First Take SA

The South African Freight and Logistics Association and the Road Freight Association are calling for an immediate recovery plan for the Durban Gateway Terminal. They say vessel waiting times have more than doubled since June, with truck delays also rising sharply at the port. The groups blame system, equipment and landside failures and are proposing a 30-day recovery compact with daily targets and...

A new Wonga survey shows the cost-of-living crisis is pushing more households into debt just to cover basic needs. 41% of people say they use credit every month for groceries, transport and electricity. 32% borrowed from informal lenders or mashonisas, in the past year, up from 15% in 2025. We speak to Wonga spokesperson, Tina Manyanya about what the findings reveal on household finances and debt.

The Johannesburg Magistrate's Court has heard how North West businessman, Brown Mogotsi, allegedly plotted to stage an escape from court during his previous appearance, disguised as a Prison Officer. The State presented the evidence in the form of an affidavit provided by the investigating officer. This is Mogotsi's forth bail application attempt after two bail applications were denied by the same...

The ANC Youth League in Ekurhuleni has accused city officials of deliberately blocking jobs meant for young people. The group claims approved positions for cleaners, security guards and grass cutters remain vacant months after interviews concluded. We spoke to Youth League's Regional Chairperson, Simphiwe Patose.

E-hailing groups in the Western Cape have condemned what they call institutional failure at Cape Town International Airport. The Western Cape E-Hailing Association and Operation Ubuntu say neglect by Uber, ACSA and police has led to violence and intimidation in the staging area. They report that unauthorised operators are beating drivers, while legitimate grievances over space and illegal operator...

The Government Employees Medical Scheme, GEMS has placed its Principal Officer Stan Moloabi on precautionary suspension. GEMS says the suspension is pending an internal process but has not provided reasons for the decision. With hundreds of thousands of public servants covered by the scheme, there are growing calls for transparency on what prompted the move. For reaction we spoke to Simon Hlungwan...

Members of the National Assembly will today vote on a motion of no confidence against Speaker Thoko Didiza. The motion was tabled by EFF leader Julius Malema in June over Didiza's decision not to oppose President Ramaphosa's court application to pause the Phala Phala impeachment process. The EFF says Didiza failed in her constitutional duties by not challenging the interdict. The DA's position is...

The Gauteng Department of Health is calling on communities to register as organ and tissue donors. Officials say about 1,100 people in Gauteng are waiting for a kidney transplant, while more than 6,500 people are on waiting lists nationwide. The department says one organ donor can save up to seven lives and tissue donation can help up to 50 people. They are urging families to discuss donation wish...

South Africa needs to move infrastructure projects from the drawing board to construction, faster. That's the focus of the Sustainable Infrastructure Development Symposium, which is taking place in Cape Town. It brings government and the private sector together, to unlock investment, improve delivery and create jobs. Mkhokheli Bandla filed this report.

The portfolio committee on Land Reform and Rural Development expressed dissatisfaction with the distribution of farm worker equity schemes, while the portfolio committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources says the processing of the South African National Petroleum Resources Company Bill is at an advance stage. As Abongwe Kobokana reports, the committees briefed the media on their oversight respons...

Years of collapsing service delivery have destroyed trust in politics among some residents in the North West. They have expressed mixed feelings about the ANC's eight mayoral applicants for the Rustenburg Local Municipality, ahead of the much-anticipated local government elections in November. Initially only one candidate per municipality were supposed to be unveiled, instead the ANC announced the...

The SACP in the Western Cape has launched its election manifesto at Crossroads in the City of Cape Town. The 2026 Local Government Elections will mark the first time the SACP will contest for elections since 1994, marking a departure from their-long standing arrangement with the ANC-led Tripartite Alliance. They say they are currently working on localizing the 6 priority areas that national has cr...

The Madlanga Commission was delayed on Monday as the legal team representing attempted murder accused and businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala sought more time to consult with their client. Matlala eventually appeared before the Commission and invoked his right against self-incrimination, refusing to answer questions about matters linked to ongoing criminal cases. His lawyers had also threatened to...

The Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein will hear the state's appeal against a High Court ruling on the R370 Social Relief of Distress grant. The High Court previously found parts of the application process were unconstitutional and unfairly excluded vulnerable people. Government is challenging that decision. Civil society groups say barriers are still leaving some of South Africa's poorest wi...

Affected mining communities are appearing before Parliament today to demand a formal inquiry into a century of environmental damage and economic debt. Leading the "100 Year Debt Campaign", the groups are presenting their case directly to the Portfolio Committee on Mineral and Petroleum Resources. They are calling for an immediate investigation into corporate exits, abandoned shafts, and failed lan...

A new political movement, Move SA, has officially registered to contest this year's municipal elections. The organization, spearheaded by prominent housing entrepreneur Rali Mampeule has reportedly established seventy branches and signed up over five thousand members across Gauteng within its first month. Mampeule, known for driving large-scale infrastructure projects says the party will focus dir...

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

The Rankapole family who lost their daughter in a crash which killed three learners and a driver at Ga-Mashashane in Limpopo, say they are failing to come to terms with her passing. Both vehicles, a bus and a minibus taxi were carrying learners. Several learners were injured and were hospitalised at various health care facilities. The Education Department says it has initiated psychosocial support...

Public Protector of South Africa, Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka is calling on faith based organizations to help root out corruption by reporting suspicious financial contributions offered to them as donations. Gcaleka was speaking at the St Paul African Apostolic Church's Annual Feast in Moletsane, Soweto. The annual feast brings together congregants from across South Africa and neighbouring countries...

National Liquor Traders says it agrees children must be protected from underage drinking, but opposes blanket closures of taverns near schools. The group is responding to ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa's proposal, made at the party's manifesto launch to close taverns operating near schools. Convenor Lucky Ntimane told our senior producer Ronald Phiri that many outlets hold valid licences and should...

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has given his party's prospective mayors and councillors 100 days to change the face of their wards and municipalities. This is contained in the 65 page ANC 2026 local government election manifesto he unveiled at Riversand Park Diepsloot north of Johannesburg on Sunday. Ramaphosa said within 100 days all ANC local government representatives must have fixed streets lig...

Seven Emfuleni Local Municipality employees will appear in court today on charges of fraud and theft. This follows their arrest by the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team in Vanderbijlpark. Police allege the suspects took payments from residents to illegally reconnect electricity. Investigations are continuing and further arrests have not been ruled out. We spoke to DA Emfuleni Local Municipality...

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, POPCRU says ActionSA's court bid to review disciplinary outcomes for two Presidential Protection Service officers must not turn Major-General Wally Rhoode and Brigadier Hennie Rekhoto into political targets. The union says approaching the High Court is a constitutional right, but guilt cannot be assumed before a court rules. Popcru adds that all SAPS memb...

The Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration, CCMA has found the South African Police Service committed an unfair labour practice after overlooking Captain Christiaan du Plessis for a station commander post in Moorreesburg. It ruled less qualified candidates were shortlisted and the process had numerous irregularities and ordered SAPS to pay Du Plessis 10 months' salary. Trade union...

Residents and small business owners in Emalahleni, Mpumalanga, have accused mining company, Seriti, of overlooking them for employment and business opportunities at its recently opened pit. The residents say they have not benefitted from the mine in terms of job opportunities, business opportunities, skills training or infrastructure development since it began operations, earlier this year. They c...