First Take SA

The Western Cape High Court in Saldanha Bay is set to deliver sentencing today in the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith. In April, Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith and two co-accused were convicted of kidnapping and human trafficking charges linked to the child's disappearance last year. Despite exhaustive investigations, Joshlin's whereabouts remains unsolved. Elvis Presslin spoke to Heind...

Build One South Africa (BOSA) is demanding the cancellation and restart of the National Lottery operator appointment process after the Gauteng High Court in ruled that Minister Parks Tau's attempt to extend Ithuba Holdings' contract until May 2026 was unlawful and lacked transparency. Despite the ruling, Minister Tau has named Sizekhaya Holdings as the preferred bidder for the National Lottery lic...

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have vowed to pursue legal action against Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi over his policy directive aimed at relaxing company transformation and Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements to enable Starlink's operations in South Africa. Malatsi faced the Communications and Digital Technologies Portfolio Committee to address conc...

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed confidence that U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg later this year. The announcement follows a recent bilateral meeting where the two leaders explored deepening trade and investment ties. To unpack the significance of this development, Elvis Presslin spoke to Political analyst Musa Mdunge

The Zulu royal family remains confident that Prince Simakade's court challenge will not disrupt King Misuzulu's ascension to the throne. Prince Simakade is contesting President Cyril Ramaphosa's recognition of King Misuzulu as the legitimate Zulu monarch in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. For more on the case, Elvis Presslin spoke to Prince Thulani Zulu, spokesperson for the Zulu Roya...

The South African entertainment industry is in mourning following the sudden passing of Presley Chweneyagae, a talented actor best known for his iconic role in the Oscar-winning film Tsotsi. Chweneyagae, who recently captivated audiences with his portrayal of Cobra in the popular telenovela The River, left an indelible mark on the industry. Elvis Presslin spoke with Kenneth Nkosi, actor and former...

The ANC is facing fresh allegations of internal irregularities after a scathing letter surfaced claiming that the party's Peter Mokaba regional conference in Limpopo was marred by manipulation and tampering. According to the letter, addressed to the party's National and Provincial Executive Committees, complaints about the alleged irregularities were ignored and that the conference was held withou...

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) has welcomed the Johannesburg High Court ruling that Daybreak Foods may not resume unsupervised chicken breeding after allegations of inhumane slaughter and neglect. The NSPCA will retain oversight until further notice. Despite receiving R74 million from the PIC,The court found Daybreak failed to prove compliance. Both parties m...

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), alongside other unions will today march to the KZN Premier's office in Pietermaritzburg to demand an end to government contracts awarded to rogue security firms. The union accuses these companies of defrauding workers by withholding pension and medical deductions and continuing to secure tenders despite flouting labour regulations. Elvis...

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has relaunched the Nasi Ispani Programme, aiming to create 40,000 jobs. However, critics, including the DA, question the programme's funding, citing past financial challenges. Elvis Presslin spoke to Vuyo Mhaga, Gauteng Provincial Government Spokesperson, to discuss the programme's prospects and challenges

KwaZulu Natal businessman Farhad Hoomer has applied to register a new political party named the Islamic State of Africa (ISA), which has raised widespread concern. Hoomer, was previously accused of terrorism-related charges and sanctioned by the United States for alleged ties to recruitment, kidnapping, extortion and robberies linked to terrorist financing. Hoomer is now seeking to enter the count...

COPE has strongly condemned Minister Solly Malatsi's decision to reportedly exempt tech billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink from the 30% black ownership requirement. The party has called the move a betrayal of South Africa's transformation agenda. Elvis Presslin spoke to Teboho Loate, COPE's acting National Treasurer, to elaborate on the party's concerns

The Cape Crime Crisis Coalition has issued an urgent call for a National Commission of Inquiry to address the escalating gang violence plaguing South Africa. The organization says gangs are unleashing a wave of violence across the country with the state struggling to contain the crisis. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Llewellyn MacMaster, Chairperson of the Cape Crime Crisis Coalition

The Eastern Cape Education Department is urging unregistered Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers to register with the government to ensure safety and quality education for young children. Currently, around 20,000 ECD centers nationwide remain unregistered, putting thousands of children at risk. To elaborate more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Nozipho Chiliza, Chief Director for Early Child...

The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi has confirmed his appearance before Parliament, alongside his department, in response to a summons pertaining to his recent policy directive for the ICT sector. This directive, which was officially gazetted last week is perceived to outline a process that could potentially waive certain transformation laws to allow Starlink to...

The South African Human Rights Commission will appear in the Gqeberha High Court today in a hate speech case against shop owner Dawood Lagardien, who displayed a discriminatory sign at his store banning LGBTQIA+ individuals. The Commission is seeking action against Lagardien for violating the Promotion of Equality and Prevention of Unfair Discrimination Act. For more on the legal case Elvis Pressl...

The Independent Financial Advisors Forum (IFAF) has applied for an urgent interdict to block the City of Johannesburg from proceeding with a tender for a sole medical aid brokerage provider. The Forum says the process is unlawful and irregular. It further argues that the tender would unfairly exclude existing brokers from servicing their clients within the City's workforce and pensioner group. The...

The Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union is demanding full accountability from Sibanye-Stillwater after 260 workers were trapped underground at Kloof 7 Shaft. AMCU blames management for neglecting safety, delaying aid, and failing to maintain emergency escape routes. President Joseph Mathunjwa says this isn't an accident but criminal negligence. For more on this AMCU president Joseph...

The Automobile Association has strongly condemned the government's recent 16c fuel levy hike. The Association warns the hike will exacerbate the cost-of-living crisis for motorists. To shed more light on this issue, Elvis Presslin spoke to Eleanor Mavimbela, Automobile Association spokesperson

The Democratic Alliance has welcomed Parliament's renewed focus on farm murders as a step in the right direction, but is urging the government to translate words into tangible action. The party's call for swift and decisive measures comes amid growing concerns over rural safety and its impact on lives, food security, jobs, and the stability of South Africa's rural economy. To discuss this further...

Freedom Park, in partnership with ZA Central Registry and Registry Africa, is set to host a groundbreaking pan-African campaign, "Silencing the Guns, Let the Drums Roll" this Africa Day, on Sunday. The event will take place at Freedom Park's Isivivane, bringing together all 55 African Union member states in a symbolic gesture of unity and peace. To learn more about this initiative and its signific...

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

US President Donald Trump confronted President Cyril Ramaphosa in a heated White House meeting over Trump's claims of "genocide" against white farmers in South Africa. Trump showed videos and articles he claimed supported his allegations, including footage of EFF leader Julius Malema singing "Kill the Boer". President Ramaphosa firmly rejected the claims, stating that inflammatory rhetoric from ce...

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has announced the extension of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, until March next year. The grant, valued at R370 per month was introduced at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussions are now underway for a potential transition to a Basic Income Grant (BIG) in the long term. Elvis Presslin spoke to Social Grant Activist, Elizabeth Raiters

A major cervical cancer screening unit at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg has shut down this week after losing crucial US funding. The closure threatens to worsen delays in early detection, risking lives in a country already battling one of the world's highest cervical cancer rates. Clinics across Gauteng are overwhelmed, and medical experts warn that without urgent donor support, many South...