First Take SA

The government of South Africa has announced its readiness to host the inauguration of President-elect Cyril Ramaphosa, marking the beginning of the 7th Administration. The ceremony will take place today at the Union Buildings in Pretoria. This event also commemorates 30 years of freedom and will include a cultural program preceding the formal proceedings. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to...

President-elect, Cyril Ramaphosa will be sworn in today at the Union Buildings after securing re-election for a second term during the National Assembly's first session. There is significant anticipation regarding his cabinet appointments. This comes after forming a Government of National Unity with the DA, IFP, and other parties. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor William Gumede,...

With South Africa establishing a Government of National Unity (GNU) to address the election results and focus on reducing unemployment, poverty, and inequality, Professor Raymond Parsons from the NWU School of Business & Governance says that the success of the GNU will depend on its deliverables. These include effective collaboration with the private sector and bolstering the National Treasury...

Members of the tripartite alliance have raised concern over the inclusion of the Democratic Alliance in the Government of National Unity. The Unity comprising the DA, IFP, GOOD party and Patriotic Alliance was formed after the ANC failed to achieve a majority in last month's national elections. COSATU and the SACP have vehemently criticized the formation, raising questions about its viability and...

DA MP Renaldo Gouws has apologized for his controversial video that sparked accusations of racism. The newly sworn-in parliamentarian faces backlash for a 2009 video that resurfaced showing him making racially charged comments against the ANC government. A petition demanding his removal from office has gained momentum, with almost 30,000 signatures. Elvis Presslin spoke to Womanist and Socio-Econo...

Education activist Hendrick Makaneta has called on the Government of National Unity (GNU) to make education a top priority and tackle crime with urgency. Makaneta argues that rising crime rates in some communities could infiltrate schools, compromising the safety of citizens. Speaking to Elvis Presslin, Makaneta elaborates further on his sentiments

The ANC has extended an olive branch to opposition parties, urging them to join the Government of National Unity. This development comes as five parties, including the ANC, DA, IFP, GOOD Party, and Patriotic Alliance, prepare to solidify their coalition ahead of President Cyril Ramaphosa's inauguration tomorrow. The ANC's move is seen as a bid to foster unity and collaboration in addressing the co...

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

Soweto township has been named one of South Africa's top three admired destinations at the Brand Africa 2024 Awards. This esteemed accolade follows extensive research across over 30 African markets. The township's significant heritage has made it a standout destination, showcasing the best of South Africa. Here is Thato Mothopeng, Chairman of Soweto Tourism... 

We get an update on the stories making headlines in Africa 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 Road Accident Fund is calling on all road users to help lower the number of crashes this Youth Month. According to the Fund, an average of 74 people die in road accidents each weekend, with a significant number of these fatalities being young individuals. Between 2020 and 2022, there were nearly 14-thousand young lives lost out of a total of 34,946 road fatalities in South Africa. For more on...

A study by the University of KwaZulu-Natal has found a link between heat exposure in pregnant women and miscarriages in sub-Saharan Africa. Researchers warn that climate change will likely exacerbate reproductive health problems, resulting in more pregnancy losses. For more on the research, Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Yoshan Moodley, study lead researcher at UKZN

ActionSA in KwaZulu Natal says the removal of eThekwini Mayor Mxolisi Kaunda is not surprising. This after Kaunda was redeployed to the National Council of Provinces, NCOP.  The party says the move exposes the true nature of the coalition agreement between the DA and ANC, which they claim is not a genuine government of national unity, but rather a political arrangement that serves the interests of...

The South African Correctional Services Workers Union, SACOSWU is disputing the Department of Correctional Services' attempts to deny human rights abuse allegations made by inmates. This comes after Thabo Bester testified in the Bloemfontein High Court that he suffered abuse at the hands of correctional services staff. The union is calling out the department for trying to shift blame and demanding...

Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa, Contralesa has expressed concern that traditional leaders are being left out of discussions regarding the proposed government of national unity. The organization feels their exclusion from these talks is a significant oversight, as traditional leaders play a vital role in representing the interests of their communities. To discuss this further Elvis...

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation will today commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Rivonia Trial. The trial between 1963 and 1964 was a landmark court case in which ten leading figures of the ANC, including Nelson Mandela, were tried and sentenced to life imprisonment for fighting against apartheid in South Africa. The trial shaped the country's struggle for freedom and democracy. For more on this E...

Health Minister Dr. Joe Phaahla will today provide an update on the Monkeypox (Mpox) outbreak in South Africa. So far there have been four laboratory-confirmed cases reported in the country, with three cases in KwaZulu-Natal and one case in Gauteng. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Angelique Coetzee, former Chairperson of the South African Medical Association, SAMA

The MK Party has filed an urgent application with the Constitutional Court to interdict Parliament's first sitting on Friday. The party seeks to halt the proceedings, citing its dissatisfaction with the recent election results. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to Elton Hart, Legal Analyst and an attorney affiliated with the University of Johannesburg, UJ's Law Clinic

A historic coalition agreement has reportedly been reached in KwaZulu-Natal. The ANC, DA, IFP and the National Freedom Party, NFP are set to join forces to govern the province. The coalition is set to announce its joint governance plan today. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Dean Macpherson, Chairperson of the Democratic Alliance, DA in KZN

A US court has granted permission for Moroadi Cholota, the former assistant to former Free State premier Ace Magashule, to be extradited to South Africa. Cholota faces corruption charges connected to a R255 million asbestos contract. The court determined there was sufficient evidence against her and confirmed that the extradition treaty between the US and South Africa is applicable. For more on th...

The Congress of Traditional Leaders of South Africa (Contralesa) has raised concerned over health and safety of initiates amid cold weather in Eastern Cape. The province has recently been battered by extremely cold weather and floods. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to Contralesa Secretary General, Zolani Mkiva

Parliament says the first sitting of the seventh administration will go ahead this Friday despite the MK party's court challenge. The party has approached the Constitutional Court to interdict the sittings where Members of Parliament will elect the country's President. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Political analyst and lecturer in the department of political sciences at the University...

Malawian authorities are still searching for a missing plane carrying the country's Vice President, Saulos Chilima. The plane went off the radar while Chilima and nine others were travelling to Mzuzu International Airport. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to our SABC correspondent in Blantyre, Malawi, George Mhango

Johannesburg's City Power is implementing load reduction in various areas to safeguard the grid from total collapse. City Power says the decision follows extensive efforts to encourage customers to use electricity sparingly. Elvis Presslin spoke to Energy expert Professor Sampson Mamphweli

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