First Take SA

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for a comprehensive review of the South African Police Service's internal disciplinary regulations following the acquittal of Deputy President Paul Mashatile's VIP protectors. The officers were caught on video assaulting civilians, yet an internal SAPS disciplinary committee found no wrongdoing. Although a court case against the eight VIP Protection Officers...

The Federation of Governing Bodies of South African Schools is today celebrating the 100th anniversary of Afrikaans, a language with a complex history and significant cultural importance in South Africa. FEDSAS CEO, Dr. Jaco Deacon joins us to discuss the celebration, the importance of mother-tongue education, and the language's role in the country's identity...

Scores of residents at the Durban Deep informal settlement in Roodepoort, Johannesburg, are facing forced evictions, allegedly to make way for a power station project. The residents claim they weren't provided with formal eviction notices and are being relocated to another informal area that is plagued by crime and poor living conditions. Elvis Presslin spoke to Xolani Madiba, President of the Mof...

The Public Servants Association (PSA) has accused the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health of financial mismanagement, by leaving suppliers unpaid and accumulating a staggering debt of over R1.7 billion. The Department has admitted that payments will only be made in the next financial year. Elvis Presslin spoke to PSA Provincial Organiser, Xolani Dhlamini

Power has been restored at Weskoppies Hospital after the Gauteng Health Department struck a deal with the City of Tshwane. This follows Monday's disconnection over R1.2 million in unpaid electricity bills. The department says contingency plans kept services running despite the blackout. But DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom has slammed the situation, saying patients should not suffer due to...

The Catholic Church has begun its ancient ritual to select a new pope. 133 cardinals are meeting in Rome, in a secretive conclave to choose the successor to Pope Francis, who has passed away. To discuss this historic moment, Elvis Presslin spoke to Father Hugh O'Connor, Secretary General of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference

The Portfolio Committee on Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities has declined Deputy Minister Mmapaseka Steve Letsike's request to summon podcaster MacGyver "MacG" Mukwevho to Parliament over derogatory comments about media personality Minnie Dlamini. The Committee voted with the majority deciding against further escalation. To discuss this further, Elvis Presslin spoke to ANC Member of Parli...

The Democratic Alliance in Johannesburg has slammed the current state of the city, saying it's on the brink of collapse due to poor leadership, mismanagement, and misplaced priorities. Delivering what it calls a "True State of the City" address, the DA insists Johannesburg needs leadership that puts residents before politics. This comes ahead of today's official State of the City Address by Execut...

The medical humanitarian charity, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, says its hospital in Old Fangak Town in South Sudan's Jonglei State's Fangak County was bombed by SSPDF planes in the wee hours of Saturday morning. MSF says the bombing resulted in several deaths and injuries. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to the Association Director of M...

Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth has criticized the Democratic Alliance's decision to challenge the Employment Equity Amendment Act in court. The DA is set to present its case in the Pretoria High Court today. Minister Meth argues that the challenge threatens transformation and progress made since 1994. To discuss the implications, Elvis Presslin spoke to Thembinkosi Mkalipi,...

The City of Ekurhuleni has taken disciplinary action against nearly 400 metropolitan police officers over an illegal strike that brought major highways to a standstill. The officers face possible dismissal after being accused of severe misconduct for blockading key roads In March this year. The officers were demanding improved working conditions, salary adjustments and overtime compensation. For m...

The Constitutional Court will today rule on a law that automatically strips South Africans of their citizenship when they acquire another country's citizenship. Until June 2023, many citizens were unaware that taking up foreign citizenship, other than by birth, could cost them their South African status. The Democratic Alliance challenged the matter in court, arguing that citizens who lost their c...

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) in the City of Johannesburg says it is appalled and disturbed by the inhumane and unethical treatment of a Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officer who was reportedly denied emergency medical care after being shot in the line of duty. UDM says it has noted with grave concern that Milpark Hospital allegedly refused to treat the officer citing a...

The National Union of Mineworkers is pursuing legal action following disturbing allegations from female workers at Kopanang Gold Mine, who claim they were forced to strip and undergo invasive searches by security guards looking for stolen gold. The union has denounced these acts as degrading and unlawful. Elvis Presslin spoke to Livhuwani Mammburu, NUM National Spokesperson

Deputy Minister in the Presidency Kenny Morolong has raised concern over the safety of journalists in South Africa during a visit to the family of missing journalist Sibusiso Ndlovu in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga. Ndlovu, the founder of Capital Live FM, and his partner Zodwa Mdhluli were reported missing in February this year. For more Elvis Presslin spoke to Elijah Mhlanga, Chairperson of the African...

The Democratic Alliance will today address the media regarding its High Court challenge against  government's new employment equity law. The DA argues these race-based employment quotas could exclude countless South Africans from job opportunities. Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Labour spokesperson, Michael Bagraim

INTRO: Build One South Africa (BOSA) will stage a picket today outside the City of Cape Town Civic Centre to protest the City's proposed tariff increases. BOSA has slammed the Democratic Alliance (DA), which governs the City, accusing it of hypocrisy. BOSA says the picket aims to draw attention to the proposed hikes, which it says will place an undue burden on residents. For more on this, Elvis Pr...

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Gauteng are marching to Kleinfontein today to protest against this Afrikaner-only settlement near Pretoria. The party views the settlement as "a remnant of apartheid's legacy". Elvis Presslin spoke to EFF Gauteng Media and Communications Officer, Dumisani Baleni...

Police are searching for the owner of a Parkmore, Sandton property where 44 Ethiopian nationals 17 of them minors were rescued from shocking conditions. Believed to be victims of human trafficking, the group was discovered locked inside after security guards heard desperate screams. Gauteng police spokesperson Mavela Masondo says the individuals are now in safe hands, while investigations intensif...

The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) has strongly criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to establish a new commission to investigate delays in prosecuting apartheid-era crimes. SAFTU labels the move as a wasteful and shameful attempt to probe the state's own failure to act on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's (TRC) recommendations. Elvis Presslin spoke to SAFTU sp...

Tomorrow South Africa will join the rest of the world in commemorating International Workers Day. South Africa celebrates this day while facing increase in labour-related strikes, retrenchments, and industry closures. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, Matthew Parks

The South African Policing Union (SAPU) is mourning the tragic deaths of three police officers whose bodies were recovered from the Hennops River in Centurion. National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola has confirmed the identities of the officers, Constables Cebekhulu Linda, Keamogetswe Buys, and Boipelo Senoge, who went missing while en route to their deployment in Limpopo. Elvis Presslin spok...

ActionSA has filed a formal application under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA) to obtain the Independent Police Investigative Directorate's (IPID) report on the theft at President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm in Limpopo. ActionSA says it will pursue the matter in the High Court if necessary. Elvis Presslin spoke to Michael Beaumont, ActionSA National Chairperson, to discuss...

The ongoing search for three missing police constables; two females and one male continues after they vanished last week while traveling from Bloemfontein to Limpopo for a deployment. Over the weekend, National Police Commissioner announced a R350,000 reward for information leading to a breakthrough in the case. To discuss this, Elvis Presslin spoke to National Police Spokesperson Athlenda Mathe