First Take SA

The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa, CONTRALESA has called for urgent government intervention over the coronation of foreign nationals on South African soil. CONTRALESA said the practice undermines traditional authority and disrespects local customs. The call follows recent protests in the Eastern Cape and claims of more similar coronations taking place. The organisation warned tha...

The Democratic Alliance, DA says it will hand over a petition with over 16 000 signatures to the Gauteng Provincial Legislature today, opposing a 64% cut to Quintile 5 public schools. The party argues the reductions have left many schools struggling to cover basic services like electricity, water and maintenance. The petition calls for the funding decision to be reversed. For more we spoke to&nbsp...

A look at the current top African economic stories. We speak to 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

The Democratic Alliance will stage a picket today against Ekurhuleni City Manager Kagiso Lerutla's return to office. The party says his presence at the head of the city's administration is an indictment on those who enable him. We spoke to  DA Ekurhuleni Mayoral Candidate Khathutshelo Rasilingwane 

Education activist Hendrick Makaneta is urging reflection and unity as tensions rise around the March and March campaign. He says organisers should honour Nigeria and other African states for their support during the anti-apartheid struggle. Makaneta also warned against targeting undocumented children, stressing every child has a constitutional right to basic education.

Solidarity has lodged a complaint with the International Labour Organisation in Geneva, Switzerland against the South African government. The union says government breached a 2023 agreement on racial legislation that was made a court order but never published as regulations. Solidarity says the move shows contempt for both international processes and local courts and forms part of a broader campai...

The Gauteng Department of Health says hypertension cases are rising among adults under 45 across the province. More than 69,000 new cases were recorded in the 2025/26 financial year, with over 26,000 in people aged 18 to 44. Officials warn the condition, known as the "silent killer," remains a leading cause of stroke, heart disease and kidney failure. We spoke to  Steve Mabona, Gauteng Depart...

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

The Cradle of Humankind in Mogale City, Johannesburg is facing ongoing sewage pollution due to repeated failures at the Percy Stewart Wastewater Treatment Plant. Untreated and partially treated sewage has been flowing into nearby rivers, raising concerns over ecological damage and risks to underground cave systems holding human evolutionary fossils. The Democratic Alliance says the situation refle...

Former President Jacob Zuma has instructed lawyers to appeal a Pietermaritzburg High Court ruling that the Arms Deal trial must continue without further delays. Judge Nkosinathi Chili granted the State's "Stop Stalingrad" application, ordering Zuma and a Thales representative to appear in person when proceedings start in February next year. We spoke to the Jacob Zuma Foundation's spokesperson, Mzw...

The Democratic Alliance has welcomed the removal of Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe from Cabinet, saying the decision follows sustained pressure from the party for accountability. The DA argues that Tolashe's position had become untenable and has praised President Cyril Ramaphosa for taking action. However, the party is now calling for urgency in appointing a permanent replacement at th...

AfriForum has asked the City of Johannesburg to explain a proposed 65.6% increase to its water demand management levy, warning it may be unlawful and unfair to residents. The levy would rise from R65.08 to R107.74 per month for domestic users under the 2026/27 draft tariffs now open for comment. AfriForum says the city must show how the increase was calculated and whether it meets legal requiremen...

The Gauteng Health department is warning the public against using unregulated injections for body and sexual enhancement after two Ekurhuleni patients suffered severe complications, including organ failure. The departments says substances, accessed through informal channels for procedures like BBLs, are not approved for human use and their contents remain unknown. Gauteng Health is working with re...

Eleven suspects, including four Mexican nationals, have been arrested after a major drug bust at a clandestine lab on a Swartruggens farm. SAPS Crime Intelligence and the Hawks uncovered drugs worth millions and say the find points to a sophisticated trafficking network in rural areas. The Moral Regeneration Movement says the bust confirms a shift of drug operations away from cities. It is calling...

The City of Johannesburg says it has collected close to R100 million in a few months after clamping down on illegal outdoor advertising. This is a sharp rise from the roughly R4 million generated annually before enforcement began earlier this year. Officials say the campaign targets non-compliant billboards and aims to ensure businesses contribute fairly to service delivery. We spoke to  Jobu...

The Forum for South Africa, FOSA has condemned the Public Protector for threatening legal action against people who insult her over the Phala Phala matter. FOSA says the warning of fines or jail risks intimidating public criticism and sets a dangerous precedent. It argues the move undermines freedom of expression and the constitutional principle that no office-bearer is above the law. The group is...

COSATU has rejected Parliament's Impeachment Committee composition, saying it is unconstitutional. The union says limiting the Committee to 31 members cut the ANC's representation to 30%, below its 40% share in Parliament. The Committee was formed after a Constitutional Court ruling to probe allegations around foreign currency found at President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm. COSATU warns the...

ActionSA says it has laid criminal charges against President Cyril Ramaphosa in connection with the Phala Phala farm burglary. The party says the charges relate to alleged contraventions of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act, as well as accusations of perjury and fraud. These claims centre on the alleged concealment or underreporting of the amount of money stolen during the 202...

Calls are mounting to extend the Madlanga Commission investigating alleged infiltration of criminal syndicates into law enforcement and government. Early findings point to corruption and weak oversight in municipalities like Ekurhuleni and Tshwane. Concerns are also rising over the effectiveness of municipal Section 79 and 80 committees, meant to ensure accountability but reportedly hampered by po...

Asylum seekers and advocacy groups have expressed concern over the Constitutional Court's ruling that bars rejected applicants from submitting new applications once their case is finalised. The decision overturns a Supreme Court of Appeal judgment that allowed rejected asylum seekers to reapply while remaining in South Africa. Many now worry the ruling could leave genuine refugees with no legal re...

ActionSA has called on President Ramaphosa to fire GNU ministers it blames for South Africa's worsening jobs crisis. The party cited Stats SA data showing 345,000 jobs lost in the first quarter of 2026, pushing unemployment to 32.7%. It said community services and construction were hit hardest, with youth unemployment also rising sharply. ActionSA says the figures reflect policy failure and will w...

The African People's Convention, APC has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to account to Parliament over the Phala Phala Review Panel report. The APC says taking the matter to judicial review avoids giving the public and Parliament his side of the story. It argues that challenging a process meant to clear his name undermines accountability. The party says Parliament must proceed with its duties...

The Solidarity Trades' Network has threatened legal action against the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations over delays in issuing red seal certificates to young artisans. It says nearly 100 artisans have joined a class action after waiting months despite completing training and passing trade tests. Coordinator Stef Pretorius says the delays are unlawful and harming careers and incomes. He j...

The Social Movement for Advocacy, Rights and Transformation, SMART says a scathing report from the Gauteng Liquor Board's (GLB) Committee of Inquiry report reveals corruption, maladministration and unlawful licensing practices. SMART says thousands of illegal outlets operate near schools and residential areas due to weak oversight and too few inspectors. The group is calling for criminal investiga...

A look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoesoana