First Take SA

South Africa has confirmed four new mpox cases, bringing the number recorded since the beginning of 2026 to 26. The Western Cape accounts for 18 cases, including 16 linked to local transmission, while cases have also been recorded in Gauteng, the Eastern Cape, the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal. Health authorities are urging South Africans to remain vigilant and seek medical attention if they develo...

Former President Thabo Mbeki is scheduled to appear before the TRC Cases Inquiry on the 19th and 20th. This after his bid, together with that of  former President Jacob Zuma, to have Inquiry Chairperson Justice Sisi Khampepe recuse herself, failed. Mbeki's testimony is highly anticipated, having received the final TRC report in 2003, the date from which the Inquiry to determine whether there...

Today marks exactly 40 years since the tragic plane crash that claimed the life of former Mozambican President Samora Machel and 34 others. Machel was the first President of independent Mozambique. He is also described as one of the African leaders who dedicated their lives to anti-colonialism. Both South Africa and Mozambique are to commemorate the tragedy in Mbuzini Village in Nkomazi, Mpumalang...

National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola is officially back at the helm of the South African Police Service today. This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to lift his precautionary suspension after the formal withdrawal of all financial misconduct charges against him. Masemola is hitting the ground running at the Tshwane Academy, convening an urgent high-level strategy sessio...

AfriForum has asked the Khampepe Commission for permission to cross-examine former President Thabo Mbeki. The lobby group wants its private prosecution head, Advocate Gerrie Nel, to question Mbeki on alleged political interference to block TRC-related prosecutions. This relates to the 1985 alleged ANC landmine attack near Musina that killed Kobie van Eck and her two children. Mbeki is set to testi...

Today South Africa commemorates Black Wednesday. On October 19, In 1977, the apartheid government banned 18 Black Consciousness organisations, shut down The World and Weekend World newspapers and detained journalists including Percy Qoboza. Forty-nine years later, the day is being marked with focus on attacks on journalists, censorship and disinformation. For more we spoke to  SANEF projects...

Parts of South Africa are facing another bout of extreme weather. The Weather Service says heatwave conditions will persist in Mpumalanga, with very hot weather also affecting the north-east. At the same time, a Yellow Level Two warning for severe thunderstorms is in place for parts of KwaZulu-Natal. Heavy rain, damaging winds and localised flooding are expected. For the latest we spoke to South A...

The Gauteng Department of Health has clarified concerns over radiation oncology services at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. The department says four existing linear accelerator machines remain operational and continue to treat cancer patients. It says two new machines meant to expand capacity are not yet licensed by SAHPRA, with staffing among outstanding requirements. Gauteng Hea...

The case against former Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has been postponed to next week Tuesday (October 20th), for bail judgment. The State revealed during Sibiya's bail hearing in the Randburg Magistrates court that investigations in the case are at an advanced stage. Sibiya faces multiple charges, including human trafficking and the alleged sexual grooming of a 16-year-old g...

Twenty-eight inmates at Westville Correctional Services in Durban are among 268 prisoners across the country sitting for their 2026 National Senior Certificate examinations. KwaZulu-Natal has a total of 50 inmates writing this year. The National Commissioner of Correctional Services Makgothi Thobakgale visited uSethubeni Youth School at the Durban Correctional Facility to monitor the start of the...

The matric class of 2026 at Thembisa West Secondary School in Ekurhuleni hopes to do well in their final year exams. Candidates across the country are sat for the English matric exam Paper. Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube visited the school this morning to oversee the National Senior Certificate exam process and ensure exams are administered in a conducive and secure environment for learne...

The Labour Party says the Constitutional Court must apply one standard to all parties after it ruled in favour of the ANC.The apex court yesterday cleared 181 previously disqualified ANC candidates to contest the November 4th local government elections. It condoned the late filing of nomination documents, finding the delay was minimal and caused no prejudice. The Labour Party says it was robbed of...

A look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoeswana, author of Africa Is Open For Business and Africa Bounces Back

Teachers in KwaZulu-Natal are set to take to the streets of Durban today. The South African Democratic Teachers Union, SADTU is marching against what it calls austerity measures in education. The union is raising concerns over unfilled vacancies, the non-appointment of substitute teachers and Grade R practitioners, and the state of special schools. SADTU KZN Provincial Secretary Nomarashiya Caluza...

When household budgets are stretched, the promise of a quick gambling win can seem tempting, but it can also put long-term financial security at risk. The latest 2026 Township Customer Experience Report found that 55% of stokvel members surveyed had gambled at least once in the past year, highlighting how financial pressure can influence even disciplined savers. So how do we prevent gambling from...

The Constitutional Court is expected to deliver judgment today in the ANC's case against the IEC. The party is challenging the disqualification of its candidate lists in six municipalities, which affects one hundred and eighty one councillor candidates. The ruling will have major implications for the  November 4th Local Government Elections. For more on this, we spoke toPolitical analyst, Dr....

The March and March Movement says it has learnt that its leader Jacinta Ngobese Zuma and SA First Forum Acting CEO Xolani Zuma will be arrested before Friday. The Movement claims the arrest warrant issued by the NPA is politically motivated and aimed at causing unrest ahead of the November local government elections. It has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to distance himself from what it terms...

The Concerned Citizens of South Africa is calling for a national shutdown on Monday over record fuel prices. Inland petrol reached thirty rand and twenty-five cents a litre in October, putting pressure on households. The movement wants government to cut fuel taxes and levies to bring prices down. We spoke to Concerned Citizens of South Africa national Organiser, Ntokozo Mkhize.

The Gauteng Liquor Traders Association is set to hold a peaceful protest in Johannesburg today following the deadly Wedela tavern shooting. Eighteen people were killed on the West Rand, raising fresh concerns about safety at taverns. The association says it will call for stronger action against illegal firearms, organised crime and mass shootings. We spoke to Gauteng Liquor Traders Association spo...

In Reiger Park on the East Rand, young people are turning to sport to escape gangsterism and build a better future. One of them is local athlete Jadin Norman, who is using athletics to stay off the streets and inspire his peers. Elvis Presslin spoke to him about the challenges facing youth in Reiger Park and the power of sport as an alternative..

The battle for Johannesburg is intensifying ahead of the 4 November local government elections, with Al Jama-ah fielding Ashley Mama as its mayoral candidate. Mama's campaign is focusing on some of the city's most pressing concerns, including service delivery, accountability, economic development, job creation and community safety. With Johannesburg also facing pressure on infrastructure and decli...

This year's local government elections have attracted unlikely characters which are energising the political landscape. Unlike traditional politicians, these individuals originate from the cultural entertainment and business sectors amongst others. Over five hundred and forty political parties will be contesting the local government elections which are less than forty days away. SABC Senior politi...

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) began voting for its top six leadership positions at its 15th National Congress in Kempton Park. This follows a chaotic start to the congress in September, which collapsed due to fierce leadership factions and eligibility disputes. The votng process was managed by an independent electoral instititute, EISA (Electoral Institute for Sustainable Dem...

The Madlanga Commission says it will obtain a statement from Serge Cabonge. This follows voice recordings attributed to him that were played in the Randburg Magistrate's Court during the bail hearing of Shadrack Sibiya. The Commission says Cabonge has been mentioned in its hearings before and his claims will now form part of its broader investigation. It says it will not comment further for now. F...

Lobby group AfriForum says Johannesburg's water crisis shows the municipal service delivery model is failing residents. The organisation says the city's consideration of private sector involvement is an admission that the current system is not working. It says residents should not be held hostage by municipal monopolies when sustainable alternatives exist. AfriForum is calling for private and comm...