Daily Archives: June 2, 2026

‘Bafana Bafana inspire us to hope and to strive’

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Picture: RSA president, Cyril Ramaphosa 

By STAFF REPORTER

2 June 2026 – The Republic of South Africa (RSA) president, Cyril Ramaphosa said in just under two weeks’ time, Bafana Bafana will participate in the opening match in this year’s FIFA World Cup against Mexico. Ramaphosa said Bafana Bafana carry with them the best wishes of more than 62 million South Africans who will be cheering them on at every stage of the tournament.

He further said they are taking part in the World Cup for the first time since South Africa hosted the event in 2010. Ramaphosa added that at a send-off dinner hosted by the Presidency last week, they congratulated the team going to the World Cup.

“Football is defined by camaraderie, teamwork and sportsmanship. The efforts of all the players in qualifying for the tournament deserve credit and recognition. I call on all South Africans to rally behind our team and show their support. Let us wear the team colours and fly the flag.

“It has been a long and difficult journey to transform the fortunes of Bafana Bafana. Credit must go to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture, the South African Football Association (SAFA), the leagues, clubs and sponsors for their commitment to developing local football over many years,” he said.

Ramaphosa said the coach and the players deserve their collective recognition. He said efforts are ongoing to professionalise the sport, develop new talent and promote football as a recreational activity for youth in communities across the country.

“Bafana Bafana will be ambassadors for our country and what we stand for. The diversity of the squad and technical team is a reminder to the world that we are a united nation of many races, languages and cultures.

“We are a land of opportunity where a young person born into difficult circumstances is able to represent their country at the highest level of international sport. The transformation of sport in South Africa is a reflection of the values of respect, tolerance, fairness and inclusivity that underpin our constitutional order,” said Ramphosa.

He said as they know from experience, sport has a tremendous capacity to unite people across the barriers of geography, race, gender and class. Ramaphosa said they remember the iconic moment at the 1995 Rugby World Cup final when President Nelson Mandela walked onto the field wearing a Springbok jersey to congratulate Bokke.

“That moment has been immortalised in writings, memoirs and film. It captured the spirit of the times, when South Africa’s democracy was barely a year old. The country was energised by the team’s victory, but more so by what it represented to a new nation that was emerging from a deeply divided past.

“As I told the Bafana Bafana squad last week, the people of South Africa expect them to bring the trophy home. Yet regardless of how Bafana Bafana fare in the tournament, their participation is as rich with meaning as the 1995 Rugby World Cup,” he said.

Ramaphosa said much like the national squad, the country has emerged from a prolonged period of difficulty and now looks to the future with hope. He said their democracy has matured and is flourishing.

“Our Constitution has been the supreme law of the land for three decades and we have embarked on a National Dialogue to chart a new course for our country. We are seeing the signs of an economic recovery and growing confidence in our economic prospects.

“So, as we cheer our team on from the stands, at fan zones and in our homes, we should also cheer ourselves on as a country. We should celebrate how far we have come in building a united, non-racial, non-sexist and democratic South Africa,” said Ramaphosa.

He said like Bafana Bafana, they should keep working and striving until they have achieved a country in which all their people can thrive. Ramaphosa said for 90 minutes, as they play for the country, they will not be divided by language, race, province, club or circumstance.

“For 90 minutes, as they play, we will simply be South Africans standing together behind our national team and behind our flag. One Team. One Nation. Behind Bafana. Behind South Africa.

“United by our Flag, inspired by our Team. 62 million cheering voices. One Dream,” he said.

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Indigenous plant study opens new path in cancer treatment research

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Picture: Prof Chrisna Gouws/Supplied 

By BAKANG MOKOTO

2 June 2026 – 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. Gouws said lessertia frutescens has shown significant anticancer activity against several different cancer types in their research.

“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.

“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 long standing use in traditional medicine and its safety profile,” she said.

Gouws further said an important consideration is that this plant has a long history of use and is considered non-toxic and safe for use. She added that its anticancer activity comes without the significant side-effects known to occur with most standard chemotherapies.

“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.

“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 anticancer activity and understand how they work,” said Gouws.

She said although many molecules have been identified and shown to contribute to the anticancer activity of the plant, the mechanism of action remains mostly unclear. Gouws said they 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.

“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,” said Gouws.

She said an increase in demand for the plant material will also create economic opportunities through farming.

