and at the same time coerce Iran to the negotiating table? China, North Korea and Russia are viewed as major hurdles to US imperialists goals around the globe, especially in the Middle East, including the Arabian Gulf. The vast amount of oil and gas resources in the region, and the important waterway for global trade, are of significant geopolitical interest…

Soundarya Sharma recently garnered a lot of attention with her appearance in Housefull 5. She praised her co-star, Akshay Kumar “He is disciplined. He is very punctual, and the way he becomes a different person in front of the camera is something you have to learn from him. “He is just so quick with his transition. It shows how brilliant he is with his craft and his work. “It was a lot of fun working with him,” she said. “He always said that no work is big or small. One needs to just keep working.” Housefull 5 was released on June 6.…

Marinade: 2.5kg large orange crabs (cleaned and prepared) 1/3 cup fried onions 3 tbs fish masala 1 tbs jeera (cumin) powder 20g melted butter 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste 30g butter (for frying) Tomato chutney: 1kg liquidised jam tomatoes 1/3 cup oil 2 onions, sliced 1 whole head garlic, slightly crushed 2 stems curry leaves 12 fresh chillies (adjust to heat preference) 1 tsp soomph (fennel) seeds 1 tsp jeera (cumin) seeds 2 tsp mustard seeds lemon juice (to taste) 2 tbs tamarind concentrate jaggery (to taste, about 1 tsp to 2 tsp for balance) ½ cup hot water 4 tbs extra special Kashmiri masala 1 tsp turmeric powder salt to taste fresh dhania for garnish In a large bowl, combine the crab with the fried onions, fish masala,…

2½ cups self-raising flour 1½ cups castor sugar 1 cup softened butter 1 cup oil 6 large eggs 10g vanilla essence 250ml sour cream Preheat the oven to 180ºC. Grease the cake pans. Whisk the butter, oil and sugar until light and fluffy. Add 1 egg at a time and whisk. Add the vanilla essence and whisk. Add the sour cream and combine well. Add the self-raising flour, whisking a little at a time, until well combined. Divide the batter into the pans. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the centre of the cakes comes out clean. Cool the cakes in the pans for 15 minutes and then transfer them to a wire rack. Cool the cakes completely before icing them.…

nadia.khan@inl.co.za IN TODAY’S digital age, where social media platforms are integral to daily life, the threat of cyberbullying looms large. Emma Sadleir, a social media law expert, said cyberbullying was any kind of online content which caused a person harm, such as mental, psychological and emotional, as well as in some instances, financial. As someone who works on the ground and deals with numerous requests for assistance, Sadleir said cyberbullying appeared to be a common issue among young people, especially teenagers. “We are seeing more occurrences of online bullying with ‘tween’ girls, who are generally aged between 10 and 15. I am also seeing what I call, ‘encouragement to suicide’. Children are telling each other to go kill themselves. It is absolutely horrific. However, cyberbullying can affect anyone who uses…

nadia.khan@inl.co.za TODAY (Wednesday) marks 1 396 days since whistle-blower, Babita Deokaran, was shot dead outside her home in Gauteng, While the six “hitmen” have been sentenced, her family continues to fight for justice, and they call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to find the “mastermind/s” behind her murder. Babita, 53, who was the chief director of financial accounting at the Gauteng Department of Health, was killed on August 23, 2021. It is alleged that a hit was put on the mother-of-one after she blew the whistle on fraud and corruption related to Covid-19 PPE procurement amounting to R332 million at the Tembisa Hospital. Speaking to the POST this week, Rakesh Deokaran, Babita’s younger brother, who lives in Johannesburg, said: “It will be four years since her death, but there is…

“DINNER is served – then the madness begins,” the POST, June 11-15, refers. This column by Yogin Devan is set to stir controversy, but its impact is undeniable. His unflinching take on this topic will leave readers talking. Without a doubt, his column shines on a rather uncomfortable truth, people’s behaviour around food can be, quite frankly, appalling. The gluttony on display at social gatherings is not only embarrassing but also thought provoking. It is a reflection of our society’s complex relationship with food where indulgence and excess often take centre stage. Devan’s column highlights the spectacle of people devouring food with reckless behaviour, often with little regard for others, especially at funerals, ceremonies and functions. The issue is further compounded by the fact that many people bring containers to…

THE Ahmed Kathrada Foundation (AKF) strongly condemns the inflammatory and unlawful comments made by Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, that are reported in Africa Report (May 22, 2025), threatening to shut down civil society organisations, including the AKF. His statements are a direct attack on the values of our democracy, the rule of law, and the rights of civil society organisations to operate freely in South Africa. Minister McKenzie’s contempt for our Constitution and the rule of law is serial and sinister. His most recent threats follow the equally dangerous and unlawful directive he issued earlier in May, instructing the dismissal of all foreign nationals employed in entities within his department, under the threat of firing the CEOs of those entities. These actions were, and remain, entirely…

DECEMBER 4 this year has been earmarked for the now infamous arms deal trial to resume. French arms manufacturer, Thales and former president Jacob Zuma stand accused of several charges including corruption, bribery and racketeering. Thint is a South African subsidiary of Thales. This case has been dragging on for many years with Zuma engaging in several delaying tactics, including calling for the recusal of advocate Billy Downer from the State’s prosecuting team. Downer is famous for sending Zuma fiscal head honcho, Schabir Shaik, to jail in 2005 also for corruption with Thint and Zuma to the tune of R2.1 million. So Downer, endowed with an eidetic memory, is explicitly familiar with the intricacies of the case, whereby he can draw a leitmotif of Zuma with ease. Zuma (GOAT –…

GIO South Africa extends its deepest sympathies and unwavering support to those families impacted by the heartbreaking Air India Ahmedabad-London flight tragedy. We stand in solidarity with all those affected, inspiring a unified response that embodies the unbreakable spirit and resilience, as they navigate through the challenging time. Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of India after the devastating plane crash. May the families of all those on board, along with the emergency services attending the scene, find comfort, solace and the strength to persevere in these moments. May this tragic incident galvanise our collective humanity, inspiring us to come together in support of those affected, and may we find the courage to hold on to hope as we work towards a brighter future. GIO SA would like…

Chipping is an essential part of any golfer’s game, and having a reliable chipping technique can make all the difference in saving par and shooting lower scores. One of the most effective clubs to use for chipping is the pitching wedge, and in this article, we’ll explore the benefits of using a pitching wedge for chipping and provide tips on how to master this technique. The pitching wedge is a versatile club that can be used for a variety of shots, from chipping to pitching to full swings. When it comes to chipping, a pitching wedge offers several benefits. Its higher loft than a sand wedge or lob wedge makes it ideal for chipping over obstacles or onto elevated greens. Additionally, the pitching wedge’s higher loft provides more control over…

From Margate to Kosi Bay, the ocean’s flipped the script – and the chaos is glorious. Sardine fever is not creeping in... It’s tearing up the coast at mach speed. The silver tide is here and behind it, a wave of predators has gone absolutely ballistic. Shad? Wild. They’re wreaking havoc along the South Coast, turning the surf into a war zone. Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a salty veteran – this is the weekend to go full send. Rock and surf From North Coast ledges to South Coast gullies – it’s shoulder-to-shoulder, rod-bending, bait-slinging madness. Every cast? A gamble with glory. Every hookup? A straight-up brawl. Kob are crushing chokka like torpedoes, Garrick are slicing through bait balls like silver knives, and Kingies? They’re dragging gear…