First Take SA

ActionSA has introduced a constitutional amendment bill aimed at overhauling the executive branch of government. The proposed bill seeks to abolish the positions of 43 deputy ministers, citing redundancy and financial waste. The party's parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip, argues that this move will save South Africa billions of rands and promote accountability in government. Elvis Presslin spoke...

The strike by FlySafair pilots continues as negotiations with Solidarity union stall over key issues like scheduling and working conditions. While some headway has been made, critical sticking points remain. The dispute centers around working conditions, particularly the scheduling system, rather than salary increases. Pilots are seeking more predictable rosters and at least one guaranteed weekend...

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson has stopped funding for the Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State due to allegations of councillors receiving large monthly payments. The move comes as Parliament's portfolio committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs cracks down on corruption and mismanagement in municipalities. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr....

The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng is calling for urgent action to stop illegal street racing in Johannesburg's suburbs. The party's spokesperson for community safety, Michael Sun, says innocent lives are being put at risk due to reckless driving. Recently, two people lost their lives in a collision involving three vehicles racing on Jan Smuts Avenue in Rosebank. Elvis Presslin spoke to MPL and DA...

The Pestalozzi Trust, a homeschooling civil rights group, has filed a Constitutional Court challenge against the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, known as BELA. The organisation argues that Parliament did not allow sufficient public participation during the law-making process. The BELA Act, signed into law last year, introduces reforms like mandatory Grade R and stricter regulations on school a...

The African National Congress in the Eastern Cape is reeling from the assassination of Comrade Xoliseka Lali, Chief Whip of Emalahleni Local Municipality in the Chris Hani District. His body was discovered this week in Komani, where he resided. The ANC strongly condemns this brutal killing, calling it an act of barbarism that undermines public service and community development. To discuss this fur...

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

EFF leader Julius Malema says the party's 12th anniversary celebrations in Cape Town this weekend will center on uplifting the marginalised. The party, known as the Red Berets, has been a vocal presence in Parliament since 2014. Malema says the celebrations will be a "festival of the poor". For more, Elvis Presslin spoke to Member of the EFF Central Command Team, Commissar Itani Mukwevho 

Sibusiso Zitha has been found guilty of murdering celebrity pastry chef Thembekile Letlape. He pleaded guilty to stabbing her multiple times during a domestic dispute at their Fourways apartment in front of their 10-year-old daughter in 2024. The guilty verdict was handed down in the Johannesburg High Court. Elvis Presslin spoke to Thembekile's father, ActionSA MP, Dr. Kgosi Letlape

The General Industrial Workers Union of South Africa,GIWUSA has strongly condemned South African Airways for operating FlySafair routes during a pilots' strike. The union calls SAA's actions, described as an emergency agreement, a state-backed move to undermine the legitimate strike by over 200 FlySafair pilots, organized by Solidarity. GIWUSA accuses the ANC government of betraying workers by usi...

Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi will deliver a keynote address today at the TB Vaccine Country Preparedness Workshop in Pretoria. The event is part of South Africa's ongoing efforts to combat tuberculosis, a leading cause of death and illness in the country. Elvis Presslin spoke to World Health Organization South Africa,TB Technical Expert, Dr. Nkateko Mkhondo

South Africa and eSwatini have expressed concern over the US deportation of dangerous convicted criminals with alleged links to terrorist groups. The men are being held in solitary confinement in eSwatini, but critics say the country is being used as a "dumping ground" - raising serious concerns about security in the region. Elvis Presslin spoke to Swaziland Solidarity Network spokesperson, Lucky...

The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng will lay criminal charges today against former Head of the Gauteng Department of Transport, Ronald Swartz. DA Shadow MEC Evert Du Plessis says Swartz, who served from 2013 to 2019, oversaw significant financial mismanagement. A PricewaterhouseCoopers report revealed over R400 million in irregular expenditure on bus subsidies during the 2016/17 and 2017/18 financi...

Patriotic Alliance Deputy President Kenny Kunene has denied any personal relationship with businessman Katiso Molefe. This after being found at Molefe's Gauteng home during a police operation. Four suspects, including Molefe, were arrested in connection with the 2022 murder of DJ Sumbody, real name Oupa John Sefoka, who was gunned down in Woodmead. The DA is calling for Kunene's resignation. Elvis...

The National Assembly will today consider the Appropriation Bill, a key part of the national budget that allocates funds to government departments and public entities. Elvis Presslin spoke to ANC Chief Whip in Parliament, Mdumiseni Ntuli

The South African Council of Churches, alongside other church leaders, is hosting a two-day National Anti-Corruption Conference starting today. The event unites church leaders nationwide to address the moral and spiritual crisis of corruption. The conference will conclude with the adoption of a Covenant Against Corruption, reflecting the Church's collective stance.  Elvis Presslin spoke to Re...

The African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association is call for Joburg Transport MMC Kenny Kunene's resignation. This follows his presence at a police raid at a suspect's home in the DJ Sumbody murder case. Kunene claims he was there to accompany a journalist. Elvis Presslin spoke to African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association (AUBBTA) Chairperson, Phumudzo Mukhwathi 

A 40-year-old man arrested in connection with the murder of Ekurhuleni auditor Mpho Mafole will appear in Kempton Park Magistrates' Court today. Mafole was shot earlier this month while heading home from work. He had been investigating a two-billion-rand shortfall in the metro's electricity accounts. Police are still searching for a second suspect, Hlanganani Agripper Mncwango. For more on this El...

The Defender of Democracy has criticized the ANC's stance on Jacob Zuma saying the party is "tasting its own medicine". The organization notes that the ANC previously defended Zuma, but now labels him a sellout. Zuma recently visited Morocco, expressing support for the Kingdom's claim to Western Sahara, a territory disputed with the Algeria-backed Polisario front. Spokesperson Dennis Bloem of Acti...

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 Department of Water and Sanitation has reassured South Africans that antiretroviral drug traces found in drinking water pose no health risk. This follows a study by North West University and the Water Research Commission, which detected ARV residues on wastewater plants some above recommended safety levels. The ministry maintains the amounts are extremely minimal, measured in nanograms, and ca...

The Democratic Alliance has welcomed the dismissal of Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane. The DA says Nkabane's removal is a step toward greater accountability after she was accused of misleading Parliament about a non-existent selection panel for the controversial SETA board appointments. Buti Manamela, previously the Deputy Minister, has been appointed as the new Minister, with Dr. Nomusa...

A devastating report on the collapse of the 75 Victoria Street building in George, Western Cape has revealed systemic failures in the construction industry. The Council for the Built Environment's findings point to neglected safety standards and cost-cutting measures as key factors in the tragedy, which claimed the lives of 75 workers. The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA)...

The National E-hailing Federation of South Africa has voiced strong support for app-based transport workers striking across Gauteng. The federation says the recent protests by E-hailing drivers reflect deep frustration over exploitation and unfair policies by multinational ride-hailing companies. Disgruntled drivers are demanding fair pay, better health and safety measures, compensation for injuri...

Airports Company South Africa, ACSA has suspended its Group Executive for Enterprise Security and Compliance, Lieutenant-General Mzwandile Petros, pending an independent probe into alleged operational irregularities. This follows an incident where a passenger boarded a flight to Ethiopia from OR Tambo International Airport with two training hand grenades in their luggage. The items were detected d...