(Note: Prof Chrisna 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)

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Makashule Gana elected as chairperson of Impeachment Committee

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Picture: The newly-elected chairperson of Impeachment Committee, Makashule Gana

By KEDIBONE MOLAETSI

2 June 2026 – The Impeachment Committee on the Section 89 Enquiry met on Monday to elect its chairperson. The committee nominated two members for the position of the chairperson, Dr Lehlohonolo Mahlatsi and Makashule Gana.

The Parliament spokesperson, Moloto Mothapo said following a vote by committee members, Gana secured the support of 19 members, while Mahlatsi received 12 votes. Mothapo said the election marks the formal start of the committee’s work.

“As chairperson, Gana will lead the committee as it carries out its responsibilities under Section 89 of the Constitution. The committee will now turn its attention to determining its programme of work and the next steps in the enquiry process.

“Details of future meetings and activities will be communicated in due course,” he said.

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Monnamogolo wa dingwaga di le 84 o ikgwageditse kwa Mokassa

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Ka OBAKENG MAJE

2 Seetebosigo 2026 – Monnamogolo wa dingwaga di 84 o ikgwageditse kwa motseng wa Mokassa, gaufi le Taung. Go begwa fa tiragalo e, e diragetse ka Lamatlhatso.

Sebueledi sa sepodisi mono sedikeng sa Dr Ruth Segomotsi Mompati, Warrant Officer Tryphosa van Rooyen are sepodisi se butse kgetsi ya morago ga loso.

“Sepodisi sa itse ka tiragalo e, mme go butswe kgetsi ya morago ga loso,” van Rooyen wa tlhalosa.

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Smooth progress in 2026 mid-year NSC examinations

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By REGINALD KANYANE

2 June 2026- The North West MEC for Education, Viola Motsumi said she is delighted with the successful and smooth progress of the 2026 May/June National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations in the province. These examinations officially commenced on 25 May 2026 and have progressed without any major disruptions at all centers.

Motsumi further said a total of 294 examination centers are registered across the province to fully administer the 2026 NSC May/ June examinations. She applauded the teachers, invigilators, exam officials and support staff for their commitment and dedication in ensuring that matric candidates are adequately prepared and examination processes are efficiently conducted.

“The commitment and dedication displayed by our teachers and support has been very key in assuring that learners are provided with the best possible opportunity to succeed in their examinations.

“We remain calm and confident that our candidates will continue to perform well throughout the May/June examination period,” added Motsumi.

She confirmed that the department’s full support for the examinations being conducted. Motsumi said candidates in the province completed the curriculum coverage on schedule and participated in extensive revision programmes, which were conducted in weekend camps and preparatory assessments during the second quarter of the 2026 academic year.

“To date, there are no irregularities that have been reported that could jeopardise the credibility and integrity of the examinations. The department is pleased with the smooth running of the examinations thus far and sends best wishes to all candidates as they proceed with their examinations,” she said.

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Lehurutshe man nabbed for assaulting a woman

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Picture: A GBV suspect arrested by the police/Supplied

By OBAKENG MAJE

2 June 2026- A man (37) from Dinokana village, near Lehurutshe was arrested on Monday for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend. This comes after he was seen on widespread video brutally assaulting his girlfriend after accusing her of wielding a bottle against him.

The acting North West Police Commissioner, Major General (Dr) Ryno Naidoo, congratulated the Provincial Tracking Team for arresting the suspect on Monday morning, 1 June 2026, after a video went viral on social media. Naidoo said a local activist shared a video over the weekend on social media in which a woman was allegedly repeatedly assaulted by the suspect.

“The video was brought to my attention and I immediately ordered an investigation. Information was gathered and followed up by the Tracking Team, leading to the suspect’s arrest.

“Initial investigations revealed that the man is currently out on parole for a case reported in 2022, in which he was convicted of possession of an unlicensed firearm. Furthermore, Lehurutshe Detectives linked him to a house robbery case reported earlier in May 2026, a case of assault with intent to do Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) related to the video footage, as well as a case of contravention of a protection order reported by another woman in April 2026,” he said.

Naidoo said furher links to additional cases are being investigated. He added that the police remain committed to protect women and children who are among the most vulnerable members of society.

“We would like to thank the local community activist for speaking out against Gender Based Violence (GBV). We encourage community members to report crime at their nearest police station or alternatively contact Crime Stop on 08600 10111.

“Anonymous tip-offs can also be submitted via the MySAPS App on smartphones,” concluded Naidoo.

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