First Take SA

The Public Servants Association (PSA) has raised alarm over a potentially catastrophic security crisis unfolding at Durban Westville Correctional Facility in KwaZulu-Natal. The association says a breakdown in food services has pushed the prison to the edge of chaos. Faulty steam systems, broken kitchen equipment, and erratic food supplies have left inmates hungry and officers at risk. The PSA warn...

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) will stage a picket tomorrow at the Industrial Development Corporation's offices in Sandton, Johannesburg, in protest against looming retrenchments at ArcelorMittal South Africa. This follows the announcement by the company to shutdown its steel-making operations in Newcastle and Vereeniging which will result in 3,500 direct and indirect j...

Political parties have expressed mixed reactions to the postponement of the Budget speech to March 12. The EFF and other opposition parties have criticized the delay, viewing it as a sign of government instability. In contrast, the Patriotic Alliance and the DA have welcomed the postponement, praising Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana for prioritizing the people's interests and preventing a harmfu...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) says its pressure has successfully halted the ANC's proposed 2% VAT hike. The party says the postponement of the Budget Speech is a direct result of the government's failure to deliver pro-growth and pro-jobs reforms. The Budget Speech was initially scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed due to disagreements among Government of National Unity partners over the expec...

Labour federation COSATU has welcomed the postponement of the budget speech, citing its prior warnings to the government against a VAT increase. The budget speech was postponed due to disagreements within the Government of National Unity partners over the ANC's proposed 2% VAT increase. To discuss this development further, Elvis Presslin spoke to COSATU National Spokesperson, Zanele Sabela

The ANC has welcomed the decision to postpone the budget speech, citing national stability concerns. This unprecedented move marks the first time in 30 years that the Finance Minister has had to put the budget on hold due to disagreements over key adjustments, including a proposed 2% increase in Value Added Tax (VAT). For more Elvis Presslin spoke to ANC Chief Whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli

The ACDP has expressed concerns about South Africa's budget deficit. The party expects it to reach 5% of GDP in the 2024/25 financial year, resulting in a gross loan debt of 75.5% of GDP by 2025/26. This fiscal slippage could lead to escalating debt service costs, crowding out essential budget items. To discuss this further, Elvis Presslin spoke to ACDP MP, Parliamentary Whip and Member of Parliam...

The South African Federation of Trade Unions, SAFTU, will today protest outside Parliament, as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana prepares to unveil the country's first budget under the Government of National Unity. SAFTU has already rejected the budget, labeling it 'anti-poor' and disputing claims of a bloated public sector wage bill. For insight into the union's stance, Elvis Presslin spoke to SA...

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is set to unveil the country's highly anticipated 2025 budget today, amidst mounting pressure to address South Africa's economic woes. With a staggering debt burden of R6-trillion, Minister Godongwana faces the unenviable task of juggling competing demands for increased funding in critical areas like healthcare, education, and social grants, against the need to im...

The South African Police Union, SAPU has welcomed the introduction of police body-worn cameras. Police Minister Senzo Mchunu says the rollout of this initiative will commence in April this year. SAPU Spokesperson, Lesiba Thobakhale told our Senior Producer, Ronald Phiri that the plight project is crucial in providing visual evidence in cases where police officers are killed or are accused of misco...

The ANC National Working Committee has made significant changes to its provincial structures in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, removing former provincial secretaries Bheki Mtolo and TK Nciza. Veteran politicians Jeff Radebe and Amos Masondo will take on key roles, while former Deputy Chairperson Mike Mabuyakhulu makes a comeback in KZN. To analyze these developments Elvis Presslin spoke to Political A...

The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng claims that the National Treasury's decision to block R291 million in funding for 1,180 critical hospital positions will exacerbate the province's healthcare crisis. This move is expected to worsen staff shortages, particularly in major hospitals like Chris Hani Baragwanath, Kalafong, and Tembisa, which already lack key specialists, department heads, and nurses....

