First Take SA

Umnontho Wabantu Abansundu, a civic organization aligned with the uMkhonto weSizwe party has expressed support for the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, IPID's decision to retract a letter demanding a response from KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. The letter stemmed from anonymous allegations that Mkhwanazi protected a prison official linked to drug activities. Whi...

Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi has unveiled plans to establish 1,650 new public sector positions to tackle staffing shortages in hospitals, a response prompted by widespread protests from unemployed doctors. For reaction Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Cedric Sihlangu, General Secretary of the South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU)

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

A recent national study conducted by Stellenbosch University has unveiled a deeply concerning trend among South African teachers, who are grappling with overwhelming administrative burdens and emotional stress. The findings indicate that half of the educators surveyed are contemplating exiting the profession within the next ten years, attributing their decision to burnout and inadequate mental hea...

The City of Tshwane has recently approved special leave for employees undergoing Ukuthwasa, a deeply sacred and spiritual initiation into traditional African healing practices. To shed light on this significant decision, Elvis Presslin spoke to the MMC for Corporate and Shared Services at the City of Tshwane, Kholofelo Morodi

Prominent Advocate Dali Mpofu is set to face a disciplinary hearing end of April following the Legal Practice Council's decision to bring seven charges against him. Among the allegations, Mpofu is accused of tarnishing the reputation of the legal profession. To explore whether these charges are a just assessment of Mpofu's conduct or part of a wider trend of scrutiny facing Black lawyers in South...

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) has welcomed the Constitutional Court's decision that now permits municipal workers to hold public office. This ruling comes after the South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) contested provisions in the Municipal Systems Act that previously prohibited municipal employees from taking up such positions. To discuss this development in greater...

Today marks 32 years since the assassination of revered former General Secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP), Chris Hani. Hani, an anti-Apartheid activist was brutally gunned down on the 10th of April in 1993. A commemorative event is set to take place in Cofimvaba, Eastern Cape in Hani's honour. Amidst the reflections, the Hani family and the SACP continue to demand an inquest to...

President Trump has announced a 90-day suspension of tariffs on all countries except China, while simultaneously increasing the tariff rate on Chinese goods to 125%. Following this period, the tariff rate is set to decrease to a uniform 10% for all nations except China, which will remain subject to the elevated levy. The White House states that this decision comes as dozens of countries have expre...

The Western Cape High Court has ruled in favour of 53 independent schools against the City of Cape Town in a significant judgment involving unpaid municipal rates. The schools, all non-profit institutions, challenged the City's decision to backdate and demand rates retrospectively, despite their long-standing status as public benefit organizations. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to C...

Former police commissioner Riah Phiyega has sparked fresh debate over the role of smartphones in South African schools, urging leaders to take a bold stand on the issue. In a recent City Press article, Phiyega warns that the growing dependence on smartphones in classrooms may be harming learners' focus, discipline, and emotional wellbeing. Her remarks come as countries around the world begin to re...

The Democratic Alliance, DA says it is willing to discuss power-sharing with the ANC. DA National Spokesperson, Karabo Khakhau spoke to Elvis Presslin

ActionSA has declared it will not entertain the idea of joining the Government of National Unity (GNU) unless the proposed VAT hike is reversed. The party's leadership made the announcement yesterday - this as the impasse around the national budget continues. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA National Chairperson, Michael Beaumont

Parliament's Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police Ian Cameron has strongly criticized proposed amendments to private security legislation, cautioning that they could severely undermine the industry and jeopardize community safety. Cameron warns that the changes threaten over 500,000 jobs and essential frontline safety tools, such as tasers. The draft firearm regulations, recently gazet...

The Board of Healthcare Funders says it will appeal a North Gauteng High Court ruling that dismissed its bid to compel regulators to allow low-cost benefit options stripped-down medical aid plans for low-income South Africans. The court sided with government arguments favouring the National Health Insurance, NHI. The BHF insists low-cost benefit options could extend private healthcare to 10 millio...

The South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) in the Eastern Cape will today march to the Buffalo City Metro to address a range of pressing issues affecting the city. The demonstration aims to highlight alleged financial mismanagement, corruption, inadequate service delivery, and violations of labour rights. To discuss this further Elvis Pressline spoke to Asamza Ntaka, the Provincial Secreta...

Today, Speaker of Council Nobuhle Mthembu will spearhead the City of Johannesburg's Integrated Development Plan (IDP) 2025/26 session for Region B at the Danie Van Zyl Recreational Centre. According to the council speaker, these IDP sessions are a vital mechanism for fostering dialogue between residents and municipal leaders, enabling communities to hold the City accountable for service delivery w...

Cosatu in Limpopo, along with workers from Sekhukhune will today hold a picket at the Nebo Magistrate's Court to show solidarity with a 17-year-old girl who was raped near Jane Furse. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to Hangwani Mashao, the Provincial Secretary of Cosatu in Limpopo

South Africa is confronting a troubling surge in rape cases involving minors. The crisis has been brought into sharp focus by the recent assault of a 7-year-old girl, allegedly at a school in the Eastern Cape. The incident has ignited nationwide protests, amplifying outrage as reports of similar crimes against children emerge from across the country. To delve deeper into this escalating crisis of...

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 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today open the Police Summit taking place at Emperor's Place in Boksburg. The summit which runs from today until the Thursday under the theme "Efficiency in Action" is aimed at Optimising South Africa's Policing Potential. For more on this we Elvis Presslin spoke to South African Policing Union, SAPU Spokesperson, Lesiba Thobakgale

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in Limpopo is calling for officials from the Vhembe District Municipality to be held to account for continuing to violate basic human rights of residents by failing to provide clean water in the area. The party says the dignity and daily survival of Vhembe residents will continue to be under threat, unless national government intervenes after a R20-million wate...

President Cyril Ramaphosa says business cannot dictate terms to the government or the ANC, as tensions rise with its GNU partner the Democratic Alliance (DA) over the national budget. The DA has rejected the proposed fiscal framework, objecting to a planned VAT increase, while the ANC maintains it is essential to fund public services. Speaking amid the dispute, Ramaphosa stressed that the ANC's de...

Former Public Protector and MK MP Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane has accused the Legal Practice Council of targeting her with politically motivated efforts to remove her from the roll of advocates. Mkhwebane was removed from office in 2023 after 318 MPs voted in favour of her removal, following a Section 194 inquiry that upheld charges of misconduct and incompetence against her. Elvis Presslin spoke...

A new study by Tshwane University of Technology has revealed a troubling lack of technological competence among South Africa's civil servants. The report finds that, despite most public servants being familiar with technology, they struggle to apply it effectively to boost the efficiency of the state. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to one of the authors of the study, Professor of Public Af...