First Take SA

The North Gauteng High Court continues to hear a major corruption case involving the late former Deputy President David Mabuza. Conservationist Fred Daniel is seeking over R1 billion in damages, alleging Mabuza and others orchestrated fraudulent land scams in Mpumalanga. Daniel claims his nature reserve was targeted with vandalism, arson and death threats after he exposed the scheme. The case, ong...

President Cyril Ramaphosa says details about the memorial arrangements and official honours for Mabuza will be announced soon. But for more, on the former Deputy President David Mabuza's legacy Elvis Presslin spoke to ANC Mpumalanga Secretary, Muzi Chirwa

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 Agricultural Marketing Council has warned that the recent fuel levy hike will burden the agricultural sector with rising costs. Petrol and diesel levies have risen to over 400 cents per litre, squeezing farmers already battling high input prices. Fuel makes up a major portion of farming and logistics expenses. The council says this move could trigger ripple effects across food product...

A major strike threatens to disrupt Gautrain services as the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, NUMSA, secures a strike certificate after wage talks with the Bombela Operating Company collapsed. Workers are demanding a 7% wage hike and improved allowances, citing rising living costs. NUMSA accuses management of arrogance, offering just 4.2%. With over 7.9 million annual commuters at s...

The Judicial Service Commission is set to conclude its interviews for South Africa's next Deputy Chief Justice today in Sandton, Johannesburg. The high-stakes process saw Northern Cape Judge President Pule Tlaletsi questioned on his approach to handling sexual harassment cases in his division. Tlaletsi is one of three candidates vying for the role, alongside Gauteng Judge President Dunstan Mlambo...

The Department of Health has voiced strong dismay over reports that some healthcare facilities are denying treatment based on nationality or documentation. This comes amid growing incidents where certain groups and communities have taken matters into their own hands, blocking foreign nationals from accessing clinics. These actions are being justified as efforts to ease pressure on the health syste...

Workplace burnout is spiraling into a crisis. The World Health Organization defines it as a syndrome caused by chronic job stress, where demands outstrip resources and support. A 2024 Gallup report reveals 71% of workers are disengaged, leaving them at high risk of burnout. Elvis Presslin spoke to Safia Joseph, a psychologist with Life Health Solutions

Three Tshwane municipal officials nabbed in Laudium for allegedly stealing a R7 million transformer are expected to appear in the Pretoria Central Magistrate's Court today. Gauteng police say they face charges related to the theft of essential infrastructure, with more arrests on the cards as investigations deepen. Meanwhile, the City of Tshwane has welcomed the arrests, calling them a step forwar...

MK Party Deputy President John Hlophe has penned a letter to party leader Jacob Zuma, slamming spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela and Zuma's daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, for what he calls "disruptive" actions. Hlophe claims the pair are undermining the party's chief whip, stirring tensions within the MK Party. To examine the tension within the MK party Elvis Presslin spoke to Political Analyst, An...

South Africans are calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to tackle the rising cost of electricity amid varied tariff hikes by municipalities. The country saw a varying hike in electricity tariffs coming into effect yesterday. Concerned citizens took to social media to plead with the President for a working solution to address the cost of electricity. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Tr...

African Transformation Movement, ATM MP Vuyolwethu Zungula has slammed the Public Protector's refusal to probe alleged systemic failures enabling illicit financial flows by multinational companies. Zungula says these unchecked activities bleed South Africa's economy by over R100 billion annually. The party had lodged a formal complaint in February, accusing key state institutions of failing to act...

A former HR manager at a Pretoria special needs school has been sentenced to 12 years in prison with six years suspended for defrauding the institution of over R6 million. Ralton Fischer used fake staff accounts to siphon money between 2018 and 2022, claiming gambling addiction and family pressure. The NPA welcomed the court's ruling, saying his actions betrayed vulnerable learners and that white-...

The South African Federation of Trade Unions has hailed the arrests of former Transnet executives Brian Molefe, Anoj Singh, Siyabonga Gama, and Thamsanqa Jiyane over the corrupt locomotive deal. SAFTU calls it a significant step but demands full prosecutions, recovery of looted funds and economic restoration. The union warns the National Prosecuting Authority that failure to secure convictions ris...

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 Democratic Alliance is set to file criminal charges against Higher Education Minister Nobuhle Nkabane today at Cape Town Central Police Station. The DA claims Nkabane misled Parliament regarding an independent panel and the appointment of ANC-linked individuals to a SETA Board. This comes ahead of her budget vote presentation in the NCOP on Thursday. While several student groups back the DA's...

The Good Party has criticised the Democratic Alliance's threat to table a motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa, calling it reckless. The party argues the move contradicts the DA's role in the Government of National Unity. For more Elvis Presslin spoke to Brett Herron, GOOD Secretary-General and Member of the Western Cape Provincial Parliament

ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has cautioned President Cyril Ramaphosa against underestimating the Democratic Alliance. Mashaba warned that the DA won't play games and that Ramaphosa will face consequences if he ignores them. The warning comes amid tensions between the ANC and DA in the government of national unity. To elaborate further on his sentiments Elvis Presslin spoke to Mr. Mashaba

DA federal chair Helen Zille has issued a stern warning to the ANC, stating the DA will not accept unilateral governance within the Government of National Unity. This follows President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to dismiss Deputy Trade and Industry Minister, Andrew Whitfield. Zille says the DA will escalate its response each time the ANC acts independently in the GNU. While the DA remains committe...

Gauteng's Health Department has refuted allegations that bodies at Helen Joseph Hospital are unprocessed due to a shortage of printer cartridges. The department confirms only one body, from a patient declared dead on arrival, remains and will be processed today (Monday). Officials acknowledge earlier printing delays impacted mortuary operations this month but say contingency measures have cleared...

The Public Servants Association, PSA is warning of stronger action alongside unemployed doctors until all are hired by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. Last week, protests erupted across the province as over 150 doctors remained without jobs. The PSA says the government must stop making empty promises on healthcare reform while hospitals face staff shortages and graduates sit idle. To elabo...

The Ubuntu Urban Farm at Klipspruit Wes Secondary School in Klipspruit southwest of Johannesburg, bordering Soweto, launched its first Market day on Saturday 21 June just five months after inception. It is an initiative led by Ubuntu Community Development & Empowerment supported by the Non Profit organization Go Green Go Clean from Eldorado Park and Barloworld Empowerment Foundation. The aim o...

The Gauteng Department of Education has suspended two inspectors from its Infrastructure Unit. The inspectors were assigned to manage a project to conduct repairs at Noordgesig Secondary School in Soweto following a fire that broke out at the school last year. Following the fire incident that occurred at the said school, the Department had allocated funds for urgent repairs and reconstruction work...

The High Court in Pretoria has granted an interdict halting the burial of Zambia's former President Edgar Lungu. The Zambian government had approached the court, seeking to stop the burial which was scheduled to take place yesterday in South Africa. The government argues that disputes over Lungu's final resting place need to be resolved before any burial can take place. Elvis Presslin spoke to Adv...

The Kenyan government has reportedly ordered all television and radio stations to halt live broadcasts of ongoing protests in Nairobi and across the country. This marks the first anniversary of last year's deadly anti-tax demonstrations that saw parliament stormed. The Communications Authority of Kenya cites constitutional violations, but the move has sparked outrage among journalists and activist...