First Take SA

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) is grappling with a major blow after Goodyear South Africa revealed plans to shut down its local manufacturing operations. The decision puts 907 jobs at risk. NUMSA spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola spoke to Elvis Presslin to unpack the union's response and what this means for the workforce

The Forum for South Africa, FOSA is urging the NPA to drop charges against five Walter Sisulu University students accused of arson and public violence. The group warns that prosecuting the students could ruin their futures with criminal records. The students were involved in a protest after the Mthatha Magistrate's Court granted bail to Manelisi Mampane, a residence manager accused of murdering st...

South Africa is on high alert as a cold front is set to sweep across the country this week. The adverse conditions are expected to bring potentially hazardous weather conditions. Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa has issued a stark warning calling on provincial and municipal authorities to put their disaster response plans into action In anticipation of t...

A police sergeant is set to appear in the Bloemfontein Magistrate's Court today to face charges linked to the alleged kidnapping of 19-year-old Kamogelo Baukudi. The Grade 11 learner from Martie du Plessis Special Needs School was abducted by two men posing as police officers last week in a Toyota Hilux. Free State Police Spokesperson Brigadier Motantsi Makhele spoke to Elvis Presslin to shed more...

A powerful winter storm is set to sweep across South Africa starting this weekend. The adverse weather conditions are expected to bringing snow, fierce winds, and heavy rain to most provinces, except Limpopo. To unpack this looming weather event, Elvis Presslin spoke to South African Weather Service Forecaster, Lehlohonolo Thobela

Former Zambian President Edgar Lungu has passed away at age 68. Lungu, who led the country from 2015 to 2021 as the Patriotic Front Party leader, died in South Africa while receiving treatment for an undisclosed illness. He lost the 2021 election to current President Hakainde Hichilema by a wide margin. To discuss Lungu's legacy, Elvis Presslin spoke to Chanoda Ngwira, spokesperson for the Kum'maw...

Ministers in the Government of National Unity (GNU) have reportedly spent over R200 million on travel in less than a year. This according to ActionSA's GNU Performance Tracker, following parliamentary questions to cabinet Ministers. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA Member of Parliament, Alan Beesley

The Black Business Council Summit continues in Kempton Park, with transformation remaining a key focus. The two-day event brings together business leaders and government officials, including several cabinet ministers, to discuss socio-economic transformation and inclusive growth. President Ramaphosa is set to address the summit, which aims to tackle pressing economic issues like unemployment and s...

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

In marking World Environment Day which is observed every year on 5 June this year's theme, Ending Plastic Pollution, an urgent call is made about plastic waste choking our planet and threatening human health. A global study by the University of Newcastle for the World Wide Fund for Nature reveals a disturbing truth: we may be ingesting up to 5 grams of plastic each week, equivalent to the weight o...

Seven South Africans are among 66 foreign nationals being held at Harare Remand Prison for allegedly entering Zimbabwe illegally. The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission has called for their immediate deportation, saying migrants shouldn't be treated as criminals. Most detainees hail from countries like Ethiopia, Burundi, and the DRC. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Jessie Majome, Chairperso...

Tensions are boiling over in South Johannesburg's Zamimpilo informal settlement after a 59-year-old man was killed by a stray bullet during a shootout between police and  suspected illegal miners. Furious residents accuse police of prioritizing illegal mining over tackling violent crime. In neighboring Riverlea, community's calls are growing to demolish the settlement, described as a battlegr...

The national association of school governing bodies says it is calling on the Gauteng Department of Education to step up and fix the mess in Non-Fee Paying schools.  Hundreds of non-fee-paying schools across Gauteng are facing utility disconnections after the education department stopped paying their water and electricity bills, and quietly transferred historical debt running into millions to...

The Patriotic Alliance (PA) says it has noted what it calls Al Jama-ah's desperate publicity stunt to attempt to open criminal charges against its MPs who travelled to Israel in April this year, with other MPs from the DA and ACDP. The PA says this sets aside how ridiculous this is since no laws were broken during this trip. This comes after AL-JAMAH this week opened a case against 9 MP's who visi...

Civil society groups are calling for stronger measures to monitor food affordability and pricing. A new report by the Socio-Economic Rights Institute of South Africa, has revealed the daily struggles many South Africans face to put food on the table. 23,1% of households nationally (that is, over one in five) consider their access to food as inadequate or severely inadequate. The report also reveal...

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, POPCRU in Gauteng will embark on a series of rolling pickets across police academies in the province. The pickets are in response to growing concerns around the reported sexual victimization of vulnerable trainees. For more on this Elvis presslin spoke to POPCRU Spokesperson, Richard Mamabolo

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has welcomed a new National Labour Migration Policy and the Employee Services Amendment Bill. The policy aims to address the issue of undocumented migrant labour in the economy. Elvis Presslin spoke to Matthew Parks, COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator and Spokesperson

The Nom-khubulwano Culture and Youth Development Organisation is clashing with the CRL Rights Commission over a controversial rule banning virginity testing for girls under 16. The organisation argues the practice helps curb teenage pregnancies and diseases, but the CRL insists it's only legal for girls 16 and older who give full consent. The dispute has ignited a heated debate between those fight...

The Western Cape High Court will hear an urgent application from the EFF today, challenging the recent fuel levy increase. The 15c and 16c per litre hike for diesel and petrol, respectively, is set to take effect on Wednesday. Elvis Presslin spoke to Visvin Reddy, National Convener of People Against Petrol and Paraffin Price Increases (PAPPI), to discuss the implications

Elvis Presslin takes a look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomwesoana, 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 tabled constitutional amendments to address illegal immigration aimed at tightening rules around who can access South Africa's resources. The party wants to rewrite the Constitution's preamble and adjust sections on housing, healthcare, and education to ensure these rights are reserved for legal residents only. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA Member of Parliament, Malebo Kobe

The South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) has identified over 200,000 social grant recipients who failed to declare their income. These individuals won't receive their June payments until their grants are reviewed. Affected recipients are urged to visit their nearest SASSA office within 30 days to comply with the Social Assistance Act. Elvis Presslin spoke to SASSA Spokesperson, Paseka Lets...

Parliamentary public hearings on the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill have begun. The hearings coincided with World No Tobacco Day at the weekend. A recent survey shows alarming rates of tobacco use with 33.9% of the population smoking and 13.5% of young people using e-cigarettes. Experts are urging urgent action to reverse the trend. Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor...

Gauteng police have launched an investigation into the murder of Inkatha Freedom Party MP and Deputy Chief Whip, Khethamabala Petros Sithole, who was fatally attacked in Katlehong on Saturday. Parliament's Presiding Officers, including National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza and National Council of Provinces Chair Refilwe Mtshweni-Tsipane, have condemned the killing, describing Sithole as a unifyin...

The MK Party is demanding a review of a multibillion-rand clean energy tender awarded to Mulilo Energy, a company linked to former Eskom executive Jan Oberholzer. The party is raising concern over the potential conflicts of interest. Elvis Presslin spoke to Prince Adil Nchabeleng, MK Party MP and member of the Portfolio Committee on Electricity and Energy, for further insight