Post Wednesday, September 2, 2020

Hindu society takes pastors to court R1m in damages sought for videos which propagated hatred, inciting harm CHARLENE SOMDUTH THE South African Hindu Dharma Sabha has taken two Chatsworth pastors to the Equality Court for hate speech against Hinduism. The organisation is also claiming R1 million in damages. In June, Simeon Bradley Chetty, a self-appointed evangelist, posted a video on Facebook testifying about his conversion from Hinduism to Christianity. Chetty said: “My father was a Telugu, my mother was a Tamil and while they were growing up they said, you know what? They have no meaning, they worship idols, they worship other gods, but I am here to tell you that the name of Jesus is above every other name. “Let me ask you this question. Why would a Telugu…

Study reveals how pupils view race POST REPORTER Supplied. YOUNG South Africans are being socialised into a highly racialised society and experience severe disparities. This is according to a three-year research project by two senior academics in Durban. Dr Kira Erwin, a senior researcher at the Urban Futures Centre at Durban University of Technology, and Dr Kathryn Pillay, a senior lecturer in Sociology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, have found that young people are deeply aware of inequality in South Africa and believe racial discrimination and racism should be eradicated in order for the country to move towards a better future. Their research challenges schools to think about how classroom conversations on race, class, culture and privilege are needed in South Africa. Their findings are published in a book titled…

Hindus, Christians and more unite to show support for the Muslim call to prayer CHANELLE LUTCHMAN DOZENS of people from various religions gathered on Sunday in solidarity with the Madrasah Taleemuddeen Islamic Institute in Isipingo, holding a drive-through protest in the area. This was in response to a court ruling last week that placed limitations on how the institution would be permitted to sound the Azaan (call to prayer). Last week, a Durban High Court judge ruled in favour of Chandra Ellaurie, an Isipingo Beach resident who said the call deprived him of the enjoyment of his property rights. In his judgment, Judge Sidwell Mngadi issued a court order that the mosque must ensure that calls to prayer made from its property were not audible within the buildings of Ellaurie’s…

Vegetable and fruit prices soar NADIA KHAN AND THANDEKA MGQIBI FROM cabbages to green beans, pumpkins, potatoes and more, vegetables will form part of the staple diet for Hindus during Pitri Paksha, which starts today, and the upcoming fasting month of Purattasi. Pitri Paksha, when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors, especially through food offerings, will be observed until September 17. Purattasi, a festival celebrating the Hindu deity Venkateswara, will be observed from September 17 to October 16. With the demand for fresh vegetables over this time, consumers can expect to pay a few more rand at the till. Informal traders said they have already noted an increase in prices of certain vegetables and fruits in the last week. Duran Dharampal, who sells produce at the Millennium Market in Phoenix,…

Gang of robbers pounce on Clare Estate family NADIA KHAN A CLARE Estate family are living in fear after five armed robbers stormed into their home and robbed them of valuables last Thursday morning. Moments before Amritha Bauchoo, 44, of Morewood Road, was about to sit down for breakfast, she heard her mother, 67, scream for help. Seconds later Bauchoo was facing a gunman. “It was before 8am and my husband had just returned from dropping off our son at work. He told me to have my breakfast and then he’d take me to the hospital as I had an appointment. “I was about to sit down, when I heard my mom scream my name. She lives on the second storey of our home. I thought something happened to my…

Pensioner and son, 18, assaulted during robbery Number of home invasions rising in the area, says Inanda resident CHARLENE SOMDUTH Reaction Unit South Africa A NORTH Coast pensioner was punched in the face and her teenage son assaulted during a robbery at their home in Tea Estate, Inanda last Thursday evening. Feroza Sayed Ebrahim, 68, was alone in her home waiting for her 18-year-old son, Saheel, to return from the shop with her supper and medication. “I was feeling unwell. I heard Saheel’s car come into our driveway, so I went to our kitchen door to wait for him. “There were two men at the entrance of the driveway and three others were at the back of our property. I believe they were keeping watch. The men pointed their guns…