First Take SA

The Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal is pushing back against calls to rename the province "KwaZulu". The proposal by King Misuzulu kaZwelithini has IFP support, but critics say it could divide communities and erase history. DA provincial leader Francois Rodgers told our Senior producer Ronald Phiri that there are far more pressing issues, like service delivery, economic recovery, unemployment...

Opposition party ActionSA is calling for the next South African Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner to be appointed from within the organisation. The party says this would ensure continuity and protect the institution's credibility, following Commissioner Edward Kieswetter's impending departure. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA Member of Parliament, Alan Beesley

A High Court battle is underway over the proposed K148 road in Gauteng. Developer Francois Nortjé's company, NT55 Investments, is challenging environmental approvals, citing procedural and environmental irregularities. The road's construction has been halted by an interdict, but the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport is appealing. The appeal hearing is set for February 17. Concerns i...

The March and March Movement has hit out at authorities after its founder, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, was charged with incitement to commit violence. The lobby group calls the decision disappointing, saying the state should rather address the underlying issues than target its leader. Ngobese-Zuma handed herself over to police at Point Station yesterday. She denies any wrongdoing and insists the protest...

Eastern Cape Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane is condemning a recent visit by Israeli embassy officials to public institutions in the province. Mabuyane says the officials visited healthcare facilities and Walter Sisulu University without the provincial government's knowledge or consent. He's rejecting what he calls a "sinister deal" and says the King had no mandate to negotiate with Israel. For mo...

Thousands of film and TV workers are set to march in Cape Town and Pretoria this week, to protest the government's handling of the industry. The "Save SA Film Jobs" coalition says the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition's film and TV incentive system is in crisis, with approvals stalled for almost two years and productions collapsing. The coalition warns that without urgent intervention,...

The Economic Freedom Fighters Youth Command will today open a criminal case at the Hatfield Police Station against individuals accused of selling places at universities and other tertiary institutions. The EFF Youth have called on students and whistleblowers to come forward with evidence, including screenshots and testimonies of payoffs. Elvis Presslin spoke to Nyakallo Mokoena, member of the Econ...

The Gauteng Department of Education has denied claims of a 64% funding cut for Quintile 5 schools. The department calls the claims "false, misleading and reckless", saying they've been distorted by the Democratic Alliance. The DA launched a petition against the alleged cuts, which they say will harm learners and teachers from April this year. Elvis Presslin spoke to Gauteng Education Department Sp...

The Chief Executive Officer of the Johannesburg Development Agency, JDA, Themba Mathibe has reportedly been arrested amid allegations of contract irregularities and corruption. Authorities reportedly found over a million rands in cash at his premises. The arrest follows a raid at the offices of the Johannesburg Social Housing Company, Joshco, on Monday. Joshco has confirmed the operation but hasn'...

The Food and Allied Workers Union (FAWU) is condemning SASKO's ongoing retrenchments and closure of distribution and despatch units across South Africa. The union says SASKO has closed several depots, retrenching around 661 workers in the past year, mainly FAWU members. FAWU claims this is part of a deliberate pattern of union-bashing, targeting FAWU strongholds. The union is calling for governmen...

Prepaid mobile users in South Africa are set to get more value from their data bundles. The communications regulator, ICASA, has introduced new rules forcing network operators to let unused data roll over at least once when a bundle expires. From January 23 next year 2027, companies must automatically carry over remaining data on the same terms as the original purchase, with older bundles used fir...

The Department of Land Reform and Rural Development has dismissed reports of plans to expropriate communal land in Limpopo's Masia area for private interests. The department says a visit to the Matsila Development Trust area was to discuss rural development initiatives and stalled projects, following an invitation from Chief Matsila. The clarification comes after the Masia Traditional Authority ac...

COSATU is calling on government to scrap the R372 million budget for the Defence Force Day parade in Thohoyandou. The union says the spending is a "grotesque waste of funds" that could address pressing needs in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). COSATU is citing struggles in the SANDF, including budget cuts, mismanagement and poor conditions for soldiers, such as deteriorating barra...

The ANC's Johannesburg Region is accusing alliance partner SANCO of trying to undermine its newly elected leadership. The row follows the discovery of ballot papers from the region's conference at a house in Pretoria, with a police presence. The ANC's Sasabona Manganye says the discovery is "a movie" and denies any involvement in manipulating the conference, which saw Loyiso Masuku elected as regi...

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

A team of South African disaster response specialists has returned from Mozambique, where they helped with flood relief efforts. The team, which included Rescue South Africa and University of Johannesburg experts Connor Hartnady and Xavier Millar, was deployed at the request of the Mozambican government and the UN. Elvis Presslin spoke to Aidan Justus, Chief Executive Officer of Rescue South Afric...

The Young Intelligent Minds of South Africa, YIMOSA is criticizing the government's handling of recent floods in Mpumalanga, Limpopo and other provinces. They say poor infrastructure is to blame for the devastation. The group is frustrated with 'show visits' by ministers who promise aid but reportedly deliver little. They point to KwaZulu Natal and Eastern Cape, where flood victims still need hous...

ActionSA is merging with two other parties, aiming to create a united alternative ahead of this year's municipal elections. Details of the partnership are expected to be revealed today at a press conference. Elvis Presslin spoke to Political analyst, Dr. Ongama Mtimka

The Masia Traditional Authority in Limpopo has accused Rural Development Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso of trying to expropriate communal land in the Masia area near the Vhembe district for private interests. The community claims they've written to the ministry seeking clarity on unexplained investments in their area, but received no response. This comes as the community struggles to recover from rece...

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 ANC in Ekurhuleni is celebrating a High Court victory, with the court ordering energy regulator Nersa to relook at the city's electricity tariffs for 2024/25. The decision brings relief to residents and small businesses hit by high electricity costs. The ANC says the ruling vindicates its campaign for affordable tariffs and commitment to public consultation. The suspension of a disputed tariff...

EFF leader Julius Malema is back in the East London Magistrate's Court today for pre-sentencing, following his conviction for discharging a firearm during the party's 2018 anniversary celebrations. Malema was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm and reckless endangerment. EFF National Spokesperson, Thembi Msane spoke to Elvis Presslin

Scholar transport services in Lenasia and parts of Soweto, Johannesburg, are currently on a stay-away following a crackdown on overloading. Over 60 vehicles were impounded and three drivers arrested during a blitz inspection. This comes in the wake of a fatal crash in Vanderbijlpark on Monday that killed 14 learners. Elvis Presslin spoke to Sibongile Maseko, General Secretary of the Greater Gauten...

Eastern Cape police are investigating a fatal shooting at Ntabankulu Primary School in Zwelitsha, where a former teacher allegedly opened fire, killing two educators and injuring another. The suspect, out on bail for sexual assault charges, took his own life at the scene. One of the injured teachers later died in hospital. For reaction Elvis Presslin spoke to Eastern Cape SADTU Secretary, Malibong...

Johannesburg's waste management company Pikitup and union SAMWU are still at odds, with negotiations ongoing after a week-long strike by casual workers demanding permanent positions. The workers claim they were promised jobs back in 2023, but talks broke down, leading to the strike. The standoff has led to a buildup of waste, with residents complaining of health hazards. Pikitup says it's working...