On The Couch

Bilal Khan is a community activist from Moorton. In January 2017, Khan founded the Day 2 Day Foundation which is dedicated to fighting social ills within the community. He is also a dedicated and outspoken member of the Moorton Alliance, currently serving as its deputy-chairperson. Khan is also a member of the Friends of R.K Khan Hospital (FORKK). The Chatsworth Tabloid spoke to Khan about the community initiatives that he is part off. Chatsworth Tabloid (CT): What inspired you to get involved in community activism and to start the Day 2 day foundation? Bilal Khan (BK): I am a firm believer in the philosophy which states that, “If you see something wrong, you should object and do something." It is rather unfortunate that many people see injustices being done but choose to remain silent as it does not affect them directly. We need to develop a culture whereby we want to assist in overcoming injustice without fear or favour. I have been involved in various ...

Elvis Govender is a dedicated member of the local cricketing fraternity and has been involved in the game as an administrator, coach and player for more than 45-years. Govender is from a sporting family. He eats sleeps and breathes cricket. He devotes a large amount of his time towards nurturing talent from within Chatsworth as well as Kwa-Zulu Natal. Elvis Govender took some time off his busy schedule to chat to Tabloid Newspapers about his love, family and passion for the game. Tabloid Newspapers (TN): Tell us about your upbringing? Elvis Govender (EG): I was born in 1960 and come from a family which consists of four brothers and one sister. We previously lived in Bluff but were relocated to Chatsworth when I was one-year-old due to the Group Areas Act. I have lived in Chatsworth for 58-years. My father was a soccer player and my three brothers. I played both cricket and soccer. We played cricket competitively and at one stage my brothers Krish, Raymond and Stanley and...

Chatsworth resident Daryl Naidu affectionately known to many as ‘Nightmare’ is one of the most respected professional wrestlers within South Africa. In addition to being known for his wrestling talents, Nighmare is also a dedicated community activist who is committed to making a difference to the lives of others. Nightmare shared his Journey with the Chatsworth Tabloid. Chatsworth Tabloid (CT): Briefly tell us about your upbringing? Daryl Naidu (DN): I was a kid who had a very good upbringing from my parents and I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. I grew up in Chatsworth. I experienced struggles and did not come from a rich family. We had a hard life growing up. My parents taught us business sense. I have been through the good, bad and ugly of Chatsworth. I grew up as an innocent kid and eventually started becoming the people I started joining. Even though I have travelled the world and had a lot of international exposure, Chatsworth is where my heart is. ...

Elsubie Verlinden has earned her stripes as the South African Agent for The New York Film Academy and the South African Director for the ARTS International Expo (Orlando, Florida). She has helped facilitate local models and artists to obtain international education and degrees. Her models has booked top brands and walked the runways of New York Fashion Week, LA Fashion Week, SA Fashion Week and Mercedes Benz Fashion Week. Tabloid Newspapers had an opportunity to chat to the lovely Elsubie about her life and passion. Tabloid Newspaper (TN): Where did Elsubie grow up? Elsubie Verlinden (EV): I was born in KwaZulu-Natal, Empangeni to be specific, and have lived in Eastern Cape, from there I relocated to Johannesburg to start my modelling career. There, I worked as a commercial actress, where I performed as Nancy in Mr Bones 2, also had a role in Binnelanders a SA soap, I have done 21 local commercials, and 17 international commercials. TN: What is your ro...

Local radio personality, Sershin Narayadu is making waves on the local online radio, Megazone Hit Radio. The young man who is passionate about carving himself a successful career in the world of music as a DJ, and always made it a point to put his skills on display wherever he went, got his lucky break in 2017 and never looked back. Narayadu's talents have since been internationally recognised and has built himself a large international following. Tabloid Newspapers spoke to Sershin about his interests and passion. Tabloid Newspapers (TN) : In a nutshell, tell us about yourself, siblings and family Sershin Narayadu (SN) : I'm 27-years-old and come from a family of five which includes my dad, Paul Narayadu, mum, Naleena, sister Santisha and my niece Neha. We are a happy go lucky family that enjoys traveling the world and experiencing new adventures. TN : Where do you hail from and where do you reside now ? SN : I am formally from Newlands West in Durban. My ...

