Table of contents for 2025-07-30 in Post

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disorder characterised by the deterioration of cartilage, leading to pain, stiffness and reduced joint function. It primarily affects the weight-bearing joints of the body, such as the knees, hips, hands and spine. OA is mostly found in people over the age of 40, and as the incidence of it continues to rise, it stirs up interest in natural treatment modalities. Ayurvedic medicine offers promising strategies for managing osteoarthritis through natural remedies, lifestyle modifications and personalised therapies. This column explores the clinical findings related to OA, Ayurvedic perspectives, and integrated treatment protocols. Signs and symptoms: Sharp aching pain Burning sensation in the muscles and tendons. Joint pain often after movement. Tenderness of joints upon pressure Inability to perform daily activities. Reduced range of…

PEOPLE with dementia are diagnosed an average of 3.5 years after symptoms are first noticed, according to a new study. Early signs of dementia may include memory loss, difficulty finding words, confusion, and changes in mood and behaviour. The study, published in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry, showed that younger age at onset and having frontotemporal dementia were both linked to a longer time to diagnosis. For those with early-onset dementia, the diagnosis can take 4.1 years, with some groups more likely to experience longer delays. “Timely diagnosis of dementia remains a major global challenge, shaped by a complex set of factors, and specific health care strategies are urgently needed to improve it. Timely diagnosis can improve access to treatments and, for some people, prolong the time living with…

Whole spices: 1 tsp cumin seeds 1 cinnamon stick 2-3 elachi pods 1 star anise 8 black peppercorns ¼ cup boiling water Chicken akhni: 800g chicken portions 1 onion, finely sliced 2 bay leaves 2 sprigs curry leaves 2 tbs maas 2 tbs masala 1 tbs garam masala 1 tsp turmeric 2 green chillies 1 tomato, puréed ½ cup mint leaves 1 tsp crushed garlic and ginger ½tsp crushed garlic ½ cup peas 1 cup Spekko Long Grain Parboiled Rice, soaked and slightly steamed, water drained 2 potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters In a bowl, marinate the chicken with the maas, masala, garam masala, turmeric, mint leaves, crushed garlic and ginger, and green chillies. Add the cumin seeds, cinnamon stick, elachi pods, star anise and black peppercorns…

300g prawns, shell removed and deveined 3 large chicken breast/thighs, cut into small pieces 1 large onion, diced 2 tbs garlic and ginger paste 1 cup frozen mixed veggies 4 tbs cooking oil 2 cups cooked Spekko India Gate Basmati Rice 1 tbs mild curry powder 1 tsp turmeric 1 tbs garam masala 1 tsp paprika 4 curry leaves 30g butter 1 tsp tomato paste ¼ tsp sugar 1 x 400ml can coconut milk/cream 1 tsp chilli flakes or 1 fresh green chillies (optional) 20g fresh parsley to garnish salt and pepper, to taste In a pan, heat the oil over high heat. Add the chicken pieces. Then season with salt and pepper. Fry until the chicken is golden brown on each side, and cooked through for 6 to…

Keyuren Maharaj, a 22-year-old mechanical engineering student from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, recently launched a new system that helped residents log service delivery issues. The system is called CityMenderSA and it is South Africa’s first no-registration, free public civic reporting platform with an interactive map. “CityMenderSA does not just collect complaints. We are building a publicly accessible database of infrastructure issues that shows exactly where the system is failing,” said Maharaj, of Glenwood. “Every report creates multiple data points, every update tells a story, and the interactive map lets residents, councillors and community organisations see the full picture and not just isolated problems.” He said the eThekwini Ratepayers and Residents Association (Erra) was one of the first in the country to test the community reporting system. “Our team, together with…

Three South Africans have expressed a mixed reaction to their trust and faith in commissions of inquiry, and shared concerns about timelines and cost factors involved in the quest for truth and justice. l Karuna Mohan, 64, from Johannesburg, said she had faith in commissions of inquiry. “Previous commissions that were covered live provided society with the truth as it was unfolding. This was a powerful process that allowed all of society and all of the government to see for themselves what was emerging. “In addition to this, the recovery of funds has been phenomenal, with investigation costs being fully recovered. “The spend on the commission into state capture was estimated at R1 billion. “Thus far, R8.6 billion was recovered as corrupt proceeds which were returned to the state; R4.8…

REMEMBER the days when South Africans were so separated from each other, we lived and played in our own little silos? Not out of choice, but by law. Because of apartheid’s misguided and racist policies, whites (or Europeans as some people liked to call themselves at the time) lived in suburbs like Glenashley, Musgrave, Kloof and Botha’s Hill; black people were confined to the more peripheral townships like Umlazi, Clermont and KwaMashu, and Indians and coloured people were relegated to council housing schemes in areas like Chatsworth, Phoenix, Wentworth and Austerville. South Africans rarely spoke to each other across lines of race, leaving us largely ignorant about each other. This created fertile breeding ground for feelings of distrust and suspicion. Some people did make commendable efforts to rid themselves of…

SO MR AV Mahomed has resigned from the KwaZulu-Natal Inter-Religious Council for claiming they were “silent” on the “ongoing humanitarian crisis in Palestine”, the POST, July 23 – 27. He said he was known all over the world for his humanitarian work, for 69 years. I wonder why, in all these years he, or others like him, said or did nothing in the following instances: In 1971, West Pakistan soldiers killed almost three million Bengali civilians, mostly Hindus, but still a substantial number of Muslims were also victims, and between 200 000 and 400 000 Bengali women (mostly Hindus) were raped in a systematic campaign of mass murder and genocidal sexual violence in East Pakistan. The reason? Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, a Bengali Muslim, won an election in East Pakistan. The…

MASS media has shown starving children in Gaza, cradled by desperate mothers. It is a catastrophe created by human hands and is not a natural disaster. Apartheid Israel’s settler-colonial project, evidenced by occupation, land annexation, and the deliberate use of starvation as a weapon of war, must be strongly condemned. Millions of Palestinians are being starved in full view of the international community. This is not merely a humanitarian crisis. It is a legal and moral outrage. Starvation is being systematically used as a weapon. Access to basic human necessities like food, water, and medicine is not just restricted but deliberately and painfully denied. Such actions amount to collective punishment, which is prohibited under international law. UN Security Council Resolution 2417 (2018) explicitly prohibits the use of starvation against civilians.…

IN A DISPLAY of international solidarity, the KwaZulu-Natal ANC hosted a delegation from Fatah, a Palestinian political party, at its offices in Dr Pixley Ka-Isaka Seme House in the Durban CBD on Monday. The engagement underscored South Africa’s continued commitment to strengthening historical ties, and provided a platform to reaffirm the country’s shared struggles for justice, liberation, and human rights. Michael Mabuyakhulu, the ANC provincial co-ordinator, expressed the deep-rooted connections between the struggles faced by South Africans during their own fight against apartheid and the current plight of the Palestinian people. He highlighted the ANC’s efforts to lead the global movement to isolate oppressive regimes, evoking a vision of unity between all oppressed groups. “Our struggle will not be complete without the liberation of all oppressed people in the world,…

In a statement, the Department of Health in KwaZulu-Natal condemned the actions of individuals and organised groups who took the law into their own hands by targeting health facilities and obstructing access to services. It said the illegal actions were not only unconstitutional, but they posed a serious risk to public health, “which could inadvertently fuel uncontrolled outbreaks”. The Government Communication and Information System (GCIS) said while the government understood the frustrations of many citizens, members of the public were urged to raise such concerns through lawful and appropriate channels. The GCIS said the SAPS, in collaboration with the Department of Health, was deploying public order police to maintain law and order during the protests at affected health facilities. “Law enforcement will continue to apply the zero-tolerance approach for lawlessness,…

Working with student Donavan Govender, he often struggles with a slice and not fully achieving his distance. We worked with the belt buckle finish on the target line lessons and he is now playing some amazing golf and getting some incredible distances. Finishing with the belt buckle on target is a great way to ensure a consistent and accurate golf swing. This means that at the end of your golf swing, your belt buckle is facing directly at the target. This indicates that your body has rotated fully and your swing is on plane. Maintaining good posture is essential to achieve this finish position. Keep your posture straight and athletic throughout the swing. It’s also important to focus on rotating your body, rather than just your arms and hands. This…

NEW research has suggested that vaccination of pregnant women has been linked to a drop in newborns being admitted to hospital with a serious lung infection. Researchers found the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccine, introduced in the UK last year, led to a 72% reduction in babies hospitalised with the virus if mothers were vaccinated. The findings, published in The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health, are the first to show the effectiveness of the vaccine in pregnant women in the UK. Uptake of the jab among pregnant women could help limit the number of sick babies each winter, reducing hospital pressures, experts said. RSV is a common virus that causes coughs and colds but can lead to a severe lung infection called bronchiolitis, which can be dangerous in babies. The…

