First Take SA

The Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU says the latest Stats SA figures show a positive shift in the labour market. This follows the release of the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey, which showed that the unemployment rate decreased by point five of a percentage point to 31point four-percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. COSATU is calling on the ANC‑led government to strengthen fro...

A new University of the Free State study has found hormone-disrupting chemicals in every sanitary pad and pantyliner tested from brands sold in South Africa, even those labelled organic or chemical-free. The research detected phthalates, parabens and bisphenols in all samples, with at least two such substances in every product. UFS scientists warn that millions of women face regular exposure and a...

The ANC Youth League in Gauteng has slammed the Gauteng Department of Education over unpaid municipal electricity bills that have left schools in Ekurhuleni without power. In a strongly worded statement, the League described the situation as unacceptable, saying learners are now forced to study in the dark because of the department's failure to settle accounts with the City of Ekurhuleni. Elvis Pr...

Messages of sympathy are flooding in for Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, who passed away at his Chicago home on Tuesday at age 84. U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, calling Jackson "a good man with lots of personality, grit and street smarts" and offering condolences to his family. Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle said Jackson "created opportunities for generatio...

Members of the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance South Africa, together with other anti‑alcohol organisations will today march to Parliament to raise concern about the harmful impact of alcohol on children and local communities. Organisers point to alcohol abuse as a major factor behind high murder rates on the Cape Flats and they are calling for stronger measures to curb its availability a...

The Democratic Alliance says Gauteng lost 54,000 jobs in the fourth quarter of 2025, the steepest decline of any province. This with unemployment at 33 % and about 2-point-56 million residents out of work. DA leader Solly Msimanga links the slump to under‑investment caused by high crime, power and water outages and crumbling infrastructure, especially in central business districts such as Johannes...

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) says it is appalled by last week's disruptions to teaching and learning at Wordsworth High School in Benoni- East of Gauteng. ACDP Cllr Palesa Yates says the protest by community members supporting girl learners wishing to wear male  school uniforms amounts to grandstanding by those with an inappropriate political agenda. Our schools need to focus...

Elvis Presslin takes 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

ActionSA leader and former Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba has entered the race for the city's mayoral seat ahead of the 2026 local government elections. The party's selection committee has shortlisted five candidates, including Mashaba, national chairperson Michael Beaumont, party spokesperson Lerato Ngobeni, Gauteng provincial leader Funzi Ngobeni and MP Dereleen James. Interviews began on Mon...

The Democratic Alliance in the City of Ekurhuleni has welcomed the decision to place Head of Legal Services Kemi Behari and Head of Human Resources Linda Qxasheka on full suspension. Both officials were named in the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria for failing to discipline suspended Ekurhuleni Metro Police Deputy Chief, Julius Mkhwanazi. A report from police watchdog IPID recommended disciplinary...

Three farmers and an Eskom employee are expected to appear in the Randfontein Magistrate's Court today for their bail applications. The suspects stand accused for alleged electricity theft and illegal connections. Eskom Gauteng Spokesperson, Amanda Qithi spoke to Elvis Presslin

Deputy Minister of Defence and Military Veterans Bantu Holomisa says the South African National Defence Force is ready to deploy soldiers to gang‑affected communities nationwide, following President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation address. Civic group Cape Forum has welcomed the plan, saying a military presence in areas such as the Cape Flats could help bring stability. For reaction Elvis Pr...

Community activists In Oudtshoorn, Western Cape are demanding the immediate arrest of those behind a disturbing assault on children, that's now gone viral online. Police spokesperson Sergeant Wesley Twigg says a case of assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm has been opened and that investigators are still piecing together exactly what happened. Locals are furious and insist the perpetrato...

The Workers and Socialist Party, (WASP) has condemned the killing of Abahlali baseMjondolo leader Zweli "Khabazela" Mkhize, who was shot on Thursday evening in eNkanini, Ellandale, Gauteng. Police say two hitmen arrived in a Renault and gunned him down at a friend's home. WASP says Mkhize's death is part of a pattern of violence against Abahlali baseMjondolo leaders and holds the state responsible...

A woman arrested in connection with the brutal murder of an e-hailing driver in Pretoria West is expected to appear in the Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court today. She faces charges of hijacking and murder. Police say the driver was overpowered inside his vehicle after picking up a man and a woman who had requested the ride. The hijacked vehicle and the driver's body were later found in Atteridgev...

The ANC in Gauteng has expressed its desire to maintain cooperation with the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in all municipalities across the province. This comes after EFF leader Julius Malema announced earlier this month that his party would terminate its cooperation agreements with the ANC in Gauteng. Malema accused ANC Ekurhuleni chairperson Dr. Nkosidipile Xakaza of attempting to exclude the...

Scholar transport services across Gauteng will resume this morning after the Gauteng Small Bus Operators Council (GASBOC) confirmed receipt of payment from the provincial Department of Education. The services had been suspended due to non-payment by the department, affecting thousands of learners. Elvis Presslin spoke to Secretary of Gauteng Small Bus Operators Council (GASBOC), Paul Zikhali

The Congress of the People (COPE) says undocumented foreign nationals are a growing concern in South Africa, citing challenges at border management and its impact on local communities. The party raised issues around crime, drug trafficking, and violence against women and children, calling for stronger leadership and citizen-focused governance. Elvis Presslin spoke to COPE's National Chairperson, P...

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the National Government will ease pressure on local municipalities by simplifying the system. Where municipalities fail, he says national government will intervene more quickly and direct corrective measures to better serve the people. Ramaphosa also announced a National Water Crisis Committee, which he will chair, to address water problems across the country. Johann...

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) will be deployed to support police in dealing with gang violence and illegal mining in the Western Cape, Gauteng and other provinces. The announcement was made last night during his State of the Nation Address. For the latest, we're now joined by Specialist Investigator, Mike Bolhuis...

The National Taxi Alliance says it takes seriously any calls to remove scholars from its taxis. The Greater Gauteng Learner Transport Organisation will hold a stay‑away from school today, protesting what it calls "abuse and impoundment of learner transport operators' vehicles" and unpaid invoices. The Taxi Alliance says while it respects the right to strike, it has asked scholar transport operator...

Political parties have responded with mixed reactions to President Ramaphosa SONA in Cape Town last night. Some parties praised the speech, highlighting areas of alignment with their policies. Others expressed skepticism, saying the address contained nothing new and was full of empty promises. For more on the reactions, we're joined by Political analyst, Dr. Levy Ndou…

Love is blind… but debt is not. This is according to Debt Advisors who advise about the messy link between love and money. This Valentine's Day, as South Africans spend big on romance in a tight economy, debt experts warn that flashy gestures often hide financial pressure and undisclosed debt, problems that surface later, when it's hardest to escape. We are now joined on the line by Sharon...

As South Africa approaches the 2026 State of the Nation Address, United Africans Transformation (UAT) is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to move beyond repetition and symbolism. UAT says the address must include clear, time‑bound commitments that address weak economic growth, high unemployment, rising violent crime and deteriorating public services. The party also demands a full, transparent...