First Take SA

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) has embarked on a strike at ArcelorMittal South Africa in response to the company's decision to retrench 107 workers just before Christmas. NUMSA National Spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, spoke to Elvis Presslin to discuss the strike and the union's demands...

Scores of people from mining-affected communities are marching to the Department of Mineral and Petroleum Resources today, calling for the recognition of their rights. The march is part of a broader campaign by the Mining Affected Communities United in Action (MACUA) to demand mandatory consent from mining-affected communities before mining rights are granted. At the heart of the issue is the need...

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has drawn widespread condemnation and anger following her decision not to rescue illegal miners trapped underground in the North West. When asked about the government's response to scores of illegal miners trapped underground in Stilfontein Minister Ntshavheni said: "We will smoke them out". Her remarks have been met with fierce condemnation, with ma...

Tensions are running high at the Lebombo port of entry, where law enforcement agencies have temporarily suspended the processing of people and cargo due to intensified protests. The South African Border Management Authority has taken the decision to protect property and personnel, citing concerns over the volatile situation on the Mozambican side of the border. For the latest on this developing st...

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation is urging swift action to address the City of Johannesburg's deteriorating state. Residents are struggling daily with water outages, Eskom's threats over unpaid bills, and crumbling infrastructure. The foundation highlights the dire need for intervention, citing roads in disrepair, broken streetlights, and neglected public spaces. To delve deeper into this crisis, Elv...

Former Joburg mayor Kabelo Gwamanda is demanding an apology from City speaker Nobuhle Mthembu. His lawyers argue that Mthembu's recent media statements portrayed him as a criminal before any formal investigation or court ruling. Gwamanda claims this defamation violated his right to presumed innocence, a cornerstone of fair process. The legal team has urged Mthembu to retract her comments from inte...

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson is on a nationwide tour to address issues surrounding the Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP). During a recent visit to uMngeni, KwaZulu-Natal, he heard firsthand accounts of abuse, nepotism, and exploitation within the program. Workers reported being excluded due to political connections, while some jobs were allegedly sold for money or...

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) in Limpopo are staging a protest march today to the office of Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba, demanding urgent attention to severe water shortages in Polokwane. