Latest news with #Rustenburg-born
SowetanLIVE
08-08-2025
- Health
- SowetanLIVE
Dr Mahtaab Hayat – Light of the moon
Dr Mahtaab Hayat's first name means 'light of the moon' in Farsi. A glimmer of hope in the darkness, it's a fitting metaphor for the 31-year-old scientist whose work lights overlooked spaces in African women's health. Leading the first genome-wide study of breast cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, the Rustenburg-born scientist uncovered risk factors unexplored by global research. Her research, done through the University of the Witwatersrand, revealed two genetic variants that increase the risk of breast cancer in Black South African women. The discovery marked a foundational step in African-led genetic research and brought attention to the urgent need for population-specific health data on the continent. 'My sister had been diagnosed with ovarian cancer [closely related to breast cancer] a couple of years earlier, so it was still fresh in my mind. It felt deeply personal — like the universe was saying, 'Your family has just faced this. Now here's your chance to understand it better.'' The study Hayat did is well established in Western populations for breast cancer but not in Africa, and certainly not for Black African women. 'It's important, because you can't just take results from non-African populations and apply them to African ones. Our genetics are different. African genomes are much older, and that affects how genetic risks show up. So what works in or applies to one population may not hold true in another — even within sub-Saharan Africa. It's not one-size-fits-all,' she explains. The findings, based on a study of women in Soweto, are just the beginning, but they offer a critical foundation. Hayat hopes they will one day contribute to genetic screening tools that can detect high-risk individuals early, helping to save lives through personalised prevention strategies. 'Imagine being able to walk into a clinic, do a simple blood test, and get a risk score for breast cancer based on your genetics,' she says. 'That's the dream. That's the future we're working towards and I hope I am still alive to see that come to fruition.' Inherited breast cancer makes up only 5-7% of cases, with most linked to other genetic factors. This study focused on those lesser-known risks, highlighting the need for wider, Africa-focused research. Hayat grew up with three sisters and was the kind of child who never missed an assignment, always raised her hand, and often annoyed her classmates with her diligence. 'I was that kid,' she laughs. 'The one who said, 'Yes ma'am, here's my homework,' when everyone else had forgotten it existed.' But while science fascinated her, so did drama, which she took as a subject alongside biology, chemistry, and mathematics. 'I think people underestimate how much art and science overlap,' she says. 'They're both about creativity, about seeing the world in new ways and telling stories.'
The South African
01-06-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Mamelodi Sundowns news: Kodisang, Lunga and CAFCL final
Betway Premiership champions Mamelodi Sundowns have a CAF Champions League final on Sunday. The challengers are Egypt's Pyramids FC. Following the first leg tie last weekend, Sunday's second leg will start at 1-1. Lucas Ribeiro broke the deadlock after 54 minutes before Pyramids' Walid El Karti equalised during 90 minutes of stoppage time. Speaking to the media ahead of the second leg final, Sundowns' chairman, Tlhopane 'Tlhopie' Motsepe, revealed that Kabo Yellow expect nothing less than a win for Abafana BaStyle on Sunday. Mamelodi Sundowns team vs Raja Casablanca. Image: @safootclassics/X 'That's what we want, to go there as African champions,' Motsepe said via Sowetan . 'We have a big chance. Being African champions again is something we've longed for. We are one step away from achieving it. 'If we were to rewind to the start of the season and you asked if we would love to be in this position – one game away from the CAF Champions League title – we would take it. It's what we plan for every season,' the Sundowns boss added. 'The energy in the group is great and that's good considering the coach didn't have a preseason with us. 'He didn't get to pick the players he wants, or instil his methods. But to now be in the final with the players he found there is testament to what he's achieved,' the chairman concluded. This move hasn't gone well. Does everyone still remember that Mamelodi Sundowns signed Kobamelo Kodisang this season? Kabomelo Kodisang's Mamelodi Sundowns dreams have not come true this past season. The former Platinum Stars attacker made an exciting move to Kabo Yellow in January before spending most of the season in the stands. Kodisang, who moved from Moreirense in Portugal, originally left Mzansi in 2019 after a stellar season with the defunct Bidvest Wits. The Rustenburg-born player started in Braga's B team before attracting Moreirense's senior side. After 14 goals and eight assists for Moreirense, Sundowns came calling… Full Story here. Mamelodi Sundowns defender Divine Lunga won't be changing his club colours anytime soon. The Betway Premiership champions have reportedly decided to keep the 30-year-old Zimbabwean for another year. Lunga made his dream move to the big time when he signed for Sundowns in July 2021 from fellow Premier Soccer League side Golden Arrows… Full Story here. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
30-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Mamelodi Sundowns winger going back to Europe?
Kabomelo Kodisang's Mamelodi Sundowns dreams have not come true this past season. The former Platinum Stars attacker made an exciting move to Kabo Yellow in January before spending most of the season in the stands. Kodisang, who moved from Moreirense in Portugal, originally left Mzansi in 2019 after a stellar season with the defunct Bidvest Wits. The Rustenburg-born player started in Braga's B team before attracting Moreirense's senior side. After 14 goals and eight assists for Moreirense, Sundowns came calling. According to Soccer Laduma, the 25-year-old is keen on bidding his time at Sundowns until his opportunity arrives, but his agency is open to offers in Mzansi and internationally. 'While the Siya crew has been informed that he is willing to fight for his place at Sundowns, his camp is currently reassessing his situation, and there's a chance of an exit,' the outlet reported. Kobamelo Kodisang during his spell with Braga B in Portugal. Image: @FARPost / X 'The Siya crew understands that there is interest both locally and abroad, but a final decision has not been made. 'Kodisang has a long-term contract with the Tshwane giants, so there's a big possibility that a deal with another club would be on loan to see if there is a chance of him returning to Chloorkop in future,' the report added. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
