First Take SA

The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms, excessive lightning, and persistent heatwave conditions across various regions. For expert insights Elvis Presslin spoke to South African Weather Service Forecaster, Letlhogonolo Thobela to provide more information on the severe weather conditions

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has welcomed the findings of the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey, which paints a concerning picture of food insecurity in the country. A staggering 63.5% of households struggle to access nutritious food, while child malnutrition rates are alarmingly high, with 28.8% of children under five facing stunted growth and 5.3% affected by wasti...

The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng is warning hospital patients to brace for potential disasters due to severe budget cuts. DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, Jack Bloom says hospital CEOs have been instructed not to hire new staff, and some medical professionals might not receive their December salaries. This is particularly concerning given that hospitals in Gauteng are already understaffed. Elvis Pr...

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Government of National Unity's success should be evaluated based on its tangible impact on the lives of South Africa's poor and working-class citizens, rather than the political affiliations of its constituent parties. Ramaphosa was reflecting on the first 100 days of the government's seventh administration. This comes as tensions rise between the ANC and its all...

Elvis Presslin takes a look at the current top African economic stories 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

Former Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink has raised concern about the city's new mayoral committee, warning that it spells disaster for clean governance. This comes after incumbent Mayor Dr. Nasiphi Moya unveiled her 10-member multi-party mayoral committee, which notably excludes the Democratic Alliance. Brink's concerns center around the inclusion of the EFF in the committee, which he believes will hi...

A mass shooting in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, has left seven people dead, including a three-year-old child. Ronald Phiri spoke to Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili about the number of fatalities and motive for the deadly shooting & A joint operation between the South African Police Service and the Ethiopian Federal Police has led to the arrest of a 29-year-old South Africa...

The National Education, Health, and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) is set to meet with Parliament's management today to address concerns over the mandatory medical tests for nearly 1,000 support staff. The tests, which include urine analysis, gastrointestinal inspections, and lung-function checks, have sparked outrage and criticism from Nehawu, citing privacy violations. For more on this Elvis Pre...

Tributes are flooding in for former Finance Minister and Reserve Bank Governor, Tito Mboweni, who passed away on Saturday after a brief illness. Mboweni died at the age of 65. His family, politicians and citizens are still reeling in shock over his sudden loss. Leslie Maasdorp, a former Special Adviser to Tito Mboweni during his tenure as Labour Minister, spoke to Elvis Presslin to share insights...

Gauteng's bulk water supplier, Rand Water, has warned municipalities to reduce water losses by 33% amid dwindling storage levels. The water utility says supply systems including Rand Water reservoirs are critically low and the situation is anticipated to worsen with the ongoing heat wave. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Ferrial Adam, the Executive Manager of WaterCAN

The Democratic Alliance has called on the Gauteng Provincial Legislature's ethics committee to investigate corruption allegations against Premier Panyaza Lesufi. The party claims Lesufi failed to address widespread corruption within the Department of Social Development (DSD), involving money laundering and fraud that cost the provincial government hundreds of millions of rands meant for struggling...

The National Prosecuting Authority, NPA has declined to prosecute anyone in relation to the Phala Phala farm case, involving President Cyril Ramaphosa and Major General Wally Roode. Director of Public Prosecutions Ivy Thenga made the decision after assessing evidence from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, following a complaint by Arthur Fraser alleging money laundering and corrupti...

South Africa's femicide epidemic claims seven lives daily, with intimate partners responsible for nearly 60% of murders. Research by the South African Medical Research Council shows the Eastern Cape as a hotspot for femicide, with women twice as likely to be killed as those elsewhere in the country. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor Rachel Jewkes, Executive Scientist at the...

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

The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa, GIWUSA, says its long-standing warnings about food monopolies prioritizing profit over affordability have been vindicated by a recent Competition Commission report. The report, which monitors essential food prices, shows that despite a drop in the input costs of basic food items, retail prices remain high and unaffordable for many. For more rea...

The Lotus Gardens, Atteridgeville and Saulsville Civic Association (LASCA) has welcomed newly elected Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya. Mayor Moya secured her position with 122 votes, surpassing former mayor Cilliers Brink who garnered 86 votes after being ousted through a motion of no confidence just two weeks prior. LASCA has been vocal about its grievances, particularly regarding municipal bills. The...

The United National Transport Union (UNTU) has welcomed a court ruling blocking Transnet from awarding a contentious tender to International Container Terminal Services Incorporated (ICTSI) for the Durban Container Terminal Pier 2. This development comes after AP Moller-Maersk's port operating unit, APM Terminals challenged the decision, citing irregularities in the bidding process. For more on th...

A man has been arrested in Geduld, Springs, after explosives were discovered in his garden by tenants. Police made the arrest following a tip-off. The incident has sparked concerns over public safety and potential harm to the community. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Springs Police Spokesperson Sergeant Themba Tshabalala

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi is facing serious allegations of corruption which reportedly cost the provincial government hundreds of millions of rands. According to AfriForum, Lesufi is at the center of a massive cover-up involving funds meant for the Department of Social Development to support vulnerable NGOs. The allegations suggest that Lesufi has been implicated in thwarting criminal investi...

ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says there's no deal between the ANC and DA regarding the mayorship of Tshwane. This announcement comes as the City Council is set to vote in a new mayor today following the removal of Cilliers Brink last month. Mbalula shared this update during a media briefing on the outcomes of the party's National Working Committee, emphasizing that no potential candidates...

Government is considering amending its Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) rules to enable Elon Musk's Starlink to operate in the country. Current regulations require communication companies to be 30% black-owned, which has prevented Starlink, owned by Musk's SpaceX, from securing a licence. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi plans to issue a policy direction to explore equity alternatives under t...

Mozambicans will today cast their ballots in a crucial election, with the ruling Frelimo party, in power since 1975, expected to retain its grip. However, independent candidate Venancio Mondlane poses a significant challenge. As President Filipe Nyusi steps down after two terms, Frelimo's Daniel Chapo is poised to succeed him. For expert analysis, Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor Adriano Nuvunga,...

The City of Tshwane is expected to elect a new mayor tomorrow (Wednesday). This comes after former DA mayor Cilliers Brink was ousted last month by a no-confidence vote. Party negotiations are ongoing, with ActionSA and the ANC both expected to field mayoral candidates. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Tshwane Acting mayor Dr. Nasiphi Moya 

A shocking shooting incident has left six community patrollers dead and four others injured at Lugongozo Junior Secondary School near Qumbu, Eastern Cape. The attack occurred on Sunday when a group of at least eight armed men opened fire on the patrollers. Elvis Presslin spoke to Eastern Cape Police Spokesperson, Warrant Officer Majola Nkohli, who has been handling other high-profile cases in the...

The Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Portfolio Committee on Community Safety has commended the arrests of seven police officers from Diepkloof SAPS. The officers appeared in the Protea Magistrate's Court yesterday, facing charges of murder, assault with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and housebreaking. They were each granted R3000 bail. These charges relate to a January 2023 incident where...