Table of contents for 2025-11-05 in Post

WHEN most people hear the words “lifting weights”, they picture young, muscular men flexing in front of mirrors. But the truth is, weight training is not just about building big biceps or chasing a certain look. It is one of the most powerful tools we have for living a longer, stronger and more independent life. And that’s something every man, young or old, needs to hear. The real reason men should lift weights: After the age of 30, men naturally begin to lose muscle mass through a process called sarcopenia. Research shows we can lose between 3% and 8% of muscle every 10 years. This loss doesn’t just affect how we look. It impacts how we move, how we feel and even how long we live. Muscle is more…

HAVE you ever gained weight, had hot flushes or been less sexually aroused? Has your partner also noticed any of these things? These are a few symptoms of male menopause, a condition that is largely ignored. Women have a fixed ovarian reserve, which gradually decreases with time and leads to menopause, as is widely known. Although men do not go through menopause, the sudden drop in testosterone causes them to go through similar problems. Andropause, or male menopause, is the name used to describe it. As men age, they undergo changes, including loss of muscle mass and greying hair. Dr Shobha Gupta, medical director and IVF expert from Mother’s Lap IVF Centre in New Delhi and Vrindavan, said: “The topic is rarely investigated because there isn't much research on it.…

VISMAYA Mohanlal, the daughter of Malayalam cinema legend and Dadasaheb Phalke award winner Mohanlal, will make her acting debut with Thudakkam, directed by Jude Anthany Joseph and produced by Antony Perumbavoor. The film’s puja (prayer) ceremony was held in Kochi, marking a momentous occasion for two of Malayalam cinema’s most prominent families. Mohanlal said he had not imagined his children would follow him into films. “When I was in Class 6, I won the best actor award, so did my son Appu (Pranav). But I never thought I’d become an actor, nor my children would. My daughter is named Vismaya because my life has always been full of surprises,” he said. “Both my children now have to work hard. I can only be a catalyst.” Referring to Perumbavoor’s son, who…

THANAL starts slow and gradually tightens its grip, pulling viewers into a dark, twist-laden narrative that peaks in its second half. What initially appears to be a straightforward investigation into a multibank heist soon reveals itself to be a layered tale of vengeance, with the lead character Akhilan navigating murky back roads – literal and emotional – as he uncovers the true motives behind the chaos. The story follows Akhilan (Atharvaa), a newly-recruited police officer awaiting his formal posting. Alongside five fellow recruits, he stumbles into an area while pursuing a suspicious individual and is reeled into a dark world of vengeance where they are hunted down by Vineeth (Ashwin Kakumanu), a man with a deeply personal vendetta against the police force. The film’s strength lies in its ability…

250g soft butter ½ cup sifted icing sugar 1 tsp almond essence ½ cup corn flour +/- 2½ cups flour Cream the butter and icing sugar until light and fluffy. Add the almond essence and the dry ingredients. Form a soft dough. Add more flour if needed. Cut and shape accordingly. Bake at 160° for 15 minutes. Cool completely and sandwich together. 60g butter 1 cup sifted icing sugar ½ tsp almond essence Beat the butter until soft. Add the icing sugar a little at a time. Beat well and add the almond essence. Sandwich the biscuits.…

A PHOENIX detective has testified in court how Nicola Tasha Ramsamy allegedly orchestrated her father’s murder with the family’s domestic helper. The court heard chilling details of the alleged conspiracy, including phone evidence and a full confession, while the accused maintained their innocence claiming vehicle tracking data proved their alibi. Arthur Brian Ramsamy, 62, a retired eThekwini Municipality employee, was found strangled in his Lenham home on October 5. Sergeant Mbali Precious Mgaga, of Phoenix SAPS, was giving evidence during Ramsamy and her co-accused’s formal bail application in the Verulam Magistrate’s Court last week. Ramsamy, 36, her partner, Brenden Sanichara, 37 and their co-accused Mzwakhe Solly Mnguni, 38, and Ayabulela Mxoli, 31, were arrested and charged with premeditated murder. Mgaga, who was the arresting and investigating officer, told the court…

ON NEW Year’s Eve, Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu welcomed 2025 with fireworks. Little did he realise that he had set off a far more massive and inexorable explosion in the annals of the SAPS by disbanding one of its units, the political killings task team (PKTT). Now the embers are still hot and alive with corruption at the highest level in government, the SAPS and criminal justice system. Now South Africans are being besieged by two parallel inquiries – the Madlanga Commission and the parliamentary ad-hoc committee. Ever since the KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, unleashed his revelations at a press conference in July, a human chess game of questions and answers has been playing out. Also at issue is whether President Cyril Ramaphosa had any knowledge or supported…

