SOUTH AFRICANS OF INDIAN ORIGIN FLOCK TO TEMPLES ON GOOD FRIDAY

(DEVOTEES AT THE GANESHA TEMPLE IN BUCCLEUGH IN JOHANNESBURG)

(THE BUCCLEUGH GANESHA TEMPLE IN JOHANNESBURG ON GOOD FRIDAY)

( BUCCLEUGH GANESHA TEMPLE IN JOHANNESBURG ATTRACTS HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE) By Subry Govender South Africans of Indian-origin once again this year on Good Friday gathered at various temples throughout the country to offer their prayers. While thousands visited the Mariammen Temple in Mount Edgecombe and the Isipingo Temple, south of Durban, hundreds of devotees also visited temples in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Scores of people participated and offered their prayers at the Buccleugh Ganesha Temple in Johannesburg. Devotees here said they have noticed an increase in the number of people in Johannesburg who attend these and other prayer services. "It seems there is a re-awakening among our people," said Mr Aubrey Raman, one of the officials who participated in the prayer services. The officiating priest called on the people to become fully involved in the promotion of their customs and cultures. He also reflected on social issues and called on people not to waste water. "Water is precious and we must take care when using this scarce commodity, especially at a time when we are experiencing a drought." The pilgrimage to the temples will continue throughout the Easter weekend, especially at the Mount Edgecombe and Isipingo temples in Durban. ends - Subry Govender (March 25 2016)

RATEPAYERS FURIOUS OVER FAILURE TO REMOVE WASTE IN JOHANNESBURG OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS

By Subry Govender (LACK OF SERVICE DELIVERY) The ratepayers and taxpayers of Johannesburg are fed up and reeling with anger. Their source of disquiet is the gross failure of the municipality to remove house-hold waste, rubbish and mess from their streets for more than a fortnight. "We cannot understand why the municipality has not put any measures in place to remove the rubbish and waste while their contractors, Pikitup, are facing a problem," said one angry resident. "We don't have any dealings with Pikitup because we don't pay our rates and taxes to this company. We pay our rates to the municipality and they should be doing something to pick up the waste and to clean up our streets." Pikitup workers have downed tools demanding higher wages and improved working conditions. They have also demanded the removal of their CEO. When one drives or walks through the streets one is greeted by bundles of bin bags and waste all over the place. It's an unseemly sight and only has a negative impact on the residents. (WE WILL REMEMBER THE MUNICIPALITY DURING THE LOCAL GOVT ELECTIONS) "We will remember the lack of service in return for the payment of our rates and taxes when we go to the polls during the local government elections later this year," said another resident. While most residents keep the areas in front of their houses clean and tidy, the failure of the municipality to pick up the house-hold waste completely leads to the degeneration of the environment. One private waste remover was seen dumping bin bags in a vacant plot in a suburb in Roodepoort, north of the city. The waste remover did not care where he dumped the bin bags because he knew that municipal officials would not be around. It seems the municipality does not take ratepayers seriously because the ruling elite believe they can continue to rely on their "safe" "vote banks".

SOUTH INDIANS ON THE WARPATH AFTER DSTV CUTS OFF SUN TV ON HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

"WE CANNOT BE TAKEN FOR GRANTED BY DSTV AND OTHER ROLE PLAYERS"

NEW SOCIO-ECONOMIC FUTURE OF SOUTH AFRICA ORGANISATION

A major social initiative - led by prominent religious leaders, civil society, business and community-based organisations - has been launched at the end of a two-day conference in Johannesburg this past week-end. The leaders of the Socio-Economic Future of South Africa (or SEFSA) will underake a series of consultations about the social, cultural, spiritual and economic crisis facing South Africa today. The latest initiative comes in the wake of the violent and volatile student protests in universities, service-delivery demands all over the country and the senseless of burning of factories and other businesses in KwaZulu-Natal. Subry Govender reports........ .

NELSON MANDELA VISIT TO INDIA

nelson mandela visit to india

MAHA SHIVARATI - YET ANOTHER OCCASION THAT SAW PEOPLE OF INDIAN ORIGIN IN SOUTH AFRICA ATTENDING PRAYER SERVICES IN THEIR NUMBERS TO PROMOTE AND PROTECT THEIR CULTURES, TRADITIONS AND LANGUAGES

(Devotees of the Sivan Sabay in Verulam conducting a ceremony as a tribute to Lord Shiva Pix by Anusha Kisten)

(Devotees at the Pretoria Tamil League temple leading the prayer services on Monday night - March 7 2016 /b> - Pictures by PTA) By Subry Govender THIRST, HUNGER AND ENTHUSIASM FOR THE CULTURES OF PEOPLE OF INDIAN-ORIGIN

(Devotees participating in a programme at the Verulam Sivan Sabay Pix by Anusha Kisten) The thirst and enthusiasm of South Africans of Indian-origin to promote and protect their cultures, traditions, and languages was evidenced once again on Monday night (March 7) when they congregated at temples and other holy places to observe the highly-inspirational ceremony of Maha Shivarati. Devotees of Lord Shiva gathered in their numbers at various religious centres and other venues in Verulam, Tongaat, Stanger, Phoenix, Mount Edgecombe, Somerset Park, Chatsworth, Umzinto, Umkomaas, Port Shepstone, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, East London, Port Elizabeth and other areas of the country.

