A proud milestone: Dr Dijeng Euginiah Rampana-Moleleki receives her Doctoral degree during CUT’s 2026 Spring Graduation, marking the culmination of her groundbreaking research into the potential of African medicinal plants in cancer research.

As the Central University of Technology, Free State (CUT) celebrated its 2026 Spring Graduation, the occasion marked more than the awarding of qualifications; it celebrated the dedication, resilience and groundbreaking work of graduates whose research is contributing to knowledge and addressing challenges facing society. Among them is Dijeng Euginiah Rampana-Moleleki, whose doctoral research places African medicinal plants at the heart of the search for new possibilities in cancer treatment.

Rampana-Moleleki's doctoral research, titled "Searsia rehmanniana as a Potential Anticancer Agent: Unveiling Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential," explored the potential of Searsia rehmanniana as an anticancer agent. Her research investigated the plant's biological properties, including its anticancer, cytotoxic, genotoxic, cell-cycle and antibacterial effects, bringing together the value of African medicinal plant knowledge and modern scientific research.

At the centre of the study was the potential of a medicinal plant rooted in Africa's natural heritage to contribute to the search for new approaches to cancer treatment. Through scientific investigation, Rampana-Moleleki sought to better understand the properties of Searsia rehmanniana and its possible therapeutic value, contributing to research that bridges indigenous knowledge and contemporary pharmacology.

Her findings pointed to promising anticancer properties, highlighting the importance of continued scientific investigation into medicinal plants and their potential contribution to healthcare. Reflecting on the outcome of her research, Rampana-Moleleki said, "We did find that this particular plant does have those anticancer properties."

For Rampana-Moleleki, however, the achievement represents more than the findings of her research. Reaching the graduation stage followed a demanding doctoral journey that required commitment, perseverance and the ability to work through challenges. Despite the difficulties she encountered along the way, she remained determined to complete the research and see her years of work reach this milestone. "The whole journey was not easy, but one managed to go through all the processes. There were also some challenges, but we are here today, and we are very grateful," she said.

Her doctoral journey also took her research beyond South Africa, with her work presented at international conferences in Spain and Italy. Between 2025 and 2026, she co-authored six peer-reviewed publications in journals ranging from Q1 to Q3, further demonstrating the scholarly contribution and international reach of her research.

Reflecting on the broader achievements of her doctoral journey, Rampana-Moleleki said, "This particular journey of my PhD was quite incredible because one was able to publish six articles at a global level, and then it was also presented."

These achievements have positioned her work within broader scientific conversations about cancer, medicinal plants and the search for innovative approaches to healthcare. Her research demonstrates how African natural resources can be investigated through rigorous scientific methods while contributing to knowledge that extends beyond the continent.

For Rampana-Moleleki, the significance of the research lies not only in what has already been discovered, but also in what further investigation could reveal. In a field where researchers continue to explore ways of addressing the complexities of cancer treatment and the challenges associated with existing therapies, medicinal plants offer an important area for continued scientific enquiry.