First Take SA

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...

COSATU says it expects President Cyril Ramaphosa's State of the Nation Address, SONA to address South Africa's 42.4 % unemployment, 1 % growth, poverty, inequality, crime and corruption. The labour union is calling for faster fixes at Transnet and Metro Rail, debt relief for Transnet, stronger commuter security, an end to austerity, more frontline funding, a push on National Health Insurance, and...

Political analyst Professor André Duvenage says President Cyril Ramaphosa's 2026 State of the Nation Address will be delivered in a climate that has moved from simmering to boiling point. He expects the speech to reflect domestic tensions, especially around local government, service delivery and the ANC's declining support and to highlight recent populist legislation such as land expropriat...

Residents of Johannesburg's southern suburbs will this morning hold a peaceful protest over ongoing water outages. Communities from Mulbarton, Robertsham, Ridgeway, Ormonde and Winchester Hills are gathering to demand reliable water supply and better communication from Joburg Water and Rand Water. Elvis Presslin spoke to Joburg southern suburbs community representative, Zubair Patel

The United National Transport Union, UNTU says the government's fast‑tracked rail reforms are showing deep cracks. Private Train Operating Companies, once hailed as the solution, are now demanding urgent upgrades to a network long neglected by underinvestment and security failures. UNTU warns that opening the rail system to private operators without fixing the 31,000 km infrastructure, now managed...

Full sport news with Janet Whitton

ActionSA has tabled a motion in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature demanding the immediate rollout of a Dual Stream Grade 1 Admissions Model. The move follows a surge of complaints from parents whose children, already in Grade R at a school, risk being denied a place in Grade 1 at that same school. Under the current framework, Grade 1 is treated as an entry grade, forcing families to reapply and c...

The African School Governors Association will march to National Treasury today to deliver a memorandum of grievances over unpaid fees. This comes after scholar transport operators stopped transporting school children due to outstanding payments. The Gauteng Education Department reportedly acknowledges that the strike is disrupting learning and teaching and states it is working to pay the operators...

Residents of several Johannesburg suburbs will today stage protests over ongoing water shortages and a lack of response from Joburg Water and Rand Water. This as some residents have endured weeks without water. For more on today's protest Elvis Presslin spoke to Hermien Geldenhuys, a concerned Parktown West resident

Russian President Vladimir Putin says he will assist in the return of 17 South African men involved in the Russia‑Ukraine conflict. President Cyril Ramaphosa received a briefing from President Putin on the situation in Ukraine and on Russia's commitment to a diplomatic solution. The men were reportedly lured to join mercenary forces in the war under the pretext of lucrative employment contracts. S...

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) is demanding urgent accountability from the Government of National Unity ahead of the State of the Nation Address tommorow. ATM says modest economic growth has not reached ordinary South Africans, with about 23 million people still living below the poverty line. The party criticises recent electricity tariff increases, warning they will deepen energy pover...

A new UNICEF data brief reports that nearly one in five children in Eastern and Southern Africa are engaged in child labour. The region accounts for almost one‑third of the global total and has the highest number of children in hazardous work, including mining and construction. UNICEF says children belong in classrooms, not workplaces. Elvis Presslin spoke to Nankali Maksud, Regional Advisor for C...