First Take SA

Vaccine hesitancy has decreased slightly from 28% in July 2021 to 25% in November 2021, according to a COVID-19 Democracy Survey by the University of Johannesburg, UJ, and the Human Sciences Research Council, HSRC. The online survey has also revealed support for compulsory workplace vaccinations. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Sibongiseni Dhlomo

Cabinet has approved the publication of the Constitution's Eighteenth Amendment Bill for public comment. The amendments will give recognition to South African Sign Language as the 12th official language of the country. The Department of Basic Education announced earlier this month that it would incorporate sign language as an option in the school curriculum. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke...

Time to take a look at the current top African economic stories with 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...

After two days of political bickering on whether the four suspended SAFTU National Office Bearers should be allowed to contest elections, delegates finally agreed to have their names on the ballot paper. The issue nearly collapsed the five-day meeting with the federation's biggest affiliate NUMSA threatening to pull out from the congress while police union SAPU threatened to disrupt the gathering....

The Congress of Traditional Leaders of SA (Contralesa) is calling for a referendum on the death penalty amid the scourge of gender-based violence (GBV) and femicide against women and children. Over the past few weeks SA has been rocked by several GBV cases, including the murders of Hillary Gardee, Namhla Mtwa shot nine times in her driveway, and 6-year-old Bontle Mashiyane kidnapped raped, and mur...

The family of Nomaqocwa Blackie is appealing for help from the South African government following the mysterious death of their daughter, whose body was found in her apartment in Shanghai, China in April. Her family says it has done everything that was required in terms of documentation for the repatriation of her body. Nomaqocwa fondly known as 'Noma' left Motherwell, in the Eastern Cape in 2017...

Former General Secretary of COSATU, Mbhazima Shilowa has expressed his concern following tensions among senior leaders of the South African Federation of Trade Unions SAFTU. This as the federation holds its second elective conference in Boksburg, East of Gauteng. During his address to delegates at the conference yesterday, Shilowa urged union members to introspect on where they are as an organizat...

The National Education Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) says its members, who are employed by the South Africa Revenue Service (SARS) will today officially start their strike action. Nehawu and the Public Servants Association (PSA), are demanding an across-the-board wage increase of 7%. Wage talks between the union and the employer are deadlocked. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to...

South Africans continue to mourn the death of veteran TV actor Jamie Bartlett. The multi-award-winning actor best known for his role as TV villains Mike O'Reilly in Isidingo on SABC3 and David Genaro in Rhythm City on e.tv died Monday night at the age of 55. For more on Jamie Bartlett's life, Elvis Presslin spoke to Jack Devnarain, a renowned actor and chairperson of the South African Guild of Act...

As the continent marks the annual commemoration of Africa Day today, we focus on the status of migration on the continent and try to find ways how to integrate Africans. Africa's mass migration and displacement are exacerbated by wars, conflicts, politics, famine, and environmental factors such as floods, droughts, and other natural disasters. How can we find a lasting holistic solution to the cha...

The Democratic Alliance says it has learned with dismay of a proposal by the Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa the name of the Afrikaanse Taal Monument in Paarl Western Cape province, changed. The DA says the Monument symbolizes the diversity and growth of the Afrikaans language, and changing the name would take away from its historical value. For more on this, Elvis Presslin sp...

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula says he supports Sanral's decision to cancel tenders worth over 17 billion Rands. Briefing the media yesterday, Minister Mbalula said the South African National Roads Agency acted in the best interests of the company to maintain good governance in its decision to cancel the tenders. For the latest, Elvis Presslin spoke to Sanral's National spokesperson Mr. Vusi Mo...

A young Russian soldier has been sentenced to life after being found guilty of war crimes by a Ukrainian court. 21-year-old Vadim Shishimarin pleaded guilty to killing a 62-year-old Ukrainian man in the northeastern Sumy province during the war between Russia and Ukraine. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Irina Filatova, Professor Emeritus at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, UKZN...

Time to take a look at the current top African economic stories with 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..

Former Health Minister Dr. Zweli Mkhize has accepted a call by some traditional leaders to run for ANC President. The embattled former Minister was endorsed during his son, Dedani Mkhize's traditional wedding at Willowfontein, Kwa Zulu Natal at the weekend, ahead of the ANC's National Elective Conference in December this year. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Political Analyst Dr. Levy Nd...

eThekwini municipality, in KZN has activated its disaster management plan after the South African Weather Service upgraded its weather warning for heavy rains and floods to the highest possible level. At least 440 people died in last month's flooding that hit the municipality particularly hard. Parts of the Metro have again suffered massive damage including uMdloti. For the latest update, Elvis Pr...

Israel and Switzerland have become the latest countries to confirm cases of monkeypox, bringing the total number of nations reporting outbreaks to 14. More than 80 cases have been confirmed in the recent outbreak in Europe, the US, Canada, and Australia. The World Health Organization says another 50 suspected cases are being investigated and warned that more infections are likely to be confirmed....

The Foreign Press Association Africa has expressed its displeasure against media outlets using images of black people alongside stories of the Monkeypox outbreak in America and Europe. The association says it condemns the perpetuation of this negative stereotype that assigns calamity to the African race and privilege or immunity to other races. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Kennedy Wan...

The Portfolio Committee on police has adopted a report on the Criminal Law Forensic Procedure Amendment Bill. When enacted the Bill will see mandatory DNA samples taken from inmates convicted of crimes under schedule 8 offenses which include rape, murder, human trafficking, robbery, and culpable homicide. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Ian Cameron, the Director for Community Safety at A...

The alleged Stellenbosch University student rapist, who was arrested yesterday (Thursday) morning, is out on 1-thousand rand bail. The National Prosecuting Authority has confirmed that the student made a brief appearance in the Stellenbosch Magistrate's Court on two counts of rape. His case was postponed until 29 June 2022 for further investigation.  This, as students at the University, have...

The Reserve Bank has after a meeting of its Monetary Policy Committee decided to increase the repo rate by 50 basis points. The bank revised its headline inflation forecast to 5.9 percent from 5.8. Reserve Bank Governor Lesetja Kganyago defended the MPC's decision to hike rates by 50 basis points by arguing that the bank cannot act when inflationary pressures are out of control. The increase also...

Time to take a look at the current top African economic stories with 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

Rape and murder accused Abraham Mtsweni is expected to know his fate in the Western Cape High Court next week. Mtsweni - a Pastor's son, stands accused of raping and killing his girlfriend, Sesi Sibanyoni, inside her flat in Maitland, Cape Town in July 2019. For more on the trial, Elvis Presslin spoke to Advocate Jonas Sibanyoni, the father of Sesi Sibanyoni

Two former City of Ekurhuleni officials and a businessman have been jailed for tender fraud, corruption, and money laundering. The two former officials; Nilesh Singh, Andrew Mphushomadi, and businessman Velero David were sentenced and convicted yesterday for an I.T tender fraud amounting to 21-point-8 million rands. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Kaizer Kganyago, Spokesperson for the Sp...

The Ministry of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs says more than 60 municipalities have been deemed dysfunctional and 100 or more others in danger due to financial distress. Speaking at the budget tabling in Parliament, Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said about 43 municipalities need to be put under mandatory administration. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to Independent...