First Take SA

The trade union Solidarity is threatening to take President Cyril Ramaphosa to court for contempt if he doesn't withdraw the recently published Employment Equity laws and sectoral targets. Solidarity claims the government is breaching a 2023 settlement agreement. Elvis Presslin spoke to Anton van der Bijl, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Solidarity to elaborate further on the Union's concerns

Former KZN Hawks boss, Major-General Johan Booysen has sent a letter of demand to the National Director of Public Prosecutions demanding a decision on whether to prosecute him within 30 days. Booysen was previously charged with racketeering, but the charges were withdrawn in 2014 and re-instated in 2015. A high-level group of prosecutors later found that there was no evidence to sustain the charge...

The ANC in the Eastern Cape has condemned AfriForum's attempt to pressure the NPA into reviewing a case against Premier Oscar Mabuyane and ANC NEC member Babalo Madikizela. AfriForum's push for private prosecution relates to the alleged misuse of funds for transporting mourners to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's funeral in 2018. The ANC has labeled this move as "unethical and illegal," claiming it und...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is criticizing the provincial government's 82% budget cut to Schools of Specialization, which they say will hinder learners' chances of gaining skilled jobs. The funding for these schools has been slashed from R69.29 million in 2022 to R13 million in 2024. The DA says this cut will negatively impact the development of critical skills needed for the economy a...

The Build One South Africa (BOSA) party has raised concerns over the government's decision to allocate R408 million from the Covid-19 Relief Fund to the taxi industry, five years after the pandemic's peak. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed the one-time gratuity in response to BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane. BOSA argues that funneling public funds into an untaxed sector is unjustifiable when c...

The South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) is staging a nationwide protest march in Pretoria today against education budget reductions. The Union will march to the National Treasury, Department of Basic Education, and Department of Higher Education and Training to voice concerns over austerity measures and cuts that reportedly threaten public education and promote privatization. Elvis Pr...

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has opened a national Gender Forum in Johannesburg, themed "Deepening the Struggle for Gender Justice." The two-day event, which started yesterday brings together union leaders, activists, and partners to address gender equity in the criminal justice sector. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union spokeperson...

Freedom Park CEO Dr. Jane Mufamadi says the country's liberation remains unfinished, with many socio-economic foundations of inequality still intact. This as South Africa marks 31 years of democracy on Sunday. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Jane Mufamadi to discuss her opinion piece, 'Freedom Deferred? The Unfinished Work of Liberation

Forum for South Africa (FOSA) has slammed Minister of justice and constitutional development Mmamoloko Kubayi, accusing the Justice Minister of reducing her department to a spaza shop over her remarks on Floyd Shivambu. While FOSA questions Shivambu's ethics for attending fugitive Shepherd Bushiri's church, it slams Kubayi for politicizing a personal matter. The forum demands she focus on extradit...

Zimbabweans are set to participate in a second national stay-away today, demanding the resignation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association (AUBBTA) announced that the shutdown will include protesters blocking Beitbridge, intensifying calls for Mnangagwa to step down. The association is also urging Zimbabweans in South Africa to return and join the movement...

The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference joins Catholics worldwide in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at age 88 in his Vatican residence. The bishops honour his enduring legacy of humility, justice, and compassion, and have extended heartfelt condolences to the global Church. For further insights, Elvis Presslin spoke to Father Hugh O'Connor, Secretary Gene...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is in the Western Cape High Court today challenging the impending VAT increase in May. The DA argues that the tax hike will intensify South Africa's cost-of-living crisis, disproportionately burdening vulnerable households and exacerbating economic hardship. To discuss this further, Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Federal Chairperson Dr. Ivan Meyer

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

ActionSA has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of complicity in the initial proposed controversial 2% VAT increase, despite the party's public denials. A parliamentary reply obtained by ActionSA reveals that DA MP and Deputy Minister of Finance, Ashor Sarupen allegedly played a significant role in drafting the original budget speech proposing the hike. ActionSA has criticized the GNU coalition...

A recent Stellenbosch University study reveals widespread parental anxiety over children's safety en route to school. In the Cape Metropole, especially in lower-income areas. Over 86% of parents voiced concern, with fears highest in communities plagued by pedestrian crashes. Sophia du Plessis, researcher, has stressed urgent intervention, better enforcement, safer sidewalks, and child-focused tran...

The Democratic Alliance has filed corruption charges against Human Settlements Minister Thembi Simelane, accusing her of defrauding Eskom of over R700,000 while at a consulting firm Vitrovian. The party alleges fake invoices bear her signature. Simelane also faces past allegations in the VBS Bank scandal. For more on this we are joined by Adv. Glynnis Breytenbach MP - DA Spokesperson on Justice an...

ActionSA has raised the alarm over Eskom's latest update, revealing R3.6 billion was spent on diesel in just 30 days R1.34 billion in the first 10 days of April alone. The party says South Africa hasn't ended load shedding, it's simply masking it with an expensive diesel-powered illusion, all funded by taxpayers. For more on this we are joined by ActionSA Member of Parliament, Alan Beesley..... &n...

The Public Servants Association in Mpumalanga  (PSA) says it is worried about the ongoing suspension of Chief Executive Officers (CEOS) and senior managers at various healthcare institutions in Mpumalanga and the impact on service delivery. It says currently, 14 CEOS and managers remain suspended by the Mpumalanga Department of Health. These prolonged suspensions, some of which have been ongo...

As we head into the long Easter weekend, the Polokwane municipal authorities are outlining plans to deal with traffic on the roads. The municipal roads experience heavy traffic flow as worshippers to Moria and holiday makers drive through the area. To discuss this further we are joined on the line by Limpopo MEC for Transport and Community Safety, Violet Mathye....

KwaZulu-Natal's MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, who visited rain affected areas has urged residents on low laying areas to heed the weather warning. He says communities affected will be provided with temporary shelter. For more on this we are joined on the line by KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma.....

The South African Human Rights Commission says it is concerned by the recent shooting at Walter Sisulu University, where one person was killed and three injured in a clash with security officials. The recent student protest echoes a similar incident last year at the same institution. The Commission is now questioning the safety of students at Institutions of higher education. Eastern Cape Police a...

The Gqeberha High Court is set to hear the case of two doctors and six nurses accused of attempted murder, fraud, and selling human parts. The medical professionals allegedly harvested organs from unsuspecting patients during surgery for profit. One suspect even took out a life insurance policy worth R10 million. Elvis Presslin spoke to Vuyolwethu Nodlawu, Denosa Provincial Chairperson

Rise Mzansi has written to Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, urging swift resolution to the budget deadlock the party which says threatens national credibility and economic stability. Following high-level meetings with Parliament, the ANC, and the President, the party proposes re-allocating military and gambling revenues, tightening tax collection. The party Mzansi warns, continued delays will de...

AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit is considering a private prosecution against Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane. This follows the National Prosecuting Authority's (NPA) decision not to pursue charges in a multimillion-rand scandal tied to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's funeral.  Allegations claim a businessman was paid for unrendered services and directed to channel funds to politicians an...

African Christian Democratic Party, ACDP President Reverend Kenneth Meshoe has reaffirmed his party's support for Israel after a fact-finding mission led by party MP Steve Swart. Meshoe condemned Hamas' October 7 attack and rejected claims of Israeli apartheid and genocide. The ACDP is calling for peace, accountability and the right to choose allies, amid tensions with the ANC. For more on this El...