Table of contents for 2025-01-29 in Post

THE makers of director S Prem Anand’s horror comedy, DD Next Level, featuring Santhanam in the lead, recently released the first look of the film as part of the latter’s birthday celebrations. DD Next Level, which will be the next instalment in the successful Dhillukku Duddu (DD) franchise, features Santhanam as the protagonist once again. This time though, director Gautham Vasudev Menon will be seen in a pivotal role. Sources say that shooting is in its final phase. The film will hit the screens in May. Produced by Niharika Entertainment and The Show People, on a huge budget, the film will be presented by actor Arya. Anand, who directed DD Returns, will helm this new movie as well. Anand said: “DD Returns was a huge success with a great response…

SHAVINA Mohan Badrinath started her music career at the age of 8, and continues to work on her talent with daily practise. The 47-year-old, of Port Shepstone, currently sings at shows and religious events. She was influenced by her dad, Mohan Jagunandan, a singer and musician, who started the band, The Regal Entertainers, in the early 1950s. “I sang in the band for many years and gained a lot of experience. While the band is no longer in existence, that was a highlight in my career because my two brothers were also part of The Regal Entertainers,” said Badrinath. She studied music at school and played the recorder. Badrinath was inspired by international artists like Lata Mangeshkar, Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal for their versatility and pitch control. Some of…

HIGH stress hormone levels during early pregnancy can have a lasting effect on the health of the children, according to a long-term study on wild monkeys. The study on Assamese macaques in Thailand provides insights into the influence of early life stages on the development of the stress system under natural environmental conditions. Researchers at the University of Gottingen and the German Primate Center – Leibniz Institute for Primate Research in Germany said the effects of stress were evident until 10 years of age. Stress in early pregnancy can also have a long-term effect on health in humans, and increase the risk of stress disorders and immune problems. The study found that exposure to stress enhanced the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The axis plays a central role in coping with stress…

1 chopped onion ¼ tsp hing ½ tsp jeera seeds 1 bay leaf 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp dhania-jeera powder 1 tsp ginger and garlic paste 1 tbs mixed masala 1 tbs Kashmiri chilli powder 6 soft cooking potatoes 1 sprig curry leaves 1 grated tomato salt to taste 1 tsp garam masala Fry the onion in little oil. Add hing (aids with digesting gaseous foods and vegetarian cooking), jeera seeds and bay leaf. Add the turmeric, dhania-jeera powder, ginger and garlic paste, mixed masala and chilli powder. Braise for about 5 minutes. Add the potatoes that have been peeled and cubed, curry leaves, grated tomato and salt to taste. Mix well with spices and cook on medium heat for about 5 minutes. Add water when necessary, a little at…

½ tsp mustard seeds ½ tsp jeera seeds olive oil 1 sliced onion 1 grated carrot 1 stem curry leaves 2-3 dry red chillies or fresh chillies ½ tsp turmeric a pinch of hing ½ tsp crushed garlic 2 cups yoghurt or sour milk Place the mustard seeds and jeera seeds in the oil and let it splutter. Add and braise the onion, carrot, curry leaves, dry red chillies or fresh chillies turmeric, hing and crushed garlic. Cook for a few minutes on medium to low heat until the onions are cooked with a slight bite. Remove from the heat and cool slightly. Mix in the yogurt or sour milk and season to taste.…

A TONGAAT homeowner who squared off against eThekwini Municipality over a massive water bill has emerged victorious. In a widely hailed court ruling that is expected to impact ratepayers as well as the municipality’s debt collection policies, the Durban Regional Court has ordered eThekwini to remove surplus water charges totalling approximately R322 900 raised against Arumoogum “Reggie” Pillay’s municipal account. The city also has to remove a water restrictor installed on his property in Tanzamite Close, Bellgate, and withdraw any negative report concerning him to any credit bureau. The court also awarded legal costs in Pillay’s favour and dismissed the municipality’s counter claim against him with costs. The lift technician took the municipality to court, arguing he was not liable for the water charges because he could not have consumed…

IN A case of David taking on Goliath, a homeowner who lost his house after a default judgment was issued against him, based on wrong calculations by Nedbank, emerged victorious as the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria, overturned the sale in execution. Prenash Somlal, who appeared in person fighting his case against Nedbank, turned to court to have a default judgment against him overturned. The default judgment was issued by the court as Somlal never pitched to defend the matter. But in his rescission application, he explained he had sorted it out with Nedbank, that he was exploring avenues of keeping his property, and he was assured the bank would not ask at that stage for the property to be sold on execution. But this was not to be, as the…

