First Take SA

The ANC has criticised the Democratic Alliance's proposal to scrap Black Economic Empowerment, saying it's an idea that must be challenged by all democracy-loving people. The DA argues that BEE has promoted corruption and killed jobs, benefiting only politically connected individuals. The party unveiled its Economic Inclusion for All Bill, which proposes winding down the BEE Commission and removin...

The Johannesburg Metro Police Department, JMPD is calling for an immediate investigation into the arrest of seven of its officers by the South African Police Service during a vehicle recovery operation in Bekkersdal, Westrand. The JMPD claims the arrests were baseless and part of a disturbing pattern of interference and hostility. The department is demanding transparency and accountability, citing...

The 2025 National Senior Certificate exams kick off today with the Computer Applications Technology Paper 1 practical. Over 900,000 candidates are registered, including a record 766,000 full full-time learners and more than 137,000 part-time candidates. Education officials are urging students to stay focused, while communities rally behind the Class of 2025 with strong support. Elvis Presslin spok...

The Public Servants Association, PSA has welcomed a Special Tribunal ruling ordering Nozihle Construction and Projects CC to repay R2.4 million unlawfully obtained through a COVID-19 personal protective equipment tender in Mpumalanga. The association applauds the Special Investigating Unit's efforts in ensuring accountability and deterring corruption in public procurement. The PSA is now calling f...

The South African Federation of Trade Unions, SAFTU has condemned the theft and trafficking of essential medicines, including antiretrovirals, discovered in a bus crash in Limpopo that claimed 43 lives. SAFTU says this criminal activity endangers lives and undermines healthcare. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to SAFTU National Spokesperson, Newton Masuku...

The Afrika Mayibuye Movement has slammed the City of Tshwane for allegedly spending R777 million on water tankers in the 2024/2025 financial year. The party says the overspending, exceeding the budget by R457 million, threatens the city's financial audit. Mayibuye is calling the expenditure a blatant misuse of funds, alleging it benefits contractors linked to city officials. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to...

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa will today meet with His Majesty King Zwelozuko Matiwane of the AmaMpondomise Kingship in Qumbu, Eastern Cape. The courtesy visit, requested by King Matiwane, is expected to address the reconstitution of Traditional Councils and other key issues impacting traditional governance. For more on this, Minister Hlabisa spoke...

The Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has announced a massive R2.2 trillion investment in South Africa's energy sector. The Integrated Resource Plan aims to stabilize the country's energy supply, attract investment, and promote economic growth. Ramokgopa emphasized a diversified energy mix, including coal, nuclear, hydro, solar, and wind power. The plan targets adding 105,0...

The South African Democratic Teachers' Union, SADTU, has extended its best wishes to students sitting for the 2025 National Senior Certificate examinations. The union acknowledges the challenges faced by the Class of 2025, whose education was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic. SADTU is calling for a smooth exam period and urges communities to support learners during this critical time. Bongiwe Zw...

A new study in The Lancet reveals South Africa's health challenges are shifting. Life expectancy has dropped to 66.5 years in 2023, down from 67.7 in 1990. While progress against HIV/AIDS has been strong, non-communicable diseases like stroke and diabetes are rising, threatening those gains. Experts warn that without action on chronic illnesses, health systems face growing strain. Globally, the st...

Bongiwe Zwane 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

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has denied any communication with businessman Brown Mogotsi when he ordered the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team. Mchunu, who is currently placed on special leave is appearing before Parliament's ad hoc committee amid allegations of political interference in policing. Mchunu has expressed concern that Mogotsi obtained information about his directive. The...

The United Democratic Movement, UDM has welcomed a new report on the impact of de-industrialisation on small towns, launched at the Heidelberg Symposium. Titled "The Impact of De-Industrialisation on Small Towns: Case Studies of Lichtenburg and Komati," the report by Frontline Africa Advisory, the Industrial Development Think Tank and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition highlights ho...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is set to lay criminal charges against Lerato Madyo, the former Chief Financial Officer of the Gauteng Department of Health. The charges will be opened at Johannesburg's Central Police Station today. Madyo is accused of failing to act on warnings from murdered whistleblower Babita Deokaran about suspected fraud at Tembisa Hospital. She's also suspected of po...

The Pretoria High Court will today hear the Presidency's bid to recover over R28 million in legal fees from former President Jacob Zuma. The costs stem from his court battles since 2018, linked to the 1999 arms deal. Zuma's legal team argues he cannot afford the repayment, citing financial hardship despite his pension. The Presidency, alongside the State Attorney and Solicitor-General is pushing f...

Kenyan President William Ruto has declared a 7-day national mourning period following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Odinga passed away in India at the age of 80, where he was receiving medical treatment. He led Kenya from 2008 to 2013. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent condolences to the Kenyan government and Its people. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Kenyan MP, Maxwell K...

Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is set to testify before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee today. Mchunu is facing questions over allegations of interference in the justice system and corruption within the police force. KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of overstepping his authority, including disbanding a task team investigating political ki...

The Campaign to Scrap the Labour Law Amendment Bills will today protest outside the Department of Employment and Labour's Braamfontein office in Johannesburg. The coalition of more than 40 unions, feminist groups and social movements has rejected the current R28.79 hourly minimum wage, calling it a "poverty wage". They're demanding public hearings so workers can have their say on what constitutes...

The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng is calling for the immediate dismissal of Lesiba Arnold Malotana, the Head of the Health Department, rejecting his current suspension with full pay. The DA accuses Malotana of longstanding underperformance and links to multiple scandals, including a Special Investigating Unit probe into allegations of a multi-million-rand bribe to secure a contract. In August, Pr...

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to visit Louis Trichardt following a tragic bus crash that claimed 43 lives. The bus was traveling from Gqeberha to Zimbabwe and Malawi when the accident occurred. Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba says authorities are investigating boxes of medication and condoms found scattered at the crash site. Elvis Presslin spoke to African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association...

Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has accused KwaZulu-Natal Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of using corruption allegations against him to block his path from becoming national commissioner after Fannie Masemola's term. Appearing for a second day before Parliament's Ad Hoc committee probing police corruption, Sibiya denied meddling in murder probes or ties to sh...

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, POPCRU, has raised concern over unexplained reductions in pension fund values reported by its members in recent statements from the Government Employees Pension Fund. POPCRU says these changes were made without consultation or clear explanation. The GEPF attributes the reductions to actuarial projections, but POPCRU argues these should not affect existing...

A Protea Is Not a Flower, is a thrilling exhibition presented by Zeitz MOCAA featuring South African contemporary visual artists Robin Rhode and Lerato Shadi based in Germany, responding to the life and works of poet Don Mattera, painter Gerard Sekoto and writer Bessie Head. The exhibition opens on 16 October 2025 and runs until 15 November 2026. Elvis Presslin spoke to Khanyi Mawhayi, the Curator...

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina is reported to have fled the country on a French military plane. The move comes after mass protests led by young people, dubbed "Gen Z", rocked the nation with demands for change escalating into unrest. Segments of the military allegedly refused orders to crack down on demonstrators, instead siding with protesters, fuelling the crisis. Elvis Presslin spoke to...

Suspended Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has told Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee he wasn't solely responsible for disbanding the Political Killings Task Team. Sibiya says he acted on instructions from National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola. Appearing before the committee probing allegations of corruption and political interference in the justice system, Sibiya denied being the key...