First Take SA

The EFF has asked Parliament to intervene urgently to stop professional bodies from charging membership fees to unemployed graduates. The party says Councils for nurses, doctors, educators, accountants, engineers and lawyers still demand annual fees even when young professionals earn no income. It argues that non-payment leads to suspension from registers, blocking job-seekers from staying complia...

The Information Regulator has welcomed a Government Gazette on Consumer Protection Act amendments aimed at curbing spam calls. The state entity says the added protection is necessary but stressed POPIA compliance remains mandatory for all direct marketers. Under POPIA, marketers must get consumer consent before sending unsolicited electronic marketing. This applies even if people are not registere...

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union in the North West Province has expressed deep frustration over the continued delay in appointing a permanent Provincial Commissioner for the South African Police Service. The position has remained vacant since December 2024, leaving the province without stable leadership for nearly two years. This comes at a time when crime remains a serious concern, raisi...

Some traditional leaders in KwaZulu-Natal have raised concern about how Cogta MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi is allocating tools of trade. The dispute follows decisions to buy SUVs for several amaKhosi while others say they still lack vehicles, tents and mobile fridges to do their work. AmaKhosi met with Contralesa on Monday to table grievances over what they call uneven distribution of resources. We sp...

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

Members of the Zimbabwe Nurses Association have opted for a 72-hour stay-away instead of planned public demonstrations amid claims that nurses were intimidated and discouraged from protesting publicly. The stay-away, however, is already raising serious concerns about its impact on patient care, with fears that disruptions in services could put lives at risk. The government, on the other hand, main...

The Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed the Road Accident Fund's appeal with costs. The court confirmed undocumented foreign nationals can claim from the Fund, upholding a 2024 High Court ruling. Judges said Section 17(1) of the RAF Act covers "any person" and does not exclude claimants based on immigration status. The case followed a 2022 RAF directive demanding stamped passports, which was fou...

The ANC has issued an ultimatum giving all ANC and SACP members ten days to choose which party to campaign for in the local government elections. Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says letters will be sent to SACP members on Thursday. The move follows a Special NEC meeting on the SACP's decision to contest elections independently. Mbalula says members cannot campaign for both parties in the local e...

Calls are growing for the Department of Small Business Development to be shut down, amid concerns about its effectiveness in supporting small enterprises and driving economic growth. The Black Business Unity has weighed in on the debate, raising questions about whether the department is delivering on its mandate or if resources could be better utilised elsewhere. This comes at a time when small bu...

The Activists and Citizens Forum has welcomed the arrest of suspended acting Ekurhuleni Metro Police headJulius Mkhwanazi, describing it as long overdue. This follows serious allegations raised at the Madlanga Commission, where testimony from senior officials, including Crime Intelligence bossDumisani Khumalo, painted a deeply troubling picture of alleged criminality within law enforcement structu...

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to brief media in Johannesburg today on relations between the ANC and the SACP. The briefing follows the ANC's Special NEC meeting held two weeks ago to discuss the SACP's decision to contest future elections independently. Ramaphosa and party officials will also report back on the ANC's Local Government Action Plan after the Councillor Roll Call convened in Se...

Suspended acting Ekurhuleni Metro Police head Julius Mkhwanazi will appear in the Boksburg Magistrate's Court this morning alongside a senior municipal official. The pair were arrested at the weekend and face charges of fraud, corruption and defeating the ends of justice. ActionSA has welcomed the arrests and is calling for Mkhwanazi's immediate dismissal from the City of Ekurhuleni. We spoke to T...

The Gauteng Department of Health has raised concern over a sharp rise in malaria cases and related deaths across the province. While malaria is both preventable and treatable, delayed diagnosis can be fatal. Health officials say the increase is partly linked to travel to high-risk regions such as Limpopo and Mpumalanga, as well as neighbouring countries including Mozambique, Zimbabwe and Malawi. A...

The Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU has welcomed the 2026 increase in the Basic Conditions of Employment Annual Income Threshold from 1 May. The Federation has also raised serious concerns about past failures to adjust the threshold which governs access to overtime pay, CCMA protections, unemployment insurance and paid leave. COSATU is calling for a comprehensive review to expand co...

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.

SECTION27 is raising urgent concerns over the looming eviction of the Talisman Foundation, a long-standing mental healthcare facility in Johannesburg that houses around 200 vulnerable residents. After more than two decades at its current premises, the foundation has been given notice to vacate by next month, sparking fears of a humanitarian crisis, drawing comparisons to the Life Esidimeni tragedy...

The ANC Women's League has welcomed the Judicial Service Commission's decision to upgrade the sanction against Eastern Cape Judge President Selby Mbenenge from misconduct to gross misconduct. The move places the judge in the realm of possible impeachment. In its report released yesterday (Thursday), the JSC said it does not endorse the Tribunal's finding that there was no sexual harassment. The Co...

The Forum of South Africa (FOSA) has raised concerns following the sentencing of Julius Malema, warning of what it describes as a growing pattern of selective justice in South Africa. While reaffirming that no one is above the law, FOSA argues that the justice system is increasingly inconsistent and unevenly applied. We spoke to Tebogo Mashilompane, the National Leader of Forum for South Africa.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has tabled a motion in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature (GPL) to address the growing impact of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) on farmers and food security. The party is calling for urgent and transparent action from the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, including the public release of a vaccine distribution plan and the introduction of...

ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula has announced changes to the KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Task Team. Mike Mabuyakhulu will replace Jeff Radebe as PTT convenor. Radebe is set to be redeployed elsewhere. Mbalula says the remaining team members will be named next week. The announcement was made yesterday. We spoke to COSATU KwaZulu Natal Provincial Secretary, Edwin Mkhize.

EFF Leader Julius Malema returns to the dock this morning as the East London Magistrate's Court prepares to decide his sentence in the firearm discharge case. The EFF leader was convicted last year after firing a rifle into the air at a 2018 rally in Mdantsane. The state wants him jailed for up to 15 years, calling the act reckless and dangerous. Malema's lawyers are pushing for a non-custodial se...

The City of Tshwane will begin disciplinary proceedings against CFO Gareth Mnisi after Council rejected his written arguments against suspension. Mnisi faces allegations of tender rigging and procurement irregularities raised at the Madlanga Commission. He was placed on precautionary suspension yesterday. ActionSA has welcomed the suspension. We spoke to Henriette Frohlich, ActionSA Tshwane Caucus...

The Public Servants Association, PSA says the Information Regulator's move from Persal to Sage was poorly executed without a clear plan or staff consultation. The regulator migrated to Sage 360 in April to improve efficiency and compliance. The PSA claims staff were terminated from Persal unknowingly, bonuses face double taxation and GEMS medical aid has been disrupted. But the Regulator says sala...

The appointment of Roelf Meyer as ambassador has sparked mixed reactions across South Africa, with some praising his experience and others questioning the decision. Meyer, known for his role in South Africa's transition to democracy, has been both commended for his negotiation skills and criticised over concerns about representation and political alignment. President Cyril Ramaphosa says he believ...

The MK Party is mourning the loss of Lindiwe Mkhwanazi, a member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, who passed away on Monday after a short illness. The party says Mkhwanazi joined the legislature in June 2024 and served with dedication and integrity. We spoke to MK Party Gauteng Provincial Legislature Spokesperson, Bafana Mahlabe.