First Take SA

Leadership from the trade union, Nehawu, are again locked in a closed meeting with Parliament's management. Last week, staff, affiliated to the trade union started striking over performance bonuses and better working conditions. On Friday, they announced that they are not interested in talking to management anymore, while the institution said it was time for an independent mediator to step in. Ear...

Police are maintaining a strong presence at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) where three students have been arrested after a building was set alight this morning. Extensive damage at the Res Life building which was gutted as protests over fees continue. Today, a group of students gathered a few meters away while police kept a close watch. Another fire was started with furniture pulled into...

Relief organisation 'Gift of the Givers', together with SAfm, will next week embark on a drought relief effort in Northern Cape. Several areas in the province have been identified to recieve food parcels. The food parcel programme will kick off in Okiep, a tiny town that was once the centre of the South African copper mining industry.

At least 100 shacks are on fire in the Msawawa informal settlement near Kya Sands, north of Johannesburg. Emergency officials say no injuries or fatalies have been reported yet.

The University of the Western Cape says a decision will be made later today on whether exams should continue tomorrow. This after the exams were cancelled today following student protests inside university premises. Five students have since been arrested on charges of grievous bodily harm. One person was injured during the protest. Students have apparently also caused extensive damage to universit...

After its world premiere in May 2014, Madiba the African Opera returns on stage for its second run on the 27 November 2015 at the State Theatre, Pretoria. In partnership with the South African State Theatre through their MzansiFela Festival, powered by the Department of Arts and Culture's Mzansi Golden Economy; the producers, Opera South Africa, promises a bigger and better production this time ar...

Eight former police officers convicted of murdering Mozambican taxi driver, Mido Macia have been sentenced to 15 years behind bars in the High Court in Pretoria. Handing down sentence Judge Bert Bam described the police officers' actions as both barbaric and inexcusable.

Parliament's Police committee has recommended an inquiry be instituted against suspended National Police Commissioner, Riah Phiyega. This is for her role in the press statement by senior police management in support of her. The committee is releasing its draft report after an inquiry on whether SAPS management were truthful in their dealings with them. It is the first time since 1994 that Parliame...

In 2003 Mary Shaw from Potterville outside Cape town bought 75 Telkom shares at a cost of R28 each through a company called Computershare. But when she recently enquired about them she was told that they had vanished from her portfolio.

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula says he's satisfied that the demographics of the national rugby team are inclusive. He was briefing the media in Sandton, north of Johannesburg about issues surrounding the recent Rugby World Cup. Several interest groups have expressed concern about a lack of transformation in the sport. However, Mbalula says that all the Springbok players are selected on merit.

Disciplinary measures should be taken against Health Professions Council of South Africa senior management found guilty of mismanagement and poor governance. Those are some of the recommendations by the Ministerial Task Team which investigated complaints of irregularities taking place at the council. The task team has recommended that CEO, Dr Buyiswa Matshamba, COO, Tshepo Boikanyo and general man...

The newly formed South African Public Service Union (Sapsu) has reportedly latched onto issues which have been long neglected in public sector bargaining as a launch pad and is set to take part in the upcoming round of wage talks. SAPSU says the formation of a progressive,non-aligned union for public service workers was conceptualized by the workers who decided to distance themselves ,their member...

In 2003 Mary Shaw from Potterville outside Cape town bought 75 Telkom shares at a cost of R28 each through a company called Computershare. But when she recently enquired about them she was told that they had vanished from her portfolio.

Sports Minister Fikile Mbalula says he's satisfied that the demographics of the national rugby team are inclusive. He was briefing the media in Sandton, north of Johannesburg about issues surrounding the recent Rugby World Cup. Several interest groups have expressed concern about a lack of transformation in the sport. However, Mbalula says that all the Springbok players are selected on merit. Edwa...

Nigeria has renewed MTN's operating spectrum in that country and extended its operating licence for just under 95 million dollars. MTN's licence and spectrum were issued in 2001 and due to expire in February next year, but has now been extended to 2021, if it pays the money by December to secure it. Reports suggest that while MTN has failed to get a waiver for the 76 billion rand fine, concessions...

The questions asked by the full bench of judges at the Bloemfontein Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA), have been indicative of the direction the Oscar Pistorius case will take. This is according to Gauteng legal commentator Brenda Wartle. Wartle says the judges focussed on aspects such as the accused's intent to kill. Meanwhile, the NPA has expressed satisfaction with its appeal against Oscar Pistoriu...

Communicating with your service provider if you are unable to meet your financial obligations is vital if you want to avoid dire consequences. This is a lesson that Moshibudi Mothapo from Polokwane learnt the hard way after being involved in a car accident.

The Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande, says free tertiary education is only for the poor. He told Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Higher Education today that those who can afford will have to pay. The committee had asked about his department's plans to address the matter of student fees at universities. Nzimande assured MPs that government was trying to source the extra 37 billion r...

Flitting between the 50s and contemporary South Africa, A New Song, is an elegy, a lament and a triumphant new work by playwright, director and poet, Napo Masheane. Set in a middle class Johannesburg suburb, we are introduced to nine women who formally eke out their existence as domestic workers, juggling the struggle, intemperate madams and motherhood.

Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande confirms that an agreement has been reached that tuition fee increases will be capped at 6 percent.

Protesting Wits students have overturned the car of a fellow student who drove through their blockade and beat the driver up. Police rescued him from the protesters. The student's condition is not clear at present. Protesting students are wielding rocks and sticks on Empire Road in Parktown in Johannesburg - which has been closed - causing major traffic disruptions. The university's Executive Coun...

Higher Education and Training Minister Blade Nzimande is to meet with vice chancellors from various institutions to tackle the issue of fee hikes. It comes after country-wide protests at institutions of higher learning over fee increases. He will also be meeting with university council chairs, students and workers. At a media briefing in Pretoria this afternoon, the minister appealed to students t...

Wits University students have blocked their Vice Chancellor, Professor Adam Habib, from leaving the Braamfontein campus. Habib was due to address the students on the way forward with regards to their protests against the proposed ten-point-five per cent increase in tuition fees. Today, marks the third day of the students' protests which led to the suspension of all activities on the university's c...

Newly appointed Independent Electoral Commission(IEC) chairperson, Vuma Mashinini says his past position within the president's office should not be viewed as him being a 'presidency man'. Mashinini briefed media in Pretoria on his new role, and preparations for next year's municipal elections. Opposition parties have raised concerns with his appointment.

John Block has resigned as Northern Cape Chairperson of the ANC and PEC as well as MEC for Finance and Tourism. This after Block was found guilty of corruption and money laundering by the Kimberley High Court . His co-accused, Trifecta director Christo Scholtz was found guilty while deputy secretary Alvin Botes has been acquitted of all charges.