First Take SA

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, together with Show Racism the Red Card, has raised alarm over what they describe as a disturbing surge in racism across international football in 2026. Despite campaigns and initiatives led by FIFA, tens of thousands of abusive posts were recorded during the 2026 FIFA World Cup alone, exposing what critics say is a failure to tackle systemic racism in the game. We sp...

A new SECTION27 report says South Africa's 2025 health budget does not meet the needs of women, particularly those in poor and rural areas. It finds under investment in infrastructure is limiting access to care, while floods and heatwaves are damaging facilities and increasing demand. The report notes 89% of professional nurses are women and that women do most unpaid care work, yet funding to supp...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has released the National Water Action Plan following a meeting of the National Water Crisis Committee at the Union Buildings. The plan sets out short, medium and long-term actions to stabilise failing municipal systems, increase infrastructure investment and tackle corruption in the water sector. For reaction on the National Water Action Plan. We spoke to WaterCAN Execut...

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

The City of Ekurhuleni insists that the removal of office furniture by the Germiston Sheriff is not due to unpaid service providers, but rather a dispute over sheriff fees. The City says the capital amounts have already been settled. While officials say urgent legal steps are underway to recover the assets, the incident has raised questions about governance, financial management and administrative...

The Democratic Alliance is set to brief the media outside the Tambo Memorial Hospital, raising serious concerns over the postponement of critical elective surgeries, in some cases until 2027. The DA says this crisis has persisted despite repeated warnings to the Gauteng Department of Health, and plans to reveal what it calls damning evidence, alongside testimonies from affected patients. We spoke...

The corruption trial of former Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula continues today at the Pretoria High Court. UDM Leader General, Bantu Holomisa was the state's first witness, telling the court he received information in 2021 that Mapisa-Nqakula had received about R5 million from an SANDF contractor. Mapisa-Nqakula faces 12 counts of corruption and money laundering. The case resumes today for further...

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Nkabinde Inquiry has found South Gauteng Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Andrew Chauke fit to hold office. The panel found no credible evidence that Advocate Chauke made improper prosecutorial decisions in the Cato Manor matter or acted unlawfully in his coordination duties. It also ruled his decision to provisionally withdraw charges against former Crim...

The South African Reserve Bank will announce its next interest rate decision today, with many economists expecting another hike. Inflation rose to 4.5% in May, driven by higher oil and fuel prices after tensions in the Middle East disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. The MPC raised rates by 0.25% in May, taking the prime rate to 10.5% and Reserve Bank Governor, Lesetja Kganyago has war...

Higher Education, Minister Buti Manamela has given the University of Venda Council 14 days to respond to his plan to appoint an independent assessor. The proposed probe would look into allegations of corruption against suspended Vice-Chancellor Dr. Bernard Nthambeleni and COO Lonwabo Botwe. Both were suspended by council last week amid governance and leadership disputes at the university. The depa...

ActionSA says the Gauteng provincial government spends an estimated R3.1 billion a year to educate foreign national learners. The party has raised concerns about pressure on resources, citing overcrowded classrooms and budget constraints. While the Constitution guarantees basic education for every child regardless of nationality, ActionSA is questioning whether the system can sustain the growing d...

 Parliament's Section 89 Impeachment Committee meets today to discuss potential candidates for evidence leader, with legal experts saying the role needs a highly skilled legal mind. The meeting comes as the Western Cape High Court is expected to rule on President Cyril Ramaphosa's urgent bid to halt the Committee's work pending a review of the Phala Phala panel report. Today the Committee wil...

Gauteng's water supply is gradually stabilising following the successful completion of Rand Water's second phase of planned maintenance. While reservoir levels are improving and pumping systems are back online, some areas, particularly higher-lying communities, are still experiencing delays in full restoration. Authorities say recovery is ongoing, with residents urged to continue using water spari...

The Judicial Conduct Tribunal into Free State High Court, Judge Lepono Lekale starts this week in South Africa's first inquiry into judicial incapacity due to illness. Judge Lekale has been on sick leave since 2018 because of an eye condition and the tribunal must decide if he can still perform his duties. Evidence will cover medical reports and the balance between health and accountability, with...

Lobby group AfriForum has submitted a PAIA request to the Department of Sport, Arts and Culture for full details on Minister Gayton McKenzie's 2026 FIFA World Cup trip to North America. The request follows reports that nearly R31 million was spent on an 18-member delegation, hospitality suites, match tickets and fan events. Afriforum says the minister's statement gave no supporting documents and i...

Thousands of Gauteng learners are back on the roads today as schools reopen for the third term and traffic volumes have spiked across the province. The Gauteng Traffic Police are calling on scholar and public transport operators to ensure vehicles are roadworthy, compliant and driven by licensed drivers. Elvis Presslin spoke to Gauteng Traffic Police spokesperson, Sello Maremane, to discuss what t...

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has rejected government's decision to accept a one-point-five billion US dollars or roughly a R25 billion, Development Policy Loan from the World Bank. The federation warns the loan could open the door to more privatisation, austerity and increased private sector control of public infrastructure. SAFTU says the move signals a continuation of neo...

South Africa's ongoing crisis of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide is under fresh scrutiny with three Chapter 9 institutions, the Commission for Gender Equality, South African Human Rights Commission, and CRL Rights Commission, launching a joint national inquiry. The focus is on whether the criminal justice system is truly delivering protection, support and justice for survivors. We spoke to Tsie...

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has welcomed a High Court order to forfeit around R326 million in assets linked to businessman Hangwani Maumela. The assets include properties in Gauteng, Cape Town and KwaZulu-Natal and luxury vehicles allegedly bought with proceeds from Tembisa Hospital Covid contracts. The case centres on allegations that millions for PPE and hospital services were looted durin...

KwaZulu-Natal taxi boss Thomas Siyabonga Getsemane is wanted by police after a warrant of arrest was issued for fraud and extortion. The charges relate to allegations dating back to 2023. Taxi association SANTACO in KZN says while the warrant is part of the legal process, it does not mean Getsemane is guilty and the claims must still be tested in court. Law enforcement allegedly tried to apprehend...

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

Dignity South Africa has taken a landmark step by challenging laws that criminalize assisted dying in South Africa. The case, now before the North Gauteng High Court, could reshape how the country approaches end-of-life care and personal choice. It also comes as July's #30for30 campaign reflects on justice, dignity and protection under the law. We spoke to Leigh Mienert, Operations Manager of Dign...

COSATU has called on politicians to allow the Public Investment Corporation, PIC Board to complete its oversight work without interference. The federation says it is concerned about alleged attempts to disrupt investigations into suspended CEO, Patrick Dlamini and PIC deals including Acapulco and Lanseria Airport. COSATU has welcomed the Board's referral of the Acapulco matter to the SIU and is ur...

A 42-year-old former Emfuleni Local Municipality Fleet Manager is appearing in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court today on charges of fraud and corruption. The Gauteng Political Killings Task Team alleges about R16 million was paid for 18 municipal vehicles, but only seven were delivered. Police say the arrest follows a probe into the irregular awarding and rollout of the fleet tender. Investig...

The Social Movement for Advocacy, Rights and Transformation, SMART is pressing SARS to crack down on widespread tax evasion in the spaza shop sector following damning findings by the Public Protector. The group says many outlets allegedly run by undocumented foreign nationals operate unlicensed, dodging taxes while using public services and infrastructure. SMART says this lost revenue is hurting S...