First Take SA

The South African government is facing backlash over the removal of an artwork from the Venice Biennale. Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie pulled Gabrielle Goliath's Elegy, citing "division", but critics say it's a clear case of state censorship. The artwork, a ritualised practice of mourning, tackles femicide, sexual violence and patriarchal systems. McKenzie's move has sparked...

The Greater Gauteng Learner Transport Organisation has pinned the blame for the Vanderbijlpark accident, In Vaal which killed 14 learners, on the driver's negligence. The Organisation's General Secretary Sibongile Maseko says the driver had proper documentation but failed to ensure safety. She spoke to our Senior producer Ronald Phiri, expressing her sorrow and that they're working with authoritie...

Parents of the 14 learners killed in a tragic taxi scholar transport accident in Vanderbijlpark say they are still waiting for a visit from the owner of the taxi and the taxi organisation.  Elvis Presslin spoke to Mmaki Josephine Mokhobo, a grieving mother who lost her daughter in the tragic scholar transport accident.

ActionSA and the Democratic Alliance are calling for an urgent investigation into reports that senior SANDF officials defied President Cyril Ramaphosa's orders during naval drills in Simon's Town. The President had reportedly instructed that Iran be excluded from the exercises, but Iranian warships allegedly took part. ActionSA's parliamentary chief whip, Lerato Ngobeni, says this is a "serious br...

RISE Mzansi is backing National Treasury's decision to extend the deadline for public comment on the proposed online gambling tax to the 27th of February this year. The party is urging all South Africans to participate in the process, saying the proposed tax is a step towards regulating an industry that has caused harm to lives and livelihoods. Elvis Presslin spoke to RISE Mzansi Chief Organiser a...

The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) is calling for urgent national action to strengthen disaster management systems. The government has declared a national disaster in provinces hit by severe flooding, including KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Western Cape, which has also faced fires. SALGA Chairperson for Emergency Services and Disaster Management Working Group, Mlul...

The government has declared a national disaster in provinces hit by severe flooding, including KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Western Cape; which has also experiencenced  wild fires. Heavy rainfall has displaced many communities, damaged homes and disrupted basic services. The South African Red Cross Society has responded to the disasters, but says that collective action is needed...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the recent floods in Limpopo as catastrophic, with 36 houses damaged in Mbaula village. The province is experiencing widespread flooding, affecting hundreds of families, particularly in Vhembe and Mopani districts. The South African Weather Service has issued a level 10 warning, with further heavy rainfall expected. The government has deployed multi-discipli...

The Office of the Tax Ombud is urging taxpayers to know their rights and get help with SARS disputes. The Tax Ombud offers free, independent assistance with tax complaints. Tax Ombud officials will be available for radio interviews to explain the services they offer and how to access them. The Tax Ombud's "Be A Smart Taxpayer" campaign aims to educate taxpayers on their rights and obligations. The...

KwaZulu-Natal Public Works MEC Martin Mayer is calling for schools to get relief from municipal rates. Some schools in the province have faced water and electricity cuts due to unpaid bills. MEC Mayer visited the Durban School for the Hearing Impaired in Amanzimtoti, where he handed over books and acknowledged the challenges faced by schools. The MEC says it's unfair for schools to be burdened wit...

ActionSA has introduced the Fallen Whistleblowers Bill, aimed at protecting those who expose corruption. The party says the bill is a response to the government's failure to tackle corruption, which they say has severe consequences for South Africans. ActionSA claims whistleblowers have been targeted and even killed for speaking out against corruption, citing cases like Babita Deokran and Marumo E...

The Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU is warning that 230 jobs are at risk at British American Tobacco's Heidelberg factory due to the growing illicit tobacco trade. British American Tobacco is closing its South African manufacturing plant, citing the rise of cheap, illegal cigarettes as a major factor. COSATU says the illicit trade now accounts for 75% of total sales, with illegal pr...

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

In the City of Tshwane, the Bad Buildings Committee has stepped up enforcement against illegal structures and safety violations. This week a multi-disciplinary operation in Pretoria West and surrounding industrial areas issued 21-day contravention notices, warnings and fines to several property owners. Officials say the sweep targeted illegal construction, health and safety breaches and unauthoris...

Tensions ran high at Addington Primary School in Durban yesterday as parents clashed over learner enrolment. Protesters demanded immigrant children be admitted, while others insisted South African learners be prioritised. The school says it followed proper admission procedures, but civic movement March and March claims nearly 100 local children were denied space. Addington is the reportedly only p...

Frustrated parents in Gauteng are calling for the scrapping of the online school application system, with thousands of learners still unplaced as the 2026 academic year begins. Around 4,000 Grade 1 and Grade 8 students are yet to be allocated schools, with many reportedly placed far from home. The Gauteng Department of Education says it's releasing placement offers daily, but parents remain skepti...

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has welcomed the resignation of Independent Development Trust (IDT) CEO Tebogo Malaka, who was suspended following allegations of attempting to bribe a journalist. Macpherson had laid criminal charges against Malaka and spokesperson Phasha Makgolane, citing "sickening" corruption attempts. The move comes after a video surfaced showing Malaka...

The Democratic Alliance is urging International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola to take action against Iran at the United Nations Human Rights Council. The call comes as Iran's death toll from anti-government protests nears 3000. The DA says South Africa's constitution requires the government to protect human rights globally and condemn authoritarian regimes. Elvis Presslin spoke to Na'eem Jeenah...

The African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association (AUBBTA) is calling on the government to declare a national disaster in Limpopo Province due to severe flooding and infrastructure damage. Heavy rainfall has left communities stranded, roads blocked and food transportation disrupted, particularly in border areas with Mozambique and Zimbabwe, such as Bennde Mutale Village. AUBBTA Chairperson, Phumudz...

ActionSA is preparing legal papers to challenge the classification of the IPID report into the Phala Phala investigation as "Top Secret". The party argues the decision is an attempt to keep the report from the public and is challenging the constitutionality of the Minimum Information Security Standards policy. The report relates to the investigation into the conduct of Presidential Protection Unit...

Border Management Authority officers at Beitbridge Port of Entry have intercepted another group of undocumented minor children. Authorities detained 33 children, aged between 4 and 15 years, all travelling without proper documentation from South Africa to Zimbabwe. Two Zimbabwean men have been arrested on charges of facilitating illegal movement of persons under the Immigration Act. For the latest...

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...