First Take SA

COSATU has welcomed the tabling of the Liquor Amendment Bill in Parliament. The Bill  seeks to ban the advertisement, promotion, and product placement of alcohol across all media forms. The bill also calls for the state to actively counter the normalization of alcohol use and curb alcohol-related harm by reducing the visibility and consumption of liquor. The Bill was tabled by EFF Member of P...

The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng will today launch its infrastructure campaign in efforts to resolve the province's crumbling roads, cable theft, and vandalism of substations that frequently leave residents without water and electricity. The campaign kicks off at the incomplete Modderfontein bridge, a project stalled since 2021, causing severe traffic congestion. The Johannesburg Roads Agency pa...

With elections just over a year away, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged party members to ensure that their selection process for councillors in the 2026 local polls produce impeccable and capable public representatives. He was speaking at the opening of their Special NEC underway in Boksburg east of Johannesburg. The two day meeting was called to discuss the state of local government with a...

Nearly 3,000 South African soldiers deployed in the Democratic Republic of Congo are threatening legal action against the Department of Defence over unpaid fees. The South African National Defence Union, SANDU says it will take the matter to court if the outstanding payments are not settled. Elvis Presslin spoke to SA National Defence Union Chief Negotiator, Jeff Dubazana

A wave of violence has struck the Kraaifontein Wallacedene community in Cape Town, leaving residents gripped by fear. In the early hours of Sunday, three people were shot dead and another stabbed to death in three separate incidents. One person was injured. This follows a deadly week, with a total of 14 killings reported in the area. Police are investigating the incidents but have yet to make arre...

The ANC Youth League has strongly rejected claims of internal factionalism and leadership battles ahead of the 2027 succession. The ANC Youth League have called the media report and claims of internal factionalism and leadership battles as 'bought journalism' and a fabrication aimed at tarnishing its reputation. The League clarified that its recent National General Council focused on preparing for...

The Economic Freedom Fighters, EFF have tabled a private member's bill in Parliament to amend the Electoral Act of 1998. The proposed legislation aims to automatically register all South African citizens on the national voters' roll at age 16, using data from the national population register. Under the bill, the Independent Electoral Commission would notify citizens of their registration and requi...

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 Economic Freedom Fighters, EFF say the government's decision to pull back proposed changes to the National Credit Act came straight from weeks of public pushback. The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition has withdrawn the amendment regulations amid widespread criticism that they would hit low-income families and young people hardest with tighter credit rules. The Act would have allowe...

The Constitutional Court has cleared the way for husbands to take their wives' surnames upon marriage, in a recent landmark ruling. The verdict strikes down key sections of the Births and Deaths Registration Act as unconstitutional saying they unfairly discriminated against men by denying them the same automatic name-change rights long given to women. The case was brought by two couples: Henry van...

The Public Servants Association, PSA  will today embark on an industrial action over a long-running dispute with the Department of Military Veterans. At the heart of the standoff is an unresolved demand for talks on the department's organisational structure review. The Union says it has exhausted all channels for negotiation. Elvis Presslin spoke to PSA Chief Negotiator at the Department of M...

The FBI is offering a $100,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the gunman who killed conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The 31-year-old Turning Point USA co-founder was shot in the neck while speaking at a campus debate at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, yesterday. The single shot, fired from a nearby rooftop, sparked panic as thousands of attendees fled the scene. Utah Gove...

Not In My Name International has raised concerns over a growing perception that the South African Human Rights Commission, or SAHRC, prioritizes the rights of foreign nationals over South African citizens. The organization says human rights are universal but is urging the Commission to address the urgent struggles of locals with equal attention. Elvis Presslin spoke to President of Not In My Name...

The National Prosecuting Authority, NPA will reopen the inquest into the death of anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko on Friday, marking 48 years since he died in police custody. Biko, the 30-year-old founder of the Black Consciousness Movement, was arrested in Port Elizabeth in August 1977 and beaten during interrogation. He suffered severe head injuries and was driven more than 1,000 kilometres t...

Protests over chronic water shortages in Johannesburg's Westbury and Coronationville areas turned violent yesterday, leaving one elderly man dead and several others injured. Residents blocked roads with burning tyres and debris, demanding reliable water after nearly a week without taps running. Johannesburg Water says the outages stem from ongoing maintenance, but locals say tanker deliveries aren...

Today marks three years since the devastating Jagersfontein tailings dam failure in the Free State. On the 11th of September 2022, the dam collapse flooded homes in Charlesville and Skoti, causing widespread damage. In related news, 26 victims of the disaster, along with the Kopanong Local Municipality, have launched a civil lawsuit against Jagersfontein Developments mine, seeking over three billi...

Civil rights organisation Action Society has raised concerned about the wave of violence targeting South Africa's justice system. The organisation has condemned the attacks on courts and legal professionals as a direct threat to the rule of law. This month a man awaiting a bail hearing was fatally shot at Athlone Magistrate's Court in a suspected gang-related hit, two others were wounded. Police b...

The Pretoria High Court has dismissed an application by Deputy National Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Shadrack Sibiya to challenge his placement on leave. The court ordered Sibiya to pay legal costs. The decision follows his suspension in July amid allegations of misconduct raised by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Sibiya sought to have the leave order declared unlaw...

Police in Tshwane are working to resolve a tense hostage situation in Mamelodi East's Buffer Zone. A 32-year-old police constable has been holding his grandmother, nephew, and another young boy inside a house since 8 AM yesterday. Authorities report the officer fired two shots before police arrived. Hostage negotiators and the Special Task Force are on the scene, engaging with the constable, who i...

Hamas says its leadership survived an Israeli airstrike in Doha, Qatar, but confirms six people were killed, including a Qatari security officer. Qatar, a key mediator in Israel-Hamas talks, condemned the strike as a "blatant violation" of international law. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared there would be "no immunity" for Hamas leaders, stating the attack was a response to recen...

September marks National Wills Month, shining a spotlight on one of the most overlooked aspects of financial planning. From 15 to 19 September, the Law Society of South Africa hosts Wills Week, urging citizens to draft valid wills. With over 85% of South Africans dying intestate, families face delays, disputes, and financial strain. Experts stress that a will is not just for the wealthy, it's a si...

The South African government is facing sharp criticism after representatives of the sanctioned M23 rebel group attended a peace and security dialogue in Magaliesburg, Gauteng, without proper vetting. The Thabo Mbeki Foundation hosted the event, which aimed to address conflicts across Africa. The presence of M23, just months after 14 South African soldiers were killed in clashes with the group in G...

Today is the second day of the Africa Climate Summit in Ethiopia, over 60 children from 14 African countries are urging leaders to put their voices at the heart of climate policies. UNICEF warns that 51 million children across the continent face hunger, displacement, and climate shocks. The summit aim to accelerate climate solutions in response to the worsening impacts of climate change on African...

Trade union Solidarity is taking Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni to court over alleged defamation, after she claimed that Solidarity and its sister organisation AfriForum led misinformation campaigns against South Africa. The union launched a defamation case against Ntshavheni, with President Cyril Ramaphosa being the second respondent in the case. Elvis Presslin spoke to Solidarit...

The Madlanga Commission of Inquiry, set up by President Cyril Ramaphosa to probe corruption and political interference in South Africa's justice system is facing criticism after revealing its findings will not be legally binding. Evidence Leader Advocate Matthew Chaskalson says the Commission's role is to hold public hearings and make recommendations to the president, who will have the final say....