Newsbreak

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - The KwaZulu-Natal government bursary opportunities for 2021 is set to close on the 30th of November and prospective applicants are urged to apply. Disciplines such as civil engineering, accounting and animal health are just some of the fields available to those in matric or between the ages of 18 and 35. Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) member Johnathan Annipen sa...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - "The harsh realities faced by front-line workers, victims and those who have recovered from COVID, deserves to be recognised together with the fight against crime in the eThekwini Municipality. These are the sentiments of Chairperson for the eThekwini Cluster Crime Policing Forum, Imtiaz Syed, encouraging people to be part of the 2020 CPF Covid-19 Lockdown St...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - A chief psychiatrist from University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) is concerned that rates of suicide may increase OR in some instances have already increased - due to the mental health complications caused by the pandemic. A study by the "British Medical Association" cites evidence suggesting that a previous epidemic of SARS in 2003 was associated with a rise in d...

By Newsbreak's South Asian Correspondent Rana Senn - A destructive cyclone barrelling towards India's southern coasts will make landfall in five hours from now, officials say. A former French enclave, which will face its first brunt, has evacuated hundreds from harm's way amid worries that rescue could become a challenge in several towns in the region. Rana Senn reports...

By Newsbreak Producer's Shanell Daniel and Tashlan Naidoo - Two brothers have been murdered at Shallcross, south of Durban. The incident allegedly took place at the local carwash on Himalaya Drive late yesterday. According to KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson, Captain Nqobile Gwala, 39-year-old Meagan Naidoo and 44-year-old Seelan Naidoo died after two armed suspects fired shots at them before fle...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Looking to raise awareness around global warming and climate change, a Cape Town resident will attempt to summit Mount Everest in the Himalayas next year. If all goes according to plan, 42-year-old Dellon Francis, could potentially become the first Indian-origin person from Africa to summit not only Everest, but two other peaks on the same expedition. Francis...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - While the lockdown has assisted in curbing the spread of the coronavirus, it has also created a pandemic of a different kind - relating to the abuse of women and children. These are the sentiments of KwaZulu-Natal Childline Operations Manager, Adeshni Naicker, as the 16 Days of Activism for No Violence against Women and Children Campaign begins today. Naicker...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Education expert at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Professor Labby Ramrathan does not believe there's enough time for matrics to re-write the two exam papers that were leaked in recent weeks. The Hawks together with the Basic Education Department, are trying to track down those responsible for the leak of the Mathematics Paper 2 and Physical Science P...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - Online shopping has become increasingly popular over the past few years and the lockdown has contributed to that popularity this year. With Black Friday just a couple of days away now, the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC) warns that while trying to save, people should not be fooled and end up on the losing end. In this week's Techno Touc...

By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Late golfer Alan Jibodh has been praised for his love for the game and commitment to the sport in South Africa. Known for being active in the golfing community, even in his golden years, Jibodh passed away yesterday. He played the game whenever he could, and barely a month ago was involved in a tournament staged at the Papwa Sewgolam Golf Course in New German...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - A meeting between residents from Newlands west in Durban and their local ward Councillor about rezoning of land and a housing development project turned into a war of words and ended abruptly last night. Concerned residents, the ward Councillor and the company proposing the project met to address concerns raised by the community regarding the development of l...

By Newsbreak Producer Shanell Daniel - An urgent call is being made by the African Democratic Change party or ADEC for the eThekwini Municipality to write off all municipal bills that are in arrears which accumulated during lockdown levels 4 and 5. President of ADEC, Visvin Reddy, says many people have been left with thousands of rands in arrears for their municipal bills, including water and ligh...

By Newsbreak Producer Tashlan Naidoo - Chairperson of the Commission of Inquiry into State Capture, Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo says he will issue another summons for Jacob Zuma to appear before the commission. Zondo also says he will approach the Constitutional Court for an order to compel Zuma to answer questions. Law expert Professor Pierre de Vos says if the constitutional court does no...

