First Take SA

A devastating collision between a bus and a train at a level crossing in Mafube village, near Middelburg, Mpumalanga, has claimed the lives of at least five school children. The bus driver allegedly fled the scene after the incident. 20 other children are critically injured, and the death toll is expected to rise as the situation continues to unfold. For the latest development Elvis Presslin spoke...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) Amendment Bill into law. The newly enacted legislation strengthens the Independent Police Investigative Directorate's (IPID) autonomy, granting it the authority to probe serious offenses committed by police officers, regardless of whether they were on or off duty. This Amendment Act, born out of a comprehe...

The Gauteng Health Department has been allocated a budget of R64.8 billion for the current fiscal year, with a total of R202.6 billion earmarked for the department over the Medium-Term Expenditure Framework. Provincial MEC for Health & Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, presented the department's budget to the Gauteng legislature, outlining plans to enhance the public healthcare system in the p...

The Independent Policing Union Of South Africa is calling for immediate police reforms and improved resource allocation to local police stations. This call comes in response to the tragic events in Kanana, Northwest, where unknown assailants fatally shot eight people at a tavern in the early hours of Saturday morning. for more on this Elvis Preslin spoke to Bethuel Nkuna President of Independent P...

Gauteng Education MEC Matome Chiloane is set to attend the final day of disciplinary hearings at Pretoria High School for Girls today, following allegations of suspected racism that led to the suspension of 12 learners. In a swift move, the department removed 8 of the suspended learners from their prefect positions yesterday. Additionally, the school's principal has been suspended for 3 months pen...

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, POPCRU has revealed an alarming increase in police officers committing suicide, citing poor working conditions as a major factor affecting their productivity. The union in a statement urges the police management to play their role in attending to stress caused by the lack of resources within the sector. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to POPCRU spok...

South Africa's population has surpassed 63 million, according to the latest 'Mid-year Population Estimates' report from Statistics South Africa, Stats SA. The country's population has grown by nearly 836,000 people, representing a 1.33% increase between July 2023 and July 2024. Notably, women make up over half of the population, with approximately 32 million females. For expert insights into these...

Today is World Ranger Day, a day dedicated to honouring brave men and women who put their lives on the line to protect our planet's natural and cultural heritage. The  Day is observed annually on the 31st of July - to honour the many rangers who have been killed or injured in the line of duty, battling poachers daily to safeguard endangered species like rhinos and abalone. For more on this Elvis P...

Controversy continues to surround Miss South Africa contestant Chidimma Vanessa Adetshina's eligibility to compete, with Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Gayton McKenzie weighing in on the debate. Born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and Mozambican mother, Adetshina's heritage has sparked intense scrutiny on social media, with some questioning her South African identity and suitability as a nat...

It's unclear whether former President Jacob Zuma will appeal his expulsion from the ANC at this stage. The  ANC earlier confirmed that the party's National Disciplinary Committee resolved to expel Zuma after he was found guilty of prejudicing the integrity of the party by acting in collaboration with Umkhonto weSizwe party. The NDC also upheld the suspension of the ex- ANC Provincial Treasurer in...

President Nicolás Maduro has been declared the winner of Venezuela's presidential race in a disputed election. With 80% of ballots counted, the National Electoral Council (CNE) head Elvis Amoroso, who is seen as a close ally of Maduro, announced that the incumbent president secured 51% of the vote, narrowly beating his main opponent who garnered 44%. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Cosatu...

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has strongly condemned recent incidents of racism at Table View and Pinelands High Schools in Cape Town. The union says it is unacceptable for racism to continue 30 years into South Africa's democracy, particularly during Mandela Month. These incidents include a disturbing social media video showing pupils at Pinelands High School auctioning off...

The Democratic Alliance is urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to initiate a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe into all projects undertaken by the National Skills Fund (NSF). This call comes after an exposé by Nexus Forensic Services revealed that R123 million was misappropriated from the NSF to purchase luxury cars and a farm. The report implicates Minister of Science, Technology, and Innovatio...

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 Joburg Crisis Alliance will tomorrow (Saturday) march against City mayor Kabelo Gwamanda's administration. The alliance made up of several civic organizations is calling for the resignation of Gwamanda over what it deems the current deteriorating situation in the city. We caught up with the Executive Director at Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, Neeshan Bolton

The Democratic Alliance in Tshwane has announced its intention to report EFF regional chairperson Councillor Obakeng Ramabodu to the South African Human Rights Commission and pursue criminal charges against him. The decision comes after Councillor Ramabodu made controversial statements during yesterday's City Council meeting, including a desire to "moer (hit) a boer" and a statement expressing a d...

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) has refuted allegations of unfairly targeting Muslim women during passenger screening and searching. ACSA is responding to claims made by the Al Jama-ah party, which accused the company of profiling and victimizing Muslim women at airport security checkpoints. ACSA says its screening process is designed to strike a balance between ensuring security and respecti...

The ANC has withdrawn its motion of no confidence against Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink, citing concerns over service delivery and financial management in the metro. However, the party has acknowledged that a successful motion would require support from other parties in the local unity government, and plans to engage in consultations. To discuss this development further, we were joined by Tshepo Ma...

The Black Business Council (BBC) has hailed the signing of the Public Procurement Bill into law, citing its potential to transform public procurement by ensuring efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and integrity. Joining Elvis Presslin to discuss the implications of this legislation is BBC CEO Kganki Matabane

Interpol Secretary General, Dr. Jürgen Stock says his organisation will continue to support South Africa in fighting transnational organized crime. The Secretary General is on a two-day working visit in South Africa to strengthen and enhance police cooperation and to discuss technological tools and capabilities that could benefit South Africa in the fight against transnational organised crime. For...

The Al Jama-ah party has accused Airports Company South Africa, ACSA of profiling and victimising Muslim women at airports. The party claims Muslim women wearing hijabs (headscarves) and niqabs (face veils) are being asked to remove their headscarves by airport security. Al Jama-ah says ACSA's security tactics are tantamount to Islamophobia and a violation of freedom of religion. For more on this...

The US Treasury has imposed sanctions on two individuals identified as South Africa-based alleged operatives of the Islamic State (ISIS). The US Treasury has identified Abubakar Swalleh and Zayd Gangat as key figures in the ISIS machinery, serving as financial backers who enable the terrorist group's activities across Central, Eastern, and Southern Africa. For expert analysis, Elvis Presslin spoke...

Environmental groups have hailed President Ramaphosa's signing of the Climate Change Act as a significant milestone in South Africa's journey towards a sustainable future. This landmark legislation harmonizes policies to enable a smooth transition to a low-carbon economy. But Is SA on track to meet UN targets to combat climate change? To answer this and more, Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor Guy...

ANC Youth League leader Collen Malatji has lambasted Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi for his cabinet appointments. Malatji has has characterized Lesufi's MECs as "celebrity" and "golden boy" selections that overlooked young leaders. Malatji also criticized the provincial MECs for their alleged absence during the critical campaign period, when the ANC needed their support to stem its decline. Malatj...

The Namibia Economic Freedom Fighters (NEFF) is accusing the country's immigration officials of intentionally delaying Advocate Dali Mpofu's entry into Namibia. Mpofu was scheduled to represent the NEFF in a legal challenge against the Namibian electoral commission, which had deregistered the party for failing to submit required financial statements. The NEFF has denounced the delay as a political...