First Take SA

The Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU, in Mpumalanga is set to lead a provincial march against gender-based violence and femicide in KwaMhlanga. Elvis Presslin spoke to COSATU Mpumalanga Provincial Secretary, Thabo Mokoena, to speak about the significance of this event and what the organisation hopes to achieve with the march

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa says the SACP's decision to contest elections independently will have far-reaching implications for their alliance. Ramaphosa expressed the ANC's disagreement with the SACP's decision after a four-day National Executive Committee meeting in Germiston. To expand a bit more on the tensions within the Tripartite alliance, Elvis Presslin spoke to Political Analyst, Dr. Eb...

The South African Municipal Workers Union, SAMWU is concerned about the rising violence in municipalities. A recent report revealled that 148 local officials were murdered since 2018 - many of which were linked to exposing corruption. The union says this deadly trend threatens service delivery and silences accountability. Elvis Presslin spoke to SAMWU General Secretary, Dumisane Magagula

The Public Protector's office has confirmed it has no record of complaints from Zimbabwe's Human Rights Commission regarding Zimbabweans being denied healthcare in South Africa. It clarified that last year's visit from the Commission was a benchmarking exercise focused on practices, not an audit of South African services. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's Human Rights Commission has expressed concern over rep...

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

South African authorities have arrested a man found in possession of 56,000 child abuse images. The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has strongly condemned the crime, calling it a stark reminder of the urgent need to protect children. Elvis Presslin spoke to ATM MP, Vuyolwethu Zungula

The Progressive Forces of South Africa will hold a picket outside the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria today. The court is hearing a case about where former Zambian President Edgar Lungu will be buried. Lungu died in South Africa in June, and there's a dispute between his family and the Zambian government over whether he should be buried in South Africa or repatriated back to Zambia. Elvis Presslin...

The Eastern Cape Education Department has strongly condemned a violent assault on a female learner from David Mama Secondary School in Mdantsane. Videos circulating online show the girl being attacked by male classmates after getting off a school bus. In the footage, the boys are seen hitting the victim while others laugh and record the incident. A second clip shows further harassment of the same...

The South African Communist Party's General Secretary Solly Mapaila says the party has never been allocated a government department to manage, despite past requests. Speaking at the SACP's 104th anniversary celebration in KwaDlengezwa, KwaZulu-Natal, yesterday, Mapaila noted that a bid for the Department of Arts and Culture was denied under former President Jacob Zuma. Elvis Presslin spoke to COSA...

The Basotho Covenant Movement Malatanaha is denying allegations of setting up illegal military training camps in South Africa. Last month, Lesotho's security chiefs claimed the group is recruiting and training Basotho youths for terrorism purposes. Elvis Presslin spoke to Abdulmalik Molapo, the group's spokesperson, to respond to these allegations and shed more light on the group's activities

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has announced a major shake-up in the province's administration, with some department heads facing reshuffles or removal. The move comes amid concerns over under-expenditure and poor performance in several departments. Lesufi cited recent audit outcomes, which highlighted operational shortcomings, as a key reason for the decision. Elvis Presslin spoke to  Mike M...

US tariffs on selected South African exports are set to take effect today. The US is expected to impose a 30% tariff. To discuss the impact on local businesses, we're joined by Elias Monage, President of the Black Business Council...

The High Court has ruled against the City of Tshwane's "cleansing levy", declaring it unlawful. Residents are set to receive refunds. To discuss the implications we're joined by Arno Roodt from AfriForum. The lobby group successfully challenged the levy in court...

Police in Gqeberha are investigating the murder of a public prosecutor who was shot and killed outside her home in Algoa Park yesterday. The police is appealing for information that can lead to the arrest and prosecution of the suspects. For more on the case we're joined by Gift Ngqondi, ANC Eastern Cape Provincial Head of Communications...

Operation Dudula is set to launch a campaign in December to block what they describe as illegal foreigners from accessing public schools in the new year. The organization says this move aims to address concerns around access to education for South African citizens. To elaborate further on this campaign Elvis Presslin spoke to Operation Dudula President, Zandile Dabula, about the plans and the pote...

The South African Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee is set to announce its decision on interest rates, with expectations of at least one more rate cut. Many are hoping for a 25-basis-point reduction. Elvis Presslin spoke to Frank Blackmore, Lead Economist at KPMG South Africa, about what this could mean for the economy and ordinary citizens

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in KwaZulu-Natal has welcomed the arrest of two more suspects in connection with the December 2023 murder of Umngeni Municipality Chief Whip, Nhlalayenza Ndlovu. Ndlovu was shot dead at his Mpophomeni home near Howick. This brings the total number of suspects arrested to five. The initial three Thobani Hlongwa, Khayelihle Shabalala, and Nxamalala induna Zwelithini Buth...

Child rights groups have expressed alarm over a viral video showing a mother urging her four-year-old son to smoke mandrax. The mother, along with two others adults, have been arrested and now faces child abuse charges. Authorities are investigating, and the child is under protection. For the latest Elvis Presslin spoke to Save the Children South Africa Programme Director, Megan Briede

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, NUMSA, has secured a two-year agreement with the Glass Industry Employers. The wage deal for workers in the glass industry provides for above-inflation pay increases, benefiting around 13 000 workers. Elvis Presslin spoke to Numsa Spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola

The Constitutional Court will today hear a case between former President Jacob Zuma and President Cyril Ramaphosa. Zuma's legal team is challenging Ramaphosa's decision to place Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on special leave over allegations of political interference in the South African Police Service. A Judicial Commission of Inquiry, led by Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga, will investigate the claims...

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau says South Africa remains committed to finalizing a trade agreement with the United States, despite ongoing challenges. Tau says the country will also not retaliate against recent US tariffs and is open to negotiations. The deal is expected to unlock significant investment and trade opportunities for both countries. Elvis Presslin spoke to Trade,...

The Democratic Alliance has raised alarm over the sharp rise in hospital-acquired infections across Gauteng's public hospitals. DA Health Shadow MEC Dr Jack Bloom says over 7,700 patients contracted infections last year, many antibiotic-resistant and life-threatening. Charlotte Maxeke leads with an 11% infection rate one in ten patients. Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Gauteng Shadow MEC of Health, Dr....

South African Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu) has expressed deep concern over the ongoing use of corporal punishment in schools, nearly three decades after it was outlawed. This follows a report by the Department of Basic Education, revealing that in 2023, nearly one in five pupils in KwaZulu-Nata and 6.8% nationally were still subjected to corporal punishment. To expand more on the findings, E...

Domestic violence remains a serious concern in South Africa, with one in three women experiencing physical intimate partner violence in their lifetime, according to a 2024 report by the Human Sciences Research Council. The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is calling for greater awareness and action to address this pervasive issue. To elaborate on the scourge Elvis Presslin...