First Take SA

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) is using an election prediction model to predict results for the 2024 national and provincial elections. The CSIR says it uses data collected from previous elections to predict current results. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Ndumiso Cingo, Strategic Partnerships Manager for the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (C...

About 38 000 patients are awaiting for surgery in Gauteng Hospitals. This was revealed in the Gauteng Legislature after provincial Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko claimed there were no backlogs in the province. Nkomo-Ralehoko was responding to a legislature question from the DA. The Health MEC has revealed Steve Biko Academic Hospital has the highest number surgery backlogs. For more on this Elv...

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, NUMSA will today picket outside the South African Steel Mills in Meyerton, Johannesburg. This after 165 workers were reportedly unfairly dismissed for participating in a protected strike. Workers embarked on an indefinite strike after the company reportedly refused to recognise NUMSA as full time shopstewards. For more on this Elvis Presslin spok...

The Electoral Commission (IEC) in KwaZulu-Natal has met with the MK party and police following allegations of vote rigging at IEC storage sites in Chesterville and Hammersdale, at the weekend. This after video footage emerged of MK officials accusing IEC members of irregularities in securing ballot papers ahead of elections. The IEC dismissed the claims saying the electoral material were being pre...

The Border Management Authority says it is on high alert at all ports of entry ahead of tomorrow's election. This after immigration officials intercepted 28 Bangladesh nationals at OR Tambo International Airport on Saturday with fraudulent visas and lack of documentation. The Bangladesh nationals who have since been deported. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Stephen van Neel, Deputy Commis...

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

Amnesty International South Africa is urging citizens to prioritize human rights when voting in the May 29 elections. The organization has released a Human Rights Manifesto, highlighting 10 key issues for political parties and candidates to address. In a statement, Amnesty International emphasized that access to human rights is still problematic, with corruption undermining service delivery and de...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has wished South Africans well as they cast their vote this week. In his address to the nation last night, the president also reflected on the challenges and achievements of the 6th administration. He said the election offers South Africans an opportunity to build on the achievements of the past administration. For more, Elvis Presslin spoke to Political Analyst Dr. Piet...

The Department of Justice and Correctional Services says it is communicating with Indian authorities following the arrest of Ajay and Anil Gupta. State capture accused Ajay was arrested along with his brother-in-law Anil Gupta in Dehradun, India, for allegedly abetting the suicide of a prominent businessman. Satinder Sahni, who died after leaping from an eight-storey building, implicated the pair...

The Department of Correctional Services says its ready for inmates to cast their ballots on election day. According to the department, 14 753 inmates at correctional facilities have registered to vote. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Prisoners' rights activist and ex-inmate Lerato Manaka

A national shutdown by some striking truck drivers is set to continue despite elections next week. Workers affiliated to the Dynamic People's Union of South Africa (DPYUSA) are demanding better wages and working conditions at distribution company, SG Convenience. The Union says the strike will continue well into the elections next week. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to DPYUSA's General Sec...

Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has accused the South African Police Service's (SAPS) management of not taking preparations for next week's general elections seriously. The Union says SAPS has relegated the preparatory responsibilities to provinces with no clear deployment plan. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to POPCRU Spokesperson, Richard Mamabolo

AmaZulu King Misuzulu KaZwelithini has accused the Department of usurping signing powers of land ownership from Amakhosi. King Misuzulu was speaking during an Imbizo of Amakhosi, in Ulundi, KZN. He says changes to the Ingonyama Trust by government are in bad faith. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to the Chairperson of the Provincial House of Traditional and Khoi-San Leaders, Inkosi Si...

President Cyril Ramaphosa is today expected to sign the National Council on Gender-Based Violence and Femicide Bill into law. The objective of this legislation is to establish a multi-sectoral approach to gender-based violence and femicide in South Africa. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Wise 4 Afrika Director, Brenda Madumise-Pajibo

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 African government's economic reform program, Operation Vulindlela, has made notable progress in its first phase from 2020 to 2024, according to a recent review. Despite the need for further economic transformation, the initiative has achieved significant milestones in crucial sectors like electricity, logistics, water, telecommunications vital for inclusive growth. For more on this Elvis Pr...

Israel has commanded the immediate return of its ambassadors in Spain, Norway and Ireland. The directive comes as a response to the recognition of Palestine as an independent state by the three countries. The countries say the decision was not against Israel nor in favour of Hamas, but rather in support of permanent peace in the ongoing war. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Kingsley M...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has welcomed the Judicial Service Commission, JSC's nomination of Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya as the next Chief Justice. Ramaphosa was speaking to the media after an ANC Siyanqoba mini rally in Mpumalanga. He says he will finalise the appointment of Justice Maya as South Africa's next chief justice soon. To discuss this and the state of South Africa's Judiciary, Elv...

AmaZulu King Misuzulu will today host a meeting of Amakhosi to discuss the future of the Ingonyama Trust. However Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Minister Thoko Didiza has been excluded from the meeting. The meeting comes amidst allegations of the ANC and some members of the Zulu royal family trying to usurp powers from Amakhosi over the control of land in the Ingonyama Trust. To sp...

COSATU President Zingiswa Losi has called on South Africans to vote for the ANC or risk having an Orania-like state should the party lose elections. Losi made the remarks on an ANC podcast. This as the party risks losing its majority in next week's vote for the first time since 1994. Losi says the ANC is the only party that can advance the transformation agenda. Elvis Presslin spoke to Losi about...

Waste Company Pikitup has secured a court interdict against striking workers. The workers are demanding permanent employment as their current contracts are about to expire. The prolonged strike has resulted in uncollected garbage accumulating in parts of Johannesburg. Elvis Presslin spoke to Meshack Ntshauba, General Secretary of Democratic Municipal and Allied Workers Union of South Africa, DEMAW...

The Gauteng Care Crisis Committee is taking the Gauteng Department of Social Development to court over funding delays. The Committee is seeking an urgent application to bring transparency and clarity on the Department's processes of allocating funds to nonprofit organisations (NPOs) approved for funding. The Committee, representing 62 organisations say weeks of delays have brought much of the sect...

The Democratic Alliance is mourning the passing of its former Federal Council Chairperson, James Selfe. Selfe passed away yesterday at the age of 68 following a lengthy illness. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to DA National Spokesperson, Werner Horn

The ANC Youth League will today hold a march against crime in Gauteng. The Youth League says the march is against recent brutal killings in Soshanguve and South Africa as a whole. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to ANC Youth League Spokesperson, Zama Khanyase

The Eastern Cape Liquor Board will today launch the Alcohol Harm Reduction Programme at Eastcape Midlands TVET College in Uitenhage. The initiative is aimed at tackling alcohol abuse among the youth. The initiative comes in response to concerning reports of high alcohol consumption among students at the college. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Mgwebi Msiya, Spokesperson for the Eastern Ca...