First Take SA

The African Transformation Movement, ATM has slammed the Eastern Cape Department of Education for its failures of allegedly putting students at a disadvantage. The National Department of Basic Education has withheld R529.8 million in funding due to the province's inability to meet required standards. The party says the move comes as no surprise, given the dire state of schools in the Eastern Cape....

Controversial Northwest businessman and alleged associate of Police Minister Senzo Mchunu, Brown Mogotsi is testifying at the Madlanga Commission today and tomorrow. The Commission is investigating allegations of police corruption and is currently in its second phase, giving implicated individuals a chance to respond to allegations. Elvis Presslin spoke to Specialist Investigator, Mike Bolhuis

Deputy President Paul Mashatile will today deliver a keynote address at the G20 Social Summit's opening ceremony in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng. The two-day summit aims to amplify the voices of civil society, grassroots organisations and communities, focusing on global issues affecting them. Elvis Presslin spoke to COSATU National Spokesperson, Zanele Sabela

Activists and Citizens Forum has hailed Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi as a hero for his courage in exposing corruption and infiltration in the criminal justice system. Activists and Citizens Forum Spokesperson, Dennis Bloem says Mkhwanazi's testimony before the Madlanga Commission has sparked a wave of hope for millions of South Africans who are facing trauma and intimidation in their work...

Residents of Schubart Park are gearing up for a crucial court battle against the City of Tshwane. The hearing, scheduled for today and tomorrow at the North Gauteng High Court, will determine the fate of hundreds of families facing eviction. The City claims to have met the requirements of a previous Constitutional Court ruling, which favoured the residents. However, residents argue this is a thinl...

Heavy rainfall and flooding continue to grip parts of the country. This after the South African Weather Service issued a Level 9 warning for Gauteng and Mpumalanga for persistent adverse weather conditions. More downpours are expected today with possible localised flooding. Level 5 alerts remain for Free State, North West and KwaZulu-Natal. Motorists are urged to must steer clear of low-lying road...

The African Christian Democratic Party, ACDP is questioning the arrival of 153 Palestinian refugees in South Africa, citing potential breaches of immigration laws. The group arrived at OR Tambo International Airport last week with reports suggesting intervention by the Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Ronald Lamola allowed them to enter the country. ACDP Deputy President, Wayne...

The South African Democratic Teachers' Union, SADTU, is condemning US President Donald Trump's claims that Afrikaners are victims of genocide in South Africa. The union calls these statements "false and inflammatory, saying they're an attempt to distort South Africa's democratic reality and sow racial division. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has also rejected Trump's claims, calling them a sour...

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

153 Palestinian travellers have been allowed into South Africa after being initially denied entry at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport. The group, who arrived on a charter flight from Kenya, were held at the airport due to incomplete documentation. But after intervention from the charity Gift of the Givers, they were admitted into the country. The travellers are eligible for 90-day vis...

Cape Town is experiencing a wave of gang-related violence, with over 30 people killed in just a few days. Residents are speaking out, saying Premier Alan Winde's government isn't doing enough to stop the bloodshed. The Western Cape has seen 63 children murdered between April and August, mostly due to gang violence. Winde recently released a report on alleged police infiltration by the 28s gang, bu...

Rise Mzansi will today picket outside the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition In Pretoria, calling on reforms to gambling laws. The party plans to hand over a memorandum and unveil a seven-point plan to overhaul gambling laws. The move follows figures showing South Africans wagered one-point-five trillion rand in the 2024/25 financial year. RISE Mzansi says the industry wrecks lives and...

The Gauteng Health department is gearing up to mark World Diabetes Day today in Soweto. The event, being held in partnership with Novo Nordisk and the City of Johannesburg, aims to raise awareness about diabetes and the challenges people with the condition face, especially in the workplace. This year's campaign focuses on promoting healthier lifestyles and encouraging early screening to reduce the...

SAFTU General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi has slammed Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement. Vavi says the budget reads straight from the DA's economic playbook and favours the wealthy and shoves the marginalised majority deeper into unemployment, poverty and inequality. Mr. Vavi spoke to Elvis Presslin to elaborate further on his sentiments.

October 2025 was one of the wettest months on record for South Africa, with some areas receiving over four times their average rainfall. This according to a recent report compiled by the South African Weather Service. The heavy rains have had a significant impact on agriculture, water management, and communities across the country, particularly in provinces like Limpopo, North West, Free State and...

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to address the national Construction Summit in Boksburg today, where industry leaders and policymakers will discuss ways to boost infrastructure delivery. The summit comes at a critical time for the sector, with many projects facing delays and challenges. Elvis Presslin spoke to KZN Public Works and Infrastructure MEC, Martin Meyer

Pastors from across the Western Cape are marching to Parliament today, to voice their opposition to proposed regulations on churches. The move follows the CRL Commission's call for greater oversight of religious organisations. The commission recently introduced a peer-review mechanism aimed at promoting accountability and curbing abuse within churches. But critics say this amounts to government in...

Education activist, Hendrick Makaneta is calling on the government to stop schools from charging parents when learners repeat grades. Makaneta says the practice is unfair and puts a strain on families who are already struggling to make ends meet. Makaneta argues that education is a basic human right and should be accessible to all, regardless of income. Elvis Presslin spoke to Education Activist,...

The Federation of Unions of South Africa, FEDUSA says the latest budget prioritizes fiscal discipline over social justice, hurting the working class and poor. FEDUSA welcomes some infrastructure investments but warns reforms must protect jobs and workers' rights. The federation wants a pro-growth, pro-worker budget that provides job security and relief for households. Elvis Presslin spoke to FEDUS...

South Africa's education system is facing a crisis. Many young learners are struggling with basic reading skills and fewer schools are offering pure mathematics according to Milpark Education. The private higher education institution says this is limiting their future opportunities and deepening inequality. Raun Billet, Chartered Accountant and Executive at Milpark Education spoke to Elvis Pressli...

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is set to table the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement for the 2025 financial season today. The statement will provide an update on the country's economic and fiscal performance and outline the government's economic and fiscal policy. The announcement comes at a time of uncertainty and skepticism among South Africans, with many concerned about the country's econo...

Political parties in Ekurhuleni are welcoming the suspension of Deputy Police Chief Julius Mkhwanazi, amid allegations of corruption and misconduct. The DA and ActionSA are among those hailing the move saying it's a step towards accountability and clean governance. Mkhwanazi was suspended following testimony at the Madlanga Commission, which revealed alleged wrongdoing within the Ekurhuleni Metrop...

South Africa's Beitbridge Port of Entry has been warned that corruption will not be tolerated, as part of a government crackdown. The Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum has launched an awareness campaign, featuring convicted offenders sharing their stories. One offender, serving 15 years, said prison was "very painful" and advised officials to stop corrupt activities. Elvis Pr...

Seventeen South African men are reportedly trapped on the freezing frontlines in Ukraine after allegedly being sent to Russia by former President Jacob Zuma's MK Party for bodyguard training. The men, who were told they would receive training to become party bodyguards, ended up in a trench on the frontlines in Ukraine after just three weeks of training. Elvis Presslin spoke to Chris Hattingh, DA...

Parliament's ad hoc committee is likely to travel to the Kgosi Mampuru C-max Prison to hear testimony from remanded detainee, Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala. The committee was established after KZN Police commissioner, Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference in the justice system. Among others, Mkhwanazi alleged that the now placed on spe...