KwaZulu-Natal bears the unfortunate label of having the largest absolute number of people on HIV treatment in South Africa percentages aside, and – dare I say – possibly anywhere else in the world. Encouragingly, statistics from last year indicate a slight decrease in the prevalence of the virus in our province, as reflected in the latest national HIV survey (HSRC SABSSM VI, 2022). The newly-developed jab, lenacapavir, administered just twice a year, has been shown to halt the replication of HIV in its tracks. Of particular significance is that two South African scientists – Professor Linda-Gail Bekker and Professor Thesla Palanee-Phillips – are the principal investigators in these trials. This once again demonstrates our country’s leadership in HIV research and innovation. The potential impact of lenacapavir is monumental, both in…

AS A psychologist, award-winning columnist and author, Dr Devi Moodley Rajab has not only made significant contributions to her field, but has also carved a unique space in the hearts and minds of many through her profound writings. Rajab, who will celebrate her 80th birthday tomorrow (November 6), shared her interesting journey across cultures, religions and continents over a period of history from apartheid to democracy. Early years Rajab, who lives in Westville, said her family’s history in South Africa dated back to her paternal grandfather, Ramiah Moodley, who hailed from the south of India. She said at the age of 19, he left his hometown in Karnakul, and travelled first to Mauritius and then came as a ship passenger to South Africa. “As a young boy, my grandfather had…

ACTOR Sidharth Malhotra never fails to impress with his effortless charm and impeccable fashion sense. The actor recently suited up in a Manish Malhotra creation, showing off his impeccable fashion sense. The Student of the Year actor took to Instagram and shared photos. Alongside the images, he wrote: “Suit up. Show up. Own it. Styled by @manishmalhotra05.” Over the years, he has proved his versatility not just on screen but in fashion. Whether it’s a regal sherwani or a sharp tuxedo, Malhotra knows how to make every outfit stand out with his signature charm and confidence. The 40-year-old is currently shooting for his next project, Vvan: Force of the Forest, which also stars Tamannaah Bhatia. It is slated to release on May 15, next year. It has been billed as…

SUNDAY marked a momentous occasion in the world of cinema as Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan celebrated his 60th birthday. Often dubbed as the “King Khan” of Bollywood, Khan has captured the hearts of millions globally. Social media was abuzz with heartfelt tributes from fans and colleagues. Messages of love and admiration poured in, highlighting the profound impact he has had on the film industry and pop culture. Khan chose to return the affection by unveiling the title of his much-anticipated film, King, in which he will share screen space with his daughter, Suhana, for the first time. This announcement not only served as a gift to his supporters, but reignited excitement around his forthcoming projects, which have been the subject of fervent speculation over the past several months. Every…

FOR 21-year-old Nitara Ganasen, from Phoenix, the stage lights of her arangetram, a dancer’s debut solo performance in Bharatha Natyam, marked far more than the culmination of years of practice. It was in her words: “a momentous and blissful milestone; one that fills me with immense gratitude”. Her arangetram took place at the La Mercy Shree Radha Krishna Temple with 80 people in attendance. Currently, a third-year BCom law student, Ganasen has spent much of her life balancing academics with her passion for classical Indian dance. She described her arangetram not as a conclusion, but as a sacred beginning. “I see it not as an end, but as the beginning of a lifelong journey of learning, devotion and discovery through dance.” The road to her debut was not an easy…

350g flour 1 egg a pinch of salt 1 tbs dry yeast 4g baking powder ½ tsp vanilla essence 30g sugar 40g butter, softened 210ml warm milk In a bowl, mix the flour, sugar, egg, salt, vanilla essence, baking powder and dry yeast. Add warm milk and mix. Add the butter and knead the dough for 10 minutes. Let it rise for 2 hours. When you shape the donuts, let it rise again for 30 to 40 minutes. Deep fry on a low to medium heat. Drain, cool and drizzle with castor sugar or with icing. Icing: 1 cup sifted icing sugar/powdered ¼ tsp vanilla essence 1 tbs milk Sift the icing sugar. Add the vanilla essence and milk. Stir in additional milk, a teaspoon at a…

