First Take SA

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged party structures to unite, warning that infighting only deepens the struggles facing ordinary South Africans. He made the call while closing the ANC's Limpopo elective conference in Polokwane yesterday. Dr Phophi Ramathuba was elected as the new Limpopo Chairperson, while Mandla Ndlovu secured re-election in Mpumalanga. Meanwhile, the ANC's Eastern Cape lead...

The Activists and Citizens Forum has slammed the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption, IDAC for targeting National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola. They say the arrest of 12 senior police officers over the R360 million MediCare24 contract was just a smokescreen to fool the public. The group claims the sudden summons of Masemola is part of a dirty fightback by a faction inside IDAC to c...

Bus company PUTCO is hosting a defensive driver training workshop in Dobsonville, Soweto today to prepare over 600 buses for the busy Easter period this weekend. This as Major church groups including the Zion Christian Church and St Engenas Zion Christian Church will be using PUTCO for their bulk transport needs. The session at Dobsonville Depot will focus on road safety with support from the Road...

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, POPCRU in KwaZulu-Natal has welcomed the re-appointment of Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as Provincial Commissioner of the South African Police Service, SAPS. POPCRU says the move comes at a crucial time as the province battles high levels of violent crime and organised criminal networks. Elvis Presslin spoke to POPCRU KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Sec...

ActionSA will today protest the recent coronation of a Nigerian Igbo "king" in KuGompo, formerly East London. The party says the coronation is a breach of South Africa's sovereignty. The party argues the event disregards the country's traditional leadership, particularly the AmaRharhabe Kingdom in the province. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA Parliamentary Leader Mr. Athol Trollip 

It's now time to take a look at the current top African economic stories.....We are joined on the line by 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 Nigerian Union South Africa says the coronation of a Nigerian "King" in East London is a cultural gesture, not a challenge to South African traditional leadership. This follows backlash over the recent coronation of a Nigerian national, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Eziko, who was installed as a "King" In East London. The union says the title is symbolic, representing cultural preservation and communi...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has downplayed South Africa's disinvitation to the G7 summit in France, stating that the country isn't surprised by the development, as they're not a member of the group. The invitation was withdrawn after US President Donald Trump threatened to boycott the meeting if South Africa attended. Elvis Presslin spoke to International Relations expert, Dr. Charles Sinkala

The Democratic Alliance has moved to urgently interdict what it describes as a R10 billion "politically facilitated agreement" between the City of Johannesburg and the South African Municipal Workers' Union. The dispute follows the recent adjustment budget, which the DA says exposes serious risks to Johannesburg's financial sustainability. At the centre of the controversy is a wage-related agreeme...

Judgement in the matter between Umkhonto weSizwe party and former National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) Advocate Shamila Batohi, has been reserved. The Umkhonto weSizwe party approached the Pretoria High Court in an urgent bid to block Advocate Batohi's pension payout. The urgent bid by the MKP comes amid allegations of misconduct, dereliction of duty and possible perjury levelled agains...

President Cyril Ramaphosa says he'll work with the police minister to ensure stability in the force after National Police Commissioner General Fannie Masemola was summoned to court. Masemola and 12 senior officers face charges linked to the R360 million Medicare24 SAPS tender. The NPA hasn't revealed the specific charges against Masemola. Masemola is due in court in April. The president says he'll...

South African households are bracing for a sharp fuel price shock, with petrol expected to rise by more than R5 per litre and diesel by over R9, increases that could have a ripple effect across the economy, from transport costs to food prices. The Democratic Alliance has proposed an urgent intervention, calling on the National Treasury to cut both the Road Accident Fund and General Fuel Levies by...

Tributes are pouring in for renowned journalist and author Terry Bell, who has died aged 84. He passed away while on a family trip with his daughter and son-in-law.  Bell was a respected voice in South African journalism, known for his insightful commentary on politics and economics. For more, Elvis Presslin spoke to COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, Matthew Parks 

All eyes are on the South African Reserve Bank ahead of its interest rate decision later today. It comes at a time when the economic outlook has become significantly more uncertain. Oil prices have surged above 100 US dollars, the rand has weakened toward R17 to the dollar and global bond yields remain elevated. Market indicators now suggest a more cautious outlook, with expectations of prolonged...

Twelve senior police officers and a company director are set to appear in Pretoria Magistrates' Court today, facing corruption charges tied to the R360m Medicare 24 contract. The contract, meant to provide health services for SAPS staff, was cancelled in May 2025 amid allegations of tender irregularities, with links to implicated individuals, including murder accused Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala. Elvis...

The Drinks Federation of South Africa says illicit alcohol costs the country billions, with an estimated R25 billion annual market value. Illicit trade accounts for 18% of the market, resulting in R16.5 billion in fiscal losses. DF-SA is calling for coordinated action to combat the issue. The federation will participate in the EMEA Security Conference in Cape Town. A Responsible Trade Task Force h...

The uMkhonto weSizwe, MK Party has approached the High Court in Pretoria on an urgent basis to block what it calls the unlawful release of public funds tied to National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Shamila Batohi. The party claims serious doubts over Batohi's fitness to remain in office and fears she could still pocket a large gratuity payment despite those concerns. Elvis Presslin sp...

The Forum for South Africa (FOSA) is calling on the Independent Electoral Commission, IEC to strengthen electoral systems and restore public confidence ahead of elections. FOSA cites concerns over vote rigging, ballot paper handling and voting process vulnerabilities. The group demands urgent interventions, including independent monitoring, strict vetting of election staff and prevention of politi...

Parliament's Joint Committee on Ethics and Members' Interests has ordered former Higher Education Minister, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane to apologise in the National Assembly for gross misconduct and misleading Parliament on SETA board appointments. The committee says Nkabane, now ANC Deputy Chief Whip allowed alleged political interference and her advisor to effectively control the process. Elvis Presslin...

The Department of Tourism has invited public comment on a proposed Code of Good Practice for Short-Term Rentals, which could lead to mandatory regulations. The code may allow municipalities to reclassify residential properties as commercial, increasing rates and taxes. Hosts and guests are concerned about privacy, with the code requiring platforms to share user data. The public has 60 days to comm...

At least 34 Gauteng schools are non-compliant with health and safety regulations, posing a threat to learners and teachers, this according to the Democratic Alliance, DA. The party is calling for urgent action to address the issue. MEC Matome Chiloane says all schools have safety committees, but the DA questions the department's approach. Elvis Presslin spoke to DA's Shadow MEC of Education, Sergi...

Some South Africans have reignited calls to deport foreign nationals serving prison sentences in the country to alleviate overcrowding and the financial burden on taxpayers. Correctional Services Minister Dr. Pieter Groenewald says around 26,000 foreign prisoners are costing the state approximately R463 per day each. That's around R11 million a year. Dr. Groenewald wants to send them back to their...

Lobby group, AfriForum has won a court battle against Eskom, forcing the power utility to reveal its coal contracts. The Supreme Court of Appeal dismissed Eskom's appeal, ordering the release of contracts for coal, diesel and electricity supply to neighbouring countries. The court ruled the public has a right to access the contracts. AfriForum plans to scrutinise the contracts for irregularities....

ActionSA has formally lodged complaints with the Public Protector and Parliament's Ethics Committee following serious allegations that senior Democratic Alliance, DA public representatives have received additional "top-up" payments from the party in potential violation of the Constitution. In the same breath, the EFF in Tshwane say they will write to the speaker and chief whip of Tshwane council t...

It's now time to take a look at the current top African economic stories.....We are joined on the line by 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...