First Take SA

Government is considering amending its Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) rules to enable Elon Musk's Starlink to operate in the country. Current regulations require communication companies to be 30% black-owned, which has prevented Starlink, owned by Musk's SpaceX, from securing a licence. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi plans to issue a policy direction to explore equity alternatives under t...

Mozambicans will today cast their ballots in a crucial election, with the ruling Frelimo party, in power since 1975, expected to retain its grip. However, independent candidate Venancio Mondlane poses a significant challenge. As President Filipe Nyusi steps down after two terms, Frelimo's Daniel Chapo is poised to succeed him. For expert analysis, Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor Adriano Nuvunga,...

The City of Tshwane is expected to elect a new mayor tomorrow (Wednesday). This comes after former DA mayor Cilliers Brink was ousted last month by a no-confidence vote. Party negotiations are ongoing, with ActionSA and the ANC both expected to field mayoral candidates. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Tshwane Acting mayor Dr. Nasiphi Moya 

A shocking shooting incident has left six community patrollers dead and four others injured at Lugongozo Junior Secondary School near Qumbu, Eastern Cape. The attack occurred on Sunday when a group of at least eight armed men opened fire on the patrollers. Elvis Presslin spoke to Eastern Cape Police Spokesperson, Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli, who has been handling other high-profile cases in the...

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has commended the arrests of seven police officers from Diepkloof SAPS. The officers appeared in the Protea Magistrate's Court yesterday, facing charges of murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and housebreaking. They were each granted R3000 bail. These charges relate to a January 2023 incident where...

Mozambicans head to the polls on Wednesday to elect a new president. Many citizens are hoping for an end to the jihadist insurgency that has ravaged the oil- and gas-rich northern province for nearly seven years. Around 17 million voters will cast ballots for the next president, as well as 250 members of parliament and provincial assemblies. For more on Wednesday's election Elvis Presslin spoke to...

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 (DA) has welcomed the ruling by the Johannesburg High Court dismissing the ANC's attempt to appeal the court's finding of civil contempt in relation to the ongoing cadre deployment case. The DA says Judge Wanless reaffirmed that the ANC, alongside Fikile Mbalula and Thapelo Masilela, failed to comply with a previous court order requiring them to release critical documents r...

Today marks the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks that sparked the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The war which began with Hamas's coordinated attack on Israel in October last year, has left lasting impacts on the Middle East, North Africa, and Lebanon. Since then, multiple ceasefire attempts and international efforts to free hostages have been made, but the conflict rages on. As the worl...

Speculation is swirling that former KwaZulu-Natal Premier Willies Mchunu may join the MK party after resigning from the ANC. Mchunu's departure from the ANC stems from his belief that the party has lost sight of its core mission to serve the working class and poor, particularly with its decision to form a Government of National Unity with the Democratic Alliance (DA). Mchunu says he feels underval...

The Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU, is staging a nationwide strike today to protest plaguing issues affecting South Africans. This includes widespread job losses, rampant corruption, escalating cost of living, and Eskom's proposed 36% tariff hike. The SACP, FEDUSA and other COSATU affiliates will join the Section 77 nationwide strike. Meanwhile Business Unity South Africa, BUSA hav...

The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg is set to hear an urgent application from the MK Party today, seeking to halt next week's Judicial Service Commission interviews for new judges. The MK Party wants the interviews postponed until Judge John Hlophe's legal battles are resolved, arguing that proceeding without him would be unconstitutional. This follows an interim interdict issued by the Western...

The Johannesburg Metro Police Department, JMPD has announced a zero-tolerance policy for vehicles with multiple defects. Vehicles found with three or more defects will be prohibited from operating on public roads. To elaborate further on the new policy, JMPD spokesperson, Xolani Fihla 

Build One South Africa (BOSA) is staging a picket against education budget cuts and planned reductions in teaching posts in Cape Town today. The protest led by party leader Mmusi Maimane aims to raise awareness about the potential harm these cuts could bring to the education sector. The picket comes ahead of World Teachers Day on Saturday. For more on this, here is BOSA Spokesperson, Roger Solomon

The Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Commission (CRL) has criticised what it calls the continued dominance of English and Afrikaans in South African schools. The Commission says in order to achieve non-racialism all official languages need to be prioritized in the school system. The statement comes as two clauses specifically related to teaching in home language are being disputed in the Basic E...

AfriForum is urging the Democratic Alliance and Freedom Front Plus to reconsider their role in the Government of National Unity if the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act is implemented in its current form. The lobby group believes the Act poses a significant threat to Afrikaans schools. The DA has already hinted at leaving the GNU over the BELA Bill, with leader John Steenhuisen warning Pre...

The Modiehi Mongale Foundation is demanding justice after the shocking death of Ayanda Jandisa Mkhize, an inmate at the Johannesburg Female Correctional Centre. Ayanda allegedly died from being tasered by a wardress. Lerato Manaka, the foundation's CEO, is calling for an independent investigation into the incident, emphasizing that prison officials have a duty to protect, not harm inmates.

The Democratic Alliance in Johannesburg has taken the City of Johannesburg to court, accusing it of misusing VIP protection services without following due process. The DA claims the city's VIP Protection Policy is unlawful and irrational, and wants the court to intervene. At the heart of the dispute is a policy passed by the City Council granting councillors access to VIP protection. The DA's Jobu...

: The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has expressed disappointment over the Democratic Alliance's plans to dismantle the Employment Equity Act. This comes after the DA vehemently opposed Minister Nomakhosazana Meth's announcement to appoint 20,000 additional inspectors, to ensure businesses comply with labour laws. The Act promotes fairness and addresses historical inequalities in...

The Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Commission (CRL) has criticised what it calls the continued dominance of English and Afrikaans in South African schools. The Commission says in order to achieve non-racialism all official languages need to be prioritized in the school system. The statement comes as two clauses specifically related to teaching in home language are being disputed in the Basic E...

Seriti Coal Mine plans to retrench over 1000 workers due to commercial sustainability issues, however labour union AMCU is having none of it. The mine cites uncompetitive unit costs, freight rail inefficiencies, and coal market volatility as the reasons behind this decision. However, AMCU President Jospeh Mathunjwa is gearing up for a fight, stating that AMCU does not support retrenchments and wil...

South Africa's taxi operators are celebrating a significant reduction in fuel costs. The National Taxi Alliance has hailed the move, citing benefits from developments in petroleum and mineral resources. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mr. Theo Malele, Spokesperson for the National Taxi Alliance

The deadline for public submissions on the reform of South Africa's electoral system has been extended to October 31, 2024. This is a call to action for individuals, organizations, political parties, and prospective independent candidates to share their thoughts on potential reforms for the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Advocate Richard K S...

ANC Gauteng Chairperson Panyaza Lesufi has dismissed claims of division within the party, saying the provincial and national leadership are united. This comes after DA Federal Council Chairperson, Helen Zille accused Lesufi and his team of defying national leaders by backing the removal of former Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink. But Lesufi says the decision was taken in the ANC's best interests. For...

Former Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane has spoken out against the Supreme Court of Appeal's decision to dismiss her appeal, calling it a significant personal and professional setback. The court's ruling yesterday struck down Mkhwebane's application to appeal the judgment that led to her removal from office. Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane spoke to Elvis Presslin to discuss the implication...