Gambling addiction is tearing families apart in KwaZulu-Natal, with pensioners, retirees and even young people falling prey to the lure of slot machines and online betting platforms. A disturbing trend has emerged with 27% of social grant recipients gambling away their monthly lifeline. Pensioners and vulnerable citizens are risking their last rand in casinos, hoping for a miracle that rarely comes. Last week, POST reporter Monishka Govender, found scenes of desperation unfolding at a popular Durban casino Pensioners, some clutching their last R20, sat for hours, hoping and praying that one lucky spin would double their money and help them through the financial hardships of the month. For most pensioners, their social grant is their only lifeline for food, rent and medication. Yet, the growing allure of gambling – as…

AS THE country awaits the court’s ruling on the publication of matric results, we stand at a crossroads between privacy and public accountability. The Information Regulator’s challenge to a decades-old tradition has sparked a national debate that touches not only on legal interpretations of the Protection of Personal Information Act (Popia), but also on the values we hold as a society. Pupils from Al-Falaah College voiced concerns about the privacy implications of publicly displaying their academic achievements. They said their results were private and not for public consumption. This follows a recent hearing at the North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, where the Information Regulator sought a comprehensive review of this practice, arguing that it infringes on pupil privacy rights. For generations, the release of matric results in newspapers has…

IT WAS a great game of cricket, a wonderful sports spectacle and a great showpiece for women’s sports. India beat South Africa by 52 runs and the cricket-mad nation finally lifted their first ever ICC Women’s World Cup trophy. South Africa faced a juggernaut, a cricket-mad nation of 1.6 billion people. India had piled on a massive total of 299 and it wasn’t ever going to be easy to beat them on their home turf in the Mumbai stadium in an electrifying atmosphere of 45 000 singing, screaming, drumming and dancing cricket-crazy fans. Despite the Herculean task, our women held their nerve and played well until it all went horribly wrong towards the end. An outstanding South African player was Laura Wolvaardt who made a century both in…

THE world cannot preach human rights while turning a blind eye to the Tamil struggle. For decades, the Tamil people have endured displacement, mass killings, and systemic injustice – yet there has been no truth, no reparations, and no accountability. You cannot claim to stand for justice while ignoring genocide. You cannot wave the flag of freedom and silence the cries of the oppressed. The blood of the Tamil people cries out for recognition, and every day that the world stays silent, it betrays the very principles it claims to defend. Justice delayed is justice denied. The Tamil people deserve acknowledgment, reparations, and international action – not empty words. Until the truth is faced and accountability delivered, the global human rights movement will remain incomplete. MERVIN GOVENDER Tamil activist…

THE Pietermaritzburg High Court has dismissed an appeal for leniency from four family members convicted of fraud and money laundering, upholding their prison sentences ranging from 4 to 11 years. Acting Judge Naidoo ruled the family showed no true remorse and were “motivated by greed” in their scheme to defraud a bank The court upheld the sentences imposed on Fathima Kudoos, Fadeela Kudoos, Tasniem Bibi Mukharib and Zaine Kudoos in the Specialised Commercial Crime Court in Durban. According to the judgment, Fathima was convicted of one count of fraud and 10 counts of money laundering in contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (Poca) and sentenced to 10 years imprisonment. Fadeela was convicted of two counts of fraud, 15 counts of money laundering and contravention of the Poca, and…

PROFESSOR Chengiah Rogers Ragaven was born into a family in Reunion in South Durban in 1933. He was an energetic activist, a life-long scholar, and a multi- and trans-disciplinary academic extraordinaire. After initially starting out his adult life as a teacher – including stints at Louisiana Primary in Port Shepstone, Illovo Primary and Clairwood Boys, he embarked on study at the then University of Natal – which had a separate campus (an old warehouse in Lancers Road) – so named the University of Natal Non-European (UNNE) section. Here he became involved in student politics, and soon became part of the segregated Student Representative Council (SRC). Ragaven was a committee member in 1961 (under the leadership of Judge Thumba Pillay) and eventually became SRC president in 1966. The committee included a…

Erling Haaland has warned opponents he is still not the finished article despite his phenomenal goalscoring record for Manchester City. The Norwegian forward, who faces former club Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League tonight, has netted a staggering 26 goals in 16 games for club and country this season. Former England striker Alan Shearer said last month that if Haaland stays long enough, he will “no doubt” shatter his own all-time Premier League record of 260 goals. Haaland, 25, was asked at City’s pre-match press conference on Tuesday whether he could beat his record for goals in a season. “Not to sound arrogant, but which one?” he asked. The reporter clarified that he was asking about Haaland’s tally of 52 goals for City in 2022/23, when the club won the…

