Visit North West University press office A plant long used in traditional medicine is now at the centre of research that could shape future cancer treatment options in South Africa and beyond. Researchers at the North-West University (NWU) are investigating the anti-cancer potential of Lessertia frutescens, commonly known as cancer bush, after laboratory studies showed activity against several forms of cancer, including drug-resistant small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer. According to Prof Chrisna Gouws, a research professor in the Centre of Excellence for Pharmaceutical Sciences in the Faculty of Health Sciences, the research team tested extracts from the indigenous plant on cultured human cancer cells and more advanced laboratory-grown “mini-tumours” known as spheroids. “Lessertia frutescens has shown significant anti-cancer activity against several different cancer types in our research,” she says. Targeting cancers considered incurable She says the findings became more important when the team observed activity in cancers that no longer respond to conventional treatment. “What is very interesting and exciting is the apparent activity in drug-resistant cancers such as resistant small cell lung cancer, where known chemotherapies have limited to no activity,” Prof Gouws says. “This provides us with new avenues to investigate for treatment options to treat cancers currently considered incurable.” The research team said another factor attracting attention is the plant’s longstanding use in traditional medicine and its safety profile. “An important consideration is that this plant has a long history of use and is considered non-toxic and safe for use,” Prof Gouws says. “It’s anti-cancer activity comes without the significant side-effects known to occur with most standard chemotherapies.” Other systems in the body may benefit Researchers also found that the plant may support other systems in the body during treatment. “Lessertia has known boosting effects for the digestive and immune systems, and it can have mood-enhancing activities as well,” she says. “It may therefore not only target the cancer but positively impact the patient as a whole at the same time.” The team is now studying the plant’s phytochemicals to identify the molecules responsible for the anti-cancer activity and understand how they work.  “Although many molecules have been identified and shown to contribute to the anti-cancer activity of the plant, the mechanism of action remains mostly unclear,” says Prof Gouws. “We are therefore delving deeper now to try and understand how and why this plant works.” The next phase of the study will include animal model testing later this year to confirm safety and efficacy before future clinical trials can be considered. At the same time, the researchers are developing a complementary medicine product that may be available in pharmacies by 2027. Prof Gouws says the project could also create economic opportunities. “Chemotherapy can be very expensive and inaccessible in rural areas. A new plant-based treatment will be much more cost-effective and may be more accessible because it can be manufactured locally,” she says. “An increase in demand for the plant material will also create economic opportunities through farming.” More about Prof Chrisna Gouws Prof Gouws leads the strategic project for Human-Based New Approach Methodologies for Biomedical Research. She holds a PhD in biochemistry and has more than 15 years’ experience in utilising cell culture-based models for human health and disease research, including developing new complex in vitro models for applications in drug research, including traditional medicinal remedies and plant materials for cancer treatment. She is the founder and executive committee chair for the Society for Advanced Cell Culture Modelling for Africa, a board member of International Microphysiological Systems Society, and co-editor of the NAM Journal.