Three victims have come forward to report cases related to the alleged assault and sexual abuse at Zanzou nightclub in Pretoria. This follows viral graphic videos on social media of the 2023 incident which appears to show security personnel using excessive force against patrons. Zanzou management has denied claims that the incidents were linked to unpaid bills, instead attributing them to the acti...

University of Witwatersrand students are on hunger strike, protesting against financial exclusion due to historical debt. Despite 95% of students registering successfully, returning students are demonstrating against financial barriers. For more on the strike, Elvis Presslin spoke to Feziwe Ndwayana, a Masters' student representing Wits University's unregistered students

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

Globally, one in every hundred newborns is affected by Congenital Heart Defects. This is a condition that impacts the structure and function of the heart. South Africa is no exception, with numerous cases reported annually. Grateful Hearts, a non-profit organisation founded by Nhlamulo Tlakula-Sesing, seeks to raise awareness about this often-silent killer and advocate for the training of paediatr...

Advocacy group, My Vote Counts is challenging the Political Funding Act in the Western Cape High Court today. The organization claims the Act falls short of its constitutional goals of transparency, openness, and accountability. My Vote Counts is objecting to provisions that allow donations below R100,000 to remain undisclosed. For more on the court challenge Elvis Presslin spoke to My Vote Count...

Deputy Minister Steve Letsike has strongly condemned the heinous murder of Muhsin Hendricks, an openly gay Imam from Cape Town. The 58-year-old was brutally killed in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, over the weekend. For more, Elvis Presslin spoke to Deputy Minister Steve Letsike

Gautrain passengers between Rosebank and Park Station will have to rely on bus services for now, after train operations were suspended due to illegal drilling on a private property above the tunnel. The Gautrain Management Agency has scaled up its bus services to mitigate the disruption. To discuss the situation Elvis Presslin spoke to Tshepo Kgobe, CEO of the Gautrain Management Agency

The accused wife of slain Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department officer, Banele Sikhosana, is set to appear in the Springs Magistrate Court alongside an alleged hitman. Sikhosana was gunned down outside his tuck shop last week. For the latest developments, Elvis Presslin spoke to Zweli Dlamini, City of Ekurhuleni Spokesperson

ActionSA is seeking clarity on a lucrative tender awarded to Korone Engineering, a company with Nigerian links, to repair Lilian Ngoyi Street in Johannesburg. The party has written to Mayor Dada Morero and Transport MMC Kenny Kunene, demanding answers on the R194 million tender. This move comes after ActionSA's recent oversight visit to the construction site, where they discovered Korone Engineeri...

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) has reiterated its call for the ANC and EFF to abandon plans to rename Sandton Drive in Johannesburg to Leila Khaled Drive. This appeal comes after President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the National Address and a parliamentary debate, where ACDP leader Reverend Dr. Kenneth Meshoe expressed concerns that the name change would not benefit South Africa and...

The bodies of 14 South African National Defence Force soldiers killed in the Democratic Republic of Congo will arrive in the country today. A solemn ceremony will be held at the Air Force Base Swartkop in Centurion to hand over the mortal remains, followed by a memorial service to honour the fallen troops. To provide more insight into this event, Elvis Presslin spoke to Rear Admiral (JG) Prince Ts...

EFF Tshwane Activists will today stage a picket at St Alban's College in Pretoria, following allegations of racism at the institution. The activists claim that black students are being bullied by their white counterparts. To elaborate further on the allegations, Elvis Presslin spoke to EFF Tshwane activist, Bongani Ramontja

ActionSA's MP Dr. Kgosi Letlape has expressed confidence that funding for the National Health Insurance (NHI) will not be a challenge. This despite concerns raised by critics about the scheme's feasibility and potential for corruption. Dr. Kgosi Letlape has likened the NHI to a medical aid scheme with funds controlled by the Minister of Health. During yesterday's SONA debate, Dr. Letlape expressed...