First Take SA

Rise Mzansi will today picket outside the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition In Pretoria, calling on reforms to gambling laws. The party plans to hand over a memorandum and unveil a seven-point plan to overhaul gambling laws. The move follows figures showing South Africans wagered one-point-five trillion rand in the 2024/25 financial year. RISE Mzansi says the industry wrecks lives and...

The Gauteng Health department is gearing up to mark World Diabetes Day today in Soweto. The event, being held in partnership with Novo Nordisk and the City of Johannesburg, aims to raise awareness about diabetes and the challenges people with the condition face, especially in the workplace. This year's campaign focuses on promoting healthier lifestyles and encouraging early screening to reduce the...

SAFTU General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi has slammed Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana's Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement. Vavi says the budget reads straight from the DA's economic playbook and favours the wealthy and shoves the marginalised majority deeper into unemployment, poverty and inequality. Mr. Vavi spoke to Elvis Presslin to elaborate further on his sentiments.

October 2025 was one of the wettest months on record for South Africa, with some areas receiving over four times their average rainfall. This according to a recent report compiled by the South African Weather Service. The heavy rains have had a significant impact on agriculture, water management, and communities across the country, particularly in provinces like Limpopo, North West, Free State and...

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to address the national Construction Summit in Boksburg today, where industry leaders and policymakers will discuss ways to boost infrastructure delivery. The summit comes at a critical time for the sector, with many projects facing delays and challenges. Elvis Presslin spoke to KZN Public Works and Infrastructure MEC, Martin Meyer

Pastors from across the Western Cape are marching to Parliament today, to voice their opposition to proposed regulations on churches. The move follows the CRL Commission's call for greater oversight of religious organisations. The commission recently introduced a peer-review mechanism aimed at promoting accountability and curbing abuse within churches. But critics say this amounts to government in...

Education activist, Hendrick Makaneta is calling on the government to stop schools from charging parents when learners repeat grades. Makaneta says the practice is unfair and puts a strain on families who are already struggling to make ends meet. Makaneta argues that education is a basic human right and should be accessible to all, regardless of income. Elvis Presslin spoke to Education Activist,...

The Federation of Unions of South Africa, FEDUSA says the latest budget prioritizes fiscal discipline over social justice, hurting the working class and poor. FEDUSA welcomes some infrastructure investments but warns reforms must protect jobs and workers' rights. The federation wants a pro-growth, pro-worker budget that provides job security and relief for households. Elvis Presslin spoke to FEDUS...

South Africa's education system is facing a crisis. Many young learners are struggling with basic reading skills and fewer schools are offering pure mathematics according to Milpark Education. The private higher education institution says this is limiting their future opportunities and deepening inequality. Raun Billet, Chartered Accountant and Executive at Milpark Education spoke to Elvis Pressli...

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is set to table the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement for the 2025 financial season today. The statement will provide an update on the country's economic and fiscal performance and outline the government's economic and fiscal policy. The announcement comes at a time of uncertainty and skepticism among South Africans, with many concerned about the country's econo...

Political parties in Ekurhuleni are welcoming the suspension of Deputy Police Chief Julius Mkhwanazi, amid allegations of corruption and misconduct. The DA and ActionSA are among those hailing the move saying it's a step towards accountability and clean governance. Mkhwanazi was suspended following testimony at the Madlanga Commission, which revealed alleged wrongdoing within the Ekurhuleni Metrop...

South Africa's Beitbridge Port of Entry has been warned that corruption will not be tolerated, as part of a government crackdown. The Border Management and Immigration Anti-Corruption Forum has launched an awareness campaign, featuring convicted offenders sharing their stories. One offender, serving 15 years, said prison was "very painful" and advised officials to stop corrupt activities. Elvis Pr...

Seventeen South African men are reportedly trapped on the freezing frontlines in Ukraine after allegedly being sent to Russia by former President Jacob Zuma's MK Party for bodyguard training. The men, who were told they would receive training to become party bodyguards, ended up in a trench on the frontlines in Ukraine after just three weeks of training. Elvis Presslin spoke to Chris Hattingh, DA...

Parliament's ad hoc committee is likely to travel to the Kgosi Mampuru C-max Prison to hear testimony from remanded detainee, Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala. The committee was established after KZN Police commissioner, Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi's allegations of criminal infiltration, corruption and political interference in the justice system. Among others, Mkhwanazi alleged that the now placed on spe...

The City of Johannesburg has removed a Solidarity billboard along the M1 highway due to its alleged anti-transformation agenda. The banner, part of Solidarity's "Race to the Bottom" campaign claimed South Africa is the world's most race-regulated nation, citing 145 laws including Black Economic Empowerment. The union has launched a documentary and handed memorandums to G20 embassies ahead of the s...

Africa is set to take a major step towards achieving health sovereignty as leaders gather in Mombasa, Kenya, for the 7th Scientific Conference on Medical Products Regulation in Africa. The conference, running from today until Thursday, will bring together policymakers, regulators, scientists and industry leaders to discuss regulatory harmonisation and its impact on health product manufacturing and...

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 United Democratic Movement, UDM says human trafficking has become a national crisis in South Africa, with thousands of lives destroyed through sexual exploitation, forced labour and debt bondage. The party says the country's severe unemployment rate has created a recruitment tool for traffickers, who prey on desperate individuals seeking income or work abroad. Recent reports have exposed the s...

The Gauteng Provincial Government has condemned the vandalism of G20 signage and revamped infrastructure in Johannesburg. The government describes the acts as a "deliberate and malicious campaign of sabotage" aimed at undermining the country's image ahead of the G20 Leaders' Summit. Elvis Presslin spoke to Gauteng Government Spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga

The Congress of the People, COPE has condemned US President Donald Trump's baseless attacks on South Africa and its G20 presidency. Trump's decision to boycott the G20 summit, citing alleged human rights abuses against Afrikaners, has been widely criticised as unfounded and ignorant. South Africa's government has rejected Trump's claims saying it's committed to democracy, peace and multilateralism...

The Jacob G. Zuma Foundation is up in arms over the trial of former President Jacob Zuma's daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla saying it's a clear case of state persecution. Zuma-Sambudla is facing trial in the Durban High Court today for allegedly inciting terrorism and public violence related to the 2021 July Unrest. The Foundation says her trial is baseless and politically motivated to settle poli...

Zimbabwean opposition politician Job Sikhala is appearing in a Pretoria court today following his arrest for possession of commercial explosives. Sikhala, a vocal critic of President Emmerson Mnangagwa will be joined in court by his uncle. His arrest comes less than a year after his release from prison in Zimbabwe, where he was held for allegedly inciting public violence. Rights groups and opposit...

Police Minister Firoz Cachalia is set to visit Reigerpark and Westbury today as part of efforts to tackle gang-related crimes in Gauteng. The visit follows recent deadly shootings in both areas, two teenagers killed in Westbury and six people in a Reiger Park drive-by shooting. Cachalia aims to hear from locals and police on how to curb the gang violence. Elvis Presslin spoke to Melissa Davids, We...

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 Forum for South Africa, FOSA is calling for the government to urgently help 17 South African men trapped in Ukraine's war-torn Donbas region. The men, aged between 20 and 39, were reportedly lured with job promises and are now stranded with limited access to basic necessities. FOSA accuses the government of failing to create jobs and protect its citizens and is demanding an investigation into...