First Take SA

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

US President Donald Trump confronted President Cyril Ramaphosa in a heated White House meeting over Trump's claims of "genocide" against white farmers in South Africa. Trump showed videos and articles he claimed supported his allegations, including footage of EFF leader Julius Malema singing "Kill the Boer". President Ramaphosa firmly rejected the claims, stating that inflammatory rhetoric from ce...

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has announced the extension of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, until March next year. The grant, valued at R370 per month was introduced at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussions are now underway for a potential transition to a Basic Income Grant (BIG) in the long term. Elvis Presslin spoke to Social Grant Activist, Elizabeth Raiters

A major cervical cancer screening unit at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg has shut down this week after losing crucial US funding. The closure threatens to worsen delays in early detection, risking lives in a country already battling one of the world's highest cervical cancer rates. Clinics across Gauteng are overwhelmed, and medical experts warn that without urgent donor support, many South...

ActionSA has welcomed a R7.5 billion funding boost for the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in the latest budget, but has strongly criticized the government's decision to impose regressive taxes and levies on ordinary South Africans. ActionSA Member of Parliament Alan Beesley says the party believes that the funding boost to SARS is a step in the right direction, but the government's failure t...

Parliament's joint Constitutional Review Committee is inviting the public to submit views on proposed changes to the Constitution by 31 May 2025. Some are pushing for amendments to address historical injustices, while others want it scrapped altogether. Princy Mthombeni from South Africans for Constitutional Reform says nearly 30 years on, citizens want more than symbolic language they're calling...

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is urging the government to adopt a more inclusive and progressive approach in the upcoming Budget. This as the Minister of Finance Enoch Godogwana prepares to table Budget three-point-zero before Parliament today. The Union is warning against austerity measures that could harm the poor and widen inequality. For more on the budget expectations, Elv...

The Democratic Alliance is urging Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to prioritize infrastructure investment in today's budget, while avoiding tax hikes, particularly Value-Added Tax (VAT). Last month, the Western Cape High Court suspended the half-a-percentage-point VAT increase in an application brought by the DA and EFF. The party says frontline services must be protected and calls for more effi...

Civil society groups including Blind SA, SECTION27, and the South African Democratic Teachers Union will today picket outside the Constitutional Court to push for two important laws: the Copyright Amendment Bill and the Performers' Protection Amendment Bill. The apex court will hear a case regarding the constitutionality of both Bills. The Bills aim to make it easier for everyone especially people...

The ANC say it is anticipating a budget that balances fiscal constraints with pro-growth and pro-poor initiatives. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will table the third National Budget today, following the agreement to reverse the VAT increase and explore alternative revenue sources. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Joe Maswanganyi, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance

ActionSA is calling for urgent action in the third National Budget to address unemployment and corruption, as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana prepares to table his budget speech today. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA Parliamentary Caucus Leader, Athol Trollip

South Africa's progress in fighting HIV and TB is under threat due to US funding cuts, with 39 clinical research sites at risk. This is according to a new report by Doctors Without Borders and the Treatment Action Group done for the first time since the US announced funding cuts for foreign aid earlier this year. The recent analysis reveals that 39 clinical research sites are at risk in South Afri...

Solidarity Union has slapped Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni with a legal ultimatum to retract what they call misinformation claims within seven days or face defamation and treason charges. This follows her accusations that Solidarity and AfriForum spread falsehoods during a U.S. trip. Solidarity's CEO Dirk Hermann, calls it baseless and a threat to civil liberties. This comes as diplomatic tensions...

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's high-stakes visit in Washington, D.C. is set to take place amid rising tensions with the U.S. particularly over President Donald Trump's claims of "genocide" against white farmers in South Africa. Ramaphosa's delegation is expected to meet with Trump tomorrow to discuss bilateral trade and strained diplomatic ties. However, American conservative commentato...

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department is investigating officers accused of soliciting bribes via e-wallet. Motorists claim they're being coerced into sending money to untraceable numbers, with officers allegedly photographing transfer pins. JMPD's Internal Affairs is leading a crackdown on this digital corruption. As the Chief Patrick Jaca warns, corruption and bribery will not be tolera...

Elvis Presslin takes a look at the current top African economic storie 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 South African Students Congress (SASCO) in Tshwane will today embark on a major protest action, dubbed the "Mega Total Shutdown". Students are expected to gather at the Old Patco Depot in Marabastad and march to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The protest aims to bring attention to the plight of students by calling for a complete shutdown of academic activities. For mor...

Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth has announced that the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) will provide over R381 million via the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) to the South African Post Office, SAPO. The funds aims to safeguard approximately 6,000 jobs and aid SAPO's revival through a strategic UIF partnership. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Rachel...

The Economic Freedom Fighters will today lead its VAT Victory March to the National Treasury in Pretoria, hailing what it calls a people's win against a proposed VAT hike. The EFF is celebrating what it describes as a major victory for the people, following the withdrawal of a proposed VAT hike in the national budget. EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambo spoke to Elvis Presslin on the significance...

The Department of Home Affairs has declared Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso an undesirable person, effectively barring him from re-entering South Africa for the next five years. His deportation to Nigeria comes on the heels of Omotoso's acquittal on 32 serious charges, including rape, human trafficking, and racketeering, by the Gqeberha High Court last month. Omotoso, the founder of the Jes...

The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane has announced the withdrawal of recently appointed chairpersons of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) with immediate effect. This after backlash that condemned the ANC's alleged attempts to capture Sector SETAs through alleged crony appointments. To elaborate further on the Union's concerns, Elvis Presslin spoke to G...

KwaZulu-Natal Transport MEC Siboniso Duma has expressed deep concern over payment delays affecting over 2,000 service providers. Duma says the R1.5 billion in outstanding payments is linked to technical glitches in a new accounting system. MEC Duma says management is working with the national treasury and provincial treasury to clear these payments. This comes after frustrated contractors yesterda...

The Western Cape High Court has ruled that certain sections of the Refugees Act are unconstitutional. The court ruled that considering asylum seekers to have abandoned their applications for failing to renew visas within a month is unfair and breaches international law protecting refugees from forced return to danger. Elvis Presslin spoke to James Chapman, Head of Advocacy and Legal Advisor at Sca...

The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) is calling for national unity, urging citizens to put aside differences that hinder progress. This appeal comes amid heated debates surrounding the departure of 49 Afrikaners to the US, who claimed they faced genocide in South Africa. The call for unity also coincides with President Cyril Ramaphosa's upcoming talks with US President Donald...

The Public Servants Association has raised concern over the National Lotteries Commission's alleged near collapse. The Union is citing mismanagement, corruption and poor oversight. The PSA says the crisis threatens vital community programs and workers' livelihoods. Elvis Presslin spoke to Zamani Dladla, PSA Chief Negotiator at the National Lotteries Commission, to discuss this matter further