First Take SA

The Rita Teka Foundation and Rose Coloured Lens are hosting their 4th Annual Charity Golf Day on the 27th of March to raise funds for eye care for disadvantaged South Africans. The event aims to provide eye screenings, glasses and referrals. The Foundation says clear vision is a fundamental human right, It has screened over 2,000 people already and given out 1,500 pairs of glasses. Elvis Presslin...

Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, says studies have proven that the minimal levels of endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in sanitary pads and panty liners, does not cause clinical harm. The Minister was speaking at a joint media briefing to respond and clarify the implications of the findings of a research study on sanitary pads, published by the Department of Chemistry at the University of...

Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management has concluded that the appointment and remuneration of Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George, followed proper procedures. The committee accepted explanations provided by the Presiding Officers, citing an independent benchmarking process and Auditor-General findings that found no irregularities. The committee expressed disappointment at...

ANC Deputy Chief Whip, Dorris Mpapane has been elected Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on the Presidency. The Committee  oversees and holds the Presidency accountable for its actions and policies. The ANC caucus has congratulated Mpapane but critics argue the chair should be from an opposition party outside the GNU to ensure accountability. Ms. Mpapane now joins us on the line to share...

The Gautrain will keep operating under a Public-Private Partnership model after 2026, with a new 15-year concession agreement in advanced negotiations, according to the entity. A preferred bidder has been identified and a six-month holdover arrangement ensures uninterrupted service. Here is Tshepo Kgobe, Chief Executive Officer of the Gautrain Management Agency

COSATU has welcomed the seven-year prison sentence handed to former MP Vincent Smith for his role in the Bosasa corruption scandal. Smith pleaded guilty to fraud, money laundering and corruption charges. He failed to disclose BOSASA payments and didn't declare R28-million in income between 2009 and 2018. The sentence follows a plea deal with the National Prosecuting Authority. Here is COSATU's Par...

The DA has served the City of Johannesburg with legal papers to stop a R10 billion salary agreement with SAMWU, citing it as "unfunded" and "fiscally reckless". The party argues the deal will worsen the city's financial crisis and impact service delivery. The DA wants transparency on the agreement's financial implications and protection of essential service budgets. Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Joha...

The South African Communist Party (SACP) in Gauteng has condemned the DA's billboard campaign targeting Premier Panyaza Lesufi as a "desperate political maneuver". The SACP says the attack is a manifestation of intensifying class struggle and a response to Lesufi's pro-poor policies and resistance to DA's agenda. Elvis Presslin spoke to Nkosithethile Bonga, SACP Gauteng Provincial Spokesperson...&...

The African Diaspora Forum has welcomed a parliamentary call for universities to disclose a list of all foreign academic staff numbers. Institutions have until March 18 to submit the information. Forum President Dr. Vusumuzi Sibanda says the move is not "sinister" and aims to clarify the situation. He He spoke to Elvis Presslin

A meeting to elect a chairperson for Parliament's new Presidency Committee has been suspended due to disagreements over procedure. The DA, ANC and MK Party have nominated candidates, but voting hasn't yielded a clear winner. The DA accuses the ANC of trying to shield the President, while the EFF says the DA is being entitled. The committee's first meeting has ended without a chairperson. Elvis Pre...

Political Analyst, Professor Sethulego Matebesi has lauded the founder of the Congress of the People, Mosiuoa Lekota as a shrewd and principled leader in South African politics. COPE announced Lekota's passing, adding that the 77-year-old succumbed to an illness in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Matebesi say Lekota will be remembered for all this theory debates in Parliament

The SACP and EFF have formed a joint working group ahead of the 2026 local government elections, sparking speculation about the Tripartite Alliance's future. Elvis Presslin spoke to COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, Matthew Parks

Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson is facing a Public Protector investigation over a R1 million taxpayer-funded trip to Brazil with his partner. ActionSA alleges possible misuse of funds. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA MP, Malebo Kobe

Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo has promised to assist Phugwani Village in Limpopo, where residents rely on fountain water shared with animals. Elvis Presslin spoke to Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, David Mahlobo

Two media freedom organisations have intervened in a High Court case challenging automatic publication bans on reporting sexual offence and extortion cases, arguing they are unconstitutional. Elvis Presslin spoke to Executive Director of Campaign for Free Expression, Nicole Fritz

Media group Media24 is reportedly planning to close its City Press newsroom, with 19 employees set to lose their jobs. The move has been condemned by the Solidarity union, which represents more than 100 Media24 staff. The company cites financial difficulties as the reason for the closure. The union says the decision will have far-reaching implications and is questioning the management's handling o...

The Democratic Alliance says thousands of Gauteng residents are going hungry after the provincial government's centralisation of food banks. Despite recorded beneficiaries, households are struggling to access food due to logistical barriers. The DA blames the centralisation, saying it has created bottlenecks and ignored warnings. Food parcel distribution targets are being met, but households acces...

 A devastating building collapse in Ormonde, Johannesburg, has left six people dead, with one still trapped under the rubble and three unaccounted for. Two people have been rescued and emergency services are working tirelessly to locate the missing individuals. Elvis Presslin spoke to Johannesburg MMC for Public Safety, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku...

Several countries, including the US and Gulf states, have condemned Iran's missile and drone attacks on sovereign territories. The strikes targeted civilian areas, causing fear among populations. South Africans caught in Bahrain and Dubai bombings are living in fear, hoping to return home safely. Elvis Presslin spoke to South African stuck in Bahrain, Yathin Soni, the MD of North Star Consulting.....

The Road Freight Association, is warning South African consumers to prepare for higher costs at the till, as fuel prices are set to rise. The Association attributes the March fuel price increase to rising international oil prices, triggered by supply and logistics risks amid tensions between Iran, the US and Israel. Elvis Presslin spoke to Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association...

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID) is set to release its report on the Phala Phala robbery at President Ramaphosa's farm in Limpopo, following the government's decision to declassify the document. The move comes after ActionSA's year-long push for transparency, with the party issuing papers to IPID to ensure the report's immediate release. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA Nati...

It's now time to take a look at the current top African economic stories.....Elvis Presslin spoke to Victor Kgomoesoana, 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... 

COSATU is calling for decisive action against senior military officials allegedly involved in the looting of the South African Army Foundation. The union says reports of corruption and mismanagement are "extremely concerning" and demands that those responsible be charged and prosecuted. SANDF personnel are reportedly facing poor working conditions, including unpaid suppliers and inadequate equipme...

Justice and Constitutional Development Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi will lead the national launch of the 30-year anniversary of the Constitution's signing into law today. The event, held at Johannesburg's Apartheid Museum, will also launch Human Rights Month, themed "The Bill of Rights at 30: Making Human Dignity Real". The Constitution, which has been in effect since February 1997, reinforces South...