First Take SA

As the school bells prepare to ring today, marking the official start of the 2026 academic year, families across the country are feeling that familiar mix of excitement and bittersweet nerves. This as their little ones are trading in playtime for pencils and books today as they embark on their Grade 1 journey. It's a big day for these little learners, filled with excitement, nerves and endless pos...

Matric results are out and it's a time of mixed emotions for many learners. The #MatricUngazibulali campaign is calling on learners, families and communities to stand together against exam-related suicide and despair. The campaign, launched in 2019 by Dr. Sanele Gamede, reminds matriculants that their lives and dreams are bigger than their results. The campaign encourages open conversations about...

Flooding in Limpopo's Vhembe and Mopani districts has forced some schools to remain closed today. Heavy rains have caused disruptions and the Department of Education is assessing the damage. Parents and teachers have been advised to stay away from affected schools until further notice. For the latest update Elvis Presslin spoke to Limpopo Education MEC, Mavhungu Lerule-Ramakhanya

Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi is calling for a halt to Elon Musk's Starlink project in South Africa. Zibi cites national security concerns and Musk's alleged spread of misinformation about the country as reasons for his opposition. Zibi questions Musk's intentions, pointing to his public stance against South Africa's policies. We're joined live by Mr. Zibi, to discuss his concerns about Starlink...

  The KwaZulu-Natal Transport Department has launched an inspection of scholar transport services, with 63 fleets failing initial checks. The inspection focuses on driver permits, vehicle condition, and safety features. Transport MEC Siboniso Duma says the inspection aims to ensure pupil safety of about 77,000 pupils and will continue until schools reopen. For more we are joined on the line b...

The Gauteng government's decision to slash school budgets by 64% has been slammed by the DA, who say it's a "financial burden" on already-stressed parents. The cuts affect quintile five schools, which are fee-paying institutions and come at a time when many families are struggling to make ends meet. For more we're now joined by Michael Waters, MPL and DA Gauteng Spokesperson for Education

The Matric class of 2025 has achieved an 88% national pass rate, beating last year's 87.3%. However, BOSA leader Dr. Mmusi Maimane says the real pass rate is 54.7% - masking deeper problems. Maimane is calling for a 50% pass mark, arguing the current 30% standard sets learners up for failure. Dr. Mmusi Maimane joins us on the line...  

Gauteng Traffic Police, along with other law enforcement agencies, are ramping up road safety operations as holidaymakers head back to Gauteng. Motorist can Expect increased patrols, roadblocks and high-visibility operations on major routes, including the N3 from KwaZulu-Natal, N1 from Limpopo, N4 from Emalahleni, N12 from Potchefstroom and N1 from Bloemfontein. Officers are cracking down on reckl...

Nearly 5,000 Gauteng learners are still awaiting placement for the 2026 school year, with 1,381 Grade 1 and 3,477 Grade 8 learners yet to be placed. The Western Cape Education Department faces ongoing school re-opening pressure and SADTU in KwaZulu Natal reports concerns from school principals about readiness for reopening. Elvis Presslin spoke to SADTU spokesperson, Nomusa Cembi...

Operation Dudula is pushing ahead with its 'Put South Africans First' campaign, focusing on public school admissions. The group claims South African pupils are being excluded due to capacity issues and says it'll support affected parents. This follows previous criticism from Parliament over the group's stance on foreign nationals accessing public schools. The Gauteng Education Department says immi...

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube is set to announce the top achievers and provinces today, with individual results be released on Tuesday. The results will be published in accredited newspapers, displaying exam numbers and marks only, ensuring learner privacy. Minister Gwarube has encouraged the Class of 2025 learners to be proud of their hard work and determination. The announcement comes...

The Africa Muslims Agency and Afri-Save are leading relief efforts for residents affected by the veld fires in the Kouga area of the Eastern Cape. The fires, which ravaged the region and displaced families, are now under control, with clean-up operations underway in Humansdorp. For more Elvis Presslin spoke to Hassan Choonara, Director of the Africa Muslims Agency... 

The Border Management Authority (BMA) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) have intercepted over 20 minors near the Beitbridge border post in Limpopo. The children, aged 5-17, were travelling without parental supervision, raising concerns about child protection and exploitation. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Border Management Authority Spokesperson, Mmemme Mogotsi

Over R25-million has been paid to 233 suspended South African Police Service (SAPS) officers in under two years, with charges including rape, corruption and hijacking. Rise Mzansi Chief Organizer and National Assembly Caucus Whip, Makashule Gana says the party is alarmed by the figures and will seek a briefing from SAPS and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (IPID). For more on the p...

A massive fire is raging across several areas in Kouga, prompting urgent evacuation orders and road closures. The fire, which started on Tuesday, has spread rapidly due to strong winds and dry conditions, affecting areas like Zwartenbosch, Oyster Bay Road and Kromme River. Emergency services are on the scene, and residents are being urged to evacuate immediately. For the latest update Elvis Pressl...

The ANC marked its 114th anniversary yesterday, with celebrations set to culminate at Moruleng Stadium in Rustenburg this Saturday. President Cyril Ramaphosa emphasized the party's unique role in South Africa, highlighting its ability to bring people together despite challenges. The ANC says it is working to mend strained relations with the SACP to preserve their alliance. Ramaphosa acknowledged t...

Soil of Africa is rejecting the Gauteng Department of Education's claim that only 4,858 learners are unplaced for the 2026 academic year, calling it a "failure" and a "crisis of governance". The organisation says thousands of children being denied access to education is unacceptable and reflects poor planning and weak infrastructure delivery. Soil of Africa's President, King Bongani Ramontja, will...

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 United States has seized two oil tankers linked to Venezuela. One vessel, previously known as Bella 1 and now called Marinera, was boarded in the North Atlantic after weeks of pursuit by the US Coast Guard. The ship had changed its name and adopted a Russian flag to evade capture. The second vessel, carrying oil and sailing under a Cameroonian flag, was seized in the Caribbean. The seizures ar...

The South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) is warning matriculants to be cautious of unregistered institutions offering fake study opportunities. SAQA says students should verify institutions before paying fees. Elvis Presslin spoke to SAQA's Chief Operating Officer Dr. Makhapa Makhafola

A coalition of South African trade unions, political groups and civil society organisations will picket outside the American Embassy in Pretoria today to condemn -of what they say - is the US military invasion of Venezuela and the 'kidnapping' of President Nicolás Maduro and First Lady Cilia Flores. The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) says it supports the protest saying the...

A proposal has been put forward to increase South Africa's legal drinking age from 18 to between 21 and 23. Gatekeepers South Africa has written to President Cyril Ramaphosa, citing the country's struggles with alcohol abuse and its link to domestic violence, drunk driving, and other risks. Despite previous proposals, little progress has been made to address the issue. For reaction to the proposal...

The appointment of Advocate Andy Mothibi as the new National Director of Public Prosecutions has been met with cautious optimism by ActionSA. The party says the move highlights the need for reform in how the heads of the prosecuting authority are appointed. ActionSA is concerned that Mothibi's appointment, made unilaterally by President Cyril Ramaphosa, may not bring the change needed to address t...

AZAPO is calling for FIFA to ban the United States from international football competitions, citing the country's "illegal aggression" against Venezuela. The group is condemning the US military strikes and the abduction of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro saying it's a violation of international law. Elvis Presslin spoke to AZAPO President, Nelvis Qekema