First Take SA

ActionSA has blamed the Government of National Unity (GNU) for South Africa's stagnant economy, citing a mere 0.4% growth in the fourth quarter of 2025 and 1.1% for the full year. The party argues that the GNU has failed to present a credible plan to lift the country out of its low-growth trap, leading to declining living standards and increased poverty. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA Member of...

Gauteng Finance MEC Lebogang Maile will table the 2026/2027 provincial budget today, amid high expectations from residents seeking improved services. DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Finance and MPL, Ruhan Robinson warns that the budget must prioritise fixing ageing infrastructure, maintaining roads and combating crime, rather than funding new projects. Key challenges include the e-Toll debt, water suppl...

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 Gauteng Provincial Legislature's Community Safety Committee has welcomed the establishment of two specialised units to combat political killings and kidnappings in the province. The units will focus on investigating political assassinations and kidnappings and crimes targeting infrastructure projects. The move follows alarming crime stats, including the murder of 10 police officers in Gauteng...

The Joburg Property Company, JPC, has opened 16 criminal cases with police after uncovering fraudulent transfers of city properties. The company says certain individuals are involved in the alleged scams. Investigations are ongoing, and JPC is working with authorities to recover the properties. Elvis Presslin spoke to Joburg Property Company Spokesperson, Lucky Sindane...

The South African Democratic Teachers' Union, SADTU in KwaZulu Natal is up in arms over the provincial Department of Education's decision to renege on the government's early retirement offer. The department had initially invited employees to apply for early retirement without penalties but is now citing its inability to comply with the Cabinet decision. SADTU accuses the department of disrespect a...

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) in Kimberley says Ekapa Mine Management confirmed to the union that at any given time, at least one of the bodies of five men trapped underground would be retrieved. It's been 20 days since the mud rush trapped the miners 890 metres underground in Ekapa Minerals Joint shaft. Tebogo Msimanga filed the following report...

ActionSA is calling on the National Prosecuting Authority to urgently address charges against forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan related to alleged impersonation of investigators. The charges date back to 2017 and are linked to serious allegations of misconduct. ActionSA says the delay undermines confidence in the justice system. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA member of Parliament, Dereleen J...

The deployment of the army to assist police in gang and illegal mining riddled areas, will be in force from the 1st of this month but it does not mean soldiers will be flooding the streets. Members of Parliament's Police, Mineral and Petroleum Resources committees received a briefing on the details of this deployment - that was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation Addr...

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure has issued a notice to a Western Cape High Court Judge to vacate a state-owned property in Cape Town by April 15th. The move follows confirmation from the Department of Justice that the judge no longer qualifies for the benefit. Last week Minister Dean Macpherson also initiated eviction proceedings against three former MK Party MPs for unlawfully o...

SALGA's 6th National Municipal Legal Practitioners' Forum is set to tackle key issues affecting local government in South Africa. The event, taking place in Cape Town this week will focus on coalition impacts, legislative reforms and court judgements. Speakers include former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela and SALGA President, Bheke Stofile. The forum aims to promote ethical governance and compli...

The Rita Teka Foundation and Rose Coloured Lens are hosting their 4th Annual Charity Golf Day on the 27th of March to raise funds for eye care for disadvantaged South Africans. The event aims to provide eye screenings, glasses and referrals. The Foundation says clear vision is a fundamental human right, It has screened over 2,000 people already and given out 1,500 pairs of glasses. Elvis Presslin...

Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, says studies have proven that the minimal levels of endocrine-disrupting chemicals found in sanitary pads and panty liners, does not cause clinical harm. The Minister was speaking at a joint media briefing to respond and clarify the implications of the findings of a research study on sanitary pads, published by the Department of Chemistry at the University of...

Parliament's Joint Standing Committee on Financial Management has concluded that the appointment and remuneration of Secretary to Parliament, Xolile George, followed proper procedures. The committee accepted explanations provided by the Presiding Officers, citing an independent benchmarking process and Auditor-General findings that found no irregularities. The committee expressed disappointment at...

ANC Deputy Chief Whip, Dorris Mpapane has been elected Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on the Presidency. The Committee  oversees and holds the Presidency accountable for its actions and policies. The ANC caucus has congratulated Mpapane but critics argue the chair should be from an opposition party outside the GNU to ensure accountability. Ms. Mpapane now joins us on the line to share...

The Gautrain will keep operating under a Public-Private Partnership model after 2026, with a new 15-year concession agreement in advanced negotiations, according to the entity. A preferred bidder has been identified and a six-month holdover arrangement ensures uninterrupted service. Here is Tshepo Kgobe, Chief Executive Officer of the Gautrain Management Agency

COSATU has welcomed the seven-year prison sentence handed to former MP Vincent Smith for his role in the Bosasa corruption scandal. Smith pleaded guilty to fraud, money laundering and corruption charges. He failed to disclose BOSASA payments and didn't declare R28-million in income between 2009 and 2018. The sentence follows a plea deal with the National Prosecuting Authority. Here is COSATU's Par...

The DA has served the City of Johannesburg with legal papers to stop a R10 billion salary agreement with SAMWU, citing it as "unfunded" and "fiscally reckless". The party argues the deal will worsen the city's financial crisis and impact service delivery. The DA wants transparency on the agreement's financial implications and protection of essential service budgets. Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Joha...

The South African Communist Party (SACP) in Gauteng has condemned the DA's billboard campaign targeting Premier Panyaza Lesufi as a "desperate political maneuver". The SACP says the attack is a manifestation of intensifying class struggle and a response to Lesufi's pro-poor policies and resistance to DA's agenda. Elvis Presslin spoke to Nkosithethile Bonga, SACP Gauteng Provincial Spokesperson...&...

The African Diaspora Forum has welcomed a parliamentary call for universities to disclose a list of all foreign academic staff numbers. Institutions have until March 18 to submit the information. Forum President Dr. Vusumuzi Sibanda says the move is not "sinister" and aims to clarify the situation. He He spoke to Elvis Presslin

A meeting to elect a chairperson for Parliament's new Presidency Committee has been suspended due to disagreements over procedure. The DA, ANC and MK Party have nominated candidates, but voting hasn't yielded a clear winner. The DA accuses the ANC of trying to shield the President, while the EFF says the DA is being entitled. The committee's first meeting has ended without a chairperson. Elvis Pre...

Political Analyst, Professor Sethulego Matebesi has lauded the founder of the Congress of the People, Mosiuoa Lekota as a shrewd and principled leader in South African politics. COPE announced Lekota's passing, adding that the 77-year-old succumbed to an illness in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Matebesi say Lekota will be remembered for all this theory debates in Parliament

The SACP and EFF have formed a joint working group ahead of the 2026 local government elections, sparking speculation about the Tripartite Alliance's future. Elvis Presslin spoke to COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, Matthew Parks

Public Works Minister Dean Macpherson is facing a Public Protector investigation over a R1 million taxpayer-funded trip to Brazil with his partner. ActionSA alleges possible misuse of funds. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA MP, Malebo Kobe