HAVING witnessed the alleged injustices in the promotion process within the SAPS, two retired police officers are on a quest to help those who have been impacted in the form of a class action lawsuit. Retired Warrant Officer Nazeer Ahmed Rakmatullah and Lieutenant-Colonel Charlie Pillay have since started a group, Advocacy Against Non-Promotion within the Ranks of the SAPS. They are also calling for an investigation into irregular promotions. Rakmatullah said the initiative stemmed from their own experiences, as well as former colleagues who were allegedly denied promotions. “I was with the SAPS for 27 years, and when I was due for a promotion, two of my juniors got promoted because of the so-called ‘brotherhood’ in the police system. I also witnessed others, such as clerks being promoted to high…

THE application for Mommy Club actress Naliyani Govender to have a warrant of arrest set aside has been upheld. However, this is pending the review of the judge’s decision. The Durban High Court on Monday ruled that the execution for the warrant of arrest was stayed. The defence has 10 days to bring a review. Govender filed an urgent application in the Durban High Court on Friday to have a warrant of arrest issued against her recalled and set aside. Judgment was delivered on Monday morning. The respondents in the matter are co-star of the Mommy Club, Neetasha Singh; as well as SAPS station commander at Durban North; policeman Philasande Hlongwa; Colonel Lombard; and the chief magistrate at the Durban Magistrate's Court. In an affidavit, Govender said the application for…

ON THIS important occasion, the people of KwaZulu-Natal join the people of India in celebrating the 76th Republic Day, the year of final independence for what is today the world’s oldest democracy. We celebrate today because even though India gained independence in 1947, it was only in 1950 that it became a republic, adopting its own independent Constitution which became the basis of building a new nation in diversity. Celebrating our long, unbroken bonds: This year’s celebration of India’s Republic Day coincides with the 165th anniversary of the arrival of Indians to South Africa, on November 16, 1860. Since that historic day, when the SS Truro landed from Madras, bringing Indians to work in the sugar cane plantations of the then Port Natal, our roots have been intertwined as the…

“OUR parks have become like jungles”, the POST, January 22-26, refers. It paints a disheartening picture of our once beautiful parks and gardens, now overrun with refuse. The Chatsworth garden site stands out as a particularly the worst example, with scavengers exploiting the situation for their own gain. It appears that the Department of Solid Waste (DSW) is struggling to address this issue. The indiscriminate dumping of refuse on our roadsides has become a rampant problem, reflecting a disturbing lack of respect for our environment, communities, and ourselves. As we strive to build a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable community, it is disheartening to witness the blatant disregard for proper waste disposal practices by some residents. The community must take responsibility for its actions. It is time for us to…

FROM a young age, Irfaan Mangera started his journey to help others, from doing community service while in primary school to later becoming a voice for the youth, and a social justice advocate. The 28-year-old of Johannesburg, said he hoped to further make a positive impact on the lives of the youth after he was selected as one of 20 candidates to undergo interviews for a position on the board of the National Youth Development Agency (Nyda). The Nyda was established primarily to address youth development issues at local, provincial and national government levels. The agency was established by the National Youth Development Agency Act 54 of 2008. Mangera, a human rights, strategy and campaigns consultant, said being shortlisted for the board was an honour. “Many of the youth, civic…

JANUARY 26 marked the 76th anniversary of the adoption of the Constitution of the Republic of India, formally severing all ties with Britain and marking its transition from a British colony to an independent republic. Although it drove out the British bulldog and declared its independence from its colonial masters on August 15, 1947, it was only later that it became a sovereign independent state. The country marked this memorable day with celebrations. India does not dwell on its cruel past under the British Empire. It’s a forgiving nation and bears the English no grudge. The Western media, too, rarely mentions the evils of imperialism, colonialism and slavery of which Britain took first place. We hear of Nazi war crimes; the Holocaust, the genocides in Bosnia and Rwanda but little…

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes Marcus Rashford has no future at the club after manager Ruben Amorim said he would rather have his goalkeeping coach in his matchday squad. Rashford has not played for United since December 12, with Amorim leaving him out of the squad for every game since apart from one, in which he was an unused substitute. When quizzed on why he had not included Rashford for Sunday’s 1-0 at Fulham, Amorim pointed to the England international’s effort in training with a stinging reference to Jorge Vital, United’s 63-year-old goalkeeping coach. “The reason is the training, what I think a footballer should do in training, in life and every day... I will put (in) Vital before I put (in) a player who doesn’t give the…

