First Take SA

AMCU president Joseph Mathunjwa has called for a major political overhaul in South Africa. Speaking at the 13th anniversary of the Marikana massacre near Rustenburg, in the North West, Mathunjwa proposed reducing the country's over 600 registered political parties to just two. Mathunjwa argues this would streamline governance and address ongoing challenges. Elvis Presslin spoke to AMCU President,...

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) has revealed a questionable European trip by seven Transport Department officials, who travelled to France and Amsterdam to inspect a smart card printing machine for driver's licenses, only to reportedly examine the wrong one. A video shared on X shows the group toasting in Amsterdam, raising concerns about the trip's purpose amid a 600,000-driver's licens...

The South African Communist Party, SACP, has questioned the criticism surrounding SANDF chief Rudzane Maphwanya's recent visit to Iran. Iranian media reports that Maphwanya praised Iran's military capabilities, suggesting potential cooperation with South Africa to promote mutual interests and global security. However, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, DIRCO has clarified t...

The South African National Taxi Council, SANTACO, has slammed false social media claims suggesting it ordered private motorists not to carry passengers. The council says taxi use is voluntary and only law enforcement can regulate transport. This follows the tragic killing of an e-hailing driver at Maponya Mall in Soweto, where he was allegedly shot by disgruntled taxi operators. His vehicle, along...

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 National E-hailing Federation of South Africa (NEFSA) has condemned the brutal murder of an e-hailing driver at Maponya Mall in Soweto. One person was burned to death and two others were shot and wounded in the attack on Wednesday night. The federation demands urgent intervention from authorities, Maponya Mall, and industry bodies to end transport violence. Elvis Presslin spoke to Tella Masaka...

The National Dialogue which kicks off today continues to draw attention as South Africans seek solutions to the country's socioeconomic issues. The Dialogue has sparked debate, with anti-corruption and Social Justice activist Dr. Makhosi Khoza questioning the selection of participants. In a statement, Khoza criticized the dominance of English and Afrikaans in business and education, which reported...

The PinkDrive, in partnership with Rio Tinto and the Department of Health, has launched a mobile cancer screening campaign to reach underserved communities in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga. The organisation says the initiative running until the end of August, aims to screen over 12,000 people for various cancers and health conditions, while providing vital health educat...

At least one person was reportedly burned to death and two others shot and wounded after two e-hailing vehicles were attacked at Maponya Mall in Soweto last night. The police have opened a case of murder, attempted murder and arson. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident are still unknown. Elvis Presslin spoke to Joburg MMC for Public Safety, Dr. Mgcini Tshwaku

Global rights groups, including Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have strongly criticized the U.S. State Department's annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. The groups accuse the reports of being politically driven, selectively documenting abuses in some nations while downplaying violations by governments the U.S. seeks to engage. South Africa's Department of International R...

The Northern Cape Education Department has suspended an Upington teacher following a controversial incident at Duineveld High School last week. The teacher allegedly wore blackface during a school function, sparking widespread outrage after images went viral on social media. This marks the second racism-related incident at the school in two years. The EFF in the province have condemned the inciden...

Over 100 learners from Gobisizwe Agricultural School in Ngqeleni, Eastern Cape, have been hospitalised following suspected food poisoning. Provincial health officials say the pupils were taken to Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, Mthatha Regional Hospital and Ngangelizwe Community Health Centre. Several are receiving treatment on drips, while those in more serious condition were airlifted to hospi...

The Gauteng ECD Forum is set to march to the Premier's office in Johannesburg today, to raise concerns about the Early Childhood Development sector. After the ECD function shifted from the Department of Social Development to the Department of Basic Education in 2022, stakeholders say they're facing multiple challenges, including inadequate funding of just R17 per child per day for registered centr...

As South Africa marks Women's Month, celebrating the resilience and achievements of women, advocacy group Embrace Dignity and survivors of prostitution have strongly opposed a recent proposal by EFF leader Julius Malema to legalise prostitution. Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, Co-founder of Embrace Dignity, expressed disappointment, stating that legalising prostitution would effectively endorse pimping...

The Solidarity Movement, including AfriForum and Solidarity, has announced its withdrawal from this weekend's first session of the national dialogue. The organisations claim the ANC has "hijacked" the dialogue to advance its own agenda. To elaborate further on the Movement's sentiments, Elvis Presslin spoke to Werner Human, Head of Operations at the Solidarity Movement

Tensions are high in Germiston, where evictions at council flats have sparked protests and accusations of municipal negligence. The Forum of South Africans (FOSA) has condemned the torching of Home Affairs offices and illegal occupations but points the finger at Ekurhuleni Municipality for allowing the crisis to escalate. FOSA claims corrupt municipal officials enabled illegal occupants to reside...

Gauteng's unemployment rate has surged to 33.8%, according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey. Over 2.6 million residents are without jobs and nearly 600,000 have given up searching. Alarmingly, 10.3 million young people across the province are neither working nor in education or training. Premier Panyaza Lesufi is pushing to revive the Nasi Ispani programme to boost youth employment. But...

Political analyst Professor Susan Booysen warns that South Africa could see more provincial coalition governments after the 2029 general election. Speaking at the launch of the Coalition Barometer for 2023 to early 2025 by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, Booysen highlighted that coalitions have become a permanent feature of South African politics. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mapungu...

Over 4,000 learners have reportedly dropped out of school in the first quarter of 2025. The Public Servants Association (PSA) is outraged, calling the situation a betrayal of constitutional duty due to neglect, poor planning, and weak leadership by the Northern Cape Department of Education. The PSA is demanding accountability and a full forensic investigation into the dropouts. Elvis Presslin spok...

Several parties in the Government of National Unity have rejected the ANC's proposal to broaden the 10-party coalition. The ANC's move follows tensions with its largest partner, the Democratic Alliance, over budget disputes and policy differences. Critics, including the Freedom Front Plus, call it a tactic to shore up power rather than strengthen unity. For more, Elvis Presslin spoke to United Dem...

The National Union of Mineworkers, NUM has dismissed claims that it has abandoned the ANC ahead of the 2026 municipal elections. The union labelled reports suggesting a split as misleading and reaffirmed its commitment to the tripartite alliance. However, it emphasized that members are free to vote for any party of their choice. For more details, Elvis Presslin spoke to NUM National Spokesperson,...

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen has criticized the upcoming National Dialogue, calling it an "insider stitch-up" aimed at boosting the ANC's electoral prospects. Speaking at the DA's headquarters in Bruma, east of Johannesburg, Steenhuisen labeled the initiative "illegitimate" and lacking credibility. The DA was the first party to pull out of the dialogue following the dismissal of its...

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

Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie is facing backlash after tweets with racially derogatory language toward black South Africans resurfaced online. The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has lodged a complaint against McKenzie with the Presidency, Parliament and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Ethics. Elvis Presslin spoke to ATM National Spokesperson, Zama Ntshona

The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) is outraged over a report from the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) showing food inflation has jumped to 4.7%, a 16-month high. GIWUSA says this isn't just a statistic BUT a "brutal assault" on workers and the poor. The union has criticized Agbiz for downplaying the crisis, saying deeper systemic issues are at play beyond temporary...