Anivesh Singh Anivesh Singh is a social entrepreneur who is also dedicated towards promoting reading within Durban. He is the founder of Ripple Effect Health and Wellness booklets. Singh holds a BA degree majoring in Political Science and Law from the University of Durban Westville and a Post Graduate Diploma in Industrial Relations from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. He has more than 20 years of experience in the publishing industry, having worked for Lexis Nexis as an editor and product manager. Singh took some time out of his busy schedule to speak to Chatsworth Tabloid about his life and work. Chatsworth Tabloid (CT) : Please describe a typical day in your life? Anivesh Singh (AS) : Not being a morning person, I get out of bed under protest. Typically, the days are never the same. A lot of time is spent working the phones and responding to emails. I will spend some time reading through manuscripts, discussing cover designs with artists/designers. I try t...

Port Shepstone born Carishma Basday is the Deep End lead actress and SABC 3 show Mela presenter. She is also a professional dancer and model. She started ballet dancing at the age of four and has since trained in many dancing styles including modern dance, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, belly dancing, funk, fusion, salsa and Latin American. Basday spoke with Tabloid Newspapers about her continuing journey. Tabloid Newspapers (TN): Tell us a little bit about your journey? Carishma Basday (CB): I have been a journalist for a local paper, a news anchor and journalist for a local news channel. I've landed a role in the play Les Miserables and a dancing show. In 2008, I obtained my degree in performing arts and media studies. I also acquired a diploma in behind the scenes work such as editing, script writing, lighting, directing and producing. I also attended Act Cape Town where I was trained as a film actress. I also signed with Artists One agency in 2009. TN: What i...

Usha Naidu is a recently retired educator and freelance journalist. Naidu’s teaching career spanned 28-years where she taught at Clairwood High School, Glenwood High School as well as Eden College. Her career in journalism began in 2001 with community interest stories. She wrote a weekly column for Tabloid Newspapers called Usha Uncut. Naidu has travelled extensively around South Africa, Africa and the world, having visited more than 50 countries. Her most memorable vacations have been to Russia, Namibia and to the Florida Keys in the United States. She recently released a book called “Behind the Scenes, Insights into the Journey of Parenting” which she hopes will stimulate discussion around parenting issues and bring about awareness of the damage that parents can do to their children if they lack the capacity to own up to and introspect on their actions. Usha spoke to Chatsworth Tabloid about her life, passion and the inspiration behind her book. Chatsworth Tabloid (CT...

Durban activist and community driven Imitiaz Syed (IS) is the chair of many Community Policing Forums such as Ethekwini Cluster CPF, Mayville SAPS CPF and also the member of the Civilian Oversight Committee. Syed spoke to Tabloid Newspapers (TN) about his day and life working with the community. Tabloid Newspapers (TN): You are a man who loves his community and submerges himself in the greater good of the community that you serve. Where did the passion start and what inspired it? Imtiaz Syed (IS): In 2014, the area in which we reside had 14 house burglaries in 14 days. This is when I called my first community meeting and decided to get a few neighbours together to engage in neighbourhood watch activities. It is through this my initial engagements with Colonel Luthuli at the Mayville police station in a manner that questioned service delivery and the lack of same at the time. This sort of behaviour has always been a part of my life, how we were brought up in a ...

Sarita Mathur has been setting the local literary scene alight with her writing and performance poetry. The Indian born author and poet shared her fascinating journey with The Chatsworth Tabloid. CT: Tell us about your upbringing in India ? SM: I was born and brought up in India. My father was in the Indian army and at the age of 11, I went to boarding school in the exotic Jaipur. Every three years, he was transferred to a different place so we got the opportunity to see and experience all parts of the country. Maharani Gayatri Devi, my alma mater, is a wonderful school and boarding school was a great experience. Besides academics, you make friends for life. After school, my father was transferred to Simla Western High Command so I had the opportunity to be with my parents and go to university in Simla where I studied and got Honours in English Literature. I always loved art and had a good eye for colour and design. I was advised to go in for textile designing but i...