EGYPTIAN-AMERICAN comedian and satirist Bassem Youssef will make his South African debut with The Middle Beast Tour in February. The event, courtesy of Blu Blood in association with the Gift of the Givers Foundation, will take place at February 7 at the ICC in Durban, February 8 at the ICC in Cape Town (two shows), and the following day at Emperors Palace in Johannesburg. In Youssef’s one-of-a-kind solo comedy performance, the audience will be taken on a personal journey from his career as a heart surgeon in Egypt to finding himself in the middle of the Arab Spring and becoming the host of the largest political satire show in the history of the Arab World. “We are honoured to host Bassem Youssef's first tour in South Africa. As someone who…

KASHYAP Shangari, known for The Fame Game, Made In Heaven and Sheher Lakhot, is gearing up for his Hollywood debut with Inheritance. He shared his experience of working with actress Phoebe Dynevor of Bridgerton fame. “It was a pleasure to work with someone who is so well-versed with the craft. She brought fresh energy on set. I felt I was with another actor, and not a huge international star.” Shangari also expressed his admiration for Neil Burger’s directorial style, and said it was empowering. He heaped praise on the vision of Burger and Olien Steinhauer in putting together a thriller that transcended geographical boundaries and focused on the intricacies of human nature. “When a director is as invested as Neil is to empower two actors in a scene to bring…

AMID the plethora of Bollywood painting Pakistanis as only terrorists, Sky Force comes as welcome relief, showing rather the emotional trauma that soldiers on both sides of the border go through. Akshay Kumar is Wing Commander KO Ahuja, an Indian Air Force leader who is determined to find out what happened to his defiant colleague nicknamed “Tabby” (Veer Pahariya) during an air battle in the 1965 war with Pakistan. Although the story is based on the life of Squadron Leader AB Devayya, who was posthumously awarded the second-highest military award – Maha Vir Chakra – in 1988, 23 years after he went missing in 1965 during a strike operation, the producers for some reason change the name to T Krishna Vijaya “Tabby”. Unrelenting in his efforts, Ahuja succeeds in…

1 chopped onion ¼ tsp hing ½ tsp jeera seeds 1 bay leaf ½ tsp turmeric 1 tsp dhania-jeera powder 1 tsp ginger and garlic paste 1 tbs Kashmiri chilli powder (more if you like) 1 large cauliflower, broken into florets, rinsed and drained 1 sprig curry leaves ½ cup peas salt to taste 1 tsp garam masala Fry the onion in a little oil. Add the hing (aids with digesting gaseous foods and vegetarian cooking), jeera seeds and bay leaf. Add turmeric, dhania-jeera powder, ginger and garlic paste, and Kashmiri chilli powder. Braise for about 5 minutes on low heat. Increase the heat to high. Add the cauliflower, curry leaves, and salt to taste. Mix well with the spices and stir-fry on high heat until almost cooked. Add…

1 chopped onion 1 small piece cinnamon stick a pinch of hing 1 tsp dhania-jeera powder 1 tsp garam masala, 1-2 tbs Kashmiri chilli powder (according to your taste) ½ tsp turmeric 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste 500g sliced green beans 500g sliced okra Fry the onion in a little oil. Add the cinnamon, hing, dhania-jeera powder, garam masala, Kashmiri chilli powder, turmeric, and ginger and garlic paste. Braise on low for a few minutes. Raise the heat to the highest and add the green beans and okra. Stir-fry until the liquid is almost dried up. Lower the heat to the lowest and cook until softened to your liking. Season to taste.…

1 tsp mustard seeds 1 tsp jeera seeds oil 1 onion, chopped 1 stem curry leaves 3 dry red chillies 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp soomph 1 tsp dhania-jeera powder a pinch of hing 5 to 10 cloves of fresh garlic, crushed or whole 2 cups pink/red lentils vegetable stock cube, if you like 1 tbs butter Add the mustard and jeera seeds to the oil. Add the onion, curry leaves and red chillies. Fry until golden brown. Add the turmeric, soomph, dhania-jeera powder, hing and fresh garlic. Wash the lentils and add them to the spices. Cover with water and cook on medium heat, adding water when necessary. Add a vegetable stock cube if you like. Stir often. It will be done in about 30 minutes. Add a tablespoon…

