First Take SA

The passing of Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi has renewed discussions about the legacy he leaves behind. Messages of condolence have been pouring in following his death on Saturday at his home in KwaZulu-Natal . The 95 has been described as a patriot and freedom fighter who contributed immensely to South Africa's democracy and the Zulu nation. But his critics remember Shenge, as he is affectionately...

September 11th 2022, will forever haunt the families of Jagersfontein, who were displaced when the mine dam collapsed. To date many residents are at the end of their tethers, with their livelihoods taking a turn for the worst. Government says legal disputes are hindering the progress of building houses for the affected families. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Human rights attorney Richar...

A memorial service will be held today for the victims of the Albert Street fire in Johannesburg's city centre. Last week a fire tore through the five-story Usindiso Centre for Women and Children, killing 77 people and leaving scores other injured, in the illegally occupied building. The South African Council of Churches in Gauteng will host the memorial service at the Central Methodist Church in t...

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, NSPCA has opened a criminal case against Julius Malema for animal cruelty. The organisation says it received complaints after a video of Malema slaughtering a cow went viral on the social media platforms. The slaughtering of the cow was done as part of the party's 10th anniversary celebrations in July. To further discuss this Elvis Pre...

Transnet Freight Rail has appointed Voestalpine South Africa to manufacture and supply turnout sets for the next three years. This as the railway company seeks to improve and advance its railway solutions to boost the South African economy. The turnout sets and components for this project will be manufactured at VAESA's Isando facility in Johannesburg. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Voes...

The United Democratic Movement, UDM and African Transformation Movement, ATM are calling for a secret ballot when suspended Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane faces a vote of removal from office in Parliament. The Section 194 Committee recently adopted a final report which recommended her removal. The parties wrote to National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, requesting for a secret ball...

ActionSA in Johannesburg has slammed the Democratic Alliance for voting with the ANC to increase the salaries of all councillors. ActionSA says the salary hikes will cost the city an additional R5.5 million per year, or R20,000 per councillor. The party says the money could be better used to improve service delivery in the city. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to Councillor Strike Ram...

Deputy Minister of Social Development Hendrietta Bogopane-Zulu says pregnant women who consume alcohol must be criminally charged. She was speaking at an event to raise awareness on fetal alcohol spectrum disorders in Ndwedwe, Kwa-Zulu Natal. This as September marks Fetal alcohol spectrum disorders awareness month. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Vivien Lourens, founder of the Fetal Alcoh...

The South African Municipal Workers' Union in the Free State will today march to Matjhabeng Local municipality to voice their grievances. Members of the Union, along with workers at the municipality are expected to deliver a memorandum of demands to Executive Mayor, Thanduxolo Khalipha. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Vusi Xaba, SAMWU's Secretary in the Matjhabeng Local municipality

The Interfaith Forum of South Africa has expressed concern about the social and moral crisis in the country. The Forum - a collaborative effort of various faith traditions and communities were at Robben Island, In Cape Town yesterday to outline its planned Conference on the National Crisis, aimed at eradicating challenges facing South Africa. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Interfaith Fo...

Eswatini has been urged to release pro-democracy members of parliament as part of its independence celebrations today. Two pro-democracy MPs have been languishing in prison since July 2021 on charges of terrorism. Civil and pro-democracy organisations are calling on Eswatini to choose a democratic path by first releasing two jailed MPs as the country marks 55 years of independence from Britain. To...

Petrol prices for both 93 and 95 octane will at midnight increase by a massive R1,71c per litre, diesel by between R2,76c and R2,84c, while illuminating paraffin will increase by R3,70c per litre. The increase will be the highest fuel increase since July last year. Fuel retailers have also urged government to find alternative solutions to the ever increasing fuel prices. To further discuss this El...

The ANC is considering new legal options after the Supreme Court dismissed the party's leave to appeal a cadre deployment ruling. The Appeals court dismissed with cost, the ANC's application to appeal a Gauteng High Court ruling which compels the party to hand over complete records of its national cadre deployment committee to the DA within five days. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to DA s...

Suspended Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane says she will be reporting for duty today. In her statement, posted on X - formerly Twitter, Mkhwebane says she informed President Cyril Ramaphosa of her intention to return to work, citing protocol and the expiry of her suspension. Last month, the Section 194 Committee adopted its report following an inquiry into Mkhwebane's fitness for offic...

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 gives us the latest African economic stories...

The Health and Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union, HAITU says national Treasury will collapse the public healthcare sector by implementing drastic budget cuts. Treasury's cost-cutting proposals will implement a number of stringent measures to rein in government spending which include a hiring freeze, after a shortfall in revenue collection. HAITU says hospitals are faced with staff shortages and th...

 Zimbabwe President-elect Emmerson Mnangagwa will be inaugurated today for the second time after the August 23 elections. However opposition parties have disputed the election results accusing ZANU PF of vote rigging. Some Zimbabweans have called for the establishment of a transitional government. Meanwhile Gabon will swear in General Brice Nguema as transitional president today following a milita...

Lobby group Afriforum is challenging the "Kill the Boer" chant today in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. The group is appealing against the Equality Court order that found the struggle song does not constitute hate speech. Afriforum say the chant is a clear-cut example of hate speech that it endangers the lives of farmers in South-Africa. For more on today's appeal, we're now joined on...

President Cyril Ramaphosa says there is no proof that weapons were loaded onto Russia's cargo ship, Lady R last year. Ramaphosa was addressing the nation on the conclusion of a panel investigation into the Lady R vessel which docked at Simonstown Naval Base last year. In May, US ambassador to South Africa Reuben Brigety accused South Africa of providing arms to Russia in the midst of Moscow's inva...

An acclaimed music teacher and church organist Shadè Jansen is on cloud nine after hearing her original music composition called Chorale and Toccata will be showcased on the world stage and will premiere internationally in New York, US, in September. Prof Theo van Wyk from the University of Pretoria, the first person of colour to earn a doctorate in musicology in South Africa added Shadè's Chorale...

Safer South Africa Foundation and Harmony Gold have launched crime prevention initiatives across the country to deal with the scourge of illegal mining. The Communities and Justice Programme will be rolled out in communities near the mining company's operations in Gauteng, Free State and North West provinces to address rising levels of criminality. Elvis Presslin spoke to retired General Riah Phiy...

Africa Brief 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 Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse, OUTA is heading to court to stop the reinstatement and enforcement of old traffic fines. The Road Traffic Infringement Agency (RTIA) tasked with implementing legislation says the Aarto Act does not prescribe any time limit for the issuance of enforcement orders. The points demerit system, a crucial element of Aarto aimed at removing serial offenders from the roa...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has described the Johannesburg fire that claimed the lives of at least 75 people as a tragic disaster. Ramaphosa cancelled his scheduled address to the nation yesterday to visit the reportedly hijacked building that was ravaged by fire. At least 250 people were injured - 50 of whom are being treated in hospital. Ramaphosa says the issue of inner city housing and the hijac...

Expelled former ANC Secretary General Ace Magashule launched his own political party after months of speculation. Magashule says his party will work with what he calls the politically weary and those abused by the current political system. He was speaking at the launch of his party in Oralndo West, Soweto yesterday. His party - The African Congress for Transformation will host its first conference...