First Take SA

Emfuleni Local Municipality's financial woes have reached a boiling point, with municipal workers facing delayed salary payments for September. The crisis began when Eskom attached four of the municipality's bank accounts to recover an estimated R8 billion in unpaid electricity supply fees. The measure by Eskom has left the municipality struggling to cover its operational costs, including employee...

African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association (AUBBTA) commends the arrest of corrupt officials and six illegal immigrants. The officials allegedly extorted bribes from motorists and passengers using fake date stamps and exploiting undocumented immigrants. AUBBTA has long highlighted corruption at the Beitbridge border post, where officials collude with illegal bus operators ferrying undocumented p...

The uMkhonto weSizwe party says it will appeal the ruling interdicting impeached judge Dr. John Hlophe's participation on the Judicial Service Commission. Last Friday, the Western Cape High Court ruled in favour of the DA's urgent application dealing a blow to the MK party's interests. The MK party is also seeking the postponement of Judicial Service Commission sitting. For the latest on the appea...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is opposing a proposed hike in the National Minimum Wage. The party says an increase in the minimum wage could lead to job losses, particularly among small businesses and in rural areas. Michael Bagraim, a Labour lawyer and DA Spokesperson on Employment and Labour, discusses this further with Elvis Presslin

Residents of Fleurhof, west of Johannesburg, are staging a shutdown to protest the lack of infrastructure and poor service delivery in their area. Despite numerous attempts to engage with local government officials, residents say their concerns have fallen on deaf ears, prompting the shutdown. The community is frustrated with the absence of essential facilities like clinics, schools, and a police...

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 is filing criminal charges against Justice Minister Thembi Simelane today at the Polokwane Police Station. The party is alleging violations of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA). The move follows revelations that Simelane solicited a questionable R575,600 loan from Gundo Wealth Solutions during her tenure as Mayor of Polokwane. Elvis Presslin discusses this de...

The South African Weather Services says snowfall is expected to clear up in the Western Cape and western parts of the Eastern Cape later today. The weather services says snowfall will persist until tomorrow over the eastern parts of Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Weather Forecaster at the South African Weather Services, Tokelo Chiloane

Disgruntled taxi operators in KwaZulu Natal are accusing the provincial Transport Department of breaking a previously agreed-upon deal. The department had promised to suspend the seizure of taxis, but numerous vehicles have still been impounded for lacking permits and failing roadworthiness tests. The seizure of taxis has left many operators feeling frustrated and concerned about their livelihoods...

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has resolved that the BELA Bill must be implemented. Speaking at the union's 10th National Congress, its re-elected president Magope Maphila pledged SADTU's commitment to the bill's immediate enforcement, warning that any delay would be seen as a declaration of war against Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube. The BELA Bill, recently signed in...

The South African Federation of Trade Unions has slammed the Government of National Unity, led by the ANC and DA, for deepening the struggles of the working class. Marking 100 days since its formation after the May 29 elections, The union argues that despite initial optimism, the coalition has failed to tackle critical issues like unemployment, poverty, and inequality. While President Ramaphosa's...

The death toll from Friday's mass shooting in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, has risen to 18. The 18th victim, who had been critically injured passed away in hospital at the weekend. For the latest Elvis Presslin spoke to Yanga Masiko, neighbour to the victims of the mass shooting

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a historic ceremony today at the Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum in Pretoria to honour 42 South African freedom fighters who lost their lives in Zambia and Zimbabwe during Apartheid. The repatriation and restitution homecoming ceremony follows the arrival of the mortal remains of these liberation heroes and heroines, who were received at Waterkloof Air For...

The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) has welcomed the ousting of Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink, following a vote of no confidence spearheaded by the ANC and backed by ActionSA. 120 councillors supported Brink's removal, while 87 opposed it, and one councillor abstained. The dramatic shift in the city's leadership comes after ActionSA severed ties with the DA in Tshwane. For more on thi...

Protests are set to unfold in Hartbeespoort, North West, as the Harties Shutdown Movement organizes a shutdown due to allegations of racism. At the heart of the issue are claims by black business owners that their white counterparts are intentionally sabotaging their operations. The shutdown follows a surge in threats and violent attacks targeting black-owned businesses in the area. For more on th...

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 National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) will today march to Parliament to protest against the non-compliance of security companies. These companies, some with government contracts, have reportedly failed to provide essential benefits like pension funds and medical insurance to security workers. NUMSA's national spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, spoke to Elvis Presslin to she...

The Executive Director of the Rural and Farmworkers Development Organization, Billy Claasen has strongly condemned the actions of Lutzville farmer Christoffel Stoman, who allegedly ran over 6-year-old Khwezi Jantjies, accusing him of stealing fruit. The incident left the young boy with both legs broken. Claasen is demanding the full force of the law to be applied and has vowed to protest against S...

The Budget Justice Coalition says the impending budget cuts to Basic Education will put the most vulnerable students at risk. This warning comes after Minister Siviwe Gwarube revealed that seven provincial education departments will be unable to cover their budgets by 2027/28. The coalition is strongly criticizing the government's austerity measures, arguing they undermine human rights and widen t...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is staging a protest today outside Tshwane House in a show of support for Executive Mayor Cilliers Brink and his administration. This comes as a motion of no confidence against Brink is set to be debated later today. The ANC and other opposition parties say they have lost faith in Brink's leadership, citing service delivery failures among other grievances. Elvis Pressl...

Sixteen South African women die from cervical cancer everyday. The Right to Care health NGO says its calling on all men to circumcise to help prevent the second most common cancer in women. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to CANSA National Manager for Health Programmes, Lorraine Govender

Investigations are underway to establish the cause of a massive blaze that engulfed Broadwalk Urban Village, a residential complex in Midrand last night. No injuries or fatalities have been reported and authorities are still trying to establish the cause of the fire. Joburg Emergency Management Services Spokesperson, Xolile Khumalo spoke to our Senior Producer Ronald Phiri

Concerns are growing about the erosion of indigenous languages in South Africa. The Pan South African Language Board (PANSALB) is urging parents and guardians to instill mother tongue in children. PANSALB CEO, Lance Schultz says defending the linguistic heritage of communities requires a collective effort, beyond government intervention alone. Schultz emphasized this point during Heritage Day cele...

A massive project is underway to construct a 160-kilometer wall along the border of South Africa and Mozambique in KwaZulu-Natal. The project is aimed at combating rampant vehicle hijackings and illegal crossings. To elaborate further on the project, KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements Siboniso Duma, who will be celebrating 100 days in office tomorrow, spoke to Elvis Presslin

Is the Khoi and San heritage forgotten? That's a question many are asking, especially considering the significance of Heritage Day in South Africa. Chief Stanley Peterson, Royal Chief of the Griqua people and President of the Khoisan Revolution Party says Heritage Day has lost its true meaning, often being reduced to simply "Braai Day." However, he says the Khoi and San community remains committed...