35-year-old Sheetal Cross, is an award winning feature journalist, sports columnist and television presenter. She is the founder of Titanium Media South Africa (TMSA) which she established after identifying a need for Entrepreneurial Media Empowerment Programmes, arising from new media trends. Cross took some time and chatted to Tabloid Newspapers about her success as a media personality and a business woman. Tabloid Newspapers (TN): Please tell me about yourself and your career background? Sheetal Cross (SC): I was raised in a poor household, with four siblings, making it tougher to live. I was also very badly abused throughout my childhood, but from those experiences, I learned to empower myself with education and be creative to achieve financial independence. At 11, I started my own soap and nail polish distribution business, outselling all my products at a big profit, this is when I caught the business bug, learning about supply and demand. I then noticed a ga...

Phila Duma of Savannah Park is an actor, presenter and award winning photographer. Falling in love with the media industry at a tender age has seen him appearing on SABC’s Yo TV and serving as the master of ceremonies at events such as Mr and Mrs Damelin. Phila is currently working on his self-established initiative 'Shoot with the Stars' which aims to give back to the people of KZN by identifying talented local fashion-designers, make-up artists and accessories suppliers and allowing them to showcase their work. Duma shared his journey with The Chatsworth Tabloid. Chatsworth Tabloid (CT): Describe your upbringing in Savannah Park? P h ila Duma (PD) : It literally took a village to raise a child like me. Especially because I moved from one place to another. I was born in uMlazi township and switched to Savannah Park at the age of 10. The move for me had to make me step out of my comfort zone and expand myself wide enough to change, mainly living and surroundin...

Musa Madonsela is the new manager of Life Chatsmed Garden Hospital. The dynamic 33-year-old, who is passionate about rugby and healthcare, shared his journey and aspirations with The Chatsworth Tabloid. CT : Can you tell us about your upbringing? MM : I was born in a small township called Hammarsdale. During those times there was a bit of political tension and we relocated to Pinetown. It was during the time when the country was transitioning from apartheid to democracy and I still remember being the only black child in my classroom. It was a good time to grow up in South Africa as there was a lot of positivity but there were a lot of reminders about the past. As a child, I did not have any difficulties and I had a lot of friends from different race groups. CT : What does your new role entail? MM : If you think about a president, they have to look after every aspect of the country. My mandate is to grow and improve the hospital in terms of the services that we are...

Vicky Prithraj is the chairman of the Funda Zophila Foundation. He presents the Edu-Assist Awareness Programmes on bullying and abuse and ensures that they are done correctly. He regularly hosts discussions with the provincial school coordinators and with the assistant director for the national office for basic education to update them on progress and problems experienced at schools with the running of the programmes. Chatsworth Tabloid (CT): Tell us about the Funda Zophila Foundation Vicky Prithraj (VP): The Funda Zophila Foundation is a registered non-profit organisation with the Department of Social Development. We are a Section 18A approved organisation. Funda Zophila runs Edu-Assist Awareness Programmes on bullying and abuse at schools throughout South Africa. We rely totally on funding from the public, businesses and corporates to make this possible. The programme is done with students and Life Orientation educators. We refer to this part of the programme as ...

Queensburg's business woman Charlotte Nihal (CN) is the finalist in the Tammy Taylor Mrs South Africa 2019 competition. The UIP newly elected chairperson said growing up she has always been an extrovert. She said she already feels like a winner of the competition. Tabloid Newspapers (TN) spoke to Nihal more about the competition and how she handles her responsibilities. TN : Where were you born and which school did you go to? CN : My story, Marianhill to MIT. I was born to humble beginnings in a small town called Marianhill, my family later moved to Queensburgh were I still reside today. I attended Malvern Primary School and my high school career was at Wingen Heights Secondary. Although I am from a small town, I always had big dreams and my passion to succeed got me to one of the most prestigious universities in the world, Massachusetts Institute of Technology as well as becoming a national representative of the Clothing and textile sector of SA by the FP&MSETA...