First Take SA

The South African National Editors' Forum (SANEF) has expressed sadness at news that South African media company, Media24 is shutting down print publications, including City Press, Rapport, Beeld, and Daily Sun, as it seeks to build what it terms a fully digital future. In a statement following the news, SANEF described these titles as being the cornerstone of the country's media landscape, provid...

Economists have noted that the South African rand broke below the R18/$ barrier for the first time in 11 months as the country's president-elect, Cyril Ramaphosa was inaugurated for a second term yesterday. Since June 6, the currency has shown significant improvement, reflecting optimism about the newly formed Government of National Unity (GNU) bringing stability and economic reforms. JPMorgan has...

In his inaugural address, President Cyril Ramaphosa has highlighted the clarity with which the South African electorate has voiced its expectations for national leaders to collaborate in tackling some of the country's most urgent issues. Ramaphosa was inaugurated for a second term as president in front of thousands at the Union Buildings, yesterday. In an address following his inauguration, he als...

Gauteng police say they are analyzing video footage from an incident involving about 40 individuals who reportedly attempted to forced their way into an IEC storage warehouse in Johannesburg. Police say the group attempted to gain access to ballot boxes in the commission's Booysens warehouse. National Police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe says police have filed an intimidation case after t...

The Financial Sector Conduct Authority has issued a stern warning for South Africa's youth to caution against the dangers of irresponsible and excessive gambling, following concerning findings in its recent Financial Literacy Baseline study. The survey examines the financial knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours of adult South Africans as part of ongoing efforts to better understand, monitor, and p...

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) has confirmed that its Deputy President, Nqabayomzi Kwankwa, was kidnapped while traveling to Cape Town Airport yesterday and has since been rescued. The party has also revealed that a ransom of R10,000 was paid to secure his release. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to president of United Democratic Movement, Bantu Holomisa 

Police in KwaZulu-Natal have activated a 72-hour mobilisation of maximum resources in search of an unknown number of suspects who shot and killed six people and injured four others in the Entshele area, in Ezakheni. Police say 12 people were travelling in a bakkie on Helpmekaar Road when an unknown vehicle approached and its occupants opened fire at the occupants of the bakkie. Six people were dec...

The government of South Africa has announced its readiness to host the inauguration of President-elect Cyril Ramaphosa, marking the beginning of the 7th Administration. The ceremony will take place today at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. This event also commemorates 30 years of freedom and will include a cultural program preceding the formal proceedings. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to...

President-elect, Cyril Ramaphosa will be sworn in today at the Union Buildings after securing re-election for a second term during the National Assembly's first session. There is significant anticipation regarding his cabinet appointments. This comes after forming a Government of National Unity with the DA, IFP, and other parties. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor William Gumede,...

With South Africa establishing a Government of National Unity (GNU) to address the election results and focus on reducing unemployment, poverty, and inequality, Professor Raymond Parsons from the NWU School of Business & Governance says that the success of the GNU will depend on its deliverables. These include effective collaboration with the private sector and bolstering the National Treasury...

Members of the tripartite alliance have raised concern over the inclusion of the Democratic Alliance in the Government of National Unity. The Unity comprising the DA, IFP, GOOD party and Patriotic Alliance was formed after the ANC failed to achieve a majority in last month's national elections. COSATU and the SACP have vehemently criticized the formation, raising questions about its viability and...

DA MP Renaldo Gouws has apologized for his controversial video that sparked accusations of racism. The newly sworn-in parliamentarian faces backlash for a 2009 video that resurfaced showing him making racially charged comments against the ANC government. A petition demanding his removal from office has gained momentum, with almost 30,000 signatures. Elvis Presslin spoke to Womanist and Socio-Econo...

Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has called on the Government of National Unity (GNU) to make education a top priority and tackle crime with urgency. Makaneta argues that rising crime rates in some communities could infiltrate schools, compromising the safety of citizens. Speaking to Elvis Presslin, Makaneta elaborates further on his sentiments

The ANC has extended an olive branch to opposition parties, urging them to join the Government of National Unity. This development comes as five parties, including the ANC, DA, IFP, GOOD Party, and Patriotic Alliance, prepare to solidify their coalition ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa's inauguration tomorrow. The ANC's move is seen as a bid to foster unity and collaboration in addressing the co...

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

Soweto township has been named one of South Africa's top three admired destinations at the Brand Africa 2024 Awards. This esteemed accolade follows extensive research across over 30 African markets. The township's significant heritage has made it a standout destination, showcasing the best of South Africa. Here is Thato Mothopeng, Chairman of Soweto Tourism... 

We get an update on the stories making headlines in Africa with Victor Kgomoesoana 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 Road Accident Fund is calling on all road users to help lower the number of crashes this Youth Month. According to the Fund, an average of 74 people die in road accidents each weekend, with a significant number of these fatalities being young individuals. Between 2020 and 2022, there were nearly 14-thousand young lives lost out of a total of 34,946 road fatalities in South Africa. For more on...

A study by the University of KwaZulu-Natal has found a link between heat exposure in pregnant women and miscarriages in sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers warn that climate change will likely exacerbate reproductive health problems, resulting in more pregnancy losses. For more on the research, Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Yoshan Moodley, study lead researcher at UKZN

ActionSA in KwaZulu Natal says the removal of eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda is not surprising. This after Kaunda was redeployed to the National Council of Provinces, NCOP.  The party says the move exposes the true nature of the coalition agreement between the DA and ANC, which they claim is not a genuine government of national unity, but rather a political arrangement that serves the interests of...

The South African Correctional Services Workers Union, SACOSWU is disputing the Department of Correctional Services' attempts to deny human rights abuse allegations made by inmates. This comes after Thabo Bester testified in the Bloemfontein High Court that he suffered abuse at the hands of correctional services staff. The union is calling out the department for trying to shift blame and demanding...

Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa, Contralesa has expressed concern that traditional leaders are being left out of discussions regarding the proposed government of national unity. The organization feels their exclusion from these talks is a significant oversight, as traditional leaders play a vital role in representing the interests of their communities. To discuss this further Elvis...

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation will today commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Rivonia Trial. The trial between 1963 and 1964 was a landmark court case in which ten leading figures of the ANC, including Nelson Mandela, were tried and sentenced to life imprisonment for fighting against apartheid in South Africa. The trial shaped the country's struggle for freedom and democracy. For more on this E...

Health Minister Dr. Joe Phaahla will today provide an update on the Monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak in South Africa. So far there have been four laboratory-confirmed cases reported in the country, with three cases in KwaZulu-Natal and one case in Gauteng. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Angelique Coetzee, former Chairperson of the South African Medical Association, SAMA

The MK Party has filed an urgent application with the Constitutional Court to interdict Parliament's first sitting on Friday. The party seeks to halt the proceedings, citing its dissatisfaction with the recent election results. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to Elton Hart, Legal Analyst and an attorney affiliated with the University of Johannesburg, UJ's Law Clinic