First Take SA

South Africa has strongly condemned the targeting of civilians amid escalating clashes between Iran and Israel, which have now entered their fifth day. The South African government is calling for immediate de-escalation, warning that civilians and infrastructure must be protected. The conflict has resulted in nearly 250 deaths, with both nations exchanging deadly strikes. Elvis Presslin spoke to D...

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

The devastating floods in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, have left a trail of destruction, with over 70 lives lost and the death toll continuing to rise. Search and rescue operations are underway for four learners swept away in a minibus taxi. To discuss the impact of the floods on education, Elvis Presslin spoke to National Association of School Governing Bodies General Secretary, Matakanye Matakanya

The Supreme Court of Appeal has ordered a retrial in the Nulane Investments case linked to the Gupta family, citing errors in Acting Judge Nompumelelo Gusha's ruling. The National Prosecuting Authority has indicated it may pursue legal action against Gusha for misapplying the law and disregarding the state's evidence. For more on this Research and Advocacy Officer at Judges Matter, Mbekezeli Benja...

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today visit Mthatha's flood-ravaged areas in the Eastern Cape today, where a fierce winter storm has killed over 70 people and caused widespread destruction. Meanwhile, humanitarian groups like Gift of the Givers, the Al-Imdaad Foundation and other NGOs have intensified emergency and rescue efforts in the flood-hit areas in Mthatha, where scores of residents have bee...

The Ministers of Home Affairs and Police have dismissed allegations of collusion with anti-migrant group Operation Dudula as "reckless and baseless". The ministers are pushing back against interdicts in the Gauteng High Court, sought by Kopanang Africa and other civil society organizations seeking to curb Dudula's alleged mistreatment of foreign nationals. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin sp...

The South African government has expressed its condolences to India following the catastrophic crash of Air India Flight AI171. The London-bound flight plummeted shortly after departing Ahmedabad, in the western Indian state of Gujarat.claiming the lives of almost all passengers and crew on board and killed additional people on the ground. The aircraft, carrying individuals from multiple nations,...

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

SAFTU has slammed the R26 billion World Bank loan to South Africa as a dangerous Trojan horse. The approved loan is to support structural reforms aimed at boosting South Africa's infrastructure. The union argues that it's a gateway to privatization, deepening neoliberal reforms and worsening foreign debt. Elvis Presslin spoke to SAFTU'S General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi 

Durban businessman Shaun Naidu is taking Nedbank to court in a R39.8 billion lawsuit, alleging the bank wrongly listed him as a suspected fraudster for nearly a decade. The listing on the Southern African Fraud Prevention Service database reportedly damaged his reputation and cost him valuable business opportunities. Elvis Presslin spoke to Shaun Naidu himself

The United States has issued a stark warning to its citizens planning to travel to South Africa, citing violent crime, kidnappings, and potential terrorist threats. The US Level 2 travel advisory alert urges Americans to exercise heightened caution, especially in major cities after dark. Elvis Presslin spoke to  Tourism Minister, Patricia de Lille

Operations are underway in KwaZulu-Natal following two days of severe weather that battered parts of the province with strong winds, heavy rain and snowfall. The hardest hit area is the Ugu District on the South Coast, where over 80 homes were damaged and power outages persist. KZN Cogta Mec says Relief efforts are ongoing, with disaster teams on the ground. For more on this Senzelwe Mzila, spokes...

The EFF in the Eastern Cape is blaming the provincial government for the deaths of 49 people in recent floods. The party alleges that government neglect and failing infrastructure are directly responsible for the tragedy. Elvis Presslin spoke to the EFF Eastern Cape Chairperson, Commissar Zilindile Vena

One year into the Government of National Unity, South Africa is still facing a severe economic crisis, according to ActionSA. The party paints a dire picture, citing stagnant economic growth, massive job losses and deepening poverty and inequality. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA Member of Parliament, Alan Beesley

Nearly 5 million young South Africans are jobless, more than Namibia's population. During a National Assembly debate commemorating Youth Day, Rise Mzansi's National Assembly Whip, Makashule Gana, urged South Africans to rebuild the nation to ensure a functional future for its youth. Elvis Presslin spoke to Makashule Gana to elaborate more on his sentiments

Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister, Sihle Zikalala has denied allegations of interfering with investigations into procurement irregularities at the Independent Development Trust. Minister Zikalala is accused of shielding the IDT's CEO, Tebogo Malaka from corruption probes. Deputy Minister Zikalala spoke to Elvis Presslin to respond to the allegations

Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration Chairperson, Jan de Villiers has revealed that a syndicate within government departments is allegedly orchestrating the creation of ghost employees through systemic corruption. De Villiers told our senior producer, Ronald Phiri that the true extent of ghost workers remains unknown. He says a joint audit between the Department of...

Seven people have lost their lives due to severe flooding in the Eastern Cape. The fatalities were reported in various areas in the province. The provincial government has dispatched its provincial disaster and emergency units to the affected areas to oversee relief efforts. Elvis Presslin spoke to Eastern Cape Government Spokesperson, Khuselwa Rantjie

A recent report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF reveals that 138 million children worldwide were engaged in child labour in 2024, with 54 million in hazardous work that jeopardizes their health and safety. This marks a drop of over 20 million since 2020 and a nearly 50% decrease since 2000. However, UNICEF says the global target to end child labour by 2025 is unlikely to...

United Africans Transformation (UAT) has slammed the surge in youth unemployment, calling it a national shame and proof of the widening gap between government promises and everyday reality. With South Africa's jobless rate now at 32.9% and youth unemployment soaring to 46.1%, the party says the country is in crisis. For more on this, United Africans Transformation party Youth leader, Seabi Makgopa...

The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg will today hear arguments against Operation Dudula, an organization accused of xenophobic and racist actions. The case, brought by Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia, the South African Informal Traders Forum, the Inner City Federation and Abahlali BaseMjondolo alleges that Operation Dudula has engaged in unlawful conduct against foreign nationals. For more on...

California Governor Gavin Newsom has called on President Donald Trump to withdraw what he calls an unlawful National Guard deployment in Los Angeles. Newsom slams the move as a violation of state sovereignty that stokes unrest and drains vital resources. This follows Trump's dispatch of 2,000 troops to quell protests sparked by federal immigration raids. For three days, demonstrators and immigrati...

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

The Democratic Alliance in Johannesburg has called for a full investigation into allegations of misconduct by a member of Mayor Dada Morero's Mayoral Committee. According to the DA, the MMC allegedly used a City of Johannesburg official vehicle without consent to attend party-political activities in eThekwini. Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Johannesburg Shadow MMC for Public Safety, Solomon Maila

The Democratic Alliance's Federal Council chairperson, Helen Zille has announced she is considering a run for Johannesburg mayor in the upcoming 2026 local government elections. This as political parties intensify preparations for the municipal polls. For expert political insight, Elvis Presslin spoke to Political analyst, Professor Tumi Senokoane