First Take SA

The Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU, is staging a nationwide strike today to protest plaguing issues affecting South Africans. This includes widespread job losses, rampant corruption, escalating cost of living, and Eskom's proposed 36% tariff hike. The SACP, FEDUSA and other COSATU affiliates will join the Section 77 nationwide strike. Meanwhile Business Unity South Africa, BUSA hav...

The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg is set to hear an urgent application from the MK Party today, seeking to halt next week's Judicial Service Commission interviews for new judges. The MK Party wants the interviews postponed until Judge John Hlophe's legal battles are resolved, arguing that proceeding without him would be unconstitutional. This follows an interim interdict issued by the Western...

The Johannesburg Metro Police Department, JMPD has announced a zero-tolerance policy for vehicles with multiple defects. Vehicles found with three or more defects will be prohibited from operating on public roads. To elaborate further on the new policy, JMPD spokesperson, Xolani Fihla 

Build One South Africa (BOSA) is staging a picket against education budget cuts and planned reductions in teaching posts in Cape Town today. The protest led by party leader Mmusi Maimane aims to raise awareness about the potential harm these cuts could bring to the education sector. The picket comes ahead of World Teachers Day on Saturday. For more on this, here is BOSA Spokesperson, Roger Solomon

The Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Commission (CRL) has criticised what it calls the continued dominance of English and Afrikaans in South African schools. The Commission says in order to achieve non-racialism all official languages need to be prioritized in the school system. The statement comes as two clauses specifically related to teaching in home language are being disputed in the Basic E...

AfriForum is urging the Democratic Alliance and Freedom Front Plus to reconsider their role in the Government of National Unity if the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act is implemented in its current form. The lobby group believes the Act poses a significant threat to Afrikaans schools. The DA has already hinted at leaving the GNU over the BELA Bill, with leader John Steenhuisen warning Pre...

The Modiehi Mongale Foundation is demanding justice after the shocking death of Ayanda Jandisa Mkhize, an inmate at the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre. Ayanda allegedly died from being tasered by a wardress. Lerato Manaka, the foundation's CEO, is calling for an independent investigation into the incident, emphasizing that prison officials have a duty to protect, not harm inmates.

The Democratic Alliance in Johannesburg has taken the City of Johannesburg to court, accusing it of misusing VIP protection services without following due process. The DA claims the city's VIP Protection Policy is unlawful and irrational, and wants the court to intervene. At the heart of the dispute is a policy passed by the City Council granting councillors access to VIP protection. The DA's Jobu...

: The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has expressed disappointment over the Democratic Alliance's plans to dismantle the Employment Equity Act. This comes after the DA vehemently opposed Minister Nomakhosazana Meth's announcement to appoint 20,000 additional inspectors, to ensure businesses comply with labour laws. The Act promotes fairness and addresses historical inequalities in...

The Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Commission (CRL) has criticised what it calls the continued dominance of English and Afrikaans in South African schools. The Commission says in order to achieve non-racialism all official languages need to be prioritized in the school system. The statement comes as two clauses specifically related to teaching in home language are being disputed in the Basic E...

Seriti Coal Mine plans to retrench over 1000 workers due to commercial sustainability issues, however labour union AMCU is having none of it. The mine cites uncompetitive unit costs, freight rail inefficiencies, and coal market volatility as the reasons behind this decision. However, AMCU President Jospeh Mathunjwa is gearing up for a fight, stating that AMCU does not support retrenchments and wil...

South Africa's taxi operators are celebrating a significant reduction in fuel costs. The National Taxi Alliance has hailed the move, citing benefits from developments in petroleum and mineral resources. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mr. Theo Malele, Spokesperson for the National Taxi Alliance

The deadline for public submissions on the reform of South Africa's electoral system has been extended to October 31, 2024. This is a call to action for individuals, organizations, political parties, and prospective independent candidates to share their thoughts on potential reforms for the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Advocate Richard K S...

ANC Gauteng Chairperson Panyaza Lesufi has dismissed claims of division within the party, saying the provincial and national leadership are united. This comes after DA Federal Council Chairperson, Helen Zille accused Lesufi and his team of defying national leaders by backing the removal of former Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink. But Lesufi says the decision was taken in the ANC's best interests. For...

Former Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane has spoken out against the Supreme Court of Appeal's decision to dismiss her appeal, calling it a significant personal and professional setback. The court's ruling yesterday struck down Mkhwebane's application to appeal the judgment that led to her removal from office. Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane spoke to Elvis Presslin to discuss the implication...

Emfuleni Local Municipality's financial woes have reached a boiling point, with municipal workers facing delayed salary payments for September. The crisis began when Eskom attached four of the municipality's bank accounts to recover an estimated R8 billion in unpaid electricity supply fees. The measure by Eskom has left the municipality struggling to cover its operational costs, including employee...

African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association (AUBBTA) commends the arrest of corrupt officials and six illegal immigrants. The officials allegedly extorted bribes from motorists and passengers using fake date stamps and exploiting undocumented immigrants. AUBBTA has long highlighted corruption at the Beitbridge border post, where officials collude with illegal bus operators ferrying undocumented p...

The uMkhonto weSizwe party says it will appeal the ruling interdicting impeached judge Dr. John Hlophe's participation on the Judicial Service Commission. Last Friday, the Western Cape High Court ruled in favour of the DA's urgent application dealing a blow to the MK party's interests. The MK party is also seeking the postponement of Judicial Service Commission sitting. For the latest on the appea...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is opposing a proposed hike in the National Minimum Wage. The party says an increase in the minimum wage could lead to job losses, particularly among small businesses and in rural areas. Michael Bagraim, a Labour lawyer and DA Spokesperson on Employment and Labour, discusses this further with Elvis Presslin

Residents of Fleurhof, west of Johannesburg, are staging a shutdown to protest the lack of infrastructure and poor service delivery in their area. Despite numerous attempts to engage with local government officials, residents say their concerns have fallen on deaf ears, prompting the shutdown. The community is frustrated with the absence of essential facilities like clinics, schools, and a police...

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

ActionSA is filing criminal charges against Justice Minister Thembi Simelane today at the Polokwane Police Station. The party is alleging violations of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA). The move follows revelations that Simelane solicited a questionable R575,600 loan from Gundo Wealth Solutions during her tenure as Mayor of Polokwane. Elvis Presslin discusses this de...

The South African Weather Services says snowfall is expected to clear up in the Western Cape and western parts of the Eastern Cape later today. The weather services says snowfall will persist until tomorrow over the eastern parts of Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Weather Forecaster at the South African Weather Services, Tokelo Chiloane

Disgruntled taxi operators in KwaZulu Natal are accusing the provincial Transport Department of breaking a previously agreed-upon deal. The department had promised to suspend the seizure of taxis, but numerous vehicles have still been impounded for lacking permits and failing roadworthiness tests. The seizure of taxis has left many operators feeling frustrated and concerned about their livelihoods...

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has resolved that the BELA Bill must be implemented. Speaking at the union's 10th National Congress, its re-elected president Magope Maphila pledged SADTU's commitment to the bill's immediate enforcement, warning that any delay would be seen as a declaration of war against Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube. The BELA Bill, recently signed in...