First Take SA

A crucial court battle is underway in the Johannesburg High Court as SECTION27, representing the Cancer Alliance, takes on the Gauteng Department of Health and nine others. The case centers on the department's alleged failure to utilize R784 million allocated for addressing radiation and surgical backlogs in the province. This delay has resulted in the loss of lives among cancer patients. To discu...

In a groundbreaking move, the Midvaal Municipality in Gauteng is taking steps to cut ties with Eskom, opting instead to partner with a private company for its electricity supply. Renowned for its strong financial management and a clean slate with Eskom, the municipality is planning a 20-year public-private partnership (PPP) to secure its energy needs. This bold initiative is being hailed as a pote...

Gauteng Economic Development MEC Lebogang Maile has issued a stern warning to South African citizens against registering spaza shops on behalf of foreign nationals. This caution comes amid growing concerns over the legitimacy of some spaza shop operations in the province. Mec Maile spoke to our Senior Producer, Ronald Phiri about the requirements to register spaza shops and what the implications o...

Tensions are running high in Soweto as residents protest against foreign nationals owning spaza shops in the area. The demonstrations, which erupted outside the Customer Service Centre in Jabulani yesterday, come after President Cyril Ramaphosa's directive requiring all spaza shops and food handling facilities to register with their local municipalities within 21 days. At the heart of the unrest i...

The Department of Basic Education says it is still finalizing its position on the banning of the publishing of matric results in newspapers. This comes after the Information Regulator found that the Department failed to obtain the consent of matric candidates or their parents to publish the 2023 matric exam results. For further discussions, Elvis Presslin spoke to Afriforum's Head of Cultural Affa...

Public consultations on the proposed Marriage Bill have commenced in Gauteng, sparking intense debate across South Africa. The bill aims to establish a unified marriage system, consolidating the current three separate laws that govern different types of unions into one, accommodating all cultures and religious beliefs. The proposed bill has already ignited fierce discussions, with various stakehol...

The Balfour Magistrate's Court has slapped the Dipaleseng Local Municipality in Mpumalanga with a R160 million fine for severe environmental violations. The municipality's reckless actions polluted local water sources, leaving residents, livestock, and ecosystems to suffer the consequences from 2018 to 2023. Deputy Minister of Water and Sanitation, Sello Seitlholo, has welcomed the ruling, calling...

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has obtained a preservation order against Groen Mintirho, a company linked to former ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe. The order is part of an investigation into alleged procurement irregularities involving the company, the Department of Agriculture, and the City of Ekurhuleni. The SIU is probing the purchase of 200 three-wheeler vehicles, worth R27.6 million, for a...

The High Court in Pretoria is set to hear a critical case today, determining the fate of hundreds of illegal miners underground at a Stilfontein mine in the North West province. In a recent interim ruling, the court ordered that all miners be allowed to exit the mine freely, without obstruction. This decision comes as the miners have been hiding from police, fearing arrest upon resurfacing. For in...

A devastating report by the Human Sciences Research Council has laid bare the shocking reality of gender-based violence in South Africa. The study reveals that a staggering 36% of women, approximately 7.8 million, have endured physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. We delve deeper into these alarming findings with Themba Masango, co-founder and secretary-general of #NotInMyName.

Durban will host the eighth National Conversation on Homelessness today. The two-day summit promises insightful discussions on critical topics such as addiction, shelters, urban gardening, and access to government services. The event will also feature updates on the Green Paper being developed for the Department of Social Development, which could shape a future National Homeless Policy. For more o...

Operation Dudula is set to picket against foreigners registering their spaza shops in South Africa. This follows President Ramaphosa's announcement that all spaza shops must register with their municipalities within 21 days. The move comes amid growing tensions over foreign-owned spaza shops, with concerns over food safety and the sale of expired and counterfeit goods. Recent incidents of food poi...

The Democratic Alliance is set to protest against Eskom's proposed 40% tariff hike at the National Energy Regulator of South Africa, NERSA's public hearings in the Western Cape today. The hearings in Cape Town will provide a platform for the public to voice their concerns over the proposed tariff increase, which Cape Town Mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis says will have a devastating impact on households...

The High Court in Pretoria has postponed a crucial application regarding the fate of hundreds of illegal miners trapped underground at a Stilfontein mine in the North West. The case will now be heard on Tuesday. The court ruled that the mine, used by suspected illegal miners must be unblocked. This decision is expected to aid in the ongoing rescue efforts which resume today. The situation remains...

In a decades-old case, the family of anti-apartheid activist Caiphus Nyoka, alongside the Foundation for Human Rights and the law firm Webber Wentzel, have hailed recent progress as a long-overdue move toward justice for Nyoka's brutal murder. This comes after Johan Marais, a former police officer, admitted to the 1987 killing of Nyoka, pleading guilty in the Pretoria High Court. Marais' convictio...

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is set to visit Stilfontein, in the North West province, amid a growing crisis over illegal mining. This follows reports that a large number of illegal miners remain trapped underground. Local residents recently took action to rescue approximately 4,500 miners they say are stranded beneath the surface. Yesterday, several individuals were successfully brought up, along...

The Limpopo Legislature has rejected claims of nepotism and corruption against Speaker Makoma Makhurupetje. The EFF in Limpopo alleged that the Speaker created jobs for family members, while also accusing Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba of favouring Venda-speakers when hiring health workers. However, the Speaker has vehemently rejected these claims, labelling them as "baseless" and "defamatory". Mako...

The City of Johannesburg's Revenue Shared Service Centre is set to launch a series of Open Days across its seven regions, providing customers with a unique opportunity to engage directly with city officials and address their account queries and billing concerns. The move is part of the city's efforts to enhance customer experience and improve the accuracy of billing and resolution of overdue queri...

Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy is set to launch the country's Festive Season Road Safety Campaign this Sunday. The initiative aims to tackle the unique road safety challenges posed by the country's diverse transportation modes, particularly during the upcoming festive season which is expected to see a surge in road accidents. Road Traffic Management Corporation, RTMC Spokesperson, Simon Zwane...

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 National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has embarked on a strike at ArcelorMittal South Africa in response to the company's decision to retrench 107 workers just before Christmas. NUMSA National Spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, spoke to Elvis Presslin to discuss the strike and the union's demands...

Scores of people from mining-affected communities are marching to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources today, calling for the recognition of their rights. The march is part of a broader campaign by the Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) to demand mandatory consent from mining-affected communities before mining rights are granted. At the heart of the issue is the need...

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has drawn widespread condemnation and anger following her decision not to rescue illegal miners trapped underground in the North West. When asked about the government's response to scores of illegal miners trapped underground in Stilfontein Minister Ntshavheni said: "We will smoke them out". Her remarks have been met with fierce condemnation, with ma...

Tensions are running high at the Lebombo port of entry, where law enforcement agencies have temporarily suspended the processing of people and cargo due to intensified protests. The South African Border Management Authority has taken the decision to protect property and personnel, citing concerns over the volatile situation on the Mozambican side of the border. For the latest on this developing st...

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation is urging swift action to address the City of Johannesburg's deteriorating state. Residents are struggling daily with water outages, Eskom's threats over unpaid bills, and crumbling infrastructure. The foundation highlights the dire need for intervention, citing roads in disrepair, broken streetlights, and neglected public spaces. To delve deeper into this crisis, Elv...