First Take SA

The ANC is embroiled in a dual crisis, as the party undertakes a significant overhaul of its Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) while one of its senior ministers, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, faces allegations of corruption. The ANC's decision to reconfigure its PEC in Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal is seen as a strategic move to revitalize the party's structures and improve its electoral prospects. However...

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 ANC is standing by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, despite allegations of her involvement in a R2.5 million tender corruption scandal during her tenure as Municipal Manager of Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality. The Democratic Alliance is calling on Ntshavheni to step down immediately, citing the completion of the Hawks' investigation into the matter. However, ANC Secretary Gene...

US President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the ban on TikTok, a Chinese-owned short-form video app. This conversation comes as American content creators continue to push for a repeal of the ban, which was upheld by the US Supreme Court due to national security concerns over China's potential access to user data. For insights into the implications...

A new US law banning TikTok has just taken effect, leaving millions of users in the dark. The app stopped working across the country late Saturday, with a message informing US users that a law banning TikTok had been enacted. Elvis Presslin spoke to US-based former SABC journalist Amina Accram-Brooks to break down the implications of this ban

The South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) has strongly condemned the City of Tshwane's decision to review the reinstatement of five managers implicated in the Rooiwal Water Treatment plant scandal. This move comes after the South African Local Government Bargaining Council ruled that the suspension of these officials was unlawful. The five managers are accused of disregarding legal protoc...

The Public Servants Association, PSA has strongly condemned the Prudential Authority's decision to seek the liquidation of Ithala Bank. The Association says the decision is 'reckless' and 'devastating', accusing the Prudential Authority of disregarding the bank's vital role in serving marginalised communities in KwaZulu Natal. To elaborate further on their concerns Elvis Presslin spoke to PSA Prov...

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa will engage with labour unions this week to explore solutions to continue supporting Community Work Programme (CWP) participants aged 55 and older, despite budgetary constraints. The move follows his decision to extend contracts for these participants until the end of March, while exploring viable and sustainable solution...

ActionSA's KwaZulu-Natal Chairperson, Zwakele Mncwango, has slammed Premier Thami Ntuli for a selective insourcing plan, calling it a betrayal of exploited workers. While welcoming the decision to insource staff at new healthcare facilities, Mncwango criticized its exclusion of existing workers in exploitative conditions. The party marched to the Premier's Office last year, demanding insourcing fo...

The South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU) in Mpumalanga will today march to the Riverside Government Complex, to demand the employment of unemployed medical doctors in the province. This move comes after numerous attempts to address the issue with the National Department of Health. Elvis Presslin spoke to SAMATU Mpumalanga provincial chairperson, Dr. Mandla Matshabe, to discuss th...

The Hawks have conducted a raid on the Johannesburg home of an Edumarks director as part of an investigation into the alleged leak of matric results. The probe, initiated by a complaint from the Department of Education, seeks to identify those responsible for selling matric results to students for R100. To provide more insight into the operation, Elvis Presslin spoke to Hawks spokesperson, Colonel...

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube have been served with letters of demand by AfriForum and Solidarity, contesting the promulgation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act. The two organizations claim that the proclamation is irrational and unconstitutional, giving the government 10 days to respond. To delve deeper into this matter, 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 Democratic Alliance (DA) is urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to establish an independent Commission of Inquiry into the Buffelsfontein mine disaster, which has claimed over 70 lives and rescued 246 illegal miners. As the government-led rescue operation comes to a close, the DA emphasizes the need for accountability and a thorough investigation into the systemic failures that led to this traged...

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) is blaming the government's lax immigration control for exacerbating the Stilfontein mining crisis. This comes as rescue operations have been suspended, with 246 illegal miners rescued and arrested, and 78 confirmed dead. For the latest Elvis Presslin spoke to Zama Ntshona, Spokesperson of the African Transformation Movement, ATM

Desperate parents in Gauteng are still queuing up at education district offices, hoping to secure school placements for their children. Many arrived prepared, with their kids dressed in school uniforms, despite admitting to missing the online application deadline. Amidst the chaos, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has vowed that every child will be placed. For a deeper understanding of this unfoldin...

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has embarked on a strike in response to Bidvest's plans to cut jobs at the South African Container Depot (SACD) in Durban. The strike follows failed section 189 consultations between NUMSA and Bidvest, which would have affected 106 workers. Elvis Presslin spoke to NUMSA National Spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, to shed more light on t...

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has strongly condemned the Government Employees Medical Scheme (GEMS) for imposing a hefty 13.4% hike in medical aid premiums for 2025. This significant increase will undoubtedly worsen the financial strain on public servants, who are already struggling to make ends meet due to high living costs. Furthermore, POPCRU has criticized GEMS' high admin...

Israel and Hamas have reportedly reached a ceasefire agreement, marking a potential end to the devastating 15-month war in Gaza. This breakthrough follows months of intense negotiations, facilitated by key mediators like Qatar. The conflict began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched a surprise attack on southern Israel, claiming the lives of approximately 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. I...

ActionSA and Forum 4 Service Delivery have joined forces, with plans to contest the 2026 local government elections together under the ActionSA banner. This merger is significant, as Forum 4 Service Delivery brings 38 municipal seats across five provinces to the table. As part of this union, Dr. Mbahare Kekana, the leader of Forum 4 Service Delivery, will take on the role of Deputy President at Ac...

The community Bishop Lavis in Cape Town will today protest over severe teacher shortage, overcrowding, and absence of science subjects in local schools. This demonstration, led by the Bishop Lavis Action Community (BLAC), is in response to the Western Cape Education Department's contentious decision to axe 2407 teaching posts. Amanda Davids, Media Liaison for BLAC, speaks to Elvis Presslin to shed...

The government-led rescue mission at the disused Stilfontein mine shaft has recovered over 50 bodies and rescued over 100 illegal miners as rescue operations continue. This according to the General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (Giwusa). This operation follows a crackdown on illegal mining in the area, resulting in the apprehension of over 1500 individuals involved in illicit mining act...

The Modjadji Royal Council is gearing up for a legal battle against President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to recognize Princess Masalanabo Modjadji as the rightful queen of the Balobedu nation. The council claims that Ramaphosa's move was unilateral and that they were not consulted, which they deem "regrettable". They're seeking a court review to overturn the decision, allegedly in favour of Prince...

The South African Communist Party (SACP) in Mpumalanga has strongly condemned remarks made by ANC Youth League President Collen Malatji, suggesting that SACP General Secretary Solly Mapaila should leave the party and join Umkhonto we Sizwe. The SACP views these comments as a deep misunderstanding of the congress movement. Elvis Presslin spoke to Lesetja Dikgale, SACP Spokesperson in Mpumalanga, to...

The Department of Basic Education has enlisted the Hawks to investigate disturbing allegations that matric results were compromised and sold online for a mere R100 before their official release. Social media posts sparked widespread concern, prompting the Information Regulator to demand urgent answers from the department. Mukelani Dimba, Executive for Education & Communication at the Informati...