First Take SA

The Progressive Civics Congress in Limpopo is backing street vendors near the Anglo American Platinum Mogalakwena Mine, who are marching today to protest alleged racism and exploitation. Vendors are protesting systemic racism, high unemployment, and alleged victimization of black-owned businesses, citing limited economic opportunities. Elvis Presslin spoke to Charles Makhubela, Secretary General o...

The Township Economic Commission says the registration deadline will not affect people intending to open new food outlets including tuck or spaza shops. Today is the deadline for the registration of spaza shop businesses. President Cyril Ramaphosa had ordered the registration of the businesses in November last year in response to cases of food poisoning which at least 20 children died. Elvis Press...

As the world marks World NGO Day, non-governmental organizations globally are facing unprecedented challenges, particularly in the wake of US President Donald Trump's decision to freeze or reduce foreign aid. This move has jeopardized hundreds of NGOs, especially those providing critical healthcare services. Elvis Presslin spoke to Lumka Oliphant, Acting Deputy Director General at the National Dep...

The Zimbabwe National Editor's Forum (ZINEF) has expressed deep concern over the arrest of journalist Blessed Mhlanga, who is set to appear in court today. Mhlanga's arrest follows his recent interviews with war veterans leader Blessed Geza. Elvis Presslin spoke to Zimbabwe National Editors Forum Co-ordinator, Njabulo Ncube, to discuss the implications of Mhlanga's arrest

The South African film and television industry will today picket outside the Department of Trade and Industry in Tshwane. The industry is protesting the Department's alleged inaction on critical issues affecting the sector. Elvis Presslin spoke to Ayanda Sibisi, Secretary General of the Independent Producers Organisation

Ekurhuleni council Speaker, Nthabiseng Tshivhenga faces a motion of no confidence today. The motion brought by the IFP alleges Tshivhenga failed to maintain council decorum, schedules, and enforce resolutions. IFP NEC Member and provincial Secretary in Gauteng Alderman Alco Ngobese spoke to Elvis Presslin to discuss the motion

The ANC has announced significant changes to its provincial leadership, with former Gauteng Chairperson Panyaza Lesufi and former NCOP chairperson Amos Masondo appointed as co-convenors of the newly reconfigured provincial task team in Gauteng. This development comes on the heels of a similar announcement in KwaZulu-Natal, where a 67-member task team was unveiled, led by convenor Jeff Radebe and c...

Afriforum CEO Kallie Kriel says the organization will continue to shed light on alleged human rights violations against Afrikaners, despite criticism. A delegation from Afriforum, Solidariteit, and the Solidarity Movement recently met with Trump administration representatives in Washington to discuss concerns over the ANC's policies and governance. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Kallie K...

The Communications Workers Union (CWU) is warning that the South African Post Office may be forced to shut its doors by the end of this month. The CWU attributes this looming crisis to the ineffective utilization of the R3.8 billion allocated for the post office's revitalization. To delve deeper into this critical issue, Elvis Presslin spoke to Nathan Bowers, National Bargaining Coordinator for th...

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) in the Western Cape is launching a rolling mass action today to protest against austerity measures and teacher job cuts in the province. As part of this action, the teacher union will embark on a stayaway to express their strong dissatisfaction with the provincial government's decisions. For more on SADTU's concerns, Elvis Presslin spoke to Sibon...

RISE Mzansi has called on the Portfolio Committee on Transport to investigate claims of impropriety by Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Transport Minister Barbara Creecy in the selection of the new SAA CEO. A recent media report exposed that Minister Creecy is poised to recommend the least qualified candidate for the top spot - contradicting the airline's board preference. The Portfolio Committ...

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union, Nehawu has rejected claims by the DA's Dr. Mark Burke that parliamentary cleaners receive a monthly salary of R30, 000. Dr. Burke, the DA's Spokesperson on Finance, made the remarks during a parliamentary briefing yesterday. He argues that it's unjustifiable for cleaners to earn more than teachers. The revelation has left some South African...

