First Take SA

The 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit begins today, with China and African nations poised to sign fresh cooperation agreements under the Belt and Road Initiative. The three-day summit aims to strengthen partnerships across Africa, focusing on achieving more substantial outcomes. For expert analysis on the bilateral and geopolitical implications, Elvis Presslin spoke to Chrispin...

The Chairperson of Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron, has sounded the alarm over the rapid rise of extortion in South Africa. Cameron warns that extortion poses a significant threat to the country's economy and social fabric. Speaking during a National Assembly session on the Police Minister Senzo Mchunu's plans to tackle the growing problem, Cameron highlighted the far-reach...

South Africa's roads have been plagued by a series of devastating bus crashes, sparking mounting concerns over bus safety. In the latest incident, a bus crash in KwaZulu-Natal on Monday claimed the lives of two pupils, with 60 others injured. This tragedy follows a string of fatal accidents, including a collision on KwaZulu-Natal's roads that left 21 people dead. Nine lives were lost when a bus ve...

ANC Youth League President Collen Malatji has described the uMkhonto weSizwe Party as a 'home for the corrupt' after several high-profile figures implicated in state capture were sworn in as MPs. Former Transnet executives Brian Molefe, Mzwanele Manyi and former Prasa chief executive Lucky Montana have joined the MK party founded by former President Jacob Zuma. Malatji has reiterated calls for ANC...

ActionSA has initiated legal proceedings against the Independent Electoral Commission, IEC over its alleged failure to probe a R150 million debt settlement involving the ANC. The IEC had earlier found no sufficient evidence to justify an investigation into the matter. In a separate move, ActionSA has also submitted new complaints to the IEC against the EFF and MK party, alleging that their campaig...

A new report by the Stop Stockouts Project and Ritshidze has shed light on the causes of contraceptive shortages in South Africa. The report, released during Women's Month in August, reveals that poor national procurement planning and budgetary limitations are key drivers of stockouts. The report, based on surveys and interviews in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and North West provinces, found t...

Elvis Presslin takes 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

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) is urging a rethink on the R30,000 cap on pension withdrawals, introduced as part of the government's Two-Pot retirement system in September. The party warns that this limit could exacerbate financial struggles for debt-burdened workers. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to ATM spokesperson Zama Ntshona

The Young Communist League of South Africa has condemned statements by ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula as "reckless"  against SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila. The Young Community League criticized Mbalula's remarks on X as part of a pattern of ANC leaders publicly berating their General Secretary. The League has also opposed the ANC's decision to form a government of national unity with...

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has described attacks on police officers as equivalent to treason, saying they constitute an attack on the state. Mashatile was speaking at an annual commemoration event honouring police officers who died in the line of duty between April last year and March this year. The Independent Policing Union of South Africa has echoed Mashatile's calls by pledging to campaig...

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu says the police service is exploring ways to assist families of murdered officers in pursuing civil claims against the perpetrators. The initiative aims to ensure justice is served beyond criminal proceedings, by holding perpetrators financially accountable for the harm caused. Mchunu made the announcement at a commemoration event for 39 police officers killed in the l...

The Pan Africanist Congress of Azania (PAC) is demanding the expropriation of a farm in Limpopo, where two women were allegedly murdered and their remains fed to pigs. The farm's owner, Zacharia Olivier, and two workers, Rudolf de Wet and William Musora, are accused of the crime. The PAC has instructed its President and Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mzwanele Nyhontso, to explore t...

The Gauteng Department of Health has issued a warning to parents and caregivers to be highly vigilant due to a concerning spike in food poisoning cases among children. Reports since February this year have exceeded 200 cases, resulting in 10 fatalities. The affected areas include townships, informal settlements, and hostels. To elaborate further on these incidents, Elvis Presslin spoke to Jennifer...

South Africa is launching a historic partnership to combat financial crime and corruption. The Department of Justice, SABRIC, and the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College are signing a landmark agreement today. This comes as the country faces challenges in detecting and addressing white-collar crimes due to limited resources. Elvis Presslin spoke to Neptune Masumbuka, Head of the Brigitte Mabandla Ju...

The Gauteng Provincial Government will today launch a multi-stakeholder initiative to revitalize the Johannesburg CBD. The Gauteng Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, COGTA says the programme is part of the broader Old CBD Revitalisation Strategy and aims to improve lighting, security, and cleanliness, making the area more attractive for investment. Premier Panyaza Lesufi...

The MK Party has welcomed former South African Rainbow Alliance, SARA leader, Colleen Makhubele into its ranks. The party says Makhubele's extensive experience in both the private and public sectors will make her a valuable asset. Makhubele, who previously served as Speaker of Johannesburg and a former member of the Congress of the People (COPE) and SARA, ditched her own party after its poor perfo...

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

Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink is facing a potential axe as ActionSA reviews its coalition with the Democratic Alliance (DA). ActionSA has announced it is reconsidering its partnership with the DA in the Tshwane municipality, citing concerns over governance and leadership. The DA is currently challenging two motions against Brink in court, brought by the ANC. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to...

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) is cautioning against misuse of the new two-pot retirement savings system, set to launch in September. The party urges individuals to only access their savings in genuine emergency situations. The National Treasury designed the reform to provide limited access to funds in cases of financial hardship, without requiring individuals to leave their jobs. E...

Defend Our Democracy, is holding a solidarity picket outside the South African Revenue Service (SARS) offices in Pretoria today. The protest is demanding greater protection for whistleblowers, following a recent assassination attempt on Advocate Coreth Naude in KwaZulu-Natal. Naude was investigating a R37 million tax case involving businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize at the time of the attack. This incide...

Homeowners from the Lotus Gardens, Atteridgeville, and Saulsville Civic Association (LASCA) are staging a protest march to Tshwane House today. The demonstrators are demanding action on several key issues, including; service delivery failures, the scrapping of historic arrear bills and the enforcement of by-laws regarding undocumented foreign nationals among other issues. Elvis Presslin spoke to T...

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is urging the City of Johannesburg to develop a plan for emergency housing for victims of building fires. This call comes after a devastating fire in Jeppestown, Johannesburg, which claimed four lives and left over 200 residents displaced. The Commission says the latest incident highlights the need for the City to prioritize safe emergency housing,...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has demanded a full report and briefing from Justice Minister Thembi Simelane, amid allegations of corruption. In a statement, the President expressed concern over media reports linking Minister Simelane to improper payments from VBS Mutual Bank during her tenure as Mayor of Polokwane Municipality. The reports allege that the municipality unlawfully invested 349 million r...

The South African Weather Service is urging the Disaster Risk Reduction community to step up its efforts in providing vital Early Warning Systems to enhance community resilience against weather disasters. CEO Ishaam Abader made the call at a National Consultative Workshop on Early Warnings for All, which concludes today in Pretoria. The three-day event aims to assess the current state of Early War...

The City of Tshwane's multiparty coalition is holding a briefing today on its political affairs, as Mayor Cilliers Brink faces renewed attempts to remove him from office. Last month, the ANC withdrew a motion of no confidence against Mayor Brink, who they accused of allowing the city to deteriorate. However, sources suggest that a new motion is being prepared, putting the mayor's position under th...