IT WAS history repeating itself for a Merebank father after police officers allegedly entered his home without a search warrant, and accused him of selling drugs and alcohol. The 41-year-old man, who lives with his wife, 39, and four children, three of whom are minors, said this was not the first time he had been harassed by police. He said he had previously taken the minister of police to court for two similar incidents and won. The man, together with his wife, who was also acting on behalf of their minor children, pursued civil action against the minister for R800 000 in damages, following two incidents in 2019 and 2020. According to court papers, the man said on the evening of August 11, 2019, police arrived at their doorstep and…

POLICEMEN and women who have dedicated decades of their lives to fighting crime in the country have been left feeling deflated as they fail to climb the ranks due to alleged nepotism. Despite garnering years of service, additional qualifications, and submitting numerous applications, some say they had not been promoted, while their juniors climbed to the top. Speaking to the POST on condition of anonymity, some officers spoke of their plight. A 53-year-old officer said he was disheartened after applying for a promotion more than 15 times, but remained unsuccessful. He has been a warrant officer for 26 years. “I joined the police 34 years ago due to my passion for wanting to keep our communities safe. I also wanted to ensure that I always maintained the integrity of the…

A STATE witness in the murder case of businessman Shailen Singh disputes evidence presented during the bail application of the accused brothers, Ferrel and Darren Govender. In the Durban Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, advocate Paul Jorgensen made an application to have the affidavit of his client admitted into the court. The State witness is believed to be the woman involved in an alleged love triangle that led to Singh’s killing. Jorgensen told the court the dispute said this was in relation to audio and visual evidence that was presented to the court by the State. He said that his client had not provided that evidence to the State. However, senior State prosecutor Nkululeko Msiya argued it was an attempt by the accused to reopen their cases, and they were attempting…

IN A CIVILISED country, the rules of the game should never allow adults to harm children for profit. There are, and should be, strict boundaries as to what adults may do to children or involve them in. Acts of a sexual nature engaging minors – such as child pornography – is child abuse. The world has shrunk so much that paedophiles in most countries belong to an international internet child pornography ring. The arrest last week of a Gauteng couple on charges of alleged possession of millions of child pornographic images are a welcome example of international co-operation to combat this increasing problem. Tiona Moodley, 25, a Houghton web designer, and her 35-year-old boyfriend, Darren Wilken, were nabbed for alleged possession and distribution of child pornography. It has also been…

THE office of a politician, whether in national, provincial or local government, is a high one. Persons holding same, either by appointment or having been elected democratically by way of the ballot box, are expected to have positive qualities, primarily proficiency and integrity, and must be people serving. In our 30 years of democracy, all three tiers of the government were graced by some persons with proficiency and integrity, and people serving. Regrettably now, the government has been disgraced by persons lacking proficiency and integrity, and not being people serving. They are a “breyani mix” of criminals, fraudsters, corrupt, looters, smooth talkers and con artists. It is my firm belief that one must have a minimum level of academic qualifications in order to serve as a politician. For a good…

How many times have you been right there – just inches away from landing that fish, only to watch it slip away at the last moment? It stings, doesn’t it? But here’s the thing: You don’t get to fish every day, let alone catch every time. So when you do, make every second count. Relish the fight! Use the waves to your advantage to bring that fish up the beach or the rocks. Loosen your drag just a little to give the fish room if it makes a final sprint. Let every moment on the line fire you up – because this is what we live for! The shore angling this week has been on fire despite the rough seas and murky water from the weekend. The key has been…

The 2024 Chennai Margazhi (December) Music Festival, hosted by the Madras Music Academy, was the most publicised as it invoked controversy and a process of change. The followers, participants, fans, patrons, sponsors and all other stakeholders expressed their opinions, either for or against change, and evidently they are divided on new developments. Carnatic music was known to be exclusive to a certain caste of people and only they were invited to perform at leading venues during the Chennai’s music season, including the Madras Music Academy. This season (2024) was special and a turning point. Controversy and division erupted when Carnatic vocalist TM Krishna was nominated as the 2024 recipient for highest accolade in Carnatic music, the MS Subbulakshmi Sangitha Kalanidhi Award. Objections poured in from previous award recipients, participants and…

