Nkosikhona Duma

A KwaZulu-Natal team of doctors has achieved a groundbreaking medical milestone, removing a brain tumour without a single external incision. #eNCA #DStv403

I worked 20 years for a child sex trafficking rescue group. I want you to know this: 90% of Lost Children Are Found Within 30 Minutes. That statistic should both comfort you and wake you up. Most lost children are found quickly. But the ones who aren’t? They usually made one mistake. And here’s the uncomfortable truth: It’s often the exact thing most parents teach them. We tell our kids: “If you get lost, come find me.” It sounds logical. It sounds empowering. It’s WRONG! The Mistake Most Lost Children Make: When children realize they’re separated, they do three things almost automatically: They panic. They wander. They try to find you. Every step makes them harder to locate. From a search standpoint, movement creates chaos. Parents retrace their steps. Security scans zones. Staff lock down areas. Search works best when movement stops. When a child keeps walking, they move outside the original search radius. Helpers are looking where they were last seen — not where they’ve wandered. Stillness increases probability. Movement expands the problem. The first lesson is not “go find me.” It’s this: Stop. Stay. Yell. Why Stillness Wins: Think like a search team. If a child stays put: Parents can retrace steps. Security can scan systematically. Helpers converge to one fixed location. The search radius remains small. If a child keeps moving: The search area expands. Adults pass each other. Missed connections multiply. Minutes stretch into hours. Stillness keeps the math on your side. Teach Them Who to Approach: The second mistake we make as parents? We say, “Find an adult.” Not any adult. Not the nearest stranger. Children need a filter. Teach them to look for, if at all possible: A mother with children. Caregivers who already have kids with them are statistically among the safest people to approach in public settings. They are visible, stationary, and more likely to engage quickly. It’s a clear, concrete instruction. Children don’t process vague categories like “safe adult.” They process visuals. “Find a mom with kids” is visual. A Phone Only Helps If the Number Is Known: We often assume phones solve everything. They don’t — unless your child can use one. Even young children can memorize a 10-digit phone number with repetition. But you must train it. Practice it like a song. Sing it in the car. Chant it at bedtime. Turn it into rhythm. Repetition becomes recall. In an emergency, recall matters more than theory. The Code Word Rule: One more layer of protection. Choose a private family code word. Something only your household knows. If someone approaches and says: “Your mom sent me.” Your child asks: “What’s the code word?” No word. No go. This simple rule eliminates manipulation attempts instantly. It gives your child agency without requiring them to evaluate character. Real Safety Is Training — Not Luck! We don’t get safer by hoping. We get safer by practicing. Teach: • Phone number • Code word • Stop, stay, yell • Find a mom with kids Multiple skills. Simple instructions. Clear visuals. Five minutes of training can replace hours of panic. This isn’t about fear. It’s about preparation. Because when a child gets separated, the clock starts. And what they do in the first minute determines what the next thirty look like. That’s real protection.

Good people need to get involved in politics. Ultimately, the solutions to this country’s challenges lie in politics. The idea that you can simply work hard, make enough money, and escape to the suburbs while the rest of society falls apart is not only myopic, it’s also delusional. No man is an island. Look at places like Nigeria. Despite all his wealth, Burna Boy has to buy petrol from a 20-litre container instead of a proper petrol station. Money alone cannot shield you from a failing system. Suburbs in Joburg are experiencing water shortages. Many residents believed their wealth would insulate them from poor governance and incompetent leadership, but the reality is that when institutions fail, everyone feels the consequences. That is why it is crucial to encourage capable, ethical people to step into politics. Real change will only happen when good people are willing to take responsibility and lead. Join politics.

This video has come full circle for me in a profound way this week. I filmed it on 27 June 2018 while covering the Land Expropriation Hearings for Business Day. On that day, the now late Mosiuoa Lekota argued strongly for the protection of white land ownership, which rubbed Julius Malema, who celebrated his birthday this week, the wrong way and things briefly turned physical. The chairperson of the Joint Constitutional Review Committee, now convicted criminal Vincent Smith, had his hands full calming the situation. He was an efficient chair and handled those highly emotive hearings with remarkable composure. Politics… never a dull day.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Finance Francois Rodgers has described the 2026 National Budget as a critical step towards restoring South Africa’s financial credibility. tinyurl.com/2vuzcn8z #Budget2026 #GovZAUpdates @KZNTreasury

I love people who just naturally have morals, manners, self awareness, common sense and consideration for others.

KZN Treasury is hiring. Details are on this link: kzntreasury.gov.za/AboutUs/SitePa…

I wish to take this moment to wish every matric pupil in KZN all best as they commence with the final examinations of their high school career today. Last week, I had the opportunity to spend some time with the class of 2025 at Franklin Secondary School in my hometown of Kokstad

I don’t know why, but I expected better from you. As a senior government leader you know well that the payment of EAs isn’t the responsibility of the DBE. It is the work of Dept of Employment and Labour. To peddle lies with your chest is wild business. The DBE has done everything to comply and submit all verification documents; to ensure that our EAs are paid without further delay. Their work is invaluable in our schools. Enjoy your weekend.

Leo Rosten, what a line

KwaZulu-Natal Treasury MEC Francois Rodgers has dismissed claims that his department’s intervention in the crisis-ridden provincial Education Department is to blame for its failure to procure learning and teaching support materials (LTSM). witness.co.za/news/2025/10/0…

The true wealth of KZN lies in its people. This Heritage Month, I listened to the stories and experiences of the traders who are the backbone of Durban's iconic markets – from the oldest, the Victoria Street Market, to the dynamic Fish and English Markets.

My statement formally recognising the State of Palestine.

Today, Canada recognises the State of Palestine.

That long-sleeve golfer is heat

JUST IN: An independent inquiry by the United Nations has concluded that Israel has committed and is continuing to commit genocide against Palestinians in Gaza. The commission found that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other top leaders have incited genocide.

“It is clear there is an intent to destroy the Palestinians in Gaza through acts that meet the criteria set forth in the Genocide Convention.” UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry's report shows #Israel has committed #genocide in #Gaza. ohchr.org/sites/default/…

I am truly appreciative of the sweet messages from my KZN Treasury team. Let us continue building a better and stronger KwaZulu-Natal. Nomakanjani!

[WATCH] KwaZulu-Natal Treasury is investigating multimillion-rand tenders in the departments of education and transport. MEC Francois Rodgers says the school nutrition programme tender is under scrutiny after allegations of corruption and irregularities.

@NdaedzoNN The ultimate test of maturity is hearing someone had a negative experience with a person you like, and your first reaction isn't defensiveness, but acceptance. Their truth doesn't erase yours. Both can exist.