Controlling distance when chipping is a crucial aspect of golf, and it’s a skill that can be developed with practice and technique. The goal is to get the ball to land softly on the green, close to the pin, giving you a makeable putt. To start, focus on your tempo. A smooth, consistent tempo helps you develop a feel for distance. Try to maintain a steady rhythm, even for different length shots. This will help you gauge the distance and speed of the shot more accurately. Your body’s natural motion is also essential. Let your body’s rotation and weight transfer help you generate power and control. This will help you maintain a consistent stroke and develop a feel for the shot. The lie of the ball is another critical factor.…

THE day Sizwe Gumede died in my car changed me forever. In July 2021, during the “July unrest”, Sizwe, my administrator and confidant, died of a severe asthma attack. We were racing to RK Khan Hospital, less than two minutes away. He had been refused a R1 prednisone tablet earlier that day. I turned to check on him, saw his fingers flicker, then felt him collapse, dead weight, against me. At the hospital, doctors declared him dead. I insisted they try again. How could someone who minutes ago was arranging a meeting, now be gone? My hands stayed on the steering wheel. I could not cry. As a South African man, I had been taught to soldier on, swallow pain, bury trauma, and always be strong for others. Minutes later,…

ACTRESS Yami Gautam, who is gearing up for the release of Haq, feels that being fearless does not mean being careless. She quoted the examples of some of her films in which she played fearless characters, who were fully aware of their responsibility. “Having been part of some important films, Uri, Article 370, and now Haq, if I tie all these films together, although they are absolutely different films from one another, one thing common between them is the fearlessness. Fearless does not mean careless. You have to be fearless. You have to have the courage to tell such stories, otherwise do not make the film. “Having said that, if the film is made with an intention that we have to create or preempt from our script perspective, any controversy,…

250g butter ¾ cup icing sugar ¼ cup oil 1 tsp vanilla essence ¼ tsp baking powder 1 cup Maizena +/- 4 cups flour (add 1 cup at a time until the dough is soft and not sticky) Beat the butter and icing sugar well. Add the oil, Maizena, baking powder and vanilla essence. Beat well again. Add just enough flour to form a soft dough. I used a number 9 nozzle. Push the dough through the nozzle. Bake at 160°C for 15 to 20 minutes. Sandwich with butter icing. Dip in melted chocolate.…

THE term “Indian” defines a highly visible social group that is often perceived as homogeneous by outsiders. Research indicates that negative stereotypes of Indian South Africans persist in the post-apartheid era, and media reports sometimes fail to challenge racial profiling and stereotyping, particularly concerning economic or crime issues, reinforcing historical prejudices. Indian South Africans, in 2025, are no longer a sociological “middleman minority” created by apartheid to serve as a physical, cultural, commercial and ideological buffer between whites and Africans, but rather a profoundly diversified and structurally integrated component of the new South Africa. The economic stratification, characterised by visibly high wealth on one side and significant unemployment on the other, demonstrates that the community has splintered along class lines, with material interests aligning with those of similar class segments…

IT IS PERCEIVED that if the once mighty African National Congress (ANC) did not realise that if its black employment equity (BEE) policy was not scrapped, it would lead to its demise. When BEE was introduced in early 1994 it was meant for historically disadvantaged individuals (HDI). This meant blacks, Indians and coloureds were prioritised when it came to employment. Then in 2004, the ruling ANC introduced broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) which only gave priority to black South Africans although Indians and coloureds were very much part of the Struggle against apartheid. This policy would have been alright if those fit for purpose were deployed especially in government positions. This was not the case because cadre deployment was implemented that led to the woes the country faces Hypothetically speaking,…

I AM WRITING to express my outrage over so many recent cases where families are being murdered for insurance payouts. Our sense of morality has plummeted. These types of murder have reached unacceptable levels. It is truly shocking to see someone who is supposed to be the pillar of love and support resorting to such a heinous crime. These allegations suggest a premeditated act, and if proven correct, they must face the full weight of the law. Our forefathers will be turning in their graves and hanging their heads in shame at these callous and inhuman murders, especially for the sake of money. This has evoked anger in all law-abiding citizens. The breakdown of family values and relationships is a concerning trend which we need to address. It…

