First Take SA

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is set to table the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement for the 2025 financial season today. The statement will provide an update on the country's economic and fiscal performance and outline the government's economic and fiscal policy. The announcement comes at a time of uncertainty and skepticism among South Africans, with many concerned about the country's econo...

Political parties in Ekurhuleni are welcoming the suspension of Deputy Police Chief Julius Mkhwanazi, amid allegations of corruption and misconduct. The DA and ActionSA are among those hailing the move saying it's a step towards accountability and clean governance. Mkhwanazi was suspended following testimony at the Madlanga Commission, which revealed alleged wrongdoing within the Ekurhuleni Metrop...

South Africa's Beitbridge Port of Entry has been warned that corruption will not be tolerated, as part of a government crackdown. The Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum has launched an awareness campaign, featuring convicted offenders sharing their stories. One offender, serving 15 years, said prison was "very painful" and advised officials to stop corrupt activities. Elvis Pr...

Seventeen South African men are reportedly trapped on the freezing frontlines in Ukraine after allegedly being sent to Russia by former President Jacob Zuma's MK Party for bodyguard training. The men, who were told they would receive training to become party bodyguards, ended up in a trench on the frontlines in Ukraine after just three weeks of training. Elvis Presslin spoke to Chris Hattingh, DA...

Parliament's ad hoc committee is likely to travel to the Kgosi Mampuru C-max Prison to hear testimony from remanded detainee, Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala. The committee was established after KZN Police commissioner, Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference in the justice system. Among others, Mkhwanazi alleged that the now placed on spe...

The City of Johannesburg has removed a Solidarity billboard along the M1 highway due to its alleged anti-transformation agenda. The banner, part of Solidarity's "Race to the Bottom" campaign claimed South Africa is the world's most race-regulated nation, citing 145 laws including Black Economic Empowerment. The union has launched a documentary and handed memorandums to G20 embassies ahead of the s...

Africa is set to take a major step towards achieving health sovereignty as leaders gather in Mombasa, Kenya, for the 7th Scientific Conference on Medical Products Regulation in Africa. The conference, running from today until Thursday, will bring together policymakers, regulators, scientists and industry leaders to discuss regulatory harmonisation and its impact on health product manufacturing and...

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 United Democratic Movement, UDM says human trafficking has become a national crisis in South Africa, with thousands of lives destroyed through sexual exploitation, forced labour and debt bondage. The party says the country's severe unemployment rate has created a recruitment tool for traffickers, who prey on desperate individuals seeking income or work abroad. Recent reports have exposed the s...

The Gauteng Provincial Government has condemned the vandalism of G20 signage and revamped infrastructure in Johannesburg. The government describes the acts as a "deliberate and malicious campaign of sabotage" aimed at undermining the country's image ahead of the G20 Leaders' Summit. Elvis Presslin spoke to Gauteng Government Spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga

The Congress of the People, COPE has condemned US President Donald Trump's baseless attacks on South Africa and its G20 presidency. Trump's decision to boycott the G20 summit, citing alleged human rights abuses against Afrikaners, has been widely criticised as unfounded and ignorant. South Africa's government has rejected Trump's claims saying it's committed to democracy, peace and multilateralism...

The Jacob G. Zuma Foundation is up in arms over the trial of former President Jacob Zuma's daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla saying it's a clear case of state persecution. Zuma-Sambudla is facing trial in the Durban High Court today for allegedly inciting terrorism and public violence related to the 2021 July Unrest. The Foundation says her trial is baseless and politically motivated to settle poli...

Zimbabwean opposition politician Job Sikhala is appearing in a Pretoria court today following his arrest for possession of commercial explosives. Sikhala, a vocal critic of President Emmerson Mnangagwa will be joined in court by his uncle. His arrest comes less than a year after his release from prison in Zimbabwe, where he was held for allegedly inciting public violence. Rights groups and opposit...

Police Minister Firoz Cachalia is set to visit Reigerpark and Westbury today as part of efforts to tackle gang-related crimes in Gauteng. The visit follows recent deadly shootings in both areas, two teenagers killed in Westbury and six people in a Reiger Park drive-by shooting. Cachalia aims to hear from locals and police on how to curb the gang violence. Elvis Presslin spoke to Melissa Davids, We...

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 Forum for South Africa, FOSA is calling for the government to urgently help 17 South African men trapped in Ukraine's war-torn Donbas region. The men, aged between 20 and 39, were reportedly lured with job promises and are now stranded with limited access to basic necessities. FOSA accuses the government of failing to create jobs and protect its citizens and is demanding an investigation into...

The Public Servants Association (PSA) is calling for urgent intervention by the Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development to address the escalating crisis in the South African judiciary. Lower Court Judges are protesting nationwide, citing systemic neglect of their conditions of service and remuneration. The PSA says the judges, who handle 95% of the country's judicial workload, have not...

The National Union of Mineworkers and South African Communist Party (SACP) are set to lead a protest outside the Western Cape provincial legislature today, demanding action against violent crime and corruption. The protest, led by SACP General-Secretary Solly Mapaila and NUM President Phillip Vilakazi, comes as gang violence continues to plague the Cape Flats, with multiple people dying in mass sh...

The deputy Chief of Police in the City of Ekurhuleni Brigadier Julius Mkhwanazi was at the centre of the Madlanga Commission yesterday. This for his links with attempted murder accused and alleged cartel member Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala. Testimony before the Madlanga Commission has demonstrated that Brigadier Mkhwanazi signed two memorandums of understanding with Matlala's security company. This was...

The Democratic Alliance, DA has accused Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela of filling Sector Education and Training Authority boards with ANC loyalists. The DA says the appointments, announced 28 days after they were made, include former ANC mayors, members of provincial executive committees and youth league executives. Critics argue this perpetuates a pattern of using SETAs as "ANC sweet sho...

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (NEHAWU) has ended a seven-month-long wage impasse with the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) after both parties reached an agreement. The deal was finalised on Tuesday following a strike action in October. Key issues resolved include decentralisation of offices, job evaluations, housing allowance and salary progression. Elvis P...

Political parties and independent candidates contesting the 2026 local government elections may face shorter campaign broadcasts. The Independent Communications Authority of South Africa, Icasa, is proposing a reduction in the length of political election broadcasts from 50 seconds to 40 seconds. Icasa has released draft amendments to the regulations and is inviting public comment until January 9...

The South African government has confirmed the extradition of Siyabonga Gezani Ndimande and Malusi Dave Ndimande from Eswatini. The brothers are accused of murdering musician AKA and his friend Tebello Motsoane. They're expected to return to South Africa next week Tuesday to face trial. Elvis Presslin spoke to Terrence Manase, Spokesperson to the Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development

FlySafair and its cabin crew are at odds after wage talks broke down, leading to a lockout of certain staff. The airline offered a 5.7% raise and 7.5% annual bonus, but the South African Cabin Crew Association rejected the deal. FlySafair is seeking mediation and says flights will continue with minimal disruption. Elvis Presslin spoke to President of the South African Cabin Crew Association, Advoc...

The Congress of the People, COPE has criticized the Government of National Unity, GNU for prioritising self-preservation over the needs of ordinary South Africans. COPE's Acting National Chairperson, Pakes Dikgetsi expressed concern over the GNU's recent statement, which he described as "shallow" and failing to address the country's pressing challenges. With unemployment standing at 33.2% and 63%...