First Take SA

Four political party members have been killed in separate incidents during this weekend's IEC voter registration. In Bekkersdal, Randfontein, MK Party members Mozwakhile Zungu and Siyabonga Mabaso were shot while walking home after working at a voting station. The MK Party says it will not speculate on motive. In Cape Town, DA by-election candidate Sinovuyo Dyokwe was gunned down in Du Noon soon a...

The FW de Klerk Foundation has appealed to US President Donald Trump to reconsider phased cuts to PEPFAR funding for South Africa. In a letter, Executive Director Christo van der Rheede warned the cuts would disrupt healthcare for millions and weaken the Government of National Unity. The Foundation rejected claims of "white genocide", saying violent crime affects all South Africans but hits poor t...

Rea Vaya bus drivers say their salary and job security have been severely impacted since the bus operator went into business rescue in December 2023. Business rescue practitioner Mahier Tayob now runs the company after creditors threatened to seize buses over mounting debts. Drivers blame years of maladministration for ongoing salary delays, while the City of Johannesburg is still said to owe the...

Civil society movement Activists and Citizens Forum, has condemned Speaker Thoko Didiza's decision to abide by the High Court ruling on President Ramaphosa's interdict application. The group says the move breaks with the Impeachment Committee, where most parties had agreed to oppose the President's bid to halt the process. They allege Didiza acted on ANC instructions after the party pushed against...

A Seat at the Table is hosting the Connect Youth in Dialogue Summit 2026 with a key focus on how do we move from conversations about change to real, measurable action. Young leaders, policymakers, business leaders and development partners will converge under the theme From Resolutions to Reality: Youth Implementing Action for Impact. This year's summit will reflect on commitments made in 2025, ass...

A look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoesoana, author of Africa Is Open For Business and Africa Bounces Back

COSATU will stage demonstrations in all provinces today over rising living costs. The federation says food, electricity, water and transport have become unaffordable while wages fall behind inflation. COSATU argues workers now earn less in real terms than a decade ago, forcing many into debt to cover basics. We spoke to COSATU's National Spokesperson, Zanele Sabela.  

Zimbabwe's parliament has passed a Bill to extend presidential terms from five to seven years, which could see Incumbent President, Emmerson Mnangagwa stay in power until 2030. Over 200 lawmakers voted in favour of the Bill. So what does this development mean for democracy in Zimbabwe and the region? To answer this and more, we spoke to Ngqabutho Mabhena, Zimbabwe Communist party General Secretary...

SANParks has extended condolences to the family of a 69-year-old Canadian tourist who was fatally wounded at a concession braai at the Kruger National Park. The Park says a private guide allegedly accidentally discharged a firearm during the incident near Phabeni Gate on Wednesday. The guest was part of a group booked outside the park for a bush braai at a permitted concession facility. We spoke t...

ActionSA has welcomed the decision by Parliament's Section 89 Impeachment Committee to oppose President Cyril Ramaphosa's court bid to halt its work on the Phala Phala matter. The party says this is a crucial step in defending constitutional accountability and ensuring that Parliament can carry out its oversight role without interference. We spoke to  ActionSA Parliamentary Caucus Leader, Ath...

Civil society organization Defend Our Democracy is urging South Africans to take action ahead of the upcoming voter registration weekend, calling on citizens to register and update their details in preparation for local government elections. The organization says declining trust in local government and politicians should not lead to voter apathy, but rather motivate citizens to use their vote to d...

Deputy President Paul Mashatile convened a special meeting yesterday with traditional leaders and the Inter-Ministerial Committee on Migration to review border and immigration management. The meeting reaffirmed government's commitment to the five-pillar plan aimed at strengthening border security, curbing irregular migration and enforcing immigration laws. Traditional leaders pledged to support re...

The Presidency says President Cyril Ramaphosa is considering the DA's request to remove Agriculture Minister John Steenhuisen from cabinet. The DA wants Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister Willie Aucamp to take over agriculture, with Western Cape MEC David Maynier moving into Aucamp's portfolio. AfriForum has welcomed Steenhuisen's proposed shortened term and says Aucamp must now focus on...

