South Coast water shutdown announced

ETHEKWINI Municipality has announced an emergency shutdown of the South Coast augmentation pipeline today (May 30), as an intervention to manage high water demand.
Also read: Umkhomazi water tender sparks legal battle
In a statement, the municipality said the system has been struggling to recover and maintain adequate levels in the dependent reservoirs following the shutdown of uMngeni-uThukela's Wiggins Water Treatment Works in April.
'Currently, there is a significant reduction in gravity and high-lift flow from the treatment works, resulting in reduced flow into the city's water network. The shutdown is necessary to build storage levels in affected reservoirs. The system will be reopened later today once there are sufficient water levels,' the statement read.
Affected south-central areas include:
Isipingo Beach, Isipingo Rail, Orient Hills, Prospecton Industrial, Malaba Hills, Reunion, Lotus Park, Malukazi, Durban Old Airport, and Prince Mshiyeni Hospital.
Affected southern areas include:
Athlone Park, Galleria Mall, Arbour Crossing, Kingsway Hospital, Two Cancer Centres, Southgate Industrial Park, Lewis Drive, Amanzimtoti CBD, Almond, Winklespruit, Warner Beach, Illovo Glen, Lower Illovo, Doonside, Launceston, Illovo Beach, Karridene Protea Hotel, Panorama Park, Umgababa, Umnini, Mfume, KwaSoni, Mashiwase, Nkwali, Lovu A, B, and C, Bhekulwandle, Msarhweni, Lovu Phase 1 and Phase 3, Lovu Landfill, KwaMakhutha, Mkhazini, eMasomini, Ekuhlengeni Psychiatric Hospital, Ohlongeni, D1060, Adams Mission, Adams Central, Zwelisha, Ilfracombe, Magabheni, Ehlanzeni, Thoyane, Umkhomazi, Craigieburn, Amahlongwa, Amalundi, Crowder Farm, Malukazi, Clansthal, V-Section, Saiccor Village, and Naidooville.
For more information regarding water supply, the public can download the eThekwini Municipality's mobile app to log faults or send a WhatsApp message to 073 148 3477. Alternatively, call the toll-free number 080 311 1111 or email Eservices@durban.gov.za.
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At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

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Love in a time of Wi-Fi: How couples cultivate connection online

Daily Maverick

8 hours ago

Daily Maverick

Love in a time of Wi-Fi: How couples cultivate connection online

For most, WhatsApp was the go-to. It was the easiest, most intimate platform — rich with voice notes, real-time messaging, and video calls. But the communication wasn't just about logistics or surface-level check-ins. We've all heard the horror stories: WhatsApp blow-ups, Instagram posts that notch up the jealousy factor, and an emoji that accidentally ruined a perfectly good weekend. Social media doesn't always have the best rep when it comes to relationships. But maybe that's not the full story. That's what Lauren Maytham, a newly qualified clinical psychologist, set out to explore in her Master's thesis at Nelson Mandela University. Maytham's research, completed at the end of last year under the supervision of cyber-relationships expert Dr Tania Lambert, focused on how South African young adults use social media to maintain intimacy and passion in committed romantic relationships. 'I wanted to find out how young people were staying emotionally close in an era in which we're often physically apart,' said Maytham. 'And I wanted to focus on relationships that already existed — not dating apps or how people meet, but how they stay connected.' The real work of staying close The study interviewed eight young adults — aged 22 to 29 — who were in stable, exclusive relationships. They weren't living together, weren't married, and spent regular time apart. These were the kind of relationships where future plans were being made, but daily routines were still separate. The question Maytham posed was simple: How do you keep romance alive on social media? For most, WhatsApp was the go-to. It was the easiest, most intimate platform — thanks to the voice notes, real-time messaging, and video calls. But the communication wasn't just about surface-level check-ins. 'Participants talked about small gestures that made them feel emotionally close,' Maytham said. 'Even something like a partner asking 'How's your day going?' helped them feel seen and secure.' In several cases, couples created entire digital rituals to bridge the gap. Virtual date nights. Shared streaming. Midweek memes sent just to make each other laugh. 'One participant described how watching a movie together over the phone, with pauses to laugh or comment, created a shared moment that felt especially meaningful,' said Maytham. Intimacy, passion — and a love app called LoveWick While many past studies have focused on the risks of oversharing or online infidelity, Maytham's participants revealed a quiet creativity to their digital intimacy. One of the discoveries that interested her most involved an app called LoveWick — designed to help couples log important dates, preferences, even favourite snacks or clothing sizes. 'The app has a feature called Forget Me Not,' Maytham said. 'One participant used it to remember what flowers his girlfriend liked and would order them when she wasn't feeling well. It was one of the most emotionally thoughtful uses of tech I came across.' Passion, too, wasn't absent — it was just reimagined. Some participants were open about sending flirtatious photos, texts, or wearing a partner's favourite outfit in shared content. Others preferred more private exchanges. Boundaries mattered, and couples navigated them with care. And then there was TikTok. One participant described how she and her partner shared cheeky TikToks and relationship memes as inside jokes. Another said the TikTok algorithm kept serving up videos that mirrored their relationship quirks — and bonding over those little moments became a daily ritual. 'There was a wide range of what people felt comfortable with,' said Maytham. 'But the key was mutual understanding — and respecting that one partner might be more private than the other.' What the men had to say One of the more surprising themes to emerge said Maytham was how frequently male participants brought up love languages — often unprompted. 'I didn't expect that,' said Maytham. 'They not only recognised their partners' emotional needs, but actively used digital tools to meet them. Whether it was sending encouraging messages or sharing content that spoke to their partner's personality, they were intentional.' While popular discourse often paints men as emotionally distant in digital spaces, Maytham's findings pushed back against the stereotype. 'They may not have been as verbally expressive as the women, but the care and thought were there.' Culture, boundaries and public declarations The study also touched on cultural and personal beliefs that shaped how participants engaged with social media. Two women, both of Indian descent, raised concerns about the evil eye — the belief that too much public sharing of love and happiness can attract jealousy or harm. 'They grew up being told to protect what's sacred,' Maytham explained. 'For them, keeping their romantic lives off the timeline wasn't a lack of affection — it was about preserving something private and safe.' This sentiment was echoed by others who simply preferred direct messages to public declarations. 'Some felt that real intimacy didn't need to be posted,' said Maytham. 'Others enjoyed sharing light-hearted moments but kept deeper emotional exchanges within private platforms like WhatsApp.' From TikTok to therapy rooms Maytham sees a future for this kind of research beyond academia. She believes it has practical relevance for couples therapy — especially when it comes to helping people navigate relationships in an age where escaping social media is virtually impossible. 'Social media can be repetitive, even shallow,' she said. 'But it can also be a powerful tool for emotional connection — if it's used with intention and awareness.' DM

