First Take SA

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

The ANC in Ekurhuleni is celebrating a High Court victory, with the court ordering energy regulator Nersa to relook at the city's electricity tariffs for 2024/25. The decision brings relief to residents and small businesses hit by high electricity costs. The ANC says the ruling vindicates its campaign for affordable tariffs and commitment to public consultation. The suspension of a disputed tariff...

EFF leader Julius Malema is back in the East London Magistrate's Court today for pre-sentencing, following his conviction for discharging a firearm during the party's 2018 anniversary celebrations. Malema was found guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, discharging a firearm and reckless endangerment. EFF National Spokesperson, Thembi Msane spoke to Elvis Presslin

Scholar transport services in Lenasia and parts of Soweto, Johannesburg, are currently on a stay-away following a crackdown on overloading. Over 60 vehicles were impounded and three drivers arrested during a blitz inspection. This comes in the wake of a fatal crash in Vanderbijlpark on Monday that killed 14 learners. Elvis Presslin spoke to Sibongile Maseko, General Secretary of the Greater Gauten...

Eastern Cape police are investigating a fatal shooting at Ntabankulu Primary School in Zwelitsha, where a former teacher allegedly opened fire, killing two educators and injuring another. The suspect, out on bail for sexual assault charges, took his own life at the scene. One of the injured teachers later died in hospital. For reaction Elvis Presslin spoke to Eastern Cape SADTU Secretary, Malibong...

Johannesburg's waste management company Pikitup and union SAMWU are still at odds, with negotiations ongoing after a week-long strike by casual workers demanding permanent positions. The workers claim they were promised jobs back in 2023, but talks broke down, leading to the strike. The standoff has led to a buildup of waste, with residents complaining of health hazards. Pikitup says it's working...

The government's spending priorities are under fire after allocating R3.7 billion for VIP protection, more than the R2.4 billion budget for the Hawks. ActionSA says the move shows leaders are out of touch, with ministers and deputies also getting a 3.8% salary boost and spending over R500 million on travel in 18 months. ActionSA has slammed the government, saying "people before perks" is being ign...

The University of Johannesburg's rescue specialists are on the ground in Mozambique, responding to severe flooding that's left over 100 people dead and 173,000 affected. The team, led by Mr. Connor Hartnady, includes experts in swift water and aviation rescue and is working with Rescue South Africa and the Nelson Mandela University to provide critical support. The deployment comes after a request...

South African politicians are under fire after getting a 3.8% pay hike, despite many citizens struggling with poverty and unemployment. The United Africans Transformation, UAT party says the increase is an "insult to the poor" and wants it reversed. Critics argue the government's priorities are skewed, with many South Africans struggling to access basic services. The pay hike takes effect on the f...

Gauteng police are on a manhunt for suspects linked to a deadly shooting that killed five men in Jeffsville, Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria. Elvis Presslin spoke to Atteridgeville community leader of the Pheli Joint Civic Movement, Elias Makgwadi

A tense stand-off erupted once again between anti-illegal immigration protesters and foreign nationals at Addington Primary School in Durban yesterday.  A group of March and March, Operation Dudula and MK Party supporters resumed their demonstration at the school over the enrolment of foreign nationals. They are demanding that learners who are South African citizens be prioritised for admissi...

The Congress of South African Trade Unions  (COSATU) is standing in solidarity with Venezuela, condemning US aggression and calling for global action against imperialism and racism. The union is organizing protests and pickets, including an international action day this morning and a march in Sandton on Saturday. Elvis Presslin spoke to COSATU's 1st Deputy President, Mike Shingange

The ANC is taking its Back to School programme to KwaZulu-Natal this week, with NEC member Dr. Zweli Mkhize leading the charge. The two-day event kicks off today, with visits to four high schools and meetings with religious leaders and the South African Democratic Teachers Union. The initiative aims to address educational challenges and provide support to learners in the province. Elvis Presslin s...

