First Take SA

President Cyril Ramaphosa has signed into law the amended Marine Pollution Act. The law is aimed at protecting South Africa's extensive coastline from ship-related pollution. With over 3,000 kilometers of coastline, the country's environmental and economic security rely heavily on preserving its marine environment. To delve deeper into this significant development, Elvis Presslin spoke to Monica S...

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union is today expected to submit a memorandum of demands to National Treasury and South African Reserve Bank, in a bid to prevent the impending liquidation of Ithala Bank. NEHAWU is among a number of entities that have opposed the Prudential Authority's appication to liquidate the state-owned bank due to insolvency. The union says the bank's more...

Former President Jacob Zuma's daughter, Duduzile Sambudla-Zuma, is set to appear in the Durban Magistrates Court tomorrow in connection with the July 2021 unrest. The uMkhonto Wesizwe Party leaders in KwaZulu-Natal have confirmed her court appearance and have called on party members to show their support by gathering outside the court. This development comes as 65 alleged instigators are expected...

Defence Minister Angie Motshekga is today expected to address the nation on the tragic deaths of 13 SANDF members in the DRC. The briefing is expected to provide details on the recent incident. For more insights, Elvis Presslin spoke to SA National Defence Union (SANDU) Chief Negotiator, Jeff Dubazana

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has raised concerns over a R236 million Johannesburg Water tanker tender awarded to Nutinox and Builtpro Construction, sparking calls for a National Treasury investigation. As the controversy unfolds, DA Johannesburg Caucus Leader, Belinda Kayser-Echeo-zonjoku, spoke to Elvis Presslin to provide insight into the allegations surrounding this lucrative tender...

Ithala Bank is in court today, seeking an urgent order to enforce a previous ruling that allows its board to manage the bank's operations and accounts. This comes after the Prudential Authority's bid to liquidate the bank due to insolvency. The KwaZulu-Natal Treasury department has filed papers in support of Ithala Bank, opposing the liquidation application. For insight into this unfolding drama,...

South African dancer Mara Gwatyu is stepping into the international spotlight after being selected to showcase her work at the esteemed Cyprus Dance Film Festival in February. This international festival celebrates the best of dance filmmaking. Mara spoke to Elvis Presslin, to share more about this incredible opportunity

The Indigenous First Nation Advocacy South Africa (IFNASA) has strongly condemned the newly signed Land Expropriation Without Compensation Act, calling it a devastating blow to the land restitution rights of indigenous San and Khoi people. The Advocacy group believes the Act prioritizes cheap reconciliation over justice, further marginalizing already vulnerable communities. To delve deeper into th...

Fighting has intensified in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo, as rebels and government forces continue to clash. The M23 militia, allegedly backed by Rwanda, has taken control of the city, prompting concerns of a full-scale war between central African states. The DRC accuses Rwanda of using the M23 as a proxy force to exploit mineral resources, while Rwanda cites security concerns. Meanwhile, th...

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 African Transformation Movement (ATM) is demanding accountability from the South African government and military leadership for deploying what they deem ill-equipped soldiers to the Democratic Republic of Congo. This outcry comes after nine South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers and two others were killed in a battle with Rwandan-backed M23 rebels. The ATM has expressed outrage...

MK Party Deputy President John Hlophe has been accused of sexual harassment by the party's former Mpumalanga convener Mary Phadi. Phadi claims Hlophe allegedly invited her to his hotel room with the intent of having sexual relations after a leadership meeting in Nelspruit last year. Phadi has reportedly detailed her allegations in a letter to MK Party President Jacob Zuma. Ms. Phadi spoke to Elvis...

The United Nations' permanent representative for Sierra Leone, Algeria,Guyana and Somalia, Dr. Michael Imran Kanu, has called for a political resolution as violence escalates in the eastern parts of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Kanu was speaking during Sunday's urgent UN Security Council meeting after nine South African National Defence Force soldiers, and two others, were killed during a rec...

The family of Calvin Moagi is mourning his death, after the South African soldier was killed in clashes with M23 rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Moagi was among nine South African soldiers who died near the city of Goma in eastern DRC. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to the Moagi family spokesperson, Monageng Moagi

The GOOD Party will consult the Hawks following DA Federal Chairperson Helen Zille's alleged admission that she had prior knowledge of police raids on Cape Town Mayoral Committee members' offices. This comes after raids were conducted on the offices of Alderman JP Smith and Xanthea Limberg on Friday. GOOD party Secretary-General, Brett Herron told our Senior Producer Ronald Phiri that Zille's acti...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is set to challenge the Expropriation Bill and the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill at the Constitutional Court. This move comes after the DA declared a formal dispute with its Government of National Unity partner - ANC over the two bills. The DA cites concerns over their constitutionality and the potential impact of the Bills on South Africans. To elaborate furthe...

A group of twenty-five survivors and families of activists who disappeared or were killed during South Africa's struggle for democracy have filed a court application seeking constitutional damages for what they have termed the political suppression of the apartheid-era cases. The group has enlisted the services of nonprofit organisation, the Foundation for Human Rights, which was formed in 1996 to...

The #PayTheGrants Campaign has welcomed a landmark court ruling, declaring SASSA's 2023 regulations limiting access to the R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant as unconstitutional and invalid. #PayTheGrants Deputy Director, Elizabeth Raiters, hailed the Gauteng High Court's decision as a major victory for current SRD grant beneficiaries and those previously excluded due to SASSA's restrictiv...

A shocking report by the Bench-Marks Foundation has lifted the lid on the illicit gold trade in South Africa, revealing that licensed mining companies are buying gold from illegal miners. The study also exposed a complex web of illegal gold sales to scrap metal dealers, syndicates, security companies, and even police officers. To delve deeper into these findings and their implications, Elvis Press...

The ANC Youth League will today picket outside the Minerals Council South Africa in Rosebank, Johannesburg, in protest against the retrenchment of mineworkers and other industrial job losses. The demonstration, In collaboration with the National Union of Mineworkers Youth Structure, seeks to pressure authorities to take immediate action to prevent further job losses and safeguard workers' liveliho...

Lobby group AfriForum is threatening legal action against the Government of National Unity (GNU) after President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the controvertial Expropriation Bill into law. The law was preceeded by a 5-year-long process of public consultations and parliamentary deliberations, with the aim of repealing the Apartheid-era Expropriation Act of 1975. The law also sets out instances where orga...

Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Angie Motshekga is currently in the Democratic Republic of Congo assessing the operational conditions and welfare of South African soldiers deployed in the region. The visit comes amid reports from MONUSCO of ongoing heavy clashes between the M23, the Congolese Armed Forces, and other armed groups near Sake. Last year, six SANDF soldiers lost their lives i...

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

Legal Experts say the Mining industry can play a key role in addressing the scourge of gender-based violence. A new guideline published by the South African Mine Health and Safety Inspectorate aims to combat gender-based violence and femicide in the mining industry. The guideline, which came into effect last November requires mines to implement a code of practice to address GBVF risks and collabor...

The Eastern Cape Provincial Government, led by Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has committed to addressing the pressing issue of unemployed doctors in the province. Premier Mabuyane together with Director General, Mbulelo Sogoni, as well as Acting MEC for Health Sibulele Ngongo, met with leadership of Cosatu in the province and representatives of unemployed doctors to discuss their demands for per...