First Take SA

As South Africa continues to grapple with high levels of violence, a growing movement is calling for a shift in how we address the root causes. The Heartlines Fathers Matter campaign is urging men—and society at large—to recognise the critical role fathers and male role models play in shaping the emotional development of children and preventing violence before it begins. For Themba Dla...

In a significant ruling, the Constitutional Court of South Africa has upheld a decision by the Supreme Court of Appeal, confirming that directives issued by the South African Human Rights Commission are not legally binding. While the Commission retains its powers to investigate complaints and make findings on human rights violations, the judgment makes it clear that it cannot enforce compliance th...

The Department of Employment and Labour has issued notice to cancel the registration of trade union BEMAWU. Deputy Registrar Mongwadi Mary Ngwetjana cites failure to comply with sections of the Labour Relations Act and says the union ceased to function. BEMAWU and interested parties now have 60 days to submit written representations on why registration should not be cancelled. We spoke to William...

The Zambian government will repatriate former President Edgar Lungu for a state funeral after a 2025 Gauteng High Court ruling. The Lungu family's appeal to the Supreme Court of Appeal has reportedly lapsed, clearing the way for the process. Authorities have not confirmed when repatriation will begin as investigations continue. We spoke to Mr. Chanoda Ngwira, Friend to former Zambian President Edg...

The DA will today open a criminal case against Social Development Minister Sisisi Tolashe. The charges relate to Minister Tolashe's alleged failure to declare luxury vehicles donated by the Chinese Embassy. The DA will open the case this morning at Cape Town Police Station. The party wants SAPS to run a full investigation into the matter. We spoke to DA MP, Nazley Sharif

The Public Servants Association has strongly condemned the continued attacks on educators in Ekurhuleni, raising serious concerns about the safety of teachers in schools. The union says these incidents not only threaten the lives of educators but also undermine the learning environment and the broader education system. With growing calls for urgent intervention, questions are now being raised abou...

The ANC has recalled Madibeng mayor Douglas Maimane after a recording surfaced of him offering R200,000 to opposition councillors. In the audio, Maimane asked them to turn against the ANC, his own party, ahead of upcoming local government elections. We spoke to ANC North West spokesperson, Tumelo Maruping.

The EFF has asked Parliament to intervene urgently to stop professional bodies from charging membership fees to unemployed graduates. The party says Councils for nurses, doctors, educators, accountants, engineers and lawyers still demand annual fees even when young professionals earn no income. It argues that non-payment leads to suspension from registers, blocking job-seekers from staying complia...

The Information Regulator has welcomed a Government Gazette on Consumer Protection Act amendments aimed at curbing spam calls. The state entity says the added protection is necessary but stressed POPIA compliance remains mandatory for all direct marketers. Under POPIA, marketers must get consumer consent before sending unsolicited electronic marketing. This applies even if people are not registere...

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union in the North West Province has expressed deep frustration over the continued delay in appointing a permanent Provincial Commissioner for the South African Police Service. The position has remained vacant since December 2024, leaving the province without stable leadership for nearly two years. This comes at a time when crime remains a serious concern, raisi...

Some traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal have raised concern about how Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi is allocating tools of trade. The dispute follows decisions to buy SUVs for several amaKhosi while others say they still lack vehicles, tents and mobile fridges to do their work. AmaKhosi met with Contralesa on Monday to table grievances over what they call uneven distribution of resources. We sp...

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

Members of the Zimbabwe Nurses Association have opted for a 72-hour stay-away instead of planned public demonstrations amid claims that nurses were intimidated and discouraged from protesting publicly. The stay-away, however, is already raising serious concerns about its impact on patient care, with fears that disruptions in services could put lives at risk. The government, on the other hand, main...

The Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed the Road Accident Fund's appeal with costs. The court confirmed undocumented foreign nationals can claim from the Fund, upholding a 2024 High Court ruling. Judges said Section 17(1) of the RAF Act covers "any person" and does not exclude claimants based on immigration status. The case followed a 2022 RAF directive demanding stamped passports, which was fou...

The ANC has issued an ultimatum giving all ANC and SACP members ten days to choose which party to campaign for in the local government elections. Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says letters will be sent to SACP members on Thursday. The move follows a Special NEC meeting on the SACP's decision to contest elections independently. Mbalula says members cannot campaign for both parties in the local e...

Calls are growing for the Department of Small Business Development to be shut down, amid concerns about its effectiveness in supporting small enterprises and driving economic growth. The Black Business Unity has weighed in on the debate, raising questions about whether the department is delivering on its mandate or if resources could be better utilised elsewhere. This comes at a time when small bu...

The Activists and Citizens Forum has welcomed the arrest of suspended acting Ekurhuleni Metro Police headJulius Mkhwanazi, describing it as long overdue. This follows serious allegations raised at the Madlanga Commission, where testimony from senior officials, including Crime Intelligence bossDumisani Khumalo, painted a deeply troubling picture of alleged criminality within law enforcement structu...

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to brief media in Johannesburg today on relations between the ANC and the SACP. The briefing follows the ANC's Special NEC meeting held two weeks ago to discuss the SACP's decision to contest future elections independently. Ramaphosa and party officials will also report back on the ANC's Local Government Action Plan after the Councillor Roll Call convened in Se...

Suspended acting Ekurhuleni Metro Police head Julius Mkhwanazi will appear in the Boksburg Magistrate's Court this morning alongside a senior municipal official. The pair were arrested at the weekend and face charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice. ActionSA has welcomed the arrests and is calling for Mkhwanazi's immediate dismissal from the City of Ekurhuleni. We spoke to T...

The Gauteng Department of Health has raised concern over a sharp rise in malaria cases and related deaths across the province. While malaria is both preventable and treatable, delayed diagnosis can be fatal. Health officials say the increase is partly linked to travel to high-risk regions such as Limpopo and Mpumalanga, as well as neighbouring countries including Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. A...

The Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU has welcomed the 2026 increase in the Basic Conditions of Employment Annual Income Threshold from 1 May. The Federation has also raised serious concerns about past failures to adjust the threshold which governs access to overtime pay, CCMA protections, unemployment insurance and paid leave. COSATU is calling for a comprehensive review to expand co...

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.

SECTION27 is raising urgent concerns over the looming eviction of the Talisman Foundation, a long-standing mental healthcare facility in Johannesburg that houses around 200 vulnerable residents. After more than two decades at its current premises, the foundation has been given notice to vacate by next month, sparking fears of a humanitarian crisis, drawing comparisons to the Life Esidimeni tragedy...

The ANC Women's League has welcomed the Judicial Service Commission's decision to upgrade the sanction against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge from misconduct to gross misconduct. The move places the judge in the realm of possible impeachment. In its report released yesterday (Thursday), the JSC said it does not endorse the Tribunal's finding that there was no sexual harassment. The Co...

The Forum of South Africa (FOSA) has raised concerns following the sentencing of Julius Malema, warning of what it describes as a growing pattern of selective justice in South Africa. While reaffirming that no one is above the law, FOSA argues that the justice system is increasingly inconsistent and unevenly applied. We spoke to Tebogo Mashilompane, the National Leader of Forum for South Africa.