2 tbs peanut/vegetable/sunflower oil 1 onion, finely diced 1 carrot, peeled and diced 2 garlic cloves, crushed ½ green/red chilli, thinly sliced (optional) ½ cup frozen peas 2-3 eggs, beaten (optional) 2-3 cups cooked or left-over Spekko India Gate Basmati Rice 1-2 cups deveined, peeled prawns 2 tbs soy sauce 1 tbs sesame oil ½ tbs honey 1 tbs fish sauce 2 tbs oyster sauce 2 spring onions, finely sliced ½ bunch fresh coriander, roughly chopped In a saucepan or wok heat the oil over a medium heat. Add the onion, carrot, garlic and chilli. Stir-fry for 3 to 5 minutes until the onion is soft. Add the frozen peas and fry for another minute to release the water. Increase the heat to high and add the beaten egg,…

2 cups Spekko Long Grain Parboiled Rice ¼ tsp turmeric powder 4 tbs olive oil 1 tsp garlic paste 1 cup tartar sauce 4 tbs chopped peppadews 2 tbs chopped jalapeño peppers a pinch of chilli flakes 1 tbs fish sauce ¼ cup fresh lime juice salt and pepper to taste a handful of dill, finely chopped fried or air-fried crispy hake fillet strips Garnish: spring onions micro leaves Cook the rice as per the instructions on the pack, adding turmeric and salt to the cooking water. Set aside. Heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté the garlic with the peppadews and jalapeno peppers. Add the tartar sauce and cook for another minute. Add the cooked Spekko rice and the fish sauce. Mix until well combined and…

A SON has recounted the heartbreaking moment he and his brother watched the CCTV footage of a freak accident which claimed the life of their devoted father. Strinivasen Kasavelu Nadasen, fondly known as “Mkhize”, 63, of Malvern, had checked on some private work at a relative’s factory in Bill Wood Road, in the Queensmead Industrial area, and was getting ready to leave, when tragedy struck, last Tuesday morning. He was the depot manager for Tansnat, Durban Transport. Nadasen was seated in his vehicle when it is believed the ground gave way and the car plunged down an embankment and into a river. A bystander spotted the vehicle in the river and alerted authorities. Nadasen’s body was retrieved a few hours later. He had sustained serious head injuries. Varshan Nadasen said…

THE Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) has raised the alarm about the erosion of public confidence in commissions of inquiry. This was after recently released research – titled Public Opinion, Procedural Justice, and Democratic Consolidation of the Zondo Commission of Inquiry – indicated that people were concerned about the implementation of recommendations from commissions being “value for money”. They have cautioned that if prosecutorial action was not taken to meet public expectations, then confidence in commissions of inquiry would fade. The HSRC released the findings and recommendations from research on public attitudes towards the Zondo Commission over several years, and conducted a review on the progress of the implementation of recommendations. This comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa instituted a commission of inquiry to investigate allegations relating to the infiltration of…

JULY marked the fourth anniversary of the shameful, horrific and disastrous 2021 riots and unrest – a time of great pain and anxiety. South Africa was mired in shame, and criminality and fear gripped many. This catastrophe resulted in lawlessness, looting, anarchy, arson and deaths, mainly of innocent people. In addition, many businesses never recovered and closed, hundreds of jobs were lost, and building and infrastructure damage totalled millions of rand. Sadly, to date, only the “small fry” have been apprehended and tried for their heinous acts. The instigators and main culprits – the plotters, planners and kingpins – remain at large and roam free, instead of being behind bars for long periods. This is a recurring thing in Mzansi – as crooks and fraudsters abound and carry on with…

AS THE African Movement Congress, while we congratulate the board of the National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), we are unhappy with the lack of representation. The question we asked and continue to ask is: Was there no capable Indian, white or coloured to sit on that board? There where whites and Indians who applied and went through the interviews, but sadly, when President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed the board, it lacked complete representation. Thirty years into democracy and we see apartheid smartly reversed. The president gives fancy speeches about upliftment, unity and non-racialism. I doubt he practices what he preaches. Stop fooling the people of South Africa when you clearly have a different narrative and agenda that is not in the best interest of all South Africans. As a party, we…