Sapphire Coast photographers visit ocean rescue facility in Rocky Bay [Pics]

The Citizen

13 hours ago

The Citizen

Sapphire Coast photographers visit ocean rescue facility in Rocky Bay [Pics]

THE Sapphire Coast Camera Club ventured off to Rocky Bay to visit NPO, the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI), on May 17. The exciting and informative outing saw the shutter-happy photographers learn about what NSRI does, how the organisation operates, and what its focus is on. Also read: Doon Heights jazz maestro bags PhD NSRI focuses on preventing drowning and saving lives out at sea all along South Africa's coastlines. It carries out rescue operations, educates communities and works to prevent drownings. It works on a volunteer-basis and volunteers are on call 24/7. NSRI is reliant on donations and sponsorships. Wynand Grobler, chairperson of the camera club, said, 'The camera club met the NSRI members at Station 39, Rocky Bay, where they taught us about what they do and showed videos of past rescues. Thereafter, we were able to watch their boat go out. It was an eye-opener to see what they can do and to think that all the NSRI members are all volunteers. We were able to make some good photographs. It was a fun day for us all.' For the early-risers in the club, it was a perfect start, capturing a spectacular sunrise from the beach. Thereafter the group met with Helen Wienand and station commander Kevin Fourie for an in-depth tour of the rescue base, the vessels and safety equipment. NSRI guest speaker Helen Wienand said, 'The close-up views afforded the photographers with plenty of opportunity for creative shots, however, the highlight of the morning was watching the crew ready the Jetrib for training. The visitors were treated to a full display of the Jetribs' capabilities in the surf, resulting in fabulous action photos. It is always special for our volunteers to have an opportunity to meet and interact with the residents who live near the rescue base and support us. We invite clubs and societies to reach out and visit us at our NSRI rescue stations and see what we do.' For more information about the Sapphire Coast Camera Club, contact Wynand Grobler on 084 244 5317 or email sapphirecoastcameraclub@ To learn more about NSRI, visit For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!

How social media can 'trigger' eating disorders in young people

eNCA

15 hours ago

eNCA

How social media can 'trigger' eating disorders in young people

NEW YORK - Social media can push vulnerable young people towards developing eating disorders by glorifying thinness and promoting fake, dangerous advice about diet and nutrition, experts warn. Young women and girls are much more likely to suffer from illnesses such as anorexia, bulimia and binge eating disorder, though rates among men have been increasing. Research has shown the percentage of people worldwide who have had some kind of eating disorder during their lives rose from 3.5 percent in 2000 to 7.8 percent in 2018, a timeframe that captures the rise of social media. For the professionals trying to help teenagers recover from these disorders, misinformation from influencers on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram is a huge problem. "We no longer treat an eating disorder without also addressing social media use," French dietitian and nutritionist Carole Copti told AFP. "It has become a trigger, definitely an accelerator and an obstacle to recovery," she added. The causes of eating disorders are complex, with psychological, genetic, environmental and social factors all having the potential to make someone more susceptible. Social media "is not the cause but the straw that may break the camel's back," said Nathalie Godart, a psychiatrist for children and adolescents at the Student Health Foundation of France. By promoting thinness, strictly controlled diets and relentless exercise, social media weakens already vulnerable people and "amplifies the threat" to their health, she told AFP. Just one recent example is the #skinnytok trend, a hashtag on TikTok full of dangerous and guilt-inducing advice encouraging people to drastically reduce how much food they eat. Eating disorders can damage the heart, cause infertility and other health problems, and have been linked to suicidal behaviour. Anorexia has the highest rate of death of any psychiatric disease, research has found. Eating disorders are also the second leading cause of premature death among 15- to 24-year-olds in France, according to the country's health insurance agency. Social media creates a "vicious cycle," Copti said.