Rooibos has long been part of South African tea culture. Made from the leaves of Aspalathus linearis, a shrub indigenous to South Africa, rooibos is technically a herbal infusion rather than a true tea. It is naturally caffeine-free, unlike black and green tea, and has a naturally sweet taste with a distinctive reddish-brown colour.

One reason rooibos stands out is its antioxidant content. It contains plant compounds including aspalathin and quercetin, which have been studied for their potential effects on oxidative stress and inflammation. Antioxidants can help neutralise free radicals, unstable molecules that can damage cells.

It contains no caffeine

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For people avoiding caffeine, rooibos is an alternative to coffee, black tea and green tea. Because it contains no caffeine, it can be enjoyed later in the day without increasing your caffeine intake. However, this does not make rooibos a treatment for insomnia. There is currently limited evidence that it directly improves sleep.

It is low in tannins

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Rooibos contains very low levels of tannins compared with traditional black and green teas. Tannins can reduce the absorption of non-haem iron from food. This makes rooibos an option for people looking for a lower-tannin alternative to conventional tea.

It may support heart health

Research into rooibos and cardiovascular health is ongoing. Human studies have reported changes in some cardiovascular risk factors, including blood lipid profiles, while other research has produced mixed findings. Larger clinical trials are still needed, and rooibos should not be considered a treatment for high blood pressure or heart disease.

It may affect blood sugar

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Aspalathin, a compound found in rooibos, has been studied for its possible effects on glucose metabolism. A review of human studies found limited evidence of effects on blood glucose, although the studies were small and used different amounts and forms of rooibos. More research is needed before rooibos can be considered a reliable way to manage blood sugar.

Green rooibos is processed differently

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Traditional rooibos is fermented, giving it its familiar reddish-brown appearance. Green rooibos is left unfermented and generally contains higher levels of certain antioxidants. The concentration of these compounds can vary depending on growing conditions and how the rooibos is prepared.

What about inflammation and disease?

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Claims about rooibos and disease prevention require caution. Laboratory and animal research has found antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, but these findings do not establish that drinking rooibos prevents cancer, protects the liver or treats disease in humans.

A review of human research found a limited number of intervention studies involving relatively small numbers of participants. This means there is still a gap between what researchers have observed in laboratory studies and what has been demonstrated in people.

For most people, rooibos can be a simple way to replace a caffeinated drink while adding plant compounds to the diet. It should not be treated as medicine or used as a substitute for prescribed treatment. If you have a medical condition or take prescription medicines, speak to a healthcare professional before making rooibos a regular part of your diet.

South Africa will attempt to win a Guinness World Records title for the most people braaiing at the same time. The World’s Biggest Braai is scheduled for Heritage Day on 24 September 2026 at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

The event is organised by Big Save in partnership with 5FM. Big Save head of marketing Dylan Jardim said the SA attempt was beaten last year by Japan. 

Because not all the people in SA were at their stations, Guinness considered that the braais were not simultaneous.

“It’s frustrating, because this is not how South Africans do a braai,” 

“The whole purpose of a braai is socialising, so we did it the way we do it, but that’s not how they wanted it. We need to do things differently this year if we want to break the record.”

Everyone is expected to be there at 10.00am. 

Photo: Jacaranda FM

Guests will remain at their assigned stations for some period. There will be tighter stewarding, wristband controls and station arrangements. 

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The event will bring together people from different parts of the country. The braai is linked with South African social life. Guinness World Records documented South Africa’s connection with the tradition. 

Those expected at the event are Shekhinah, Mafikizolo, Matthew Mole, Lady Zamar, Zaan Sonnekus and Ben Rodrigues.

Photo: Jacaranda FM

Tickets are priced at R255, according to published event information. Participants will receive a bread roll or pap, tongs, and a branded apron Guinness World Records has a separate South African barbecue record. 

The event offers another opportunity to turn last year’s unsuccessful attempt into an officially recognised achievement. The main challenge will be keeping thousands of participants at their assigned braai stations while the record awaits verification.

Tamar Braxton will headline the Ndlala Grandeur Season 1 in Pretoria, South Africa. She will perform on the opening night of the four-night event. This event is scheduled at Ndlala Arena from December 16 to 19, 2026.

Braxton was a member of The Braxtons, the R&B group formed with her sisters. She later pursued a solo career and released her self titled debut album, Tamar, in 2000.

Her breakthrough came with her second album, Love and War, released in 2013. The album reached number two on the Billboard 200 and topped the US Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart. It also earned Braxton three Grammy nominations.

Photo: Instagram/@tonibraxton

The album features songs like “Love and War,” “The One” and “All the Way Home”. The title track was No. 1 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Songs chart for nine weeks.

Braxton has also remained active outside music. She and her family were on the reality series Braxton Family Values and later joined the daytime talk show The Real as a co-host. In 2019, she won the second season of Celebrity Big Brother in the United States.

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The first Ndlala Grandeur in 2025 featured American R&B singers Joe Donell Jones alongside South African television personality Somizi. 

Photo: Instagram/@tonibraxton

Actor Ricco Ross is also part of the Season 1 programme. The Beauty in Black actor will co-host with Braxton. This is his first visit to South Africa.

Ndlala Arena CEO Thami Ndlala described the event :

“Ndlala Grandeur Season 1 promises to be one of the best events that will remain in people’s memories for a lifetime, and it is not to be missed,” 

 “We have built this season to be the biggest celebration yet of the artistry, culture, and unforgettable nights that Ndlala Grandeur is known for”.