The entire world is in political turmoil. These events are being manipulated and orchestrated by sinister elements within the New World Order hierarchy. There exists compelling evidence that the global elitist cabal has achieved substantial influence over governments with the ultimate goal of global dictatorship. The symptoms are only too apparent: wars based on a pack of lies, the erosion of sovereignty, an inexorable trend towards authoritarian regimes, and political correctness gone mad. These events are no accident or unintended consequences of government inefficiency; they are by design. Over the past 80 years, a new term has come to our attention: “The New World Order.” There was never really an explanation as to what the term meant, only that it represented a new spirit of co-operation among the nations of…

It’s here! Registration for the biggest shad competition of the past few decades kicks off today – and it’s going to be absolute madness! The KingFisher Shad Competition is back and it’s bigger than ever, with a jaw-dropping R75 000 in cold hard cash up for grabs, plus an epic array of gear, tackle, and prizes that’ll blow your mind. This isn’t just a fishing comp – it’s a coastal takeover, a shot at glory, and the kind of adrenaline-pumping action you’ll talk about for years. Whether you’re flinging spoons at sunrise or chasing that perfect pull into the night, this is your moment! Don’t be the one left on the beach – get to your nearest Kingfisher branch or jump online at www.kingfisher.co.za and lock in your entry…

UNDERSTANDING the causes of stuttering may no longer be a mystery, as US researchers on Monday provided evidence to show that the speech disorder was influenced by our genes. Stuttering – characterised by syllable and word repetitions, sound prolongations, and breaks between words – is the most common fluency disorder, with more than 400 million people affected worldwide. And yet, the causes of this common speech disorder are unclear. In the paper, published in the journal Nature Genetics, the researchers identified 48 genes and 57 distinct genomic loci associated with the speech disorder, based on genetic data of more than one million individuals. The findings might lead to earlier identification or therapeutic advances in stuttering and help replace outdated views of stuttering often held by the general public that contribute…

CHILDREN in the US today weigh more, battle more illnesses and face higher odds of dying than youngsters a generation ago, according to the most extensive review of paediatric well-being published in nearly two decades. The study, in the American Medical Association, tracked 170 health indicators from eight national data sets that stretched back to 2002. “All of them point in the same direction: children’s health is getting worse,” said lead author, Christopher Forrest, of the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Researchers found that obesity among 2- to 19-year-olds climbed from 17% in the 2007 to 2008 survey cycle, to about 21% in the 2021 to 2023 cycle. Records of more than one million patients showed diagnoses of at least one chronic condition, such as anxiety, depression or sleep apnoea, rose…

3 cups cooked Spekko India Gate Basmati Rice 500g beef strips 2 tbs cooking oil 1 onion, chopped 2 cloves garlic, crushed ½ cup soya or Worcestershire sauce ½ cup lemon juice 2 tbs brown sugar 2 cups chopped peppadews 1 cup chopped spring onions salt and pepper, to taste (or bbq spice) Heat one tablespoon of oil in a pan, and cook the onion and garlic until translucent. Add the beef strips, season and cook for 8 to 10 minutes. Add the soy sauce, lemon juice and brown sugar, and stir well. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat. Add the peppadews, rice and spring onions, and cook for 2 minutes.…

Marinade: 1 cup maas 4 tsp mixed masala 1 tsp turmeric 3 tsp breyani spice ½ cup fried onions a handful of fresh coriander a handful of mint fresh thyme the juice of ½ lemon 2 tbs ginger and garlic paste powdered food colour (optional) 1 tomato, grated 1 green chilli 1kg lamb leg pieces, washed and drained 1 cup vegetable oil 2 star anise 2 tsp cumin seeds 2 tsp fennel seeds 1 tsp black peppercorns 1 whole cinnamon stick 4 cloves 1 tsp whole cardamom 1 bay leaf 2 sprigs curry leaves 3 potatoes cut into 2 pieces and fried until crispy on the outside, dust with fine salt once fried 1½ cups Spekko India Gate Basmati Rice, washed, soaked and par-boiled ½ cup lentils, parboiled salt to…

