First Take SA

Kenya's government has banned protests in main city centres, citing lawlessness during opposition rallies against the electoral commission. The ban comes a day after thousands of opposition supporters held demonstrations in opposition leader Raila Odinga's strongholds demanding reforms ahead of repeat polls later this month. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Uhuru Kenyatta's spokesperson Manoah Esipisu

In commemoration of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The Reach for Recovery project aims to raise funds to purchase silicone breast prostheses for thousands of disadvantaged South African breast cancer survivors. The Reach for Recovery says thousands of rands are dedicated annually to breast cancer research, but that money does not directly assist survivors. The Power of Pink in conjunction with Rea...

Six police officers have been taken to hospital after they were attacked by a group of men, during a drug raid at a house in Vanderbijlpark, south of Johannesburg. A video of the incident has since gone viral on social media. A dead body was found during the raid. According to Gauteng Police spokesperson Kay Makhubele says officers were following up on information about a suspected drug den, when...

Time now for our arts and culture feature and today we speak to actress Thuso Mbedu who has recently scored a nomination for "best performance by an actress" in the 2017 International Emmy Awards. The 23-year-old actress has been nominated for her role as young heroine Winnie in Mzansi Magic drama Is'thunzi. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Thuso Mbedu

The KwaZulu-Natal government says it is still assessing the damage caused by storms that caused havoc in the province. The death toll from Tuesday's devastating storm in KwaZulu-Natal has now risen to fourteen. Most of the deaths occurred in areas in and around Durban. Forty-two schools were damaged - including nine high schools. The strong wind and heavy rain also caused damage at many health car...

The Gauteng Health Department Chief Director for Planning, Molefi Mosenogi says he believes the deaths of 118 mentally-ill patients could have been prevented had then Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu been a qualified health professional. Mosenogi was testifying in Life Esidimeni arbitration hearings in Parktown, Johannesburg. Now of the stand os the Director General for the National Department Health, M...

About 54 learners have allegedly been sexually assaulted by a scholar patroller, at AB Xuma Primary School, In Orlando East of Soweto. The matter was reported to the Orlando Police Station and the patroller has since been arrested. The pupils range from the age of 6-12 years. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Steve Mabona, Spokesperson for the Gauteng Department of Education

Liberians are currently voting to elect a successor to Africa's first female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. A total of 20 presidential candidates are running to succeed Sirleaf. The main contenders in the race to succeed her are Ex-football star George Weah and Vice-President Joseph Boakai. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Ibrahim Nyei, a Political Analyst, In Liberia

Heavy rains have caused havoc in KwaZulu-Natal resulting in some major roads being closed for hours. Two people have died in the Nquthu Municipality in northern KwaZulu-Natal. One person was struck by lightning, while another drowned trying to cross a flooded river. The South African Weather Service has warned that the adverse conditions are likely to continue into tomorrow. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke...

To mark the World Mental Health Day the Crazy for Walking Initiative, has launched a campaign in which they've walked from Pretoria to Cape Town to raise awarenesss and also the de-stigmatisation of mental health. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Crazy For Walking Project CEO, Francois Louw

Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications says it will call both the trade union BEMAWU and the so-called SABC 8 to appear before it. This comes after the chairperson and some political parties received two open letters from the union and the group about the state of affairs at the SABC in the absence of a permanent board. The SABC's finances and President Jacob Zuma's delay in appointing...

Humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says medical facilities have become the front line in conflict zones such Syria Afghanistan and South Sudan. The organisation says two years after the bombing of one of their hospitals by the US army in Afghanistan, medical facilities are no longer safe places where civilians can go for aid and lifesaving medical care. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke...

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga has withdrawn from the rerun of the presidential elections scheduled for later this month. This after the first vote in August was annulled by the country's Supreme Court. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to our reporter In Kenya, Sarah Kimani

The Lady Frere magistrate's court in the Eastern Cape has withdrawn charges against a woman who stabbed three men whom she found raping her daughter a month ago. One young man, who's related to the victim died in the attack while two others sustained injuries. The two suspects are still to appear in court this week. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to our reporter Lubabalo Dada

Unilever has apologised for an advertisement for its Dove soap brand which has been criticised for being racist. The 3-second video clip, posted on Dove's U.S. Facebook page shows a black woman removing a brown T-shirt and revealing a white woman in a white T-shirt underneath. Dove removed the clip and apologised, saying on Twitter that the post had "missed the mark in representing women of colour...

Joburg Emergency Services has dispatched teams to assist residents whose houses have been damaged by trees during heavy rains in the city this afternoon. Spokesperson Nana Radebe says they've been alerted about trees that have fallen on houses in Sandton north of the city. Heavy rains accompanied by hailstorm have caused flooding on the roads and residential areas around Johannesburg in the past h...

The Johannesburg Emergency Management Services has urged residents to be extra vigilant following flooding in most parts of the city this afternoon. Heavy rains accompanied by large hail has fallen in the past hour causing flooding and chaos on the roads. Earlier the South African Weather Services issued a warning for heavy rainfall with damaging winds and hail. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to SABC Mete...

The arbitration hearings looking into the events that led to the deaths of more than 100 mentally-ill patients in Gauteng, is underway in Parktown, Johannesburg. During his opening statements at the Life Esidimeni Arbitration on behalf of the state, Tebogo Hutama says government has accepted liability for the deaths and has committed to ensure redress for the families of the victims. Tsepiso Makwe...

Talking about this week's trending topics with Molebogeng Sebidi

Tomorrow sees the 20th Anniversary of the Macufe Festival in the Free State. The event's tagline of "Rea Tshola" will have them serving up a serious feast! Headliners will include Mafikizolo Production, Ringo, Jah Prayzah from Zimbabwe, Nigerian artist Davido, South African legendary Musicians Sipho Mabuse and Tshepo Tshola. Fans will also be wowed by Beninua Angelique Kidjo and American R&B Sensa...

Mars global pet companies will tomorrow host the "First ever Soweto Dog Show" in celebration of World Animal Day. Pet owners and lovers can attend this community outreach program which will be hosted at Mofolo Park, Soweto. Vets will be on site at the event to perform free health screenings, vaccinations and dog dipping for all dogs that come to the event. All proceeds of the event will be donated...

Police in KwaZulu-Natal have launched a manhunt for suspects involved in the shooting of five family members at Nteke near Marianhill, west of Durban last night. The deceased were in a house when unknown gunmen opened fire at them. Police spokesperson Nqobile Gwala says four people died on the scene while one died in hospital. A 41-year old male escaped. The killings follow the death of eight memb...

The Zimbabwean Embassy has withdrawn its participation in the matter brought by model Gabriela Engels and civil rights group Afri-Forum to review the diplomatic immunity the South African government granted to first lady, Grace Mugabe. The applicants approached the high court in Pretoria to seek permission to serve Mugabe with papers through the Zimbabwean Embassy in Pretoria. Mugabe allegedly ass...

Stormy weather expected over parts of South Africa, according to the South African Weather Service. Thunderstorms are expected to become severe during the course of today until the weekend, as they progressively spread east during the remainder of the week. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to SABC weather presenter and Meteorologist, Azwi Tuwani...

The National Freedom Party (NFP), deputy president, Alex Kekana says he is not part of any group that seeks to oppose the party's president, Zanele kaMagwaza Msibi. Addressing the media on the challenges facing the party, Kekana says they are focused on reviving the party with Magwaza-Msibi at the helm. Msibi, who was present at the briefing, is still recovering from a stroke which saw her taking...