In light of the Champions League final defeat, it is tempting for many pundits and critics to brand Arsenal’s campaign a disappointment. That would be unfair and profoundly misguided. As a lover of the beautiful game, I believe people should celebrate what the Gunners achieved this season rather than dwell solely on the final hurdle. Winning the Premier League and reaching the Champions League final represents a remarkable double that few clubs manage in a year. To dismiss it because of one night in Paris is to misunderstand the nature of elite football. Arsenal’s Premier League triumph was built on consistency, tactical discipline and sheer resilience. In a league as gruelling and competitive as England’s, claiming the title before traditional powerhouses is no fluke. It speaks volumes about the squad’s character, the manager’s vision and the collective hunger that drove them week after week. This was not a team that fluked its way to silverware. It was a side that earned every point through determination and quality. That domestic success should stand tall, undiminished by events in Europe. Reaching the Champions League final was an enormous achievement. How many clubs across the continent dream of that stage and fall short? Arsenal navigated a path filled with elite opposition and emerged as worthy finalists. Their journey showcased growth, tactical evolution and moments of genuine brilliance. It’s undeniable that the final loss to Paris Saint-Germain stings. PSG were outstanding on the night, displaying superior quality and clinical finishing worthy of a trophy of this magnitude. Credit where it is due. PSG’s victory was hard-earned and should be applauded without a speck of reservation. The most agonising moment on the field that night came with Gabriel Magalhães’ missed penalty. In an instant, the weight of expectation, the pressure of the occasion and a moment of human frailty combined to swing the match. It was heartbreaking for the player, the team and the supporters.  Yet football history is littered with such moments. Roberto Baggio’s infamous miss in the 1994 World Cup final for Italy remains one of the sport’s most poignant examples. Great players have missed great penalties in great matches before. He was not the first and certainly will not be the last. Gabriel should not be defined by this kick. His overall contribution to Arsenal’s success this season has been immense. What followed PSG’s victory, however, left a deeply sour taste that went far beyond the pitch. The streets of Paris, known as the City of Love, descended into fiery chaos, with violent clashes resulting in more than 780 arrests. The number continues to rise. Flares illuminated the night sky, electric bikes were set ablaze and storefronts were smashed by jubilant yet destructive crowds. Public transport was disrupted and authorities had to deploy thousands of officers to restore order.  While football celebrations can be passionate, there is no excuse for this level of violence, hooliganism and vandalism. It tarnishes the achievement of the winners and embarrasses the sport. Clubs and authorities must do more to separate genuine fans from those who use victories as an excuse for mayhem and criminality. Public safety should never be collateral damage in football’s triumphs. As the club seasons across the world draw to a close, attention now turns to the international stage and the upcoming Fifa World Cup. The global spectacle offers a fresh canvas for national teams to write new stories of glory, redemption and heartbreak. It reminds us why we love the game: the unpredictability, the shared emotion across borders and the chance for underdogs to shine. Arsenal fans have every right to feel proud. A Premier League title and a Champions League final appearance constitute a highly successful season by any reasonable measure. The experience gained will fuel future ambitions. Losses in finals hurt precisely because the journey to get there matters so much. Arsenal have shown they belong at the very top table of European football. Football, at its best, is about resilience and perspective. Arsenal embodied that this season. While PSG deserved their second European crown in a back-to-back campaign, the Gunners’ achievements deserve lasting recognition. As we shift focus to the World Cup, let us carry forward this balanced appreciation, celebrating winners without diminishing those who pushed them all the way. Lelo Mzaca is an award-winning multitalented journalist, copywriter and presenter of The Big Breakfast Show on Radio 2000. He has an overwhelming passion for sport, lifestyle, music, arts and culture.

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Despite reaching a sixth consecutive HSBC SVNS final and staying top of the standings, Blitzboks coach Philip Snyman warns his side must be more ruthless.

