First Take SA

The Democratic Alliance, DA says it is willing to discuss power-sharing with the ANC. DA National Spokesperson, Karabo Khakhau spoke to Elvis Presslin

ActionSA has declared it will not entertain the idea of joining the Government of National Unity (GNU) unless the proposed VAT hike is reversed. The party's leadership made the announcement yesterday - this as the impasse around the national budget continues. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA National Chairperson, Michael Beaumont

Parliament's Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police Ian Cameron has strongly criticized proposed amendments to private security legislation, cautioning that they could severely undermine the industry and jeopardize community safety. Cameron warns that the changes threaten over 500,000 jobs and essential frontline safety tools, such as tasers. The draft firearm regulations, recently gazet...

The Board of Healthcare Funders says it will appeal a North Gauteng High Court ruling that dismissed its bid to compel regulators to allow low-cost benefit options stripped-down medical aid plans for low-income South Africans. The court sided with government arguments favouring the National Health Insurance, NHI. The BHF insists low-cost benefit options could extend private healthcare to 10 millio...

The South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) in the Eastern Cape will today march to the Buffalo City Metro to address a range of pressing issues affecting the city. The demonstration aims to highlight alleged financial mismanagement, corruption, inadequate service delivery, and violations of labour rights. To discuss this further Elvis Pressline spoke to Asamza Ntaka, the Provincial Secreta...

Today, Speaker of Council Nobuhle Mthembu will spearhead the City of Johannesburg's Integrated Development Plan (IDP) 2025/26 session for Region B at the Danie Van Zyl Recreational Centre. According to the council speaker, these IDP sessions are a vital mechanism for fostering dialogue between residents and municipal leaders, enabling communities to hold the City accountable for service delivery w...

Cosatu in Limpopo, along with workers from Sekhukhune will today hold a picket at the Nebo Magistrate's Court to show solidarity with a 17-year-old girl who was raped near Jane Furse. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to Hangwani Mashao, the Provincial Secretary of Cosatu in Limpopo

South Africa is confronting a troubling surge in rape cases involving minors. The crisis has been brought into sharp focus by the recent assault of a 7-year-old girl, allegedly at a school in the Eastern Cape. The incident has ignited nationwide protests, amplifying outrage as reports of similar crimes against children emerge from across the country. To delve deeper into this escalating crisis of...

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 

President Cyril Ramaphosa will today open the Police Summit taking place at Emperor's Place in Boksburg. The summit which runs from today until the Thursday under the theme "Efficiency in Action" is aimed at Optimising South Africa's Policing Potential. For more on this we Elvis Presslin spoke to South African Policing Union, SAPU Spokesperson, Lesiba Thobakgale

The United Democratic Movement (UDM) in Limpopo is calling for officials from the Vhembe District Municipality to be held to account for continuing to violate basic human rights of residents by failing to provide clean water in the area. The party says the dignity and daily survival of Vhembe residents will continue to be under threat, unless national government intervenes after a R20-million wate...

President Cyril Ramaphosa says business cannot dictate terms to the government or the ANC, as tensions rise with its GNU partner the Democratic Alliance (DA) over the national budget. The DA has rejected the proposed fiscal framework, objecting to a planned VAT increase, while the ANC maintains it is essential to fund public services. Speaking amid the dispute, Ramaphosa stressed that the ANC's de...

Former Public Protector and MK MP Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane has accused the Legal Practice Council of targeting her with politically motivated efforts to remove her from the roll of advocates. Mkhwebane was removed from office in 2023 after 318 MPs voted in favour of her removal, following a Section 194 inquiry that upheld charges of misconduct and incompetence against her. Elvis Presslin spoke...

A new study by Tshwane University of Technology has revealed a troubling lack of technological competence among South Africa's civil servants. The report finds that, despite most public servants being familiar with technology, they struggle to apply it effectively to boost the efficiency of the state. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to one of the authors of the study, Professor of Public Af...

The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA), alongside other South African trade unions has expressed concerns regarding proposed amendments to employment legislation. Recently, a new Draft Code on Good Practice on Dismissal was published for public consultation. This draft seeks to establish revised guidelines to assist both employers and employees in managing the intricate proc...

Thousands of protesters marched over the weekend in Washington and other major American cities denouncing President Donald Trump and what they consider his authoritarian policy. It was the largest single day of demonstrations against Trump since his return to office. Protesters condemned the dismissal of government officials, the breakup of the Federal Department of Education and the president's s...

The 2nd Biennial Africa Children's Summit starts today and runs through to April 7th. The Summit unites over 1,300 young delegates; 300 in Johannesburg and 1,000 online. Co-hosted by the Department of Social Development and the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund, it empowers youth to shape policies on education, technology, and human rights. Amid South Africa's rising sexual violence cases against min...

The Agricultural Business Chamber has questioned the methodology behind the tariff calculations of the 30% tariff imposed by the US on South Africa. This follows President Donald Trump's decision to impose a new 30% import tariff on South African goods. To elaborate on these concerns Elvis Presslin spoke to Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (AgBiz) fruit desk manager, Wolfe Braude

NEHAWU in KwaZulu-Natal will today march and submit a memorandum of demands to the Department of Water and Sanitation, highlighting concerns over poor working conditions. To elaborate on the Union's concerns, NEHAWU Durban Regional Secretary, Prince Mthalane spoke to Elvis Presslin

Justice Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi has demanded a detailed report from NPA head Shamila Batohi by Monday, following the acquittal of televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his two co-accused. Omotoso, Lusanda Sulani and Zukiswa Sitho were acquitted on charges of rape, human trafficking, and racketeering. The Gqeberha High Court ruling saw Judge Irma Schoeman criticize the prosecution for unethical condu...

The National Men's Forums of South Africa, alongside other organizations, will lead a mass shutdown in Matatiele this weekend. The protest aims to demand accountability from law enforcement amid rising cases of violence, rape, and abuse of women and children. This follows shocking reports of 7-year-old girls being raped. Meanwhile, the Police Minister will brief the nation today on the investigati...

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 National Transport has lodged a dispute with the Bargaining Council, calling on Transnet to halt the implementation of a wage agreement signed with minority union SATAWU. The union warns that failure to comply may trigger protected industrial action by affected workers across various Transnet sites. Elvis Presslin spoke to UNTU General Secretary, Cobus van Vuuren

The South African Human Rights Commission's Gauteng Office has taken a significant step in holding the Emfuleni Municipality accountable for unresolved human rights concerns. A subpoena hearing was recently convened, compelling Executive Mayor Sipho Radebe to testify on longstanding complaints regarding water, sanitation, housing, and pollution. To provide insight into this development, Elvis Pres...

The National Prosecuting Authority is reviewing the acquittal of televangelist Timothy Omotoso and his co-accused, who faced 32 charges, including racketeering, trafficking, rape, and sexual assault. Initially, they faced 63 charges, but some witnesses withdrew, leading to a reduction in charges. The court's verdict cited procedural mistakes by former prosecutors and weak cross-examination. To dis...