First Take SA

In a significant victory for consumers, the Gauteng High Court has ruled that municipal electricity distributors cannot increase their prices from July 1, 2024. This decision comes after AfriForum's successful urgent application to block the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) from considering tariff hike requests from municipalities. The court found that distributors failed to submi...

President Cyril Ramaphosa's recent cabinet reshuffle has sparked widespread surprise and skepticism, particularly with the appointment of Angie Motshekga as the new Minister of Defence and Military Veterans. Motshekga's move from the Basic Education portfolio to Defence has raised eyebrows, with some South Africans questioning her suitability for the role. For more reaction, Elvis Presslin spoke t...

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 in Ekurhuleni is calling for an investigation into Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi, Director of Special Services at the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD), amid serious allegations. The party claims that Mkhwanazi has abused his power, misused police vehicles, and engaged in a "sex for jobs" scandal, where he allegedly solicited favours from female officers in exchange for career...

The umKhonto Wesizwe, MK party has sent a cease and desist letter to the SABC demanding the public broadcaster to stop using terms like "Government of National Unity" to describe current coalitions. The party claims the term is misleading and goes against the SABC's obligation to provide accurate and unbiased reporting. For reaction on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Mr. Moshoeshoe Monare, SABC Grou...

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has voiced its strong objection to the Democratic Alliance (DA) heading the Ministry of Basic Education, following the appointment of DA MP Siviwe Gwarube to the position. SADTU has expressed concerns about the DA's education policies and their potential detrimental impact on the education sector. Elvis Presslin spoke to SADTU spokesperson, Nomus...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced his new cabinet, comprising of 11 political parties. The newly formed National Executive, comprising 77 members, including the President, Deputy President, 32 ministers, and 43 deputy ministers, has pledged to work collectively to serve the best interests of South Africans. So! Do you feel that the diversity of political parties in the new National Executive...

The Business Federation has urged the newly appointed cabinet to collaborate and drive economic progress. This after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced his new executive team under the National Government of Unity (GNU). The cabinet comprises 32 ministers and 43 deputy ministers, whose policies and decisions, the Federation says will have a profound impact on South Africa's economic growth, inves...

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) has expressed its approval of President Cyril Ramaphosa's new cabinet appointments. Cosatu Parliamentary Coordinator Matthew Parks has praised the president's decisions, describing them as logical and well-considered, including the consolidation and separation of various government departments. Matthew Parks shares his thoughts in more detail wit...

Between January and June 12, 2024, a disturbing 333 children in the Western Cape received medical treatment for firearm-related injuries, with a devastating 58 fatalities. The Western Cape Health Department, warns that if current trends continue, the number of child homicides involving firearms may exceed 100 by the end of the year. The most vulnerable group appears to be children aged 15 and olde...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has criticized the Democratic Alliance (DA) in a letter to its leader, John Steenhuisen, accusing the party of undermining efforts to establish a government of national unity. The letter comes as negotiations between the DA and the African National Congress (ANC) have reached an impasse over the Trade and Industry portfolio, hindering the formation of a unified government...

Four esteemed foundations are calling for a national dialogue to unite the country and shape its future. The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Thabo Mbeki Foundation, Steve Biko Foundation, and Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Trust - have joined forces to provide a platform for reflection and addressing the various challenges facing South Africa. To discuss this further, Elvis Presslin spoke to Neeshan Balton,...

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has denied claims that the Nasi iSpani programme has been discontinued, calling them baseless and false. The confusion arose from a leaked circular about the end of a one-year contract for the Green Army EPWP participants, which is a separate program from the Gauteng Traffic Wardens. Lesufi has assured that the Nasi iSpani programme, which has employed thousands of G...

Elvis Presslin takes a look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoesoana, 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

Yesterday marked the second anniversary of the Enyobeni tavern tragedy, which claimed the lives of 21 young people in Scenery Park, Eastern Cape. The families of the victims, including Ntombizonke Mgangala, who lost her niece in the incident, are still seeking answers and closure. Ntombizonke joins Elvis Presslin to share her story and reflect on the tragedy that occurred on June 26, 2022, a day t...

Eskom is seeking to increase electricity tariffs by a significant 36% in 2025, following a 12% rise earlier this year. If the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) approves the proposal, the hike will take effect on April 1, 2025. The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has vehemently opposed the move, warning that it will result in the loss of free basic electricity for m...

A petition launched by Concerned Citizens has garnered nearly ten thousand signatures, calling for the removal of newly sworn-in MP Andile Mngxitama from Parliament. The petition accuses Mngxitama, a member of the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, of perpetuating hate speech and urges the South African Human Rights Commission to take legal action against him. This comes after a video taken five years a...

Kenyan President William Ruto has withdrawn a controversial financial bill. The bill sparked nationwide protests and violent crackdowns that resulted in 22 deaths. In a televised address yesterday Ruto announced the withdrawal of the bill citing the widespread expression of dissatisfaction from the public. Happy Olal, National Convener of the Social Justice Centers in Kenya spoke to Elvis Presslin

The Azanian People's Organisation, AZAPO has condemned the delay in announcing the new cabinet. As South Africans eagerly await the announcement of the new government of national unity cabinet by President Cyril Ramaphosa, AZAPO warns that the ongoing delay will create a power vacuum that poses a substantial threat to the nation's stability. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to AZAPO National...

Recently appointed KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Public Works and Infrastructure, Martin Meyer, is taking swift action to combat construction mafias with a strategic approach. These criminal groups, which emerged in KZN around 2014/15, are notorious for demanding protection fees from local construction projects and companies, and also extorting a share of infrastructure project costs. Their illicit activi...

South Africa has reported three additional confirmed cases of Mpox (previously known as monkeypox), bringing the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 16. One fatality has also been recorded. The affected individuals are all male, ranging in age from 23 to 43 years old. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Foster Mohale, Spokesperson for the Department of Health

The uMkhonto Wesizwe (MK) party will today picket outside the Pietermaritzburg High Court. This action comes in response to the arrest of the Independent Electoral Commission's area manager in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, who is suspected of tampering with ballot papers in the recent elections. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to MK Party KZN, Spokesperson Vincent Mdunge

Zimbabweans have expressed concern over the Patriotic Alliance (PA) party's calls for the mass deportation of undocumented immigrants from South Africa. PA leader Gayton McKenzie's alleged anti-immigrant rhetoric and demands for widespread deportations have sparked fears among Zimbabweans. The party, which secured 9 seats in parliament in the recent elections, has vowed to use its political power...

The ANC is facing backlash on social media for reinstating corruption-accused former Sports, Arts, and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa as a Member of Parliament. Kodwa was among a group of MPs sworn in recently, after missing the initial swearing-in ceremony earlier this month. The ANC has been criticized for allowing Kodwa's return to Parliament, despite its own "step-aside" rule, which aims to preve...

The future of 100 matric students at EJ Singwane Secondary School in Pienaar, Mpumalanga, hangs in the balance as they anxiously await their 2023 exam results, clouded by allegations of widespread cheating. Reports suggest that students from 20 schools in the Bohlabelo district, including EJ Singwane, paid R1,500 to access exam answers through WhatsApp groups. Furthermore, invigilators are implica...