FOETUSES of women who gain excess weight in the first trimester of pregnancy are likely to have excess fat distribution in their body, according to a study. The study, led by researchers at the National Institutes of Health, showed that foetuses might have more fat in their upper arm and the abdomen. The findings, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, may be key to developing early intervention strategies to prevent adult obesity associated with heavier birth weight. Excessive weight gain early in life is a known risk factor for adult obesity and related conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes. For the study, the researchers analysed data from an earlier study of more than 2 600 singleton pregnancies. This included information on maternal weight before…

2 cups rice 1 tomato 1 onion 4 chillies 1 tsp crushed garlic a few curry leaves 2 tsp tamarind paste 1 cup warm water 1 tsp freshly-ground mustard seeds 1 tsp jeera seeds 1 tsp freshly-ground black peppercorns 2 dried chillies 1 tsp turmeric some coconut oil ½ marandhu sellu (birth masala) Cook the rice for 5 minutes less than you normally cook it, and keep it aside. Liquidise the tomato, onion, chillies (more or less depending on your taste), crushed garlic (depending on your taste), a few curry leaves and tamarind paste in 1 cup of water. Fry the mustard seeds, jeera seeds, black peppercorns and dried chillies. Add a level teaspoon of turmeric in a little coconut oil. Once fried, add the liquidised mixture and marandhu sellu…

par-cook 2 cups rice (I used basmati) 2 large onions oil ¼ tsp hing 3 green chillies 4 dry chillies 1 tsp jeera seeds ¼ tsp fennel seeds 3 cinnamon sticks 5 elachi pods 2 bayleaves 2 star anise ½ cup maas 1 tsp turmeric 2 tbs Rajah all-in-one masala with garlic 1 heated tbs chilli powder 1 tsp garam masala 2 tsp dhania-jeera powder curry leaves ½ tsp saffron 500g McCain frozen stir-fry mix 2 chopped tomatoes 1 bunch mint 1 can breyani lentils 1 can butter beans, washed and drained Fry the onions in as much oil as you like. Remove half of the fried onions and keep aside. Add the hing, green chillies, dry chillies, jeera seeds, fennel seeds, cinnamon sticks, elachi pods, bayleaves and star anise,…

ALLEGATIONS of racial intolerance have surfaced at Drakensberg Secondary, in Estcourt, after two Hindu pupils were asked to remove their red (Lakshmi) prayer strings or cover it up during school hours. The matter has been reported to the South African Hindu Maha Sabha (SAHMS) for investigation. A pupil, who wished to remain anonymous for the fear of victimisation, claimed that a Muslim teacher had asked those wearing the red strings to remove it while the principal, who is Hindu, asked them to “hide it”. It has also been alleged that the teacher cut the prayer string from one pupil’s hand after she spoke out. “As the female pupils line up for inspection, the teacher asks the Hindus to remove their strings. In one instance, one of the pupils spoke up…

A GANG of Buffelsdale Secondary bullies have been suspended with a final written warning and ordered to attend counselling after they brutally assaulted a Grade 8 pupil, last week. The Tongaat school was recently under the spotlight for the right reasons after it obtained a 100% pass rate in the 2024 matric exams. The 13-year-old pupil was bullied and assaulted by the “toilet gang” who had demanded a fee for him to use the facility. A relative took to social media about the brutal attack after he heard about the incident from the boy’s mother. The pupil’s parents, Nerissa Naicker and Denver Munsamy, said a disciplinary hearing was held at the school on Monday and they were happy with the ruling made by the principal, Ravendra Singh. Naicker said the…

MORE than two years after former Verulam mayor and farmer Sagadava “Manna” Naidoo was shot, three men were convicted for his murder in the Durban High Court on Thursday. The 74-year-old, of Canelands, was shot in the head on May 24, 2022. His body was found next to a railway tracks metres from his home. The accused, Sibongiseni Langa, 30, Clement Nkwanyana, 28, and Ignatius Chihoho, 47, were arrested by warrant officers Bob Pillay, Praveen Sukdeo, Praveed Maharaj and Denver Parbhu of the Provincial Organised Crime Unit. They were convicted for murder and robbery with aggravating circumstances. However, they were acquitted on charges of unlawful possession of a semi-automatic firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. According to the indictments presented to the court at the start of the trial, senior…