THE detailed judgment delivered by Judge Nompumelelo Radebe on the death of Nobel laureate Chief Albert Luthuli, vindicates my numerous press articles relating to his death at the hands of the apartheid government of the day. The profound verdict, by Judge Radebe, is now part of a living memorial to the victims of the heinous apartheid system. Out of our collective memories and our immense suffering and utter humiliation under institutionalised racism, we must now forge unshakeable bonds with all decent people that never again will the world stand silent in the face of such heinous atrocities. The truth has finally emerged after 58 painful years. It was Winston Churchill who once said: “The truth is incontrovertible, malice may attack it, ignorance may deride it, but in the end, there…

TWO professionals in KwaZulu -Natal have earned criminal records after being caught driving at speeds exceeding 200km/h. A civil engineer and a lawyer were separately apprehended as part of the province’s “Zero Tolerance” campaign ahead of the festive season, resulting in hefty fines and suspended prison sentences. On September 28, a civil engineer, Shekendra Bhagwandin, 43, of Reservoir Hills, was caught driving his BMW M3 at 217km/h in a 120km/h zone. Bhagwandin’s vehicle had no front number plate, which authorities believe was a deliberate attempt to evade detection by fixed speed cameras. He was arrested on the spot, detained at Scottburgh SAPS, and released on R2 000 bail. On October 30, he appeared in the Scottburgh Magistrate’s Court where he pleaded guilty. He was fined R35 000 or sentenced to…

THREE separate cases of convicted and alleged child rapists seeking to return to their communities have sparked outrage in Chatsworth. A 74-year-old man charged with three counts of rape, a repeat child sex offender out on parole, and a convicted “sex pest” pastor have all appeared before the Chatsworth Magistrate’s Court in recent months, raising serious concerns about child safety in the community. Rape accused wants to go back home Last Friday, Jeeva Akaloo, 64, charged with three counts of rape, made an application to the court to allow him to relocate from his alternate address in Phoenix, to his home in Bayview. Akaloo was charged in May, and he was released on bail. His attorney, Shireen Soobrathi, told the court that his health was deteriorating due to him suffering…

yoshini.perumal@inl.co.za DEFENCE attorney Shireen Soobrathi revealed a concerning trend in Chatsworth, where 12 out of 35 rape cases she was handling involved senior citizens aged 50 to 75. “In the last 10 months, I have dealt with 35 rape cases. Offenders are people from across the social spectrum, and all age groups. But towards the latter part of this year, I have seen more senior citizens being accused of rape. “The victims vary from schoolgirls to middle-aged women. None of the victims were older women. Many of the accused are in a relationship. “With the repeat offenders, the National Sex Offenders Register needs to be made public,” she added. Soobrathi said DNA backlogs delayed many cases. “This impacts justice for the victim and the perpetrators. Victims and accused want DNA…

Proteas Women’s captain Laura Wolvaardt’s star continues to soar after she was named captain of the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup 2025 Team of the Tournament. Wolvaardt has also risen to the No. 1 spot in the ICC’s ODI batting rankings for women, surpassing India’s Smriti Mandhana The elegant batter is joined by her teammates Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk, who all played a prominent role in the Proteas reaching a first-ever ICC Women’s World Cup final. Wolvaardt topped the run-scoring charts with a record 571 at an outstanding average of 71.37 the leading individual run-scorer at an ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup – including majestic, back-to-back centuries in the semi-final and final. Kapp takes her place in the side after another strong showing with bat and ball, scoring…

Manoozh Noori said she “wanted to die” when the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in 2021. That meant she could no longer do what she loved most: playing football. Noori, now 22, fled the country where the United Nations say authorities have implemented a “gender apartheid”, and has been playing in a team of Afghan refugee women, recently taking part in a first-of-its-kind tournament in Morocco. “I had asked myself: do I want to stay in this country with people who want to forbid women from studying, from playing football, from doing anything?” Noori told. The Taliban authorities, who say that women’s rights are protected by Islamic law, have banned girls and women from schools beyond the age of 12, and also from most jobs and public services –…

Great news, anglers! The KingFisher Scratch & Win Promo has been EXTENDED till November 9! That’s right – more time to gear up, spend big, and WIN BIG! Don’t sleep on this one… grab your tackle, hit the store, and let those lucky tickets roll! It’s been a tough weekend on the water with some tricky weather conditions, but that hasn’t stopped the fish – or the anglers! The weather might still be a bit confused, yet the fish have definitely settled into their summer feeding patterns. There’s plenty around for everyone – whether you’re chasing fast-paced predators or targeting those strong-pulling bottom dwellers. North Coast: The north has been the hotspot lately, producing plenty of action for both ski and boat anglers. The key to success has been…