(Some of the devotees at the Verualm Sivan Sabay - Pix by Karunen Ramsamy) At most venues, the prayer services started at 6pm and only ended the next morning (Tuesday, March 8) at 6am. The devotees showered their praises and sang "Om Nama Shivaya, Shivaya Nama Om" prayer songs and other items at the different venues. At the Verulam Sivan Sabay in Brindahavan in Verulam, a large number of devotees turned up and participated in programmes to highlight the importance of Maha Shivarati.

(Women devotees participating in a service in praise of Lord Shiva at the Verulam Sivan Sabay) (Picture by Anusha Kisten) Mr Ted Govender, chairperson of the Verulam Sivan Sabay, said the Maha Shivarati prayer service was a great spiritual occasion for people to "re-unite with God" and "lead morally uplifting lives". "We have to use all holy occasions to re-invigorate our one-ness with God and at the same time to promote all that is good in ourselves and in communities at large." A senior trustee of the Verulam Sivan Sabay, Mr Bob Kisten, who has been involved in promoting Tamil culture, language and traditions for decades, said it was very encouraging to see so many people attending the services even though Maha Shivarati fell on a week night. "It was also encouraging to see so many cultural groups and individuals moving from one temple and venue to another to render prayer services," he said.

(Devotees conducting a rite to pay tribute to Lord Shiva - Picture by Anusha Kisten) "We were also very pleased to receive goodwill messages from many of our younger people who are now settled in Johannesburg and other cities in the country and other parts of the world. We even received one message from one of our young people who is now working in Japan. "This demonstrates the importance and significance of our cultures, traditions and languages." Many spiritual leaders promote Lord Shiva as the "Supreme God".

(Some of the devotees who took part in various programmes at the Verulam Sivan Sabay in praise of Lord Shiva - Picture by Anusha Kisten) He is seen as the saviour of the universe. According to one legend, Lord Shiva was called upon to save the universe after it faced obliteration by a pot of poison that emerged from the ocean. Lord Shiva responded by drinking all the poison. Although HIS neck turned blue he never succumbed to the poison. In view of this power of "good over evil", HE became known as Neelkantha. The ceremony of Maha Shivarati is, therefore, an occasion for devotees to shower their gratitude to Lord Shiva for saving the universe from destruction. It's believed that those who participate in the programmes on the night of Maha Shivarati receive HIS full blessings. - ends (Subry Govender) March 7 2016

HOLI FESTIVAL IN OTTAWA ON HUMAN RIGHTS DAY MARCH 21 TO HIGHLIGHT ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS AND A LITTER-FREE SOCIETY

By Subry Govender CULTURAL PROGRAMME AT THE OTTAWA HALL AND A FLOAT PROCESSION THROUGH THE VILLAGE The residents of the historical village of Ottawa, near Verulam, on the North Coast have organised a major function to celebrate the festival of Holi on Human Rights Day, March 21. A spokesperson for the Ottawa Holi Committee, Ms Andisha Maharaj, said the celebration was aimed at fostering respect for the principle of "unity in diversity" and protection of the environment. "The celebration serves a purpose in our lives that fosters unity in diversity, social cohesion, respect for culture and religion, social development, involvement of the youth in culture and heritage, develops leadership skills and instils community awareness in all," said Ms Maharaj. "The celebration also aims at highlighting environmental and climatic challenges facing present and future generations. "The celebration coincides with Human Rights Day. It aims to connect people across the community - irrespective of their status and social standing. It also aims to remove vestiges of inequality based on gender, religion, race, caste or creed." Ms Maharaj added: "It is hoped that this year's celebrations will motivate the youth to re-group and recreate such events that will foster community pride and loyalty, create a strong sense of solidarity and affiliation and promote cultural diversity and religious tolerance." The residents of Ottawa were particularly concerned about the destruction of the historical Ohlanga River by truckers and others who had dumped their waste into the river. The river had served as a lifeblood for residents in the area for generations. But now it has been totally destroyed by people who seemed to have no regard for the environment. The residents were also concerned about the litter and filth that had engulfed the village over the past decade. It's a sad state of affairs that the village has degenerated over the years with litter, filth and illegal scrap yards and trucks. It's hoped the Holi festival would re-invigorate residents to take steps to stop the degeneration of their village. The festivities would include a cultural programme at the Ottawa Civic Hall and a float procession through the streets of the village. ends - Subry Govender March 1 2016