The MK Party has taken the ANC to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts, SCOPA accusing the party of misusing public funds for a January 8th event in Bloemfontein. The event, branded as a heritage programme, reportedly featured ANC regalia and messaging with state-funded transport and logistics across 51 wards. The party claims this is a violation of constitutional principles and has called fo...

Two people are dead and three others injured after a shooting incident at the Booysens Magistrates' Court in Johannesburg yesterday. The Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Development has condemned the incident and is working with law enforcement to ensure safety measures are in place. The circumstances surrounding the shooting are unclear. Elvis Presslin spoke to Deputy Justice and Constituti...

South African Aids Council, SANAC's Civil Society Forum Children's Sector is calling for accountability after more than12 children died in a Vanderbijlpark scholar transport crash yesterday. They are  demanding action from Scholar Transport Associations, the Department of Education and government, citing systemic neglect and weak safety regulations. Elvis Presslin spoke to Oupa Shumeni, Natio...

The Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU has welcomed a new gazette empowering labour inspectors to enforce pension fund payment compliance. The move targets employers who deduct contributions from workers' salaries but fail to pay them, with over 15,000 employers defaulting last year, affecting 600,000 workers. The security sector, municipalities and automotive industry are key offender...

RISE Mzansi is mourning the loss of learners in a devastating crash in Vanderbijlpark, Johannesburg. The party is calling for improved road safety measures, including regular stats updates to Parliament and a clampdown on unroadworthy vehicles. The Department of Transport recently reported a 5% reduction in road deaths but RISE Mzansi says more needs to be done. Elvis Presslin spoke to RISE Mzansi...

The South African government is facing backlash over the removal of an artwork from the Venice Biennale. Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Gayton McKenzie pulled Gabrielle Goliath's Elegy, citing "division", but critics say it's a clear case of state censorship. The artwork, a ritualised practice of mourning, tackles femicide, sexual violence and patriarchal systems. McKenzie's move has sparked...

The Greater Gauteng Learner Transport Organisation has pinned the blame for the Vanderbijlpark accident, In Vaal which killed 14 learners, on the driver's negligence. The Organisation's General Secretary Sibongile Maseko says the driver had proper documentation but failed to ensure safety. She spoke to our Senior producer Ronald Phiri, expressing her sorrow and that they're working with authoritie...

Parents of the 14 learners killed in a tragic taxi scholar transport accident in Vanderbijlpark say they are still waiting for a visit from the owner of the taxi and the taxi organisation.  Elvis Presslin spoke to Mmaki Josephine Mokhobo, a grieving mother who lost her daughter in the tragic scholar transport accident.

ActionSA and the Democratic Alliance are calling for an urgent investigation into reports that senior SANDF officials defied President Cyril Ramaphosa's orders during naval drills in Simon's Town. The President had reportedly instructed that Iran be excluded from the exercises, but Iranian warships allegedly took part. ActionSA's parliamentary chief whip, Lerato Ngobeni, says this is a "serious br...

RISE Mzansi is backing National Treasury's decision to extend the deadline for public comment on the proposed online gambling tax to the 27th of February this year. The party is urging all South Africans to participate in the process, saying the proposed tax is a step towards regulating an industry that has caused harm to lives and livelihoods. Elvis Presslin spoke to RISE Mzansi Chief Organiser a...

The South African Local Government Association (SALGA) is calling for urgent national action to strengthen disaster management systems. The government has declared a national disaster in provinces hit by severe flooding, including KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Western Cape, which has also faced fires. SALGA Chairperson for Emergency Services and Disaster Management Working Group, Mlul...

The government has declared a national disaster in provinces hit by severe flooding, including KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga, Limpopo and the Western Cape; which has also experiencenced  wild fires. Heavy rainfall has displaced many communities, damaged homes and disrupted basic services. The South African Red Cross Society has responded to the disasters, but says that collective action is needed...