First Take SA

At least 247 South African businesses have closed doors since January this year. This as the country's economy remains in turmoil. According to Stats SA, the total number of liquidations decreased by 14.8% year on year in February 2024. 138 businesses closed their doors in February; 124 did so voluntarily, while the remaining 14 did so on a mandatory basis. Now to unpack this Elvis Presslin spoke...

The Azanian People's Organisation, AZAPO says it will ensure adequate investment in maintenance and refurbishment needs of the electrical infrastructure to avert the current load shedding crisis the party was presenting its election manifesto in Bekkersdal in the West Rand, over the weekend. outlining the party's vision and governance strategies. Its President Nelvis Qekema says the party will abo...

The Gauteng High Court in Pretoria will today hear the interdict application by Speaker of Parliament, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. She is seeking an order interdicting the National Prosecuting Authority, NPA's Investigating Directorate from arresting her. Last week the Hawks raided her Johannesburg home over allegations of corruption. The Speaker accused of soliciting and receiving bribes amounting t...

The Electoral Court in Bloemfontein is expected to hand down judgement on whether the Umkhonto weSizwe (MK) party can contest elections this year. The ANC is challenging the Independent Electoral Commission of South Africa, IEC over the registration of the MK party, backed by former President Jacob Zuma. The ANC argued the MK party's registration was irregular and unlawful. For more on this, Elvis...

ANC Member of Parliament Boy Mamabolo is threatening to take the ANC to court over his removal or prohibition from being selected as a candidate for Parliament. Mamabolo alleges that the Electoral Committee Secretary, Chief Matsila, told him to align with a certain faction within the party. Mamabolo spoke to Elvis Presslin about this...

Zululand District Municipality Mayor Thulasizwe Buthelezi has denied allegations of sexual harassment against him. Reverend Buthelezi, who is also the AmaZulu Traditional Prime Minister is accused of sexually abusing female employees in the municipality. But Buthelezi says the allegations are a political smear campaign by the ANC to tarnish his image. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to ANC W...

Russian authorities have arrested four suspects connected to the Moscow Crocus City Hall attack at the weekend. More than 130 people were killed as gunmen stormed the complex, days after President Vladimir Putin began his fifth term of office. The Islamic State group (IS) has claimed responsibility for the attack. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Conflict resolution expert Dr. Kingsley Mak...

Gauteng hospitals continue to struggle with unpaid telephone bills, causing significant distress for patients and their families. DA shadow MEC for Health in Gauteng Jack Bloom says 32 hospitals and 83 clinics have been affected. Elvis Presslin spoke to Jack Bloom

National Assembly Speaker, Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula has taken special leave from her position in Parliament. This comes in the wake of corruption allegations against her and reports of her imminent arrest. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Annelie Lotriet MP, DA Deputy Chief Whip

Western Cape police say an inquest docket has been registered into the death of disgraced former Steinhoff CEO Markus Jooste. He allegedly shot himself yesterday. His death comes a day after he was fined R475 million by the Financial Sector Conduct Authority. Jooste, was named as the mastermind behind the R106 billion accounting scandal that almost sank Steinhoff in 2017. For more on this, Elvis P...

Today marks World Water Day. The day, established by the United Nations in 1992, seeks to advocate for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. World Water Day also serves as a poignant reminder of South Africa's own history with water scarcity. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Ferrial Adam, Executive Manager for WaterCAN

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 South African Language Development Institute says there is no political will to affirm the human rights of natives. This as the country observed Human Rights Day yesterday. The Institute says the Government's enhancement of linguistic rights will play a significant role in ensuring equality and human rights for marginalized natives in society. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to the Presi...

The ANC has contended that the decision by the Deputy Chief Electoral Officer, Mawethu Mosery to reject the original application by the Umkhonto Wesizwe party was final. The party argued, through its lawyers, that the MK party was supposed to submit a fresh application before the court instead of supplement its application to the IEC. The party further adds that this action is not in the interest...

The Democratic Alliance, DA says National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula should step aside following a raid at her house over corruption allegations. Mapisa-Nqakula has been accused of soliciting a bribe from a military contractor, during her tenure as Defence Minister. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Annelie Lotriet MP, DA Deputy Chief Whip...

Political party Xiluva has written to Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka to investigate John Steenhuisen's alleged 2020 leadership campaign slush fund. Xiluva says allegations of undisclosed funds received by Steenhuisen are serious and call into question his ethical conduct as a public representative. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to Xiluva leader, Bongani Baloyi

The North West department of Economic Development Environment Conservation and Tourism says it is equally shocked about the Kudakwashe Mpofu revelations because it thought its entity will follow normal and relevant processes when they recruit for vacancies. The comment comes after Mpofu, a Zimbabwean national resigned from his position on Sunday after it was revealed that he has been in South Afri...

ANC NEC Member Dr. Zweli Mkhize is calling for mutual respect and the de-escalation of tensions between the ANC and IFP in KwaZulu-Natal. This follows political tensions between ANC KZN chair Siboniso Duma and amaZulu Traditional Prime Minister, Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi at a government event in KwaCeza in Nongoma in the province. The ANC claims 12 of its members were attacked allegedly by IFP...

The Communications Workers' Union, CWU has warned the SABC of a full-blown wage strike that threatens the coverage of general elections this year. This follows a wage impasse after a series of failed negotiations. The Union says it is willing to accept the SABC's 6% offer on condition it's backdated to April last year. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to CWU's National Bargaining Coordinator,...

The Department of Correctional Services is investigating the alleged assault of Dr. Nandipha Magudumana in custody. Magudumana's lawyer, Machini Motloung says his client was allegedly attacked by two other inmates over the weekend. Elvis Presslin spoke to Correctional Services Department Spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo about the alleged assault...

The Road Traffic Management Corporation, RTMC says South Africa has been experiencing a significant increase in road crashes and fatalities during the Easter holiday. The Corporation, which is gearing up for its national Easter Road Safety campaign tomorrow (Wednesday) says the number of fatal crashes increased by 33% between the Easter period of 2022 and 2023. To discuss this further Elvis Pressl...

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

Police Minister Bheki Cele has been ordered to pay an insurance group R93 million in damages. The Pretoria High Court found Minister Cele personally liable to underwriter, Lloyd's of London over a 2014 cash heist executed by a gang of criminals and two police officials. The gang stole R100 million from a security company's vault in eMalahleni (formerly Witbank). Lloyd's paid SBV what it lost, and...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reappointed Lesetja Kganyago as the new South African Reserve Bank Governor. The five-year term comes into effect on the 9th of November this year. President Ramaphosa also appointed Deputy Governors Fundi Tshazibana and Rashad Cassim, and the appointment of Dr. Mampho Modise as Deputy Governor. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to the Executive Director and Head...

The ANC has condemned an alleged attack on some of its members at a government event in KwaCeza in Nongoma in northern KwaZulu-Natal at the weekend. President Cyril Ramaphosa and amaZulu King Misuzulu kaZwelithini were commemorating the death of King Dinuzulu kaCetshwayo, who ruled over a century ago. The ANC claims that 12 of its members were attacked, allegedly by IFP members who were bussed in...