First Take SA

Johannesburg is facing a deepening water crisis. Leaks, interruptions, and inadequate maintenance are threatening public health, economic stability, and the environment. In response, WaterCAN, an initiative of the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse, has launched a petition calling for a significant increase in the Joburg Water capital budget. The petition seeks to boost funding to R3 billion for 2024/...

A recent report has exposed a concerning trend in the attendance records of South African Members of Parliament (MPs) in committee meetings. The findings reveal that many MPs, particularly from opposition parties, have poor attendance records. Notably, the MK party and the EFF have over half of their MPs failing to attend at least 75% of meetings. In contrast, the ANC and Democratic Alliance, DA h...

The North West Social Development Department is repatriating 27 teenage boys from Mozambique who were rescued from disused mines in Stilfontein. The minors were found to be involved in illegal mining activities in the area - where scores of illegal are hiding underground in an attempt to avoid arrest by authorities. For the latest development, Elvis Presslin spoke to Provincial Department spokespe...

The Public Servants Association (PSA) has welcomed the Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) ruling ordering former Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini to repay R2 million for unauthorized personal security expenses incurred in 2013. The Court found the procurement of private security for Dlamini and her spokesperson illegal, overturning a previous High Court ruling that implicated the SASSA CEO...

The Modjadji Royal Council has vowed to challenge President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to officially recognize Princess Masalanabo Modjadji as the Queen of the Balobedu nation. The Presidency's announcement follows Princess Masalanabo's attainment of adulthood, aligning with the Traditional and Khoi-San Leadership Act, which mandates recognition of rightful successors upon turning 18. However, the...

Yesterday, South Africa marked the National Day of Reconciliation, a public holiday established in 1995 to promote unity and healing after the end of apartheid. However, Rise Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi believes that the country needs to take bold steps toward a comprehensive nation-building agenda. Elvis Presslin spoke to Songezo Zibi to discuss Rise Mzansi's vision for the future

The National Informal Traders Alliance of South Africa has joined calls urging President Cyril Ramaphosa to extend the deadline for spaza shop business registration. Today marks the final day for spaza shops and food-handling stores to comply with the president's directive, issued in response to recent incidents of alleged food poisoning. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Rosheda Muller, Pr...

Long queues have been reported at O.R. Tambo International Airport, specifically at the Border Management Authority's passport control processing points. To provide clarity on the situation and the measures being taken to address it, Elvis Presslin spoke to Border Management Authority Spokesperson, Mmemme Mogotsi

The Information Regulator has confirmed that it is yet to receive court papers from the Department of Basic Education, challenging its enforcement notice to refrain from publishing Matric results in the media. The Regulator issued an enforcement notice due to the department's alleged non-compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), which requires consent before publishing pe...

Rand Water has begun restoring water supply to affected areas in Johannesburg following a major 86-hour maintenance shutdown. The maintenance, which left parts of the city without water, has sparked frustration among residents who claim that water tankers have been scarce. Rand Water spokesperson Makenosi Maroo elaborates on the reasoning behind conducting the maintenance project during the festiv...

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

Bergrivier Municipality Mayor Ray van Rooy was arrested on Wednesday after police found a large quantity of cocaine and illegal ammunition at his home in Piketberg. This shocking discovery has sparked widespread outrage, with the GOOD Party condemning the mayor's alleged actions. The party is now calling for a special council meeting to consider a motion of no confidence against Van Rooy. To discu...

A shocking report has revealed widespread "sex for accommodation" abuses at three South African universities. Research conducted by the Commission for Gender Equality at Nelson Mandela, North-West, and Sol Plaatje universities uncovered disturbing allegations. These include claims that student leaders exploited first-year students, demanding sexual favours in exchange for accommodation. Furthermor...

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party is gearing up to celebrate its first anniversary this weekend at Durban's Moses Mabhida Stadium, with thousands of supporters expected to attend. The party, led by former President Jacob Zuma, made a significant impact on South Africa's political landscape in May's general elections, securing 45.3% of the vote in KwaZulu-Natal. Elvis Presslin spoke to Jabulani Khumalo, t...

Today marks the final deadline for parties to iron out their differences over clauses 4 and 5 of the Bela Bill, as set by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Despite a settlement between the Solidarity Movement and Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, the Presidency has expressed doubts about the agreement's legitimacy. To shed more light on this development, Elvis Presslin spoke to Werner Human, Opera...

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

Action Society is intensifying its call for the National Register for Sex Offenders to be made public. This follows alarming statistics revealed by the National Association of School Governing Bodies that over 16,000 teachers in South Africa have criminal records, including grave offenses such as rape and assault. The organization argues that transparency is essential to safeguard children in trus...

The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) is leading a march to the Union Buildings today, urging the government to address pressing issues such as illegal immigration, porous borders, and illegal mining activities. The organisation is also concerned about unregulated spaza shops selling unsafe food. Elvis Presslin spoke to Donovan Williams, SANCO National Spokesperson and Acting Natio...

The MK Party says its case against the IEC to set aside the results of the general elections in May due to alleged vote rigging, is ready.  This after the party was granted leave by the Electoral Court to withdraw it's application at the end of October, while making a cost order against the party. MK Party secretary general, Floyd Shivambu briefing the media in Durban, says the party is ready...

The City of Johannesburg has embarked on a mission to tackle the longstanding issue of hijacked buildings and problem properties in the Inner City. As part of this effort, the city has begun evacuating approximately 145 individuals from the Moth Building. To gain a deeper understanding of this initiative and its implications, Elvis Presslin spoke to Nthatisi Modingoane, Spokesperson for the City o...

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is set to discuss a proposed policy amendment that would require members to have a post-matric qualification to serve in the party's Central Command Team (CCT). This is as the party's third National People's Assembly gets underway at the Nasrec Expo centre in Johannesburg today. For more, Elvis Presslin spoke to EFF MP Commissar, Sharon Letlape, to delve into th...

The African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association (AUBBTA) has condemned an attack at the Fleet Africa Bus Rank in Newtown, Johannesburg. Suspected hitmen reportedly targeted cross-border buses, which resulted In the death of a crew member during a shootout. To unpack this incident and its broader implications, Elvis Presslin spoke to Phumudzo Mukhwathi, Chairperson of AUBBTA

The University of South Africa's Council has reappointed Professor Puleng LenkaBula as Principal and Vice-Chancellor for a second term. The decision comes after her historic appointment as the UNISA's first female Principal and Vice-Chancellor in January 2021. To discuss the implications of this reappointment, Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor Solomon Magano, Acting Vice-Principal for Institutiona...

The South African Communist Party's highly anticipated 5th Special National Congress gets underway today, amidst tensions within the tripartite alliance. The four-day gathering at the Birchwood Hotel's OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, is expected to tackle critical issues, including the possibility of the Communist party contesting elections while remaining in the ANC alliance....

A disturbing trend has come to light, with the Road Accident Fund (RAF) revealing that some individuals are intentionally throwing themselves against moving vehicles in a bid to claim compensation from the Fund. The Fund has issued a stern warning saying it will not pay out claims for such incidents. To discuss this alarming trend Elvis Presslin spoke to Road Accident Fund (RAF) National Spokesper...