First Take SA

The United States has issued a stark warning to its citizens planning to travel to South Africa, citing violent crime, kidnappings, and potential terrorist threats. The US Level 2 travel advisory alert urges Americans to exercise heightened caution, especially in major cities after dark. Elvis Presslin spoke to  Tourism Minister, Patricia de Lille

Operations are underway in KwaZulu-Natal following two days of severe weather that battered parts of the province with strong winds, heavy rain and snowfall. The hardest hit area is the Ugu District on the South Coast, where over 80 homes were damaged and power outages persist. KZN Cogta Mec says Relief efforts are ongoing, with disaster teams on the ground. For more on this Senzelwe Mzila, spokes...

The EFF in the Eastern Cape is blaming the provincial government for the deaths of 49 people in recent floods. The party alleges that government neglect and failing infrastructure are directly responsible for the tragedy. Elvis Presslin spoke to the EFF Eastern Cape Chairperson, Commissar Zilindile Vena

One year into the Government of National Unity, South Africa is still facing a severe economic crisis, according to ActionSA. The party paints a dire picture, citing stagnant economic growth, massive job losses and deepening poverty and inequality. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA Member of Parliament, Alan Beesley

Nearly 5 million young South Africans are jobless, more than Namibia's population. During a National Assembly debate commemorating Youth Day, Rise Mzansi's National Assembly Whip, Makashule Gana, urged South Africans to rebuild the nation to ensure a functional future for its youth. Elvis Presslin spoke to Makashule Gana to elaborate more on his sentiments

Public Works and Infrastructure Deputy Minister, Sihle Zikalala has denied allegations of interfering with investigations into procurement irregularities at the Independent Development Trust. Minister Zikalala is accused of shielding the IDT's CEO, Tebogo Malaka from corruption probes. Deputy Minister Zikalala spoke to Elvis Presslin to respond to the allegations

Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Public Service and Administration Chairperson, Jan de Villiers has revealed that a syndicate within government departments is allegedly orchestrating the creation of ghost employees through systemic corruption. De Villiers told our senior producer, Ronald Phiri that the true extent of ghost workers remains unknown. He says a joint audit between the Department of...

Seven people have lost their lives due to severe flooding in the Eastern Cape. The fatalities were reported in various areas in the province. The provincial government has dispatched its provincial disaster and emergency units to the affected areas to oversee relief efforts. Elvis Presslin spoke to Eastern Cape Government Spokesperson, Khuselwa Rantjie

A recent report by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and UNICEF reveals that 138 million children worldwide were engaged in child labour in 2024, with 54 million in hazardous work that jeopardizes their health and safety. This marks a drop of over 20 million since 2020 and a nearly 50% decrease since 2000. However, UNICEF says the global target to end child labour by 2025 is unlikely to...

United Africans Transformation (UAT) has slammed the surge in youth unemployment, calling it a national shame and proof of the widening gap between government promises and everyday reality. With South Africa's jobless rate now at 32.9% and youth unemployment soaring to 46.1%, the party says the country is in crisis. For more on this, United Africans Transformation party Youth leader, Seabi Makgopa...

The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg will today hear arguments against Operation Dudula, an organization accused of xenophobic and racist actions. The case, brought by Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia, the South African Informal Traders Forum, the Inner City Federation and Abahlali BaseMjondolo alleges that Operation Dudula has engaged in unlawful conduct against foreign nationals. For more on...

California Governor Gavin Newsom has called on President Donald Trump to withdraw what he calls an unlawful National Guard deployment in Los Angeles. Newsom slams the move as a violation of state sovereignty that stokes unrest and drains vital resources. This follows Trump's dispatch of 2,000 troops to quell protests sparked by federal immigration raids. For three days, demonstrators and immigrati...

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

The Democratic Alliance in Johannesburg has called for a full investigation into allegations of misconduct by a member of Mayor Dada Morero's Mayoral Committee. According to the DA, the MMC allegedly used a City of Johannesburg official vehicle without consent to attend party-political activities in eThekwini. Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Johannesburg Shadow MMC for Public Safety, Solomon Maila

The Democratic Alliance's Federal Council chairperson, Helen Zille has announced she is considering a run for Johannesburg mayor in the upcoming 2026 local government elections. This as political parties intensify preparations for the municipal polls. For expert political insight, Elvis Presslin spoke to Political analyst, Professor Tumi Senokoane

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) is grappling with a major blow after Goodyear South Africa revealed plans to shut down its local manufacturing operations. The decision puts 907 jobs at risk. NUMSA spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola spoke to Elvis Presslin to unpack the union's response and what this means for the workforce

The Forum for South Africa, FOSA is urging the NPA to drop charges against five Walter Sisulu University students accused of arson and public violence. The group warns that prosecuting the students could ruin their futures with criminal records. The students were involved in a protest after the Mthatha Magistrate's Court granted bail to Manelisi Mampane, a residence manager accused of murdering st...

South Africa is on high alert as a cold front is set to sweep across the country this week. The adverse conditions are expected to bring potentially hazardous weather conditions. Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa has issued a stark warning calling on provincial and municipal authorities to put their disaster response plans into action In anticipation of t...

A police sergeant is set to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court today to face charges linked to the alleged kidnapping of 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi. The Grade 11 learner from Martie du Plessis Special Needs School was abducted by two men posing as police officers last week in a Toyota Hilux. Free State Police Spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele spoke to Elvis Presslin to shed more...

A powerful winter storm is set to sweep across South Africa starting this weekend. The adverse weather conditions are expected to bringing snow, fierce winds, and heavy rain to most provinces, except Limpopo. To unpack this looming weather event, Elvis Presslin spoke to South African Weather Service Forecaster, Lehlohonolo Thobela

Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has passed away at age 68. Lungu, who led the country from 2015 to 2021 as the Patriotic Front Party leader, died in South Africa while receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. He lost the 2021 election to current President Hakainde Hichilema by a wide margin. To discuss Lungu's legacy, Elvis Presslin spoke to Chanoda Ngwira, spokesperson for the Kum'maw...

Ministers in the Government of National Unity (GNU) have reportedly spent over R200 million on travel in less than a year. This according to ActionSA's GNU Performance Tracker, following parliamentary questions to cabinet Ministers. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA Member of Parliament, Alan Beesley

The Black Business Council Summit continues in Kempton Park, with transformation remaining a key focus. The two-day event brings together business leaders and government officials, including several cabinet ministers, to discuss socio-economic transformation and inclusive growth. President Ramaphosa is set to address the summit, which aims to tackle pressing economic issues like unemployment and s...

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

In marking World Environment Day which is observed every year on 5 June this year's theme, Ending Plastic Pollution, an urgent call is made about plastic waste choking our planet and threatening human health. A global study by the University of Newcastle for the World Wide Fund for Nature reveals a disturbing truth: we may be ingesting up to 5 grams of plastic each week, equivalent to the weight o...