First Take SA

Murder-accused businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala will testify before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee investigating police corruption following an earlier request to postpone the proceedings. Matlala had requested a postponement citing poor prison conditions and concerns over his health. Matlala is now expected to take the stand at 11 O'clock this morning. Elvis Presslin spoke to South African Priso...

Former Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department Chief David Tembe has died aged 71. He was found unresponsive at his home in Johannesburg and the cause of death is not yet known. Elvis Presslin spoke to his daughter, Tokiso Molefe

ActionSA is demanding the prosecution of former Road Accident Fund, RAF CEO Collins Letsoalo after he refused to testify before Parliament about financial mismanagement at the Fund. Letsoalo is accused of ignoring a summons to answer questions about the fund's R400 billion debt and allegations of misuse of funds. The opposition party says Letsoalo's decision is a direct challenge to Parliament's a...

Civil society groups in South Africa have launched a high court application to force authorities to stop what they call xenophobic vigilantes blocking access to healthcare facilities in Gauteng. The groups, including Médecins Sans Frontières and the Treatment Action Campaign, say patients are being turned away from clinics due to their nationality or lack of identity documents. They'...

A new report warns that South Africa is at risk of missing out on a multi-billion-dollar economic opportunity unless it expands its offshore oil and gas industry. The report highlights discoveries off the southern coast, including TotalEnergies' Brulpadda and Luiperd fields and argues that the Orange Basin geology could transform South Africa's economy. The report projects that a single developmen...

Detained businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala is set to testify before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee today. The committee will also hear evidence from two senior police officials, SAPS CFO Lieutenant-General Puleng Dimpane and Deputy National Commissioner for Policing Lieutenant-General Tebello Mosikili. Elvis Presslin spoke to Security Strategist and retired Interpol Ambassador, Andy Mashaile

The Democratic Alliance, DA has launched an investigation into a public feud between party leader John Steenhuisen and federal finance chairperson Dion George. The party's federal executive meeting on Sunday decided to probe the matter, with a gag order reportedly issued to prevent further public comment. The row follows reports that George lost his ministerial post after refusing a demotion to de...

The Department of Basic Education has launched new Grade 4 assessments designed to improve foundational learning. The assessments are aligned with the Mother Tongue-Based Bilingual Education Framework and will be conducted in both home languages and English. This dual-language approach is expected to provide a clearer picture of learner progress and help educators target support more effectively....

The National Prosecuting Authority's Men Ambassadors are hosting a silent picket in Pretoria today to mark the start of the 16 Days of Activism Against GBV campaign. Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions, Advocate Anton du Plessis will deliver a keynote address at the event, which aims to show the NPA's commitment to combating Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. Elvis Presslin spoke to D...

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

Parliament has exposed a chaotic licensing system that leaves South African spaza owners struggling while foreign-owned shops benefit from lax enforcement. MPs revealed that locals face confiscations and red tape, yet foreign traders receive most approved licenses. The Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development has heard that the Spaza Shop Support Fund has barely reached appli...

Parliament's standing committee on appropriations has written to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, seeking clarity on the costs of hosting this weekend's G20 Leaders Summit. Committee chair Dr. Mmusi Maimane says the committee wants to ensure public funds were managed prudently, as hosting the summit served as an opportunity for South Africa to showcase itself to the world. Dr. Maimane spoke to E...

The Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Velenkosini Hlabisa, has welcomed the decision to classify Gender-Based Violence and Femicide as a national disaster. The National Disaster Management Centre concluded that GBV meets the threshold of a potential disaster, citing persistent and immediate life-safety risks. The classification calls on all government departments to stren...

The South African Police Service has confirmed that Ms Nkosazana Bonganini Zuma - Mncube has opened a criminal case at the Sandton police station against Ms Duduzile Zuma, Ms Siphokasi Xuma and Mr Blessing Khosa. The case is in relation to seventeen South African men who are allegedly trapped in the Ukraine/Russian War. Ms Mncube claims the men were lured to Russia under false pretences and handed...

The African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL) says it congratulates the Republic of South Africa for hosting exceptionally well, the historic G20 Summit in Johannesburg. The youth league says the Summit is groundbreaking, not only because it was held on African soil under South Africa's capable leadership, but also because it has remained steadfast and focused despite deliberate attempts by U...

Global and local partners are intensifying efforts to eliminate cervical cancer in South Africa. A high-level policy dialogue at the G20 Social Summit brought together government leaders, experts and NGOs to share best practices and strengthen collective action. Cervical cancer is one of the country's most pressing public health threats and the WHO has set a 2030 goal to eliminate the disease. Elv...

The Gauteng Liquor Traders Association is calling for urgent action to resolve the province's shebeen permit crisis. Thousands of township businesses and jobs are at risk due to delays and regulatory contradictions. Shebeen permits were meant to be a temporary measure to help informal traders enter the formal economy, but six years after a court order, the issue remains unresolved. Elvis Presslin...

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

NUMSA, Women For Change alongside other women advocacy groups will today stage a national shutdown in protest against alarming levels of gender-based violence in South Africa. Demonstrations are planned in Gauteng, Freestate, Western Cape and other provinces. The shutdown, led by Women for Change, urges South Africans to show solidarity by changing their profile pictures to purple. Elvis Presslin...

The ANC Women's League has called on the government to declare GBV a national crisis and to implement stricter parole regulations for individuals convicted of gender-based violence and femicide. Elvis Presslin spoke to ANC Women's League, Secretary General, Nokuthula Nqaba

The Eastern Cape Liquor Board is urging learners to avoid so-called "Pens Down parties" planned for this week, citing concerns over safety and excessive drinking. Reports of gatherings in various parts of the province have been referred to law enforcement. Elvis Presslin spoke to Eastern Cape Liquor Board Spokesperson, Dr. Mgwebi Msiya

Operation Dudula will hold a peaceful protest in Johannesburg during the G20 Leaders' Summit this weekend to highlight concerns about unemployment, crime and access to services, which they blame on illegal immigration. The protest comes as South Africa hosts world leaders for the G20 Summit. Elvis Presslin spoke to Operation Dudula President, Zandile Dabula

The South African Youth Council in the Eastern Cape is celebrating a small victory after meeting with government officials. Over 2000 young people were struggling to get stipends for an internship programme but the council's efforts have led to some progress. The programme, funded by the Office of the Premier had been plagued by payment delays from the start. Elvis Presslin spoke to Provincial Spo...

The Democratic Alliance, DA will today picket outside Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi's office to demand accountability for the Tembisa Hospital scandal. The party wants criminal charges laid against those implicated and seized assets sold to reimburse the hospital. Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, Dr. Jack Bloom

The National Housing Finance Corporation has placed its Chief Executive Officer, Azola Mayekiso on precautionary suspension with immediate effect. The decision follows serious allegations of corruption against the CEO and parallel probes by public watchdogs. Elvis Presslin spoke to Satish Roopa, Chair of Human Capital Committee at the National Housing Finance Corporation