First Take SA

Albert Falls Dam has reached its lowest level in 20-years at 19-point-two per cent. Albert Falls feeds the Mayville Dam, which supplies water to at least 60 per cent of residents in the Ethekwini region. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Umgeni Water spokesperson Shami Harichunder

The ANC's conference resolution to amend the Constitution in order to expropriate land without compensation has been criticized in some quarters. Agri SA says that will be disastrous for the economy while the DA has vowed to defend the property clause in the Constitution. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Agri SA President Dan Kriek

Today we profile, a multi-talented house music producer, from Pietermaritzberg, in Kwa Zulu Natal, Ayanda Mabaso, fondly known by his fans as 'Aionic'. Ronald Phiri spoke to 'Aionic'...

Google today announced the results of its 2017 Year in Search, offering a unique perspective on the year's major moments and top trends based on searches conducted in South Africa. This year's trending searches show growing interest in local celebrities and events, with seven of the top 10 trending search terms being local, in contrast to fewer than half last year. Bongi Gwala spoke to Russel Luck...

The Mangaung Metropolitan Municipality has reportedly incurred refreshment expenditure of R36,000, for the procurement of 240 bottles of water (500ml each) at a unit price of R150 each. This is the same Metro that owes millions for water provision which is in arrears. Elvis Presslin spoke to the Municipal spokesperson, Qondile Khedama...

The High Court in Pretoria has ruled that President Jacob Zuma must set up a judicial inquiry into the so-called state capture within 30 days. A judge that the Chief Justice will solely select, is to head the judicial inquiry, which has to complete its task and present a report in 180-days. The full bench of the court led by Judge President Dunstan Mlambo unanimously dismissed Zuma's application t...

As the City of Cape Town continues to appeal to residents to save water, photographer Simon Sephton is running an exhibition, set out to raise awareness of the beauty this resource. Titled 'Water Light' his photographs are themed around water - its necessity and its interplay with life and light. The Water Light will run until 21 December at The Forge in Kalk Bay in Cape Town. Elvis Presslin spoke...

The High Court in Pretoria has comprehensively ruled, with costs, against President Jacob Zuma's review application regarding the Public Protector's State of Capture report - saying Zuma must allow the Chief Justice to appoint the head of a judicial commission of inquiry into the matter. Thuli Madonsela, who was Public Protector at the time and compiled the State of Capture report, was in court to...

The Gauteng provincial government has started the work of assessing the extent of the damage caused by a tornado that hit the area. Gauteng Premier David Makhura and Midvaal mayor Bongani Baloyi visited the area earlier today. Displaced residents have been temporarily housed at shelters and local community centres. Elvis Preslinn spoke to Midvaal executive mayor Bongani Baloyi

The Presidency says it has not given instruction to the Sandf to draft regulations for a state of emergency in the country. The Rapport newspaper, says according to a copy of the proposed laws seen by them the national defense force held a workshop in October, for an urgent input into the regulations which were first drafted in 2016.The proposed regulations give security officers the authority to...

The Department of Trade and Industry and the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission, say they will be launching an investigation into Steinhoff to determine if it has breached the Company's Act. In a statement, the DTI says it will further suggest that the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors also consider the circumstances, with regard to the role of Auditors in this instance. Steinh...

Services on the central railway line and sections of the northern line, in the city of Cape Town have been suspended, leaving thousands of passengers to seek alternative transport. Metrorail in the Western Cape says it's unclear at this stage when operations on it's central line and part of its northern line will be operational. Elvis Preslinn spoke to Western Cape Metrorail Spokesperson, Riana Sc...

The mayor of UmZimkhulu in southern KwaZulu-Natal, Mphuthumi Mpabanga is appearing before the Moerane Commission, tasked with looking into the political killing in Kwa Zulu Natal. The mayor says the allegations that the killing of councillors including Sindiso Magaqa are as a result of corruption related to the incomplete local town hall, are not true. The commission resumed its work today after t...

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (Fedusa) and its affiliates have joined hands with Public Investment Corporation (PIC) and the Government Employees Pension Fund (GEPF) to reassure members that the investment process at the PIC is sound and they will do all in their power to drive stronger and more transparent corporate governance in the listed investments. Elvis Preslinn spoke to Fedusa's...

The Democratic Alliance has expressed its disappointed following a decision by the National Prosecuting Authority to grant President Jacob Zuma an extension to submit fresh representations on why he should not face corruption charges. NPA boss Shaun Abrahams has given Zuma until January the 31st to file the representations. This comes less than a week after the High Court in Pretoria ruled that Zu...

The ANC says whatever recourse taken by parties involved in the National Director of Public Prosecutions ruling should be in the interest of the country and the administration of justice. The court declared current NDPP Shaun Abraham's appointment invalid and set it aside, and did not reinstate former NDPP, Mxolisi Nxasana. The court also ruled that the 17 million rand settlement was unlawful and...

The presidency said in a statement they might appeal the Pretoria High Court judgement by Judge Dustin Mlambo which ruled that President Jacob Zuma cannot appoint a National Director of Public Prosecutions because he is conflicted. Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa must now appoint a new NDPP within three months. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to ANC spokesperson, Zizi Kodwa

Ratings agency Moody's has cut Steinhoff to junk rating, dropping it by four notches from the previous Baa3 to B1 and placed it on review for further downgrade. Meanwhile, German financial watchdog Bafin has announced that it has started an assessment probe into the trading of Steinhoff shares this week, after the stock lost more than 80 percent of its value within days. Bafin routinely investigat...

Time for our Open Mic feature. Today we profile, a multi-talented artist, song writer and producer, Samkelo Lelethu Mdolomba, fondly known by his fans as 'Samthing Soweto'. Samthing Soweto started his career as one of the founding members of acappella group, The Soil. Ronald Phiri spoke to the 'Akanamali' hitmaker

Our weekly edition of TRENDSWATCH; where we take a look at news that dominated social media this week. Our producer Molebogeng Sebidi has more

KISUA is a unique African fashion brand that showcases the African continent’s brightest design talent to the world. KISUA - Which turned four in 2017, creates exclusive capsule collections in collaboration with African designers. KISUA distribution centers are on three continents - Africa, America and Europe. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the founder of the comapny, Samuel Mensah Jr. about how his ex...

The ANC's NEC Sub-Committee on Organizational Development says a loss of confidence by the people in the party is the most serious challenge they experience. Briefing the media about the party's Organisational Development and Renewal policy, earlier on, Sub-Committee Chairperson, Fikile Mbalula, said the ANC's diagnosis and self-critic has identified sharp weaknesses especially in the state, the c...

Democratic Alliance member of parliament Manny de Freitas has laid criminal charges against Deputy Minister of Finance Sfiso Buthelezi, and former PRASA CEO Lucky Montana. Speaking in front of the Cape Town Police Station, Freitas says the charges emanate from the former Public Protector report in 2015 titled "Derailed" report. He says the charges relate to offences of financial mismanagement in t...

The Steinhoff share price continued to collapse following the resignation of CEO Markus Jooste amid an accounting scandal. The furniture retailer lost more than 60 percent of its stock value yesterday and around 30 percent of the remaining value today. Steinhoff is listed in Johannesburg and in Frankfurt, Germany. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to SABC TV news anchor, Nompumelelo Siziba and to Davis Lewis...

The Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane has‚ through her lawyers‚ accused the Reserve Bank of waging a campaign against her in order to pave a way for her removal from office. The central bank, Absa and Treasury have taken the Public Protector report on the apartheid-era Bankorp bailout on review. Bongi Gwala spoke to SABC reporter Glorious Sefako-Musi