First Take SA

Independent candidates and political parties are running against time to submit their nomination requirements before the IEC's Friday deadline. The Electoral Commission of South Africa has been accused of unfair election requirements, preventing new and independent parties from participating in the upcoming elections. Several political formations have expressed their unhappiness with the high sign...

The ANC says it is rigorously vetting through the party's list of potential members of Parliament and provincial legislatures. The party has been accused of retaining members implicated in State Capture. This as the ANC scrambles to meet tomorrow's (Friday) deadline set by the IEC for submission of lists. For more on this we're now joined on the line by Zama Khanyase, Spokesperson for the ANC Yout...

The South African Human Rights Commission is calling for immediate reforms to the country's school uniforms and learner appearance policies. The Commission was briefing Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Basic Education about its investigations into school uniforms and reports about the over-regulation of appearances.

The South African National Civic Organization, SANCO in the Free State says it will not campaign for the ANC in this year's elections. The movement's provincial chairperson Gift Poli says the decision was taken at SANCO's provincial General Council over the weekend. 

The City of Johannesburg is on a drive to collect outstanding debt by big corporates. The City says its pursuing CEOs of large companies who owe the municiplity millions of rands in unpaid municipal services. For more on this we are now joined on the line by Nyaniso Jeku, Public Relations Specialist for the City of Johannesburg.

Activists from the Treatment Action Campaign and Gender Dynamix will today be protesting outside Ghana's High Commission to South Africa, demanding President Akufo-Addo to reject the anti-LGBTQ+ Bill, which would criminalize LGBTQ+ individuals in Ghana. 

Gauteng Police have launched a manhunt for suspects involved in a fatal shooting incident that claimed the lives of two people in their 20s, in Eldorado Park extension 4 in the south of Johannesburg. The police, in a statement, says the motive of the shooting is unknown, and a team has been activated to investigate the murders. The area has been riddled with gun violence for some time now. For a c...

The ANC says it will finalise the party's candidate lists ahead of the IEC's Friday deadline. The ANC NEC met at the Birchwood Conference Centre in Boksburg yesterday to finalise the party's election lists. The gathering comes amidst recommendations by the ANC's Integrity Commission to disqualify individuals implicated in State Capture from the electoral lists.  Elvis Presslin spoke to Political A...

KwaZulu-Natal premier, Nomusa Dube-Ncube has condemned SAMWU's wage strike in eThekwini saying it is tantamount to treason. Striking SAMWU municipal workers are demanding to be paid in line with Category 10 workers, equivalent to their colleagues in the Ekurhuleni metro. The strike has led to the blockade of state buildings, clinics and delays in service delivery. To discuss this further Elvis Pre...

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

This year marks the 200th anniversary since King Moshoeshoe founded the Basotho nation. The peace loving nation of Basotho are celebrating this milestone with all sorts of different activities throughout the year. The annual historical Moshoeshoe walk, founded in 2007, will be part of the celebrations. The three-day journey of approximately 116km aims to re-kindle the spirit of unity among Basotho...

Parliamentary speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula is under investigation for allegedly receiving millions in bribes from a South African National Defence Force contractor. Mapisa-Nqakula is accused of taking bribes totaling R2.3 million between 2016 and 2019 during her tenure as Defence Minister. The payments in cash were reportedly delivered to Mapisa-Nqakula in gift bags by defence industry busines...

Gauteng's new top cop Lieutenant-General Tommy Mthombeni has hit the ground running just a few days after his appointment. Mthombeni - who previously served as Acting Provincial Commissioner has 37 years of service. His appointment follows Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela's retirement last month. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Lieutenant-General Mthombeni...

Residents of Ekangala near Bronkhorstspruit, east of Pretoria, will this morning embark on a mass protest over water shortages in the area. Aggrieved residents say they have been without water for two weeks. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Rankitsing "Asha" Xaba, Chairperson of the Ekangala Development Foundation

Western Cape police have found pieces of blood-stained clothing believed to be that of missing six-year-old Joslin Smith. The items of clothing were found in an open field in Middelpos, Saldanha Bay. Joslin was last seen in the area last month after she was left in the care of her mother's boyfriend at the time of her disappearance. For the latest on the case, Elvis Presslin spoke to Western Cape...

Anti-crime activist Ian Cameron is venturing into politics by joining the Democratic Alliance ahead of South Africa's May 29 general elections. Cameron, renowned for combatting crime in local communities in the Western Cape - dominated headlines in 2022 after Police Minister Bheki Cele told him to shut up at a crime imbizo in Gugulethu. Cameron is touted to be high up on the list of DA candidates...

The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) will be launching its 2024 elections manifesto tomorrow, at its headquarters in Johannesburg. The PAC is a party that says Africa is for Africans and thus the land should be returned to Africans. The PAC says it aims to increase its support base in the 2024 general elections. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Secretary General of the PAC, Apa Pooe

Political parties in Ekurhuleni have accused the EFF of instigating chaos to prevent a motion of no confidence against City Mayor Sivuyile Ngodwana. ANC and EFF councilors came to blows last night's at a council meeting over the mayor's no confidence vote, brought by ActionSA. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Gauteng Provincial Leader and Premier Candidate, Solly Msimang and Ekurhuleni...

The Freedom Front Plus will launch its election manifesto in Pretoria tomorrow (Saturday) ahead of the May 29 General Elections. The manifesto coincides with the party's 30th anniversary. FFPlus - The 5th biggest political party in South Africa aims to unseat the ruling ANC through its coalition in the Multi-Party Charter. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to FFPlus' Chief Whip in Parliament,...

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

Acting Eastern Cape Correctional Services commissioner, Lucky Mthethwa has come under fire for reportedly spending over R1.4m in hotel bills for his accommodation. This despite being afforded a renovated and secure state house. The provincial Police, Prisons and Civil Rights Union (Popcru) say the expenditure is not justified. Now for more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Popcru Eastern Cape secre...

ActionSA has put forward Angela Sobey as premier candidate for the Western Cape. Action SA says it wants to bring back the rule of law in the Western Cape. The party further says there is little debate that after 30 years of democracy, some of the most dangerous places in the country are found in the Western Cape. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Action SA Western Cape Premier Candidate, A...

The South African Local Government Association, SALGA is currently hosting a seminar on coalition governments ahead of elections in May. This as coalitions in the country's major metros are facing unprecedented levels of political instability which hinder service delivery. For more on the seminar Elvis Presslin spoke to Salga COO, Lance Joel

The South African Police Service, SAPS' headquarters in Pretoria has been shut down temporarily. This after the SAPS Telkom Towers building failed to comply with health and safety regulations. General Fannie Masemola has since instructed all personnel to vacate the premises. National Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe says measures are in place to ensure business continuity following pro...

Ekurhuleni Mayor Sivuyile Ngodwana will today face a motion of no confidence. The motion - brought by ActionSA accuses the mayor for the City's deteriorating finances and poor service delivery. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Ekurhuleni ActionSA Caucus Leader Siyanda Makhubo