The Pan South African Language Board, PanSALB is holding a public hearing today at the Southern Sun Hotel, OR Tambo Airport in Kempton Park to examine the use of indigenous languages in South Africa's legal profession. The Legal Practice Council is the main respondent after PanSALB subpoenaed it over English-only admission exams for attorneys, conveyancers and notaries. The Board says the practice...

Organised labour at Nedlac, including Fedusa, has voiced serious concern over rising anti-migrant sentiment and tensions around illegal immigration in South Africa. While recognizing deep frustrations over unemployment, poverty and crumbling services, unions insist migrants are being unfairly blamed for long-standing structural economic failures. They are warning against vigilantism and the exploi...

The Moral Regeneration Movement In North West has strongly condemned the murder of 39-year-old assistant teacher Masego Mosweu. Her body was discovered at her home in Lonely Park village near Mahikeng, allegedly killed by her husband. The suspect appeared in court in absentia yesterday as he recovers in hospital after reportedly attempting to throw himself under a truck. Mosweu, a respected Christ...

Schizophrenia relapse remains a major challenge in South Africa, with about one in three patients experiencing a recurrence within the first year of diagnosis. While this is often blamed on patients not taking their medication, new research from Stellenbosch University suggests the issue runs much deeper, pointing to social, economic, and healthcare system challenges as key drivers. Elvis Presslin...

The South African National Taxi Council, SANTACO has urged South Africans to push for immigration reform only through legal and peaceful channels. The taxi council says it backs stronger border controls and proper documentation but strongly opposes any mass action that could block roads or disrupt transport services. We spoke to Rebecca Phala, SANTACO's National Spokesperson.

The Malawian government has sent additional buses to Durban to repatriate thousands of its nationals sheltering in the city. The move comes as displaced Malawians remain camped near the Refugee Reception Centre on Moore Road following anti-immigration protests and failed plans to relocate them to Sherwood Hall. KZN Premier, Thami Ntuli says a steering committee will now oversee the repatriation pr...

The Democratic Alliance will today hand over a petition to Eskom, opposing planned power cuts in Johannesburg. Last month Eskom issued notice of its intention to reduce, interrupt or terminate electricity supply to parts of Joburg over an unpaid debt of R5.2 billion owed by the City and City Power. The party say residents and businesses should not suffer for the City's unpaid debt to the power uti...

Justice Deputy Minister Andries Nel visited the Virtual Priority Court for immigration cases at Durban Magistrates Court yesterday. The court is part of government's plan to speed up immigration cases and enforce laws more tightly. That plan was announced in the State of the Nation Address and approved by Cabinet earlier this year. Nel said the focus is ensuring all people entering South Africa do...

Gauteng Traffic Police Chief Inspector Samuel Mashaba has been placed on precautionary suspension with immediate effect. The decision follows admissions he made at the Madlanga Commission that may breach the Public Service Code and departmental policy. Allegations include misuse of official powers, state resources and accepting compensation from a member of the public. Mashaba has been ordered to...

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma has confirmed the successful repatriation of Sihle Makhaye's mortal remains from Russia to the province. He died in Russia after allegedly being lured there with the promise of a lucrative job. MEC Duma thanked Minister Ronald Lamola and President Cyril Ramaphosa for deploying a team that worked with his office to complete the pr...

The Democratic Alliance says IPID in KwaZulu-Natal is overwhelmed, handling over 8000 cases with only 24 investigators. The party says this includes 426 deaths linked to police action over two years but just six convictions were secured. DA NCOP member Mzamo Billy says serious delays and docket tracking problems between IPID, the NPA and SAPS are undermining accountability. Mr. Billy joins us on t...

The Forum for South Africa, FOSA is calling for President Cyril Ramaphosa's immediate resignation. FOSA has accused Ramaphosa of dodging accountability through legal appeals and using state resources for personal court battles. National leader Tebogo Mashilompane says the presidency demands integrity the president has failed to show. He joins us on the line to elaborate further on his sentiments.....