--- title: "Weekend Wrap: Why the ANC lost power, cancer-fighting secrets of indigenous plants, and where to wild swim" type: "NewsArticle" publisher: "Daily Maverick" site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za" section: "Articles" canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-08-why-the-anc-lost-power-cancer-fighting-secrets-of-indigenous-plants-and-where-to-wild-swim/" published: "2025-11-08T00:00:00" lang: "en-ZA" word_count: 923 --- # Weekend Wrap: Why the ANC lost power, cancer-fighting secrets of indigenous plants, and where to wild swim Published 8 November 2025, 02:00 SAST ## Content ## The Weekend Wrap Why the ANC lost power and why they may never get it back, according to Moeletsi Mbeki. A researcher teams up with traditional healers to uncover the cancer-fighting secrets of indigenous plants. Plus, a guide to the Western Cape’s best wild swimming spots. All in the Weekend Wrap. ## [Why the ANC lost power, and why they can never get it back. According to Moeletsi Mbeki](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-06-da-needs-to-jettison-liberalism-to-survive-moeletsi-mbeki/) Political economist Moeletsi Mbeki explains the fracturing of the ANC, and why the DA needs to break with its own philosophical core. By Gabriel Makin ## [New research highlights dramatic decline in global biomass of wild mammals](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-04-new-research-highlights-dramatic-decline-in-global-biomass-of-wild-mammals/) The number of wild creatures is dwindling as the ones we have domesticated grow … and grow. By Don Pinnock ## [Sexual harassment in the judiciary is a crisis at the Bar and on the Bench](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-06-sexual-harassment-in-the-judiciary-is-a-crisis-at-the-bar-and-on-the-bench/) In May and June this year, Advocate, the South African Bar journal, conducted a national survey on sexual harassment in the profession. Azraa Vally, of the Pretoria Bar, noted that both men and women were affected, though not equally and that “silence remains the most common survival tactic”. By Marianne Thamm ## The Weekend Wrap Why the ANC lost power and why they may never get it back, according to Moeletsi Mbeki. A researcher teams up with traditional healers to uncover the cancer-fighting secrets of indigenous plants. Plus, a guide to the Western Cape’s best wild swimming spots. All in the Weekend Wrap. ![Image](https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/CHrisM-Moeletsi-Mbeki.jpg?fit=720%2C437&quality=89&ssl=1) ## [Why the ANC lost power, and why they can never get it back. According to Moeletsi Mbeki](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-06-da-needs-to-jettison-liberalism-to-survive-moeletsi-mbeki/) Political economist Moeletsi Mbeki explains the fracturing of the ANC, and why the DA needs to break with its own philosophical core. By Gabriel Makin ## [New research highlights dramatic decline in global biomass of wild mammals](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-04-new-research-highlights-dramatic-decline-in-global-biomass-of-wild-mammals/) The number of wild creatures is dwindling as the ones we have domesticated grow … and grow. By Don Pinnock ![biomass](https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/iStock-1330084518.jpg?fit=720%2C405&quality=89&ssl=1) ![Image](https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/ThammSexualHlegal-copy.jpg?fit=720%2C354&quality=89&ssl=1) ## [Sexual harassment in the judiciary is a crisis at the Bar and on the Bench](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-06-sexual-harassment-in-the-judiciary-is-a-crisis-at-the-bar-and-on-the-bench/) In May and June this year, Advocate, the South African Bar journal, conducted a national survey on sexual harassment in the profession. Azraa Vally, of the Pretoria Bar, noted that both men and women were affected, though not equally and that “silence remains the most common survival tactic”. By Marianne Thamm ## [Licence to thrill — my smooth ride with a government service](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-03-licence-to-thrill-my-smooth-ride-with-a-government-service/) It will require a lot of hard work and lots of transparency, but there is no reason that my driver’s licence experience cannot be replicated across all government services. By Stephen Grootes ## [Threats, accusations and division: Busisiwe Mkhwebane’s new MK Party battle](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-03-threats-accusations-and-division-busisiwe-mkhwebanes-new-mk-party-battle/) Busisiwe Mkhwebane, Umkhonto We Sizwe Party (MKP) Mpumalanga provincial chair, has been accused of being an “askari” and threatened with “being burned alive”. The public cannot be blamed for observing that wherever Busisiwe Mkwebane, the former impeached Public Protector goes, there trouble seems to follow. Daily Maverick’s Marianne Thamm explains. By Marianne Thamm ## [Celebrating Siya Kolisi’s 100th Test cap as Springboks gear up for battle with France](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-07-photo-essay-siya-kolisi/) The Springboks gear up for a test against France in Paris; the match will mark a monumental moment as Siya Kolisi celebrates his 100th Test cap. By Daily Maverick Photo Team ![nmu healers cancer latolla indigenous plants eastern cape](https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/IMG_7900.jpg?fit=720%2C466&quality=89&ssl=1) ## [NMU researcher consults Eastern Cape healers to uncover cancer-fighting secrets of indigenous plants](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-06-nmu-researcher-eastern-cape-healers-cancer-fighting-indigenous-plants/) Dr Nehemiah Latolla, a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Nelson Mandela University’s Department of Human Physiology, has been awarded a prestigious Australia-Africa Universities Network Partnership Research and Development Fund grant for his project to co-create sustainable cancer and environmental health solutions from African medicinal plants. By Estelle Ellis ## [Gen Z takes charge as activists unite to challenge authoritarianism and reshape democracy in 2025](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-05-gen-z-takes-charge-as-activists-unite-to-challenge-authoritarianism-and-reshape-democracy-in-2025/) Amid global upheaval, marked by Gen Z-led protests and aid cuts, the South-South Social Movements Convergence in Cape Town gathered activists and youth leaders to plot a course for democracy and against authoritarianism. By Tamsin Metelerkamp ![global south activists democracy](https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/PANEL-1.jpg?fit=720%2C469&quality=89&ssl=1) ## [Boks to show tactical hand in two New Zealand ‘finals’ in Auckland and Wellington](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-08-29-boks-to-show-tactical-hand-in-two-new-zealand-finals-in-auckland-and-wellington/) Coach Rassie Erasmus has marked the end-of-year tour matches against Six Nations champions France and northern rivals Ireland as season-defining, but the next two Tests in Aotearoa may well shape this great team’s legacy. By Jon Cardinelli ![Springboks face the All Blacks](https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/TL_2119588.jpg?fit=720%2C465&quality=89&ssl=1) ![Image](https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/language-learning-scaled.jpg?fit=720%2C480&quality=89&ssl=1) ## [Your age shouldn’t put you off learning a new language – what the research says](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-05-your-age-shouldnt-put-you-off-learning-a-new-language-what-the-research-says/) If you’ve always wanted to learn a new language, don’t let age put you off. People aged over 60 can be independent and flexible in how they learn a language – and successful, too. By Karen Roehr-Brackin ## [A Guide to Wild Swimming — explore 100 of the Western Cape’s most beautiful swimming spots](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-05-a-guide-to-wild-swimming-in-the-western-cape-excerpt/) Whether you’re a novice swimmer or a seasoned professional, A Guide to Wild Swimming in the Western Cape invites you to explore 100 of the most breathtaking, soul-restoring swimming spots around the province. By Serai Dowling and Matthew Dowling ![wild swimming](https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Guide-to-Wild-Swimming.jpg?fit=720%2C320&quality=89&ssl=1) ## [This blooming city — Jacaranda In Your Pocket is a month-long love letter to Joburg](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-06-jacaranda-in-your-pocket-is-a-month-long-love-letter-to-joburg/) #JacarandaInYourPocket season from mid-October to mid-November is a month-long love letter to Johannesburg, captured through the lenses of hundreds of photographers. By Laurice Taitz-Buntman ![Image](https://i0.wp.com/www.dailymaverick.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/2023_04_24_CROSSWORDS-GIF-TEST3-1.gif?fit=400%2C217&ssl=1) ## [Daily Mini Crossword Quickie](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/mini-crosswords/) [Play here.](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/mini-crosswords/) ## [Butter Chicken/Murgh Makhani](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-11-05-butter-chicken-murgh-makhani/) Over the past seven or more decades, butter chicken has evolved into a classic, and a standout dish in the pantheon of Indian cooking. It is famed for its sweet, buttery tomato flavour and luscious creaminess. By Tony Jackman [Subscribe to First Thing](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/edit-my-profile/) to receive the Weekend Wrap in your inbox every Sunday morning. If you value the work our journalists do and want to support Daily Maverick, consider becoming a Maverick Insider. [Support DM](https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/insider/)