First Take SA

The Gauteng government has warned that it will take drastic steps to deal with those who do not comply with government's directive of keeping crowds to below one hundred. It has called on citizens to co-operate as it tries to contain COVID19 in the province. The province has established a team to deal with corona virus. It believes the drastic measures taken by the country and the province will yi...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has made an undertaking that government will communicate regularly and transparently regarding government efforts to combat the Corona virus. Ramaphosa had a meeting with the 14 leaders of opposition parties in Parliament to discuss matters around this issue. The number of confirmed cases now stands at 116.

The South African Zionist Churches have reiterated that hundreds of thousands of their members will gather this upcoming Easter Holidays to worship and celebrate God. This despite government's ban on gatherings which include more than a hundred people amid the corona virus pandemic. The Saint Engenas ZCC has however announced that it has postponed its annual Easter pilgrimage in support of efforts...

All eyes are on the South African Reserve Bank TODAY as governor Lesetja Kganyago is expected to announce further cuts in the interest rate and possibly announce new measures to cushion the economy amid the covid-19 pandemic. Threats to the slow-growing economy have also been hampered by the weakening South African rand against world currencies. Opposition parties such as the DA have meanwhile cal...

Behavioural experts are warning against panic bulk buying as thousands took to retail stores yesterday to stock-pile on basic necessities. This as the Corona virus pandemic tightens its grip on many South Africans lives across the country. Shoppers could be seen on many social media platforms stocking up on goods such as hand-sanitizers, toilet paper and non-perishable goods. Experts however warn...

Power utility-ESKOM says municipalities who fail to settle their electricity debts will have their power cut off. Gauteng municipalities owe Eskom 2.6 billion Rand. The Vaal-based Emfuleni Local Municipality has agreed to pay Eskom 50-million Rand by yesterday, while the Merafong and RandWest municipalities are on the verge of an electricity debt crisis with a combined 732-million rand debt. Gaute...

Sport betting has suffered severely in South Africa following the spread of the Coronavirus in the country. With just over sixty positive cases reported in South Africa, this has forced various federations to suspend or cancel their events. Cricket South Africa has suspended all forms of cricket across the board for the net sixty days, while Athletics South Africa and Swimming South Africa have do...

Retailers are running out of stock as consumers rush to buy essentials. As the number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in South Africa continues to rise, store shelves are running empty as scores of people rush to buy supplies in bulk. The number of confirmed cases in the country now stands at 62 with two possible cases of local transmission being investigated. In Woodmead, north of Johannesb...

All ANC conferences including the national general council (NGC) have been postponed. The party says this is as the result of the impact of stringent measures introduced by government to combat the spread of the virus in the country. Atleast about 3000 party members were expected to convene for the NGC in June to review progress in implementing the party's policies

The South African Medical Association, SAMA, has advised its members to refuse to treat patients if they do not have sufficient protection against corona virus. It says their members are concerned about contracting corona virus from their patients. In the wake of the corona outbreak people who suspect they may be infected have been advised to seek medical care immediately. However this exposes hea...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a National State of disaster in term of the Disaster Management. Ramaphosa made the announcement during his address of the nation as part of the country's fight against the spread of coronavirus, which has now infected 61 people. This followed a special cabinet meeting at the Union Building in Pretoria, to discuss measures to combat the outbreak. Ramaphosa al...

Corona virus will Impacting hugely particularly in the Western Cape which is one of the biggest tourist destination on the African continent. The spill over is that its not only going to be Cape Town but also Mpumalanga because of the game parks and other game lodges that are located there so its going to hugely negative for both urban jobs in the case of Cape Town but also rural jobs in the case...

The National Heritage Council together with and the Congress of Traditional leaders of South Africa have urged government to disseminate information about the covid-19 pandemic in all indigenous languages. CONTRALESA says people in rural areas will be worst affected if the virus spreads. This as the number of corona virus cases in country now stands at 61. Contralesa's secretary general Zolani Mki...

The New York Stock Exchange temporarily halted trading when automatic breakers where triggered for the second time in a week after a quick slide after Wall Streets opening Thursday. The Dow Jones dropped 1700 points despite an address last night by President Donald Trump from the Oval Office failed to settle nervous investors amidst the Coronavirus pandemic. Trump announced he would be severely re...

A report into corruption in the water sector has recommended that all major water related projects undertaken during the tenure of former Water and Sanitation Minister Nomvula Mokonyane be investigated. The report found that between 2014 and 2018 the department incurred 4-billion rand in irregular expenditure. The report entitled Money Down the Drain:

With South Africa now treating thirteen cases of the deadly Coronavirus -- an indepth understanding of how the virus is easily transmitted becomes essential. Experts have warned of the devastating consequences fake news has had in relation to the virus. To date, the virus has claimed more than 4300 lives, infecting more than 120-thousand globally.

The future of businesses in Ladysmith in western KwaZulu-Natal is still uncertain as protesters insist that they will continue with demonstrations that has caused much of the town to close down. Protesters took this decision at meetings held in various communities around Ladysmith

The Western Cape has registered its first positive test for the Covid-19 virus in Cape Town. The patient, a man aged 36, is currently in self-isolation, after presenting himself to a private hospital.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the South African team travelling to Wuhan as heroes who carry the pride and hope of the nation. The president together Minister of Health Dr Zweli Mhkize and Miniister of Defence and Military Veterans Nosiviwe Noluthando Mapisa-Nqakula bid their goodbyes and well wishes to the team who will repatriate 121 South Africans from the Chinese city of Wuhan, the epic...

One of the country's biggest mobile network operator, Vodacom has agreed to reduce its data prices by 30 per cent across all channels from the first of April this year. The move follows a scathing report published by the Competition Commission, which found that data prices in South Africa were too high and uncompetitive. Vodacom says the reduction will result in savings of over 2-point-7-billon-ra...

The High Court in Pretoria has set aside the Public Protector's CR17 report, declaring it invalid and unlawful. The case was brought by President Cyril Ramaphosa, for a judicial review. Ramaphosa was challenging the Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane's report into the funding of his 2017 ANC presidential election campaign. The court found that Mkhwebane was reckless and exceeded her lawful limits...

The Higher Education and Training Department is to investigate management of institutions of higher learning, student leadership and security companies for possible collusion in destabilising universities to procure more security services. That's according to Higher Educadtion Minister Blade Nzimande. Nzimande provided feedback on problems engulfing the Zululand University that has been ridden wit...

Market analysts say the sharp decline in the oil price presents both challenges and opportunities for South Africa. Brent crude fell over 30 percent , after Saudi Arabia slashed prices amid rising Coronavirus concerns. Independent Analyst Liston Meintjes says lower oil price will help to reduce transport costs. But has warned that plunging oil prices are also having a negative impact on some local...

The Limpopo Health Department has allayed fears of possible Coronavirus infections in the province. This follows reports that 16 Capricorn TVET college students, who returned from a two-year internship programme in China, had not been thoroughly tested for Covid-19. They were part of 29 interns from TVET colleges around the country, who returned last Friday from a Construction SETA internship.

South Africa has confirmed its third COVID-19 Coronavirus case. All three patients travelled as a group of 10 to Italy. Nine from the group returned to the country on March 1st. This latest patient is confirmed to be the wife of the country's first confirmed case, the Hilton man from KwaZulu-Natal. The second patient, a thirty-nine year old Gauteng woman, is being treated at the Charlotte Maxeke H...