IN THE quiet town of Benoni, Dirk Mortier is busy with his unique labour of love – designing and building Hindu prayer shrines and personalised kavadies. Mortier said his business “Shanti’s Kovils” was established during the Covid-19 pandemic after he lost his income and turned to his creative side to eke out a living. The 54-year-old production manager, who has a passion for woodwork, named the business after his Indian wife, Shanti, which means peace. He said he first started his business by making kovils (temples styled as cupboards) and later diversified his offerings. “I started building kavadies after many customers, who had ordered kovils from me, asked if I could build them kavadies. They said they loved my work and were confident I could deliver on the personalised kavadies,”…

THE education crisis in South Africa is akin to a devastating earthquake, which is followed by relentless aftershocks. Thirteen years ago, the quake struck when 1.4 million bright-eyed children entered Grade 1, full of potential. Instead of a solid foundation, they encountered poorly-equipped classrooms, under-prepared teachers, and communities shaken by the seismic forces of poverty, unemployment and crime. These tremors disrupted the 3Rs, the bedrock of learning – namely reading, writing, and arithmetic – leaving cracks in their educational journey right from the very start. Year after year, the aftershocks compounded the damage. Each new grade brought fresh challenges, such as large classes, poor ablution facilities, and intermittent electricity and water availability, which contributed to deepening the gaps in foundational learning. Many learners were promoted despite being unprepared, as they…

I WAS shocked and saddened to learn about the recent passing of iconic spiritual luminary and my childhood friend, Shri Roopnarain “Rupert“ Dasarath. My heartfelt condolences to all his near and dear ones. Due to his unparalleled good deeds as a dedicated religious leader, philanthropist and astute entrepreneur, I believe that Rupertji’s great soul has attained Moksha or salvation. He is back home with his Creator. The many temples Rupertji helped build or renovate stand together today as living monuments to the sterling contributions of this gentle, genial giant of the Hindu renaissance. He was the light of many lives. He turned scars into stars and became a legend in his lifetime. Rupertji and I grew up in Pinetown. In his early twenties, he organised Krishna Janmasthami and Ram Naumee…

Letter to the mayor of the eThekwini Municipality Dear Councillor Cyril Xaba, The citizens of the eThekwini Municipality are facing an unprecedented water crisis due to years of negligence, mismanagement, and corruption under your administration. This failure has left communities across the municipality without access to water, a fundamental human right enshrined in our Constitution. I am compelled to address this blatant disregard for the needs of our citizens. Alongside our alliance partner, the uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) Party, we will not stand by while your administration continues to fail the people who placed their trust in you. We demand that: Water tankers must be dispatched to all affected areas within the next 24 hours. Repair the water supply system immediately and provide a transparent timeline for the full restoration of…

A sacred mangalsutra marital chain, that was sentimental to a Merebank grandmother, was allegedly stolen by her granddaughter's boyfriend and pawned for R14 000. The man had claimed he wanted to buy "something similar" for his girlfriend for Valentine's Day. According to Dhevan Govindasamy, the tactical manager at PT Alarms, the incident happened on Friday. "It is believed an elderly grandmother was robbed of her highly valuable 'old gold' chain known as a mangalsutra. The perpetrator is alleged to be the victim's granddaughter's boyfriend," said Govindasamy. "The grandmother alleged her granddaughter's boyfriend requested to see the chain as he wanted to purchase something similar for his girlfriend for Valentine's Day. "She said her granddaughter always voiced that she loved that particular chain. When the grandmother handed the chain to the…

THE haughty and arrogant manner that newly-appointed American president Donald Trump has been issuing threats – purely on the strength of his personal material wealth and the power of his position – does not augur well. Firstly, for that country and then as a matter of course for the rest of the world, it is no secret that when that self-appointed king of a castle built on sand, merely moves his limbs, the entire planet trembles. Every time there’s even the usual imperceptibly undetectable vibration at Wall Street, every other latitude and longitude begins to lose its co-ordinate. Fuelled by ego and a false charisma, Trump has already begun to put into motion various avenues to upset many apple carts. He has again developed, like many of his predecessors, a…

This past week saw myself and three amateurs from South Africa play in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic 2025 Pro am. This is a bucket list for any golfer as the Emirates Golf Course played really challenging for the three days. The rough was grown above 15cm and the greens were super fast to putt on. Playing in the event and facing the intensity, the team prepared well in the lead-up to this. Being separated from my team through the months, it was made sure we practised more time on the short game. This helped us become more comfortable when needing to flag-hunt when we needed to. The team managed to have a great start after two days and were tied fifth going into the third round. The iconic…