By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - Tributes have continued for well-known Durban activist Satish Dhupelia, who died from a cardiac arrest, relating to COVID-19 complications on Sunday afternoon. Dhupelia was cremated yesterday afternoon during a ceremony that was broadcast virtually on Facebook. Close friend, colleague and fellow board member of the 1860 Heritage Centre - Nirode Bramdaw says Dhup...

By Newsbreak Producer Matthew Veeran - Political analyst Dr. Lubna Nadvi says over the years she would see Satish at numerous events, either documenting proceedings or making contacts. Dr. Nadvi says he will be remembered for his humour, energetic nature and his love for people...

By Newsbreak Producer Hoosen Ebrahim - South Africa's response to its drug scourge has not reduced the supply, demand or harms related to usage and trade. This is according to research revealed by the Institute of Social Securities, in a report dubbed "Drug Trafficking: Rethinking Drug Prohibition in South Africa". The report reveals the criminalisation of people who use drugs is a massive burden...

By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - The COVID-19 pandemic has drawn attention to the risks faced by diabetes sufferers, if they contract the virus. According to Specialist Physician at eThekwini Hospital and Heart Centre - Dr Ryan Ramdass, Diabetes is one of the most common co-morbidities that leads to complications from the COVID infection. He says Diabetic patients may have an impaired immune re...

By Newsbreak's South Asian Correspondent Rana Sen- The world's largest vaccine-maker has promised millions of doses of the COVID19 for India before summer 2021 - as infections moved towards the 9.5-million mark. But health experts say the real challenges would be over storage, distribution and a possible risk the rich and powerful may try and corner the antidote. From New Delhi, here's Rana Senn w...

By Newsbreak producer's Rachel Vadi and Tashlan Naidoo - Family members of 66 year old Satish Dhupelia are in isolation - since his COVID-19 related death. Dhupelia suffered from pulmonary fibrosis for many years. Three weeks ago he contracted pneumonia. While in hospital, he picked up a super-bug which led to him contracting Covid-19. He died of a massive heart attack related to the COVID-19 infe...

By Newsbreak Producers Taliesha Naidoo, Matthew Veeran and Hoosen Ebrahim - Community activist and great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, Satish Dhupelia has sadly passed on. The 66-year-old suffered a major cardiac arrest yesterday afternoon. His sister, Uma Dhupelia-Mesthrie confirmed that Satish was hospitalised for pneumonia and then contracted COVID-19 while on treatment. Dhupelia served as the pu...

By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - Satish Dhupelia has been described as a selfless and dedicated individual who had a remarkable soul. As a community activist, he served on the board and committee of various bodies, including, The Gandhi Trust, the 1860 Legacy Council and also was the PRO of the Sydenham Community Policing Forum. Here's chairperson of the CPF, Manser Akoo - who sent his condolen...

By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - Rating agencies Moody's and Fitch have lowered South Africa's sovereign rating further into junk status. Both agencies cited a weakening fiscal position, rising government debt and the economic impact of the Coronavirus. Moody's noted that while government has effected many financial reforms, including its fight against corruption, the country's labour market re...

By Newsbreak Producer Taliesha Naidoo - An upcoming series of documentaries is expected to explore the evolutionary nature of the Indian-origin community. The first installment of the documentary titled "Grassroots Entrepreneurship: Perspectives of the Bangladesh Market" will be released in mid-December. Creator and executive director, Dr. Loshni Govender says the documentary will commemorate the...

By Newsbreak Producer Rachel Vadi - The legend of Hazrath Badsha Peer has lived in the hearts and lives of the descendants of the 1860 Indian Indentured Labourers - with many attributing a sainthood to the colonial slave. Today, many stories are told of this great man - who has touched the lives of millions of people. To this day, hundreds of followers gather annually at the site of his tomb in Du...

By Newsbreak Presenter and Producer, Rachel Vadi #NewsbreakTalk speaks to SA Hindu Dharma Sabha Presdient, Ram Maharaj, who has lodged at least twn cases around the intolerance of Diwali with the Human Rights Commission. Then, President of SA Hindu Maha Sabha, Ashwin Trikamjee weighs in on the debate. And finally we speak to Prof David Luka Mosoma- Commission for the Promotion and Protection of th...