First Take SA

Six South Africans detained by Israel after boarding the Global Sumud Flotilla are landing at OR Tambo International Airport today. The group includes Mandla Mandela - grandson of former President Nelson Mandela, writer Zukiswa Wanner, activist Reaaz Moolla, Zaheer Soomar, Dr. Fatima Hendricks and Carrie Shelver. Their mission was to challenge Israel's Gaza blockade with humanitarian aid. After in...

Lobby group AfriForum has temporarily halted a R54 billion settlement agreement between Eskom and energy regulator Nersa. The deal stemmed from an error at Nersa, affecting calculations for Eskom's revenue clawback amounts. Originally, Nersa approved tariff hikes of 5.36% for 2026 and 6.19% for 2027. However, admitting mistakes in depreciation and asset valuation, Nersa agreed Eskom could recover...

The National E-Hailing Federation of South Africa, NEFSA, has welcomed the recent rollout of the National Land Transport Act and its new regulations. The changes recognize e-hailing as part of the country's public transport system, a historic step after years of advocacy by e-hailing groups. However, the Federation expressed serious concerns, stating that many submissions from its affiliates were...

Employees of Urban Watch Security, a company providing security services to schools in Gauteng, have accused the firm of failing to pay their salaries for seven months. The workers also claim their contracts were abruptly terminated. Urban Watch Security has denied the allegations, stating that delays in payments from the Department of Basic Education are to blame. Elvis Presslin spoke to Zakhele...

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

Today marks two years since the Hamas attack on Israeli civilians in southern Israel's Kibbutzim and a music festival, claiming nearly 1,200 lives. Israel's ongoing response has resulted in over 66,000 Palestinian deaths. The South African Jewish Board of Deputies has expressed grief over the loss of innocent lives and the widespread suffering caused by the conflict. The Deputies' Gauteng Chairper...

The Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU and its affiliated unions will today picket across the country to mark the International Day for Decent Work. The events gain added importance as COSATU prepares to celebrate its 40th anniversary In December this year following the World Federation of Trade Unions' 80th anniversary last week. Elvis Presslin spoke to COSATU National Spokesperson, Z...

The Teddy Bear Foundation, represented by SECTION27, has approached the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria, seeking action against key government departments for allegedly neglecting the National Child Protection Register. The case stems from a 2022 incident where a North-West school learner was raped by a caretaker and authorities reportedly failed to hold the perpetrator accountable. For more on the...

Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee on national security kicks off hearings today, probing claims by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of criminal syndicates infiltrating the justice system. Mkhwanazi takes the stand as the first witness over two days, with tight security in place. Chairperson Molapi Soviet Lekganyane told SABC News the probe aims to wrap up by mont...

Lobby group AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit is intensifying pressure on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to prosecute ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula over his 2016 Dubai family holiday. The trip, costing R685,000, is under scrutiny for alleged irregular cash payments and loans. AfriForum argues the NPA's 2023 decision not to prosecute was flawed, citing "irrational" conclusions a...

Three prominent South African parties, Build One South Africa (BOSA), Rise Mzansi and the GOOD Party have joined forces to form Unite for Change. The party aims to contest the 2026 Local Government Elections. The announcement was made in Johannesburg over the weekend. Elvis Presslin spoke to Build One South Africa (BOSA) Deputy President, Nobuntu Hlazo-Webster

The ANC is battling to stave off asset seizure after a court order was granted to Ezulweni Investments, a marketing firm owed R85 million by the party for 2019 election campaign materials. The debt stems from banners and marketing collateral supplied for the ANC's 2019 election bid. Ezulweni Investments' lawyer, Shafique Sarlie, obtained a writ of execution last week, targeting movable assets and...

Thirty South African agro-processing companies from six provinces will showcase their products at the Anuga International Trade Fair in Cologne, Germany, this week. The biennial event, themed "Sustainable Growth," is the world's largest food and beverage fair, drawing distributors, retailers and importers globally. In 2023, over 7,900 companies from 118 countries exhibited, with 140,000 trade visi...

A specialist team from South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation, DIRCO has visited the six detained South African citizens held at Israel's Negev prison facility. The group, including Nelson Mandela's grandson Nkosi Zwelivelile Mandela, was among activists intercepted by Israeli naval forces last week while aboard the Global Sumud Flotilla, which aimed to deliver aid to...

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 the Eastern Cape has strongly condemned the recent destruction of road infrastructure on the R394 between Phepheni and Fort Donald in Gxwaleni Location, Ntabankulu, Alfred Nzo District. The ANC acknowledges the constitutional right to protest but says such actions cross a line when they involve lawlessness, infringe on others' rights and compromise safety and dignity. The party is calli...

Israeli naval forces intercepted vessels attempting to breach the Gaza blockade, detaining dozens, including Mandla Mandela, the grandson of former President Nelson Mandela, and Swedish activist Greta Thunberg. The military reports one vessel remains at large. The South African delegation, part of the Global Sumud Flotilla, aimed to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza. For further discussions, Elvis...

NEHAWU in Gauteng is set to hold a Provincial Day of Action today, targeting the provincial Department of Health. Union members will deliver a memorandum of demands to the MEC of Health, citing severe challenges plaguing the sector. Key grievances include corruption, poor infrastructure, vacant posts and occupational health safety concerns. For more on this NEHAWU Gauteng provincial secretary, Mzi...

The repatriation of South Africa's former Ambassador to France Nathi Mthethwa's remains from Paris is set to begin after a post-mortem, possibly this Sunday. Deputy Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Alvin Botes confirmed this while speaking to media at Mthethwa's KwaMbonambi home in northern KwaZulu-Natal. Mthethwa died in Paris on Tuesday after reportedly falling from the 22nd...

Cultural activist Ngizwe Mchunu faces backlash from the LGBTQIA+ community and political groups after making homophobic comments about a gay couple married in Zulu cultural attire. Mchunu claimed the attire is reserved for Zulu royalty and that being gay contradicts Zulu culture. The remarks, made during Pride Month, have sparked widespread criticism. Elvis Presslin spoke to Cultural expert, Profe...

The United Africans Transformation, UAT has slammed Eskom's R23.9 billion profit announcement, calling it a stark reflection of South Africa's ongoing inequality and governance crisis. The party says while Eskom celebrates its financial recovery, millions in rural areas, informal settlements and townships face persistent blackouts, disconnections and unreliable electricity. The group is urging imm...

The Democratic Alliance, DA will today lodge a formal complaint against the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa, PRASA at the Public Protector's office in Johannesburg. This follows DA oversight visits uncovering alleged abuse and misspending of R3.5 billion in taxpayer funds. DA Deputy Spokesperson on Transport, Thami Mabhena, speaks to Elvis Presslin to elaborate on their scheduled complaint

South African prisons are set to roll out cell phone signal jammers in a crackdown on inmate-led crime rings. The move follows fresh reports of extortion schemes masterminded from inside maximum-security facilities. Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has voiced outrage after learning a construction contractor fled a Bishop Lavis roads project under threats phoned in from Pollsmoor Prison. Minister...

The Government Communication and Information System, GCIS is hosting a webinar today to mark Cyber Security month. The event will focus on promoting responsible use of online platforms and strengthening cybersecurity. Bringing together public sector leaders, regulators, civil society and law enforcement, the session will combine policy discussions with real-world insights from digital influencers...

The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities CRL will launch its Section 22 Committee today. The event takes place at Rhema Bible Church in Randburg, Johannesburg drawing Christian leaders from across the country. This comes eight years after the Commission's landmark report on the commercialisation of religion and abuses tied to p...