First Take SA

DA federal chair Helen Zille has issued a stern warning to the ANC, stating the DA will not accept unilateral governance within the Government of National Unity. This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to dismiss Deputy Trade and Industry Minister, Andrew Whitfield. Zille says the DA will escalate its response each time the ANC acts independently in the GNU. While the DA remains committe...

Gauteng's Health Department has refuted allegations that bodies at Helen Joseph Hospital are unprocessed due to a shortage of printer cartridges. The department confirms only one body, from a patient declared dead on arrival, remains and will be processed today (Monday). Officials acknowledge earlier printing delays impacted mortuary operations this month but say contingency measures have cleared...

The Public Servants Association, PSA is warning of stronger action alongside unemployed doctors until all are hired by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. Last week, protests erupted across the province as over 150 doctors remained without jobs. The PSA says the government must stop making empty promises on healthcare reform while hospitals face staff shortages and graduates sit idle. To elabo...

The Ubuntu Urban Farm at Klipspruit Wes Secondary School in Klipspruit southwest of Johannesburg, bordering Soweto, launched its first Market day on Saturday 21 June just five months after inception. It is an initiative led by Ubuntu Community Development & Empowerment supported by the Non Profit organization Go Green Go Clean from Eldorado Park and Barloworld Empowerment Foundation. The aim o...

The Gauteng Department of Education has suspended two inspectors from its Infrastructure Unit. The inspectors were assigned to manage a project to conduct repairs at Noordgesig Secondary School in Soweto following a fire that broke out at the school last year. Following the fire incident that occurred at the said school, the Department had allocated funds for urgent repairs and reconstruction work...

The High Court in Pretoria has granted an interdict halting the burial of Zambia's former President Edgar Lungu. The Zambian government had approached the court, seeking to stop the burial which was scheduled to take place yesterday in South Africa. The government argues that disputes over Lungu's final resting place need to be resolved before any burial can take place. Elvis Presslin spoke to Adv...

The Kenyan government has reportedly ordered all television and radio stations to halt live broadcasts of ongoing protests in Nairobi and across the country. This marks the first anniversary of last year's deadly anti-tax demonstrations that saw parliament stormed. The Communications Authority of Kenya cites constitutional violations, but the move has sparked outrage among journalists and activist...

ActionSA say it supports Parliament's decision to launch a full inquiry into the Road Accident Fund. The party criticised the Fund, calling it a center of corruption and mismanagement after a poor performance by its board before SCOPA. ActionSA has written to Transport Minister Barbara Creecy, demanding the board's removal and has proposed a motion for debate. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA MP,...

The Sizekhaya consortium has denied having any links to Deputy President Paul Mashatile. This follows scrutiny over a multibillion-rand deal to run South Africa's national lottery. Reports suggested Mashatile's family was connected to the winning bidder. Sizekhaya Holdings, which won an eight-year licence from Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau in May 2025, includes Bellamont Gaming among its s...

The Public Service Commission says the government owes over R16 billion in leave payouts to nearly 190,000 public service employees hired before July 2000. Claude Naiker, Acting Deputy General Manager for the Public Servants Association, PSA spoke to Elvis Presslin

The Democratic Alliance has tabled three motions of no confidence against Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, Speaker Nobuhle Mthembu and Chief Whip Sithembiso Zungu. The motion is set to be debated by the Johannesburg Council today. Elvis Presslin spoke to Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, Caucus Leader for the DA in Johannesburg

The South African Weather Service says another intense cold front is expected to hit the Namakwa District of the Northern Cape and the Western Cape from tomorrow until Friday. An intense cold front is expected to make landfall over the south-western parts of South Africa, bringing a significant shift in weather conditions across the region. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to South African We...

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa says a review of the White Paper on Local Government must address the critical issue of adequate funding for municipalities. Minister Hlabisa was speaking at a high-level dialogue in Midrand, north of Johannesburg, yesterday. Representatives from political parties convened talks centred on professionalising local...

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) will today lead a march to the Shorburg Building to advocate for worker rights and human dignity within the criminal justice sector. This following reports of sexual harassment and systemic abuse within the police and correctional services, particularly against new recruits. For more on this, Richard Mamabolo, POPCRU spokesperson, spoke to Elvis P...

Democratic Alliance (DA) Leader John Steenhuisen will today head a community visit to Hanover Cottages in Hanover Park to commemorate the party's 25th anniversary. The visit is part of the DA's ongoing engagement with communities as it celebrates a quarter-century of political presence. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to National Spokesperson of the Democratic Alliance, Karabo Khakhau

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 will today launch a nationwide campaign to fix local government in South Africa. The party says this initiative will focus on areas struggling with service delivery failures. The party's national chairperson, Michael Beaumont, spoke to Elvis Presslin to discuss the initiative

South Africa has raised concerns over the U.S. role in the growing Israel-Iran conflict. President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for diplomatic efforts to end the war following reports of a U.S. strike on Iranian nuclear sites. Meanwhile, the South African Jewish Board of Deputies has criticised the Department of International Relations, DIRCO for insufficient support for citizens in Israel. This fol...

A high-Level raid has uncovered substantial quantities of hidden contraband at the Odi Correctional Services Centre in Mabopane, north of Tshwane. This follows a meticulously planned operation led by Correctional Services Commissioner Samuel Thobakgale yesterday. Elvis Presslin spoke to Golden Miles Bhudu, a prominent prison rights activist

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party is pushing to oust Mpumalanga Convener Mary Phadi from its provincial ranks and legislature. The move comes as Phadi fights to stay in her role. Phadi has filed fa contempt of court claim against the party for not reinstating her as a court ordered. The matter is expected to be heard in the Mbombela High Court in Mpumalanga. Elvis Presslin spoke to Ms. Phadi

The Workers and Socialist Party has condemned US strikes on Iran, warning that the attacks could lead to widespread suffering and economic disruption worldwide. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mametlwe Sebei, Executive Committee member of the Workers and Socialist Party

Crime prevention in Gauteng is being severely hampered by a staggering 710 police vehicles that are not serviceable, out of a total of 5,630. This alarming figure was revealed by Premier Panyaza Lesufi in response to questions from the Democratic Alliance in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature. The DA is now demanding that the Premier engage with the Minister of Police and the provincial SAPS Commi...

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today deliver the keynote address at the 30th anniversary of South Africa's Constitutional Court. The celebration will be held at Constitution Hill in Braamfontein, Johannesburg. The Constitutional Court - established after the 1994 democratic election, serves as the nation's highest court. Elvis Presslin spoke to former Constitutional Judge and social justice activi...

Former UDM co-founder Roelf Meyer says Floyd Shivambu might gain some support for a new political party, but the crowded political landscape makes it tough for new players to succeed. Shivambu recently announced plans to consult communities about launching a party. Meyer, speaking to senior producer Ronald Phiri, drew on his experience founding the UDM with Bantu Holomisa to highlight the challeng...

Israel is considering targeting Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, after killing several top Iranian military commanders. The threat comes after an Iranian missile strike on a hospital near Tel Aviv, which Defence Minister Israel Katz says will not go unaccounted for. Elvis Presslin spoke to  Political and International Relations Analyst, Musa Mdunge