First Take SA

An international South African rugby player says the situation in Russia is dire since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The player, who chose to remain anonymous for security reasons says Russians are starting to feel the economic pinch after Western countries imposed sanctions on the country due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Anonymous, who played club rugby in Russia fled the country since t...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has cautioned what he calls groups that act as vigilantes in the wake of growing tensions between some South Africans and some foreign nationals. Kwezi Mngqibisa, Research Fellow, at the Centre for African Diplomacy and Leadership at the University of Johannesburg, UJ looks at the history of the country's reliance on the rest of the continent

The Commercial Stevedoring Agriculture and Allied Workers' Union have blamed labour brokers for the recent violence between Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals at Nkqubela in Robertson, Western Cape. Last Thursday about 200 people, mostly women and children, were forced to evacuate the area and seek refuge at a local police station. Almost 20 people were injured and several homes looted. The union sa...

Mpumalanga Police have launched a manhunt after award-winning and world-renowned Ndebele artist Dr. Esther Nostokana Mahlangu, was attacked and robbed in her home at the weekend. The 87-year old was viciously attacked, robbed of her firearm and an undisclosed amount of cash. For more on this here is Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala

Time to take 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

Among the biggest government culprits in non-payment, which sees the eThekwini municipality running short of money, are the Education Department, Public Works, and the Human Settlements department. Chief Financial officer of the eThekwini Municipality, Sandile Mnguni paints a picture of the situation

ActionSA in the eThekwini metro says the municipality is running out of funds to meet its financial obligations as debtors, including government departments owe just over 18 Billion rands. Eighty percent of this total debt is overdue by 90 days while both the national and provincial government departments owe the municipality a total of R945m.  Amongst the biggest government culprits in non-p...

Time to take 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

The South African Civil Aviation Authority has ended the suspension of Comair's operating license with immediate effect. This brings to an end a five-day-long suspension of Comair's operating license. For more here is Phindiwe Gwebu, Spokesperson of the South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA)

The North West Department of Education says an investigation is underway after a 14-year-old learner committed suicide allegedly after he was assaulted by a teacher at the Living Faith Secondary School in Mafikeng, North West. According to information at the department's disposal, the boy and another learner were involved in a physical fight when a teacher was called to intervene. It is further al...

The ANC's National Working Committee has pledged its support to President Cyril Ramaphosa ahead of the motion of no confidence set to take place against him in Parliament later this month. The motion was called by African Transformation Movement MP, Vuyolwethu Zungula. DA Leader, John Steenhuisen proposed a motion against all Ramaphosa's cabinet ministers. The respective motions were discussed at...

The International Court of Justice has ordered Russia to immediately suspend all military operations in Ukraine. The UN tribunal ruled that Ukraine "has a plausible right not to be subjected to military operations." For more on this here is Foreign Policy Analyst at the Institute for Global Dialogue, Sanusha Naidu

National Assembly has notified President Cyril Ramaphosa about Parliament's intention to proceed with impeachment proceedings against Public Protector Adv Busisiwe Mkhwebane. This follows a recent decision of the Constitutional Court which paved the way for parliament to proceed with the process. In terms of the Constitution, Ramaphosa may suspend Mkhwebane pending the outcome of the process. Lega...

The Young Nurses Indaba Trade Union will march to the office of the Gauteng Department of Health this morning. The march is set to highlight the plight of health care workers, particularly nurses, security personnel, and workers who are part of government's Expanded Public Works Program. For the latest, here is Lerato Mthunzi, General Secretary of the Young Nurses Indaba Trade Union.

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority has come out in defense of all the approved vaccines in the country, declaring them safe to use, including the Pfizer vaccine. This follows widespread reaction to the news that the Pfizer vaccine has over one-thousand-two-hundred side effects that were not disclosed to the public, until only last week. SAHPRA held a webinar yesterday explainin...

The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa, Contralesa says initiation schools can reopen. This after the Covid-19 pandemic disrupted cultural practices, forcing several initiation schools in various provinces, except the Eastern Cape, to close down. For the latest here is Contralesa President, Kgoshi Lameck Mokoena

Six people have been killed during a mass shooting in Umlazi, Durban. The shooting reportedly happened in an informal settlement. For more here is Brigadier Jay Naicker, KwaZulu-Natal police spokesperson...

Public Participation Group, Dear South Africa together with AfriForum intend on taking the government to court in order to force it to end the National State of Disaster. This follows reports that despite the low COVID-19 infections, the National Coronavirus Command Council is considering extending yet again the state of the disaster by another month. This is in order to finalize regulations to he...

Leaders of Opposition Parties represented in Parliament are expected to meet today over what they term 'Project South Africa' which they believe is on a slippery slope. Part of the agenda for the meeting is amongst others, lockdown regulations, service delivery issues, and corruption linked to the State Capture Commission. UDM leader, Bantu Holomisa argues the governing party has effectively muzzl...

Time to take 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...

Over 2000 military veterans plan to bring a class-action suit against President Cyril Ramaphosa over unpaid benefits. The ex-combatants are from Umkhonto weSizwe, Azanian People's Liberation Army, and the Azanian National Liberation Army. Andries Nkome is a lawyer for the aggrieved military veterans...

27 Gautrain workers have been suspended for reportedly refusing to vaccinate against Covid-19, according to the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, NUMSA. Gautrain implemented a mandatory vaccination policy which came into effect from the 28th of February this year. Numsa has since taken Gautrain to the Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration, CCMA for suspending workers...

The African Diaspora Forum has called on people to leave relevant authorities to deal with the issue of illegal immigrants, instead of taking the law into their own hands. This follows the clashes, which erupted between supporters of the Dudula Movement and foreign national traders in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg last week. The movement insists foreign nationals should be deported and their bu...

Thousands of passengers were left stranded after Comair's operations were suspended indefinitely at the weekend. The South African Civil Aviation Authority, SACAA grounded Comair's planes indefinitely on Sunday, saying the airline had not adequately addressed safety issues. The suspension has affected passengers of low-cost airline, Kulula, and British Airways. Comair says it is unable to confirm...

New Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo takes up his new appointment on April 1st. President Ramaphosa made the announcement yesterday saying he intends on nominating Mandisa Maya as deputy chief justice. Political analyst at the Nelson Mandela University, Ongama Mtimka