Hundreds of residents, are taking to the streets today to demand the immediate removal of the Makana Municipality's Mayor and Speaker. The protest led by the Concerned Makhanda Residents, comes amid allegations of mismanagement, service delivery failures, and corruption, which have left the community frustrated and desperate for change. Archbishop Nkosinathi Ngesi, the march organizer, spoke to El...

Concerns are escalating in Johannesburg as the city's Westpark Cemetery is projected to reach full capacity by May this year. In response, the metro is encouraging residents to consider cremation or reburials. This has sparked opposition from religious groups and the CRL Commission. They argue that forcing families into cremation infringes upon cultural and religious burial rights. City officials...

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has delivered his 2025 State of the Province Address, outlining key priorities such as job creation, poverty reduction, crime prevention, and tackling the escalating cost of living. However, the Democratic Alliance (DA) and EFF have expressed concerns that Lesufi's address fell short on concrete action plans and funding models to support these initiatives. For reacti...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is calling for President Cyril Ramaposa to fire Minister Khumbudzo Ntshaveni amid allegations of fraud and corruption. This follows revelations of Ntshavheni's alleged involvement in R2.5 million questionable transactions during her time at Ba-Phalabora Municipality. The investigation has now grown into an R80 million fraud probe by the Hawks. The DA argues that the Pr...

South Africa's private healthcare sector faces scrutiny over high costs, attributed to a lack of regulation. Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi plans to establish an interim board to oversee the supply chain and curb excessive spending, amid revelations that billions of rands are spent on administrators rather than patients. To delve deeper into this issue, Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Cedric Sih...

The South African National Editors' Forum (Sanef) has welcomed a provisional report by the Competition Commission, which found that tech giants Meta, Google, X, and YouTube have significantly harmed South Africa's media industry. This after the Commission ordered Google to pay local news outlets up to R500 million annually in compensation for using their content. For reaction Elvis Presslin spoke...

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 South African National Defence Union, SANDU has dismissed reports that 190 South African soldiers have been wounded in Eastern DRC, insisting that the actual number is significantly lower. As South African troops continue their deployment in the DRC, concerns are growing about the well-being of injured soldiers who are allegedly stuck and unable to be repatriated. To shed more light on this si...

The Freedom Park will today commemorate the 44th Anniversary of the Matola raid, a brutal cross-border attack by apartheid forces in Matola, Mozambique, that claimed the lives of 15 liberation struggle stalwarts. To delve deeper into the significance of this event, Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Jane Mufamadi, CEO of Freedom Park

Eskom has announced that it may reduce the current Stage 6 loadshedding to a lower stage today. The reprieve comes after the utility managed to restore units at the Majuba, Medupi, and Camden power stations, which had failed, causing the country to plunge into darkness since Friday. To discuss the implications of this development Elvis Presslin spoke to Kevin Mileham, DA Spokesperson on Electricit...

The South African business community is warning about the catastrophic consequences of the ongoing load shedding crisis, as all sectors of the economy prepare for a potentially debilitating impact. The recent escalation to Stage 6 load shedding has already begun to severely disrupt business operations nationwide, causing widespread uncertainty and concern. Although Electricity Minister Kgotsietso...

The Inkatha Freedom Party, IFP, will today be protesting against the possible liquidation of Ithala bank in KZN. The IFP has joined other political parties in condemning the Prudential Authority's plan to liquidate the bank, citing its crucial role as the backbone of the black economy. To discuss this further, Elvis Presslin spoke to IFP National spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa

ActionSA has strongly condemned the recent criticism of SARS Commissioner Edward Kieswetter by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana, labeling it a "parochial political attack". This criticism comes after Commissioner Kieswetter expressed opposition to tax hikes and advocated for proper resourcing of SARS. Elvis Presslin spoke to Alan Beesley, ActionSA Member of Parliament and Member of the Standing C...