First Take SA

Environmental activists have accused Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe of blocking efforts to bring renewable energy online. Greenpeace Africa activists yesterday disrupted Mantashe's address at the Africa Energy Indaba in Cape Town, urging him to end load shedding by shifting away from coal to renewable energy. For more, Elvis Presslin spoke to Mr. Makhosonke Buthelezi, the Na...

Striking members of the National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union, NEHAWU have been accused of disrupting critical health services during their wage strike. Patients were reportedly refused entry at some hospitals and Home Affairs offices were closed down by striking workers. Workers affiliated with the union are demanding an increase of at least 10% while the government is offering 4.7%...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the reconfiguration of his new cabinet. Last night Ramaphosa appointed Paul Mashatile as his deputy president and Dr. Kgosientso Ramokgopa as Minister of electricity in the Presidency among other appointments. Ministers Nathi Mthethwa, Maite Nkoana-Mashabane, and Lindiwe Sisulu have been booted out. For reaction to the President's new executive, Elvis Pressl...

Activities on President Cyril Ramaphosa's Phala Phala farm in Limpopo have come under scrutiny once again. This is in the wake of the confirmation by the South African Revenue Service, SARS that it has no record of and cannot find any record that Sudanese businessman, Hazim Mustafa declared the 580 thousand U.S dollars he brought into South Africa in 2019. Meanwhile, Presidential Spokesperson, Vin...

Time to take 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...

President Cyril Ramaphosa will announce the changes to his cabinet this evening at 7 pm. Pressure has been mounting on Ramaphosa to fill vacant positions in his executive, including appointing a deputy president, following the resignation of David Mabuza. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to Governance Specialist and Political Analyst, Sandile Swana

The National Education Health Workers Union, Nehawu is going ahead with its planned public service strike today. This after the union appealed a court order obtained by the Department of Public Service and Administration to interdict today's strike. Nehawu and other public sector unions have been locked in a long-standing battle with the government over wages. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spok...

Trade union federation SAFTU will today lay criminal charges against former Eskom CEO Andre De Ruyter. This after de Ruyter failed to respond to SAFTU's letter to report information on alleged criminal activities at Eskom to authorities. SAFTU also wants de Ruyter to reveal the identity of the Minister he alluded to during a TV interview - accused of aiding and abetting corruption at the power uti...

Veteran broadcaster Mark Pilgrim has succumbed to his battle with cancer. The 53-year-old former 5FM and SABC television presenter reportedly died peacefully at his home in the presence of his fiancée Adrienne. Pilgrim had been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer, which he revealed last year. For more on Mark Pilgrim's life Elvis Presslin spoke to his friend and former colleague at SABC, Mr. Ash...

Scientists have warned that more needs to be done to treat the cause of the invasive water hyacinth that has exploded on the Hartbeespoort Dam in the North West province. They have called on authorities to tighten regulations on wastewater management in order to deal with the problem. The dam used to attract countless tourists due to its scenic landscapes and recreational water sports. Now, visito...

Presidential Spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, says there is a sense of urgency on President Ramaphosa's part to fill vacancies that currently exist in his cabinet and he will do so in the next few days. Magwenya was briefing the media at the Union Building in Pretoria on the president's weekly diary. Magwenya's briefing comes just hours after the resignation of David Mabuza as a Member of Parliamen...

Community members in Gqeberha say they are still struggling to access diabetes medicine in public health facilities. The health department recently said there was no shortage of insulin at its facilities after communities complained of being turned back as there was no stock. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to Board Member of Diabetes South Africa PE, Megan Soanes

As South Africans grapple with the reality of the energy crisis, power utility Eskom is today marking one hundred years since its establishment. Eskom has been powering the nation since 1923 when the Electricity Supply Commission was instituted. Currently, with small businesses struggling to stay afloat, traffic lights not working and households frustrated due to the continuous power outages - do...

Cilliers Brink, Leader of the DA caucus in Tshwane lost to Cope's Dr. Murunwa Makwarela at a special meeting to vote for a mayor following the resignation of DA councilor Randall Williams. Elvis Presslin spoke to Cilliers Brink about this...

Former City of Tshwane speaker and Cope councilor Dr. Murunwa Makwarela has been elected as the new mayor. Makwarela received 112 votes while the DA's Cillier Brink got 101 votes. Yesterday the Tshwane council convened a special meeting to vote for a mayor following the resignation of DA councilor Randall Williams. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Mayor Dr. Murunwa Makwarela

The minimum wage for domestic workers comes into effect today and will see their wages increase from R3 700 to R4 100. The 9.6 % increase stems from the new Minimum Wage Bill coming into effect. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to the Organiser for the South African Domestic Service and Allied Workers Union, Gloria Kente

Today is the final deadline for Parliament to amend the Electoral Amendment Bill, which will allow independent candidates to contest the 2024 provincial and national elections. In June 2020 the Constitutional Court found the Electoral Act was unconstitutional as it made it impossible for candidates to stand for political office without being members of political parties. The court had then given P...

A new Mayor in the City of Tshwane is expected to be elected during a special council meeting today. The governing multi-party coalition has thrown its weight behind DA member and former parliamentarian Cilliers Brink. This follows the resignation of Randall Williams earlier this month. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to the City of Tshwane multi-party coalition spokesperson and Freedom Fro...

Time to take 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

Reiger Park community activist Kevin Koopman is calling on the community of Westbury, Johannesburg to speak out against widespread shootings and violence in the area. This after two people were killed and 11 others shot and wounded at the weekend. Koopman told our senior producer Ronald Phiri that witnesses would be more willing to talk if they felt protected by police

Millions of Nigerians are anxiously waiting on results from this weekend's tightly contested presidential election among three frontrunners. The Independent National Electoral Commission in Nigeria was expected to start the collation of the presidential results last night. After two terms under President Muhammadu Buhari, many Nigerians hope a new leader can do a better job of tackling the widespr...

Diabetes South Africa in Gqeberha says there is a serious shortage of diabetes medicine in public health facilities. The organization says it has been asking for donations as diabetics cannot get insulin at clinics and hospitals in Gqeberha. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to Megan Soanes, a Board Member of Diabetes South Africa in Gqeberha and Eastern Cape Health Department's Directo...

The government will provide Eskom with debt relief amounting to R254-billion over the next three years. The struggling power utility's debt currently debt stands at R423-billion. Presenting his budget speech in parliament yesterday, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana says the debt relief will allow Eskom to restructure and maintain its balance sheet. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Chris...

The University of Cape Town is yet to clarify media reports that it is set to part ways with its vice-chancellor Professor Mamokgethi Phakeng. It has been widely reported that Phakeng has been offered an early retirement package, and will be paid over  R12 million to leave the University before her second term expires in 2028. Her alleged exit follows the appointment of an independent panel of inv...

The man initially accused of orchestrating the kidnapping and murder of Hillary Gardee says his life and career have been destroyed. Philemon Lukhele, one of four men accused In the case, is currently out on bail after spending eight months behind bars. Hillary, the daughter of former EFF secretary, Godrich Gardee was kidnapped and killed in Nelspruit last year. Her body was later found dumped on...