First Take SA

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is in the Western Cape High Court today challenging the impending VAT increase in May. The DA argues that the tax hike will intensify South Africa's cost-of-living crisis, disproportionately burdening vulnerable households and exacerbating economic hardship. To discuss this further, Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Federal Chairperson Dr. Ivan Meyer

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 has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of complicity in the initial proposed controversial 2% VAT increase, despite the party's public denials. A parliamentary reply obtained by ActionSA reveals that DA MP and Deputy Minister of Finance, Ashor Sarupen allegedly played a significant role in drafting the original budget speech proposing the hike. ActionSA has criticized the GNU coalition...

A recent Stellenbosch University study reveals widespread parental anxiety over children's safety en route to school. In the Cape Metropole, especially in lower-income areas. Over 86% of parents voiced concern, with fears highest in communities plagued by pedestrian crashes. Sophia du Plessis, researcher, has stressed urgent intervention, better enforcement, safer sidewalks, and child-focused tran...

The Democratic Alliance has filed corruption charges against Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, accusing her of defrauding Eskom of over R700,000 while at a consulting firm Vitrovian. The party alleges fake invoices bear her signature. Simelane also faces past allegations in the VBS Bank scandal. For more on this we are joined by Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach MP - DA Spokesperson on Justice an...

ActionSA has raised the alarm over Eskom's latest update, revealing R3.6 billion was spent on diesel in just 30 days R1.34 billion in the first 10 days of April alone. The party says South Africa hasn't ended load shedding, it's simply masking it with an expensive diesel-powered illusion, all funded by taxpayers. For more on this we are joined by ActionSA Member of Parliament, Alan Beesley..... &n...

The Public Servants Association in Mpumalanga  (PSA) says it is worried about the ongoing suspension of Chief Executive Officers (CEOS) and senior managers at various healthcare institutions in Mpumalanga and the impact on service delivery. It says currently, 14 CEOS and managers remain suspended by the Mpumalanga Department of Health. These prolonged suspensions, some of which have been ongo...

As we head into the long Easter weekend, the Polokwane municipal authorities are outlining plans to deal with traffic on the roads. The municipal roads experience heavy traffic flow as worshippers to Moria and holiday makers drive through the area. To discuss this further we are joined on the line by Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye....

KwaZulu-Natal's MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, who visited rain affected areas has urged residents on low laying areas to heed the weather warning. He says communities affected will be provided with temporary shelter. For more on this we are joined on the line by KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma.....

The South African Human Rights Commission says it is concerned by the recent shooting at Walter Sisulu University, where one person was killed and three injured in a clash with security officials. The recent student protest echoes a similar incident last year at the same institution. The Commission is now questioning the safety of students at Institutions of higher education. Eastern Cape Police a...

The Gqeberha High Court is set to hear the case of two doctors and six nurses accused of attempted murder, fraud, and selling human parts. The medical professionals allegedly harvested organs from unsuspecting patients during surgery for profit. One suspect even took out a life insurance policy worth R10 million. Elvis Presslin spoke to Vuyolwethu Nodlawu, Denosa Provincial Chairperson

Rise Mzansi has written to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, urging swift resolution to the budget deadlock the party which says threatens national credibility and economic stability. Following high-level meetings with Parliament, the ANC, and the President, the party proposes re-allocating military and gambling revenues, tightening tax collection. The party Mzansi warns, continued delays will de...

AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit is considering a private prosecution against Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane. This follows the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) decision not to pursue charges in a multimillion-rand scandal tied to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's funeral.  Allegations claim a businessman was paid for unrendered services and directed to channel funds to politicians an...

African Christian Democratic Party, ACDP President Reverend Kenneth Meshoe has reaffirmed his party's support for Israel after a fact-finding mission led by party MP Steve Swart. Meshoe condemned Hamas' October 7 attack and rejected claims of Israeli apartheid and genocide. The ACDP is calling for peace, accountability and the right to choose allies, amid tensions with the ANC. For more on this El...

Today marks two years since Sudan's brutal conflict erupted. As violence drags on, over 1.1 million refugees and returnees have poured into South Sudan, stretching already fragile host communities to the brink. A new United Nations Human Rights Council report exposes crumbling infrastructure: overcrowded schools, scarce healthcare, and land disputes over makeshift shelters. The UN Human Rights Cou...

The Federated Hospitality Association of Southern Africa (FEDHASA) has taken legal action in the High Court seeking clarity on the legality of new in-room television licensing fees imposed by SAMRO. These fees, introduced in 2022/2023, add a per-TV, per-room charge for accommodation providers, on top of existing SAMRO fees for music in public spaces like restaurants and bars. FEDHASA says this mov...

President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to appoint Mcebisi Jonas as special envoy to the United States has sparked criticism from the Forum for South Africa (FOSA). The civil rights group have labelled the appointment as premature, misguided and a sign of the President's indifference to repairing the deteriorating SA-US relations. Elvis Presslin spoke to the Leader of Forum for South Africa, Tebogo M...

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 has raised concern over South Africa's R3.45 billion expenditure on 115 foreign missions in 2023/24, calling it excessive and unfocused. According to a parliamentary reply, the Department of International Relations spent R950m in Africa, R900m in Asia and the Middle East, R813m in Europe, R465m in the Americas, and R325m on multilateral missions. ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba spoke to El...

U.S. President Donald Trump says he may not attend November's G20 Summit in Johannesburg, citing the country's land expropriation policy and what he called "genocide." Posting on his Truth Social, Trump slammed land seizures and alleged violence, accusing the media of silence. Meanwhile, South Africa has hit back, with DIRCO's Chrispin Phiri reaffirming the nation belongs to all who live in it. Te...

Magalies Water and ERWAT are set to forge a landmark partnership to protect the Crocodile West Catchment, including the renowned Hartbeespoort Dam. This groundbreaking collaboration between the water utility and the wastewater management company aims to tackle the severe raw water contamination affecting communities in Gauteng and North West provinces. For more Elvis Presslin spoke to David Magae,...

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Portfolio Committees on Community Safety and Transport & Logistics have strongly supported the recent agreement between the Gauteng Provincial Government, the Gauteng National Taxi Alliance, and the South African National Taxi Council to halt taxi-related violence across the province. To discuss this development, Elvis Presslin spoke to Bandile Masuku, Chai...

The Black Business Council is calling for stricter law enforcement to prevent undocumented migrants' spaza shops from accessing the new R500-million Spaza Shop Support Fund. The fund launched by Minister Parks Tau aims to bolster small businesses driving local economies. Elvis Presslin spoke to Bheki Thwala, President of South African Spaza Township Economy Concepts Global

The Luthuli family is seeking closure as the National Prosecuting Authority presents evidence today in the Pietermaritzburg High Court to challenge the original findings on the deaths of anti-apartheid icons, former ANC President Chief Albert Luthuli and human rights lawyer Griffiths Mxenge. Following the reopening of the inquests by KwaZulu-Natal Director of Public Prosecutions Elaine Harrison, S...

The ANC has met with the DA and Freedom Front Plus to bolster multiparty consensus within the Government of National Unity (GNU). The parties agreed on the importance of the new Fiscal Framework to stabilise public finances, sustain services, and drive economic growth. They also stressed the need for robust parliamentary oversight, efficient spending, and action against financial mismanagement. Fo...