First Take SA

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has welcomed the Western Cape High Court's order setting aside the proposed VAT hike of 0.5%. The labour federation says this will provide relief to millions of workers who have been struggling to cope with the rising costs of living. COSATU says working class families spend most of their income on transport and electricity whose increases far ex...

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has ordered a full probe into shocking reports of R34 million spent monthly on leased office spaces while 41 government buildings stand empty. Lesufi summoned officials for answers and vowed independent forensic investigations, a full cost-benefit analysis, and private-sector partnerships to repurpose idle properties. He insists the Seventh Administration will enforc...

AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit says it will pursue criminal charges against ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula, EFF Leader Julius Malema and Eastern Cape Education MEC, Fundile Gade for falsely accusing a school principal of raping a seven-year-old girl. The alleged assault occurred at a school in Matatiele, Eastern Cape, in October last year. Meanwhile Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has apo...

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

South Africa faces a pressing issue with one of the world's highest unintended pregnancy rates, with 81 out of every 1,000 women aged 15-49 experiencing an unplanned pregnancy between 2015 and 2019. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Caitlin Hegter, Specialist Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Mediclinic Kloof, to discuss the challenges and solutions

Abahlali baseMjondolo is marking "UnFreedom" Day with rallies and protests across three provinces by denouncing the persistent struggles faced by the poor in South Africa. The movement argues that despite 31 years of democracy, millions of people remain impoverished, without access to basic services, and facing violence and oppression. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Abahlali BaseMjondolo...

The South African National Taxi Council, SANTACO has pushed back against criticism from the Build One South Africa party, BOSA, over a R408m payout to taxi operators. This after BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane had questioned the Industry's tax compliance after Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed the one-time gratuity, five years post the pandemic. However SANTACO says tax compliance is a require...

South Africa's budget process has been thrown into uncertainty after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana scrapped plans for a 0.5% increase in Value-Added Tax. The move has sparked mixed reactions from politicians. The ANC has welcomed the decision, calling for more inclusive fiscal policy, while the EFF has hailed it as a victory, but is demanding the Finance Minister's resignation and a complete o...

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 Africans Transformation party is taking the Department of Basic Education to court over what it calls a failure to eliminate deadly pit toilets in schools. The party says despite promises and deadlines, thousands of learners still face daily risks. UAT demands urgent action, saying enough is enough children deserve dignity and safety, not bureaucratic excuses. The party says they are ta...

The South African Communist Party is set to stage protests today against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's official visit to South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa will host Zelenskyy at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, a move the SACP has strongly condemned. The Communist Party has labelled Zelenskyy a US puppet and question the legitimacy of his presidency. The SACP is demanding Ramapho...

The trade union Solidarity is threatening to take President Cyril Ramaphosa to court for contempt if he doesn't withdraw the recently published Employment Equity laws and sectoral targets. Solidarity claims the government is breaching a 2023 settlement agreement. Elvis Presslin spoke to Anton van der Bijl, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Solidarity to elaborate further on the Union's concerns

Former KZN Hawks boss, Major-General Johan Booysen has sent a letter of demand to the National Director of Public Prosecutions demanding a decision on whether to prosecute him within 30 days. Booysen was previously charged with racketeering, but the charges were withdrawn in 2014 and re-instated in 2015. A high-level group of prosecutors later found that there was no evidence to sustain the charge...

The ANC in the Eastern Cape has condemned AfriForum's attempt to pressure the NPA into reviewing a case against Premier Oscar Mabuyane and ANC NEC member Babalo Madikizela. AfriForum's push for private prosecution relates to the alleged misuse of funds for transporting mourners to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's funeral in 2018. The ANC has labeled this move as "unethical and illegal," claiming it und...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is criticizing the provincial government's 82% budget cut to Schools of Specialization, which they say will hinder learners' chances of gaining skilled jobs. The funding for these schools has been slashed from R69.29 million in 2022 to R13 million in 2024. The DA says this cut will negatively impact the development of critical skills needed for the economy a...

The Build One South Africa (BOSA) party has raised concerns over the government's decision to allocate R408 million from the Covid-19 Relief Fund to the taxi industry, five years after the pandemic's peak. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed the one-time gratuity in response to BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane. BOSA argues that funneling public funds into an untaxed sector is unjustifiable when c...

The South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) is staging a nationwide protest march in Pretoria today against education budget reductions. The Union will march to the National Treasury, Department of Basic Education, and Department of Higher Education and Training to voice concerns over austerity measures and cuts that reportedly threaten public education and promote privatization. Elvis Pr...

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has opened a national Gender Forum in Johannesburg, themed "Deepening the Struggle for Gender Justice." The two-day event, which started yesterday brings together union leaders, activists, and partners to address gender equity in the criminal justice sector. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union spokeperson...

Freedom Park CEO Dr. Jane Mufamadi says the country's liberation remains unfinished, with many socio-economic foundations of inequality still intact. This as South Africa marks 31 years of democracy on Sunday. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Jane Mufamadi to discuss her opinion piece, 'Freedom Deferred? The Unfinished Work of Liberation

Forum for South Africa (FOSA) has slammed Minister of justice and constitutional development Mmamoloko Kubayi, accusing the Justice Minister of reducing her department to a spaza shop over her remarks on Floyd Shivambu. While FOSA questions Shivambu's ethics for attending fugitive Shepherd Bushiri's church, it slams Kubayi for politicizing a personal matter. The forum demands she focus on extradit...

Zimbabweans are set to participate in a second national stay-away today, demanding the resignation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association (AUBBTA) announced that the shutdown will include protesters blocking Beitbridge, intensifying calls for Mnangagwa to step down. The association is also urging Zimbabweans in South Africa to return and join the movement...

The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference joins Catholics worldwide in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at age 88 in his Vatican residence. The bishops honour his enduring legacy of humility, justice, and compassion, and have extended heartfelt condolences to the global Church. For further insights, Elvis Presslin spoke to Father Hugh O'Connor, Secretary Gene...

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...