First Take SA

The Department of Agriculture, Land Reform, and Rural Development is currently evaluating the effects of the El-Nino-induced drought on crop yields and the financial status of farmers. According to the latest report from the Crop Estimates Committee, there's a projected 21% decrease in South Africa's 2023/24 summer grains and oilseed production, with an estimated total of 15.2 million tonnes.  Now...

New research by the University of the Witwatersrand's Futures Ecosystems for Africa Program has found that in the nine years between 2010 and 2019, the rate at which Africa released carbon into the atmosphere increased to an alarming 4.5 petagrams, or 4.5 billion metric tons, of carbon dioxide equivalents per year. According to the research, the continent has transitioned from historically being a...

Following the commencement of the second academic term for 2024, the Legal Resources Centre is dragging the Eastern Cape department of Education to the Makhanda High Court following the department's failure to provide scholar transport to over 40 000 learners in the province. The organisation will be pleading the case of thousands of pupils who are reportedly still subjected to walking long distan...

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

The Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union (KMPDU), have rejected an offer by the Kenyan government to end a three-week long strike. The union represents more than 7-thousand members. The strike has severely impacted health services in the country. A meeting between stakeholders on Wednesday discussed the impeachment of the cabinet secretary of health. For more Elvis Presslin...

The Democratic Alliance in Johannesburg says it is worried about the cost implications of VIP security protection for councilors as per adopted by a new policy. The party says the policy will essentially grant public officials a security detail comparable to that of the mayor and other executive members. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Caucus Leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku

The Inkatha Freedom Party, IFP has welcomed the resignation of National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula. Mapisa-Nqakula resigned from her position and that as a Member of Parliament amidst corruption allegations against her. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to IFP MP and National Spokesperson, Mkhuleko Hlengwa

The Johannesburg High Court has found the ANC and its secretary-general, Fikile Mbalula, guilty of contempt of court. This after the party failed to submit its full cadre deployment records to the DA. The party approached the court after the ANC withheld records of its cadre deployment committee dating back to January 2013, when Cyril Ramaphosa became its chairman. For more on this, Elvis Presslin...

The Kwazulu-Natal Department of Education is reportedly suing the Auditor-General of South Africa over adverse findings against the department's School Nutrition program tender. The issue came out of a Scopa meeting recently where the department announced its intentions. The AG had found that there were material irregularities in the appointment of a new service provider by the department. For mor...

Almost 3 000 detainees are unable to afford bail of R1,000 or less. This was revealed by Justice and Correctional Services Minister, Ronald Lamola in response to a question raised by EFF MP Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane. A 2023 report by the Judicial Inspectorate for Correctional Services also found unaffordable bail as one of the main contributors to overcrowding in prisons. Now for more on this El...

uMkhonto weSizwe Party Member Visvin Reddy will today appear before the Chatsworth Magistrate's Court on charges of inciting violence. This after Reddy allegedly said there would be violence and unrest if the MK Party was excluded from the May 29 national elections. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Sabeena Chetty, Spokesperson to Visvin Reddy and the African Democratic Change party, ADEC...

Farmers are warning of food insecurity amid the recent mammoth electricity and fuel hike. This after Eskom's electricity tariff increase of 12.74% came into effect on the first of April. Farmers say the cost of food production will be further exacerbated by the fuel hike which came into effect at midnight. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Jaco Minnaar, President of Agriculture South Africa...

12 suspects in the Fort Hare University murders are expected to apply for bail in the Dimbaza Magistrate's Court in the Eastern Cape today. Two of the 15 people accused in connection with a string of charges such as fraud, kidnapping, murder and attempted murder at the University, were granted bail yesterday. A total of 24 suspects have been arrested in this case. Our senior producer Ronald Phiri...

Action SA has given Mpumalanga's National Prosecuting Authority 14 days to decide on whether to prosecute Individuals complicit in the Lily Mine tragedy. In February 2016, a mine collapsed in Mpumalanga leaving workers trapped underground. Pretty Nkambule, Solomon Nyirenda and Yvonne Mnisi remain trapped inside a container they were working in at the mine. Now for more on this, Elvis Presslin spok...

The City of Ekurhuleni says it is working tirelessly to restore power in several areas in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni. The work comes after residents embarked on a protest after enduring 10 days without electricity. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Ekurhuleni Councillor Simon Lapping

Former President and MK leader Jacob Zuma has until today to appeal the IEC's decision that he may not run as a candidate in the May 29 polls - should he so wish. The decision was taken following the public candidate list inspection process which took place last week. Elvis Presslin spoke to Legal Expert, Mpumelelo Zikalala

The ANC Women's League will today honour anti-Apartheid activist Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela. Madikizela-Mandela, the ex-wife of former president Nelson Mandela, died on this day in 2018, at a hospital in Johannesburg after a long illness. She was 81. The league is expected to commemorate the revered struggle icon's 6th anniversary with wreath-laying ceremony. Now for more on this Elvis Pressli...

Elvis Presslin takes a look at the 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....

RISE Mzansi Leader, Songezo Zibi will today lead a picket at the Department of Labour and Employment in the City of Tshwane. The party says it has been asked to take up the plight of people over the age of 35, who are blocked from applying for job opportunities by virtue of an arbitrary age barrier. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to RISE Mzansi Leader, Songezo Zibi

Motorists have expressed outrage at yet another fuel price increase set to take place this Wednesday. On the other hand the National Taxi Alliance says it hasn't decided on whether it will increase commuter fares due to the fuel increase. The Mineral Resources and Energy Department says petrol will increase by 65 cents a litre for 93 unleaded and and 67 cents for 95 unleaded at midnight. To furthe...

The Eastern Cape Liquor Board is urging learners to avoid underage drinking and hosting pens down parties. This after the board received numerous reports and seen posters circulating with invitations to learners from Buffalo City to attend a pool party that requires a bottle of whisky or gin as an entry. Now for more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to the Spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Liquor Boar...

Today marks seven years since the death of struggle stalwart Ahmed Kathrada in 2017. The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation will today commemorate his legacy by hosting a multi-party event, where political parties will pay tribute to Kathrada and commit to free and fair elections. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Zusipe Batyi, Communications Manager at the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation

The Pretoria High Court has dismissed Afriforum's urgent application to interdict Rand Water from implementing water restrictions. The civil rights organisation brought an urgent application against Rand Water following the water supplier's decision to reduce water supply to several municipalities across the country. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Petrus Coetzee, Advisor for Local Govern...

Arise South Africa will today march to the headquarters of the country's Electoral Commission, IEC in Pretoria. The party is accusing the IEC of removing it from the national ballot ahead of the May 29 elections. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Mpho Dagada, President of Arise South Africa

The City of Ekurhuleni will today launch its Easter Season safety campaign. The Easter weekend is known for high traffic volumes and long-distance travel which often lead to numerous road accidents and fatalties. The launch of the safety campaign is expected to take place in Tsakane, East of Johannesburg. Now for more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa, spokesperso...