A TRAGIC house fire in Shallcross has claimed the lives of a well-known couple, Donovan and Rachel Chetty, both 68 years old, and injured nine others, who are believed to be family and employees. As investigations continue, the family have remained tight-lipped about the tragedy which unfolded in the early hours of Tuesday, at the family’s Midmar Road home. This is the third fire tragedy in the Chatsworth area since December last year. In December last year, Kogie, Maya and Niren Veerappen died in a fire at their Silverglen home. In May this year, on Mother’s Day, Indran Naidoo and Shanitha Jeevan died in a fire, while they were asleep in the home in Woodhurst. Donovan Chetty was a prominent businessman who owned and managed Dontrans – a logistics and…

IN RECOGNITION of his swift co-ordination efforts to rescue a Brazilian sailor, Brigadier-General Donovan Chetty of the South African Air Force (SAAF), was recently conferred with two prestigious military medals. Chetty, who is the SAAF’s director of corporate staff services, was recently awarded the Brazilian Navy’s Order of Naval Merit and Santos-Dumont Merit Medal at a ceremony at the Embassy of Brazil in Pretoria. The Order of Naval Merit is awarded to both Brazilian naval personnel and foreign individuals who have distinguished themselves in naval activities or have contributed to Brazil’s maritime interests. The Santos-Dumont Merit Medal is a Brazilian decoration created to honour civilians and military, Brazilian or foreign, for outstanding services rendered to the Brazilian Air Force. Chetty, 49, of Pretoria, said he was “surprised” as his goal…

IN A REVEALING contrast, the stories of a 60-year-old South African stroke patient and a 26-year-old pregnant Somalian national have illuminated the stark realities of healthcare accessibility at Addington Hospital. While the South African elder navigated what seemed to be a straightforward process to retrieve his medication, the expectant mother was met with a heartbreaking refusal, forcibly turned away before she could even set foot on the hospital grounds. For the stroke survivor, the experience was almost seamless. After presenting his identity document and appointment card at the hospital’s entrance, he was able to complete his medical visit and collect his medications in just two-and-a-half hours. This swift and efficient service seemed to be a testament to the healthcare system when it works as intended. However, the same cannot be…

I ASKED the artificial intelligence application on my phone: “What effect will AI have on unemployment?” The response I got mainly pointed to how this unnatural intelligence system could create more jobs in the future by furthering ongoing innovations in the AI industry itself. In simpler terms, this means the cycle of self-reproduction will continue to find more uses for a self-serving idea. More ways to solve man’s problems. Every time I see a business, bank or supermarket with a large sign: “Closed temporarily for renovations. A huge promise for an improved store”, my heart sinks. I know what this really means: more digitisation. It means slick, speedy services, which implies more computers and fewer cashiers. There will be better theft control by invisible electronic tags placed at the…

I WONDER how many of you read the article, “Consume less salt, Indians urged” (the POST, July 23 – 27). The figures quoted are alarming. Salt is a silent killer. The World Health Organization (WHO) says an estimated 1.89 million deaths each year are as a result of eating too much salt. Another frightening statistic is that, despite warnings of the health risks of excess salt in our diets, Indians still consume 2.2 times more sodium than that recommended by the WHO. Why are we risking our lives? Indians have changed a lot since we landed on these shores and adapted well to the demands of the modern world. That is why we are such a successful race. But there is one aspect that we have not changed much.…

THE occasional barking of a dog, which is merely annoying or inconvenient, is not enough to establish a legal nuisance. The law does not expect silence; it expects reasonableness, and not every noise is actionable in law. This was part of a recent finding by the Community Schemes Ombud Service (CSOS), which took a closer look at a noise disturbance complaint by a couple living in an upmarket Johannesburg sectional title complex. They said they had to endure the insistent barking of two dogs belonging to a family in the same complex for more than a year. The couple said they now had enough, and the dogs must go. The Bhana couple said they had put up with the barking for some time, but they eventually met with the Lazanakis…

AMANZIMTOTI teenage MMA fighter Abigail Deneys thinks her messy fight style can take her all the way to the top, just like it did with current South African-born UFC Middleweight Champion Dricus Du Plessis. Deneys, 15, just returned from Abu Dhabi where she fought in the World Youth MMA Championship for South Africa in the 77kg class. Deneys won gold by default because her opponent pulled out of the fight. “Definitely, having a messy and clumsy fight style can work in your favour...I feel like if it has worked for Dricus, then why can’t it work for me.” Deneys said she was disappointed she didn’t get to throw down in the octagon, a place she’s grown familiar with since joining the sport just under a year ago. Under the careful…