First Take SA

The Department of Social Development, National Development Agency (NDA), and Alliance of NPO Networks will today commemorate World NGO Day, honoring NGOs, NPOs, and CBOs for their essential services in addressing social issues and poverty eradication. As of 23 February 2023 according to the data provided by the department, South Africa has 270,313 registered NPOs, with over 7 billion Rand allocate...

National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has until next week to answer to allegations pertaining to the salary of Parliament's Secretary. The Speaker is accused of unilaterally increasing Xolile George's salary by 70% following his appointment in June 2022. George's annual package went up from an advertised R2.6 million to an eye-watering R4.4 million in less than a year - earning him mo...

The ANC in KwaZulu-Natal has expelled Mervyn Dirks following his announcement to join the MK party, spearheaded by former President Jacob Zuma. Dirk, who was sworn in as a Member of the Provincial Legislature in Pietermaritzburg after his removal from parliament, spoke to our Senior Producer Ronald Phiri about how his expulsion came about

Another qualifications scandal has thrust South Africa's financial sector into the limelight. Prominent Investor and Summit Africa Co-founder Langalezwe Madonko has reportedly admitted to falsifying his qualifications, credentials and work experience. Madonko has reportedly resigned from his senior position at the Association of Black Securities and Investment Professionals (ABSIP). For more on th...

Elvis Presslin takes a look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoesoana, author of "Africa Is Open For Business" and "Africa Bounces Back". Victor is also the Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo

The SADC Electoral Advisory Council has been assessing South Africa's political and security environments ahead of the country's general elections. The advisory council and the SADC electoral observer mission has been engaging with key players ahead of the polls to ensure free, fair, transparent, credible and peaceful elections. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Advocate Notemba Tjipueja, C...

A group of disgruntled unemployed health care workers will today march to the Union buildings in Pretoria to voice their grievances. This comes after qualified health practitioners have raised concerns about the lack of employment in the sector. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to one of the unemployed doctors who will be taking part in the march, Dr. David Marubini...

University of South Africa, UNISA Vice-Chancellor Professor Puleng Lenkabula has rejected calls for University staff to continue working remotely. Lenkabula says the university cannot have its employees at malls while students complain about service delivery. However, the Academic Professional Staff Association (APSA) says workers were more productive at home than at the university, where they are...

The South African Weather Services has issued a Yellow Level 2 alert warning of severe thunderstorms in parts of the country. Forecaster Tokelo Chiloane spoke to our Senior Producer Ronald Phiri about what has precipitated the adverse weather conditions

Homeless residents at Green Point's tennis courts in Cape Town have been removed by the sheriff of the court. This after the Western Cape High Court granted the City of Cape Town a final eviction order. The eviction came after a two-year long legal process. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to the City of Cape Town's mayoral committee member for safety and security, JP Smith

Former Midvaal Mayor Bongani Baloyi says the Democratic Alliance, DA also practice cadre deployment. This after the opposition party hauled the ANC to court in a bid to outlaw its cadre deployment policy. Baloyi, who was the Mayor of Midvaal between 2013-2021 says the municipality could not conclude senior staff appointment without approval by the DA's Federal Executive. For more on this Elvis Pre...

At least 250 Ekurhuleni metro police officers have criminal records while many others are awaiting trial for alleged criminal activities. This was revealed by former MMC for community safety, Letlhogonolo Moseki who was responding to a DA question during a recent session at the Ekurhuleni Legislature. For more Elvis Presslin spoke to Mr. Moseki

The ANC says it expects to fill the Moses Mabhida stadium for its election manifesto launch in Durban on Saturday (24 February). The governing party was briefing the media on the state of readiness for its 2024 manifesto launch. This is the second time that the party will launch its manifesto at the stadium.  In 2019, it managed to secure 57 percent at the polls. Elvis Presslin spoke to ANC Genera...

Elvis Presslin takes a look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoeswana, author of "Africa Is Open For Business" and "Africa Bounces Back". Victor is also the Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo

NUMSA members working for Putco will today picket at the bus company's offices in Johannesburg. The picket emanates from the ongoing dispute over 120 workers who were suspended in 2022 for being part of an illegal strike over wages. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Putco spokesperson Lindokuhle Xulu

Labour federation Cosatu, has described Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's budget as a mixed bag. Cosatu says the budget does not address the federation's hopes for a budget that would grow the economy. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana allocated R61.4 Billion to employment programmes in the medium term. Build One South Africa says the budget is a budget of hopelessness. To further discuss Elvis...

Suspended Western Cape Judge President John Hlophe has become the first judge to be impeached in democratic South Africa. The National Assembly in Parliament yesterday voted for his impeachment. 305 MPs voted in favour while 27 others voted against Hlophe's impeachment. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Justice Albie Sachs, renowned anti-apartheid activist and former Constitutional Court ju...

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has allocated R628 million to the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. This was revealed during his Budget Speech in Cape Town yesterday. The budget is for the implementation of Financial Action Task Force and State Capture Commission recommendations. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Chrispin Phiri, Spokesperson for Ministry of Justice and...

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has allocated R848 billion to the public health system over the medium term expenditure. He was delivering his budget speech in Cape Town yesterday. Godongwana has also allocated R1.4 billion to the controversial National Health Insurance (NHI) plan. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Cedric Sihlangu, General Secretary of the South African Medical Associ...

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says the Two-Pot Retirement System will come into effect in September this year. This despite pension fund administrators requesting a delay in the implementation of the system until March next year. The two-pot system allows retirement fund members to access a portion of their savings before retirement. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Hayley Parry, Mone...

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, POPCRU is calling on the Department of Correctional Services to fast track the transfer of Mangaung prison from G4S. Last year the department issued the multinational security company a termination notice indicating that it will take over the prison. The contract was originally supposed to end in 2026 but was terminated following convicted rapist and murd...

Rise Mzansi will today lead a picket ahead of the budget speech set to be delivered by finance minister Enock Godongwane at Cape Town City Hall. The party is calling for a tax relief regime for single mothers. The party says that without relief, single mothers may enter the debt servicing trap. Now for more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Rise Mzansi chief organizer Makashule Gana

South Africans will go to the polls on the 29th of May for this year's general elections. President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the date last night after consulting with the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) and the Premiers of all provinces. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Terry Tselane, Executive Chairman of the Institute of Election Management Services in Africa and former vice chai...

Economists are warning against possible tax increases when Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana tables his Budget Speech later today. This as National Treasury plans increase taxes to raise R15 billion more revenue for the 2024/2025 fiscal year. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor Jannie Rossouw, a visiting Professor at the Wits Business School

The Universal Basic Income Coalition says it is against the draft amendments to the SRD grant regulations. Regulations released this week propose to freeze the SRD Grant at R350. The Coalition says the proposed amendments by the Social development department is contrary to commitments made by President Cyril Ramaphosa. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to Pay The Grants Deputy Chairpers...