South African motorists will continue to fork out more for petrol and less for diesel at the pumps from Wednesday, 3 June 2026. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) announced that the prices of 93-octane and 95-octane petrol will increase by R1.43 per litre. The price of diesel with 0.05% (500ppm) sulphur decreases by R3.25 per litre, and 0.005% (50ppm) sulphur goes down by R2.62 per litre. Meanwhile, illuminating paraffin will cost R5.96 less per litre, while the price of LP gas decreases by 17 cents per kg countrywide, except in the Western Cape, where it’ll decrease by 20 cents per kg. How much will fuel cost you? When the fuel price adjustment kicks in, a litre of 93 unleaded petrol will cost R27.95 per litre, while 95 unleaded will be R28.06 The wholesale price of 0.05% (500ppm) diesel will decrease to R 27.92 per litre, and 0.005% (50ppm) will cost R28.76 Reasons for the increase DMRE spokesperson Lerato Ntsoko stated that several factors, including international petroleum product prices and the rand-US dollar (USD) exchange rate, contributed to the increase in petrol and decrease diesel prices. Brent Crude Oil price Ntsoko said the average Brent Crude oil price increased from 101 US Dollars (USD) to 104.59 USD during the period under review. “This is due to the continued tension between the US and Iran, and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. “The average international product prices decreased during the period under review. The prices of middle distillates (diesel and paraffin) decreased more than petrol prices because of lower seasonal demand as the northern hemisphere moves into summer,” Ntsoko said. She said these factors led to lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and illuminating paraffin by 30.42 cents per litre (c/l), R5.42 per litre and R5.82 per litre, respectively. “The prices of Propane and Butane remained the same during the period under review, however, the freight costs decreased.” Rand/US dollar exchange Ntsoko said the Rand appreciated on average against the US Dollar (from 16.65 to 16.52 Rand per USD) during the period under review, compared with the previous period. “This led to slightly lower contributions to the Basic Fuel Prices of petrol, diesel and Illuminating Paraffin by 12.07 c/l, 14.81 c/l and 14.55 c/l, respectively.” Slate levy Ntsoko said the cumulative slate amounted to a negative balance of R18.28 billion for petrol and diesel at the end of April 2026. “In line with the provisions of the self-adjusting Slate Levy Mechanism, the slate levy of 157.74 c/l will be implemented in the price structures of petrol and diesel with effect from the 3rd of June 2026. The Slate Levy has increased by 35.04 cents per litre from 122.70 to 157.74 cents per litre.” Levies Ntsoko, in line with the announcement by the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana, the amount of general fuel levy relief has accordingly been reduced by R1.50 per litre for petrol and R1.96 per litre for diesel, effective from Wednesday, 3 June 2026, to Tuesday, 30 June 2026.

Residents and businesses across multiple Johannesburg districts face scheduled electricity interruptions from Monday, 1 June to Saturday, 7 June 2026, as City Power carries out critical maintenance on ageing infrastructure. Why your lights will go out this week City Power’s General Manager of Public Relations and Communication, Isaac Mangena, says the scheduled outages are part of a broader effort to keep the city’s electricity network functional and safe. “The planned interruptions form part of ongoing work to strengthen, maintain and improve the reliability and stability of the electricity network,” said Mangena on Monday. He added that the timing is particularly significant as winter sets in. “These maintenance activities also assist in protecting the network during periods of high demand, especially as colder weather conditions place additional pressure on electricity infrastructure,” Mangena said. The maintenance spans six days and affects suburbs stretching from Alexandra and Edenvale in the east, to Randburg and Roodepoort in the west, and as far north as Midrand. Alexandra and surrounds first affected The week’s outages begin on Monday with three separate outages in the Alexandra Service Delivery Centre area. The Sebenza Substation will affect a broad sweep of eastern Johannesburg suburbs in two overlapping windows – from 8.30am to 12.30pm and again from 9am to 1pm – covering areas including Far East Bank, Longlake extensions, Westlake Estate, Longmeadow, Ashworth, Founders Hill, and Edenvale Hospital, among others. A third, longer outage runs from 9am to 5pm at the Gresswold Substation, affecting Wynberg, Kew, Bramley, Glenhazel, Lombardy East, Linksfield North, Silvamonte, Crystal Gardens, and Rembrandt Park, among other suburbs. Inner city and Randburg residents affected Tuesday brings the most widespread disruptions of the week, with four separate outages hitting the Inner City Service Delivery Centre via the Sebenza Substation, as well as a lengthy shutdown in Randburg. Observatory North, Bruma, Bezuidenhout Valley, Dewetshof, Cyrildene and Kensington will lose power from 10am to 1pm. Norwood, Orange Grove, The Orchards, Sydenham, Houghton South, and Linksfield will be affected from 9.30am to 1.30 m. Two further outages run from 11am to 3pm, with one covering Yeoville East, Bellevue East, Houghton West, and surrounding streets, and another affecting Bezuidenhout Valley North, South, and Central. Randburg and Roodepoort on the list Meanwhile, Olivedale, Northriding, Bryanston Ext 3, Jukskei Park, Sonneglans, and Strydom Park in the Randburg SDC area face a full eight-hour outage from 9am to 5pm. Thursday, 4 June sees the Randburg Substation offline from 9am to 5pm, with Mintek, Bromhof, Boskruin, Ferndale, Northwold, and Strydom Park all losing supply for the day. On Friday, 5 June, the Roodepoort SDC’s Wilro Park Substation will go down from 8am to 4pm, affecting Wilro Park, Helderkruin and Roodekrans. Midrand CBD closes out the week The final scheduled outage takes place on Saturday, 6 June, when the Midrand SDC’s CBD Switching Station will be shut down from 9am to 5pm. Bond Street, Exchange Street, Market Street, parts of Pretoria Road, Diagonal Street and Grand Central Boulevard are all in the affected zone. What to do if you’re affected Mangena noted the inconvenience the week’s programme would cause. “City Power acknowledges the disruption these planned interruptions may cause and appreciates the patience and cooperation of customers as this essential work is undertaken to improve the reliability, safety and stability of the electricity network,” he said. Mangena urged customers to remain cautious even after a scheduled outage window ends. “Customers are advised to treat all electricity supply points as live at all times during the interruption period, as supply may be restored earlier than anticipated,” he said. He also warned residents to protect their appliances: “Customers are also encouraged to unplug appliances during the interruption period to avoid possible damage when power is restored.”

Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Geordin Hill-Lewis has welcomed back Liam Jacobs to the party he left 12 months ago. Jacobs left in June 2025 and joined Gayton McKenzie’s Patriotic Alliance (PA). As at the time of publishing McKenzie has not commented on Jacobs’ departure. However, Jacobs did take to social media to announce his return to the DA. Welcome back The DA issued a media statement on Monday, shortly after news broke of Jacobs’ return to the party. ‘Today we welcome Liam Jacobs back to the Democratic Alliance. ‘Liam’s return to the DA is a reflection of the kind of party we are building. A big, growing and inclusive political home for all South Africans who want our country to work. ‘The DA is growing across communities and across the country because more and more South Africans can see that we are serious about the future. We are not interested in the politics of chaos, personality cults, and empty promises. ‘Liam Jacobs left the PA because he saw firsthand that the PA never delivers on promises. ‘People sometimes take the wrong road. What matters is whether they are willing to correct course and recommit themselves to the work of building a better South Africa. That is a sign of maturity and braveness. Liam has done that, and we welcome him back. ‘We do not and will never subscribe to the school of politics that says once a bridge is burnt it can never be repaired. And that once someone has wronged you, they are dead to you. That is unhealthy in politics and in life. ‘South Africa needs a political alternative that is bigger than grievance, bigger than division, and bigger than any individual. That alternative is the DA. ‘As we move towards the election in November, we invite South Africans from every community to join us in building a country that works for all.’ Big news that Liam Jacobs has left the PA to rejoin the DA? Let us know by clicking on the comment banner below …

The Tongaat Early Morning Market in Durban is now operating from a temporary location as refurbishment work gets underway at the popular trading facility. From 30 May, traders relocated from the market’s usual site at 61 Plane Street in oThongathi to Parks Open Field, located at 1 Edmund Morewood Street, where they are expected to remain for approximately three months. Trading will continue on Saturdays from 6:00 to 13:00 while the upgrades are being completed. What’s changing at the Tongaat Early Morning Market? The refurbishment project will see several improvements made to the Durban market, including the removal and replacement of the existing asbestos roof. Other planned upgrades include: Repairs to rainwater drainage systems Plumbing upgrades Painting and general maintenance work The improvements are aimed at creating a safer, cleaner and more functional space for traders and customers. Focus on safer trading facilities According to eThekwini Municipality, the project forms part of broader efforts to improve informal trading facilities across the city. Chairperson of the Economic Development and Planning Committee, Thembo Ntuli, said the upgrades would benefit both traders and shoppers by creating a more accessible and welcoming environment. He added that the refurbishment is also expected to improve the overall appearance of the market and enhance customer confidence in the facility. While the temporary move may require shoppers to adjust their routine, residents are being encouraged to continue supporting local traders at the temporary venue during the refurbishment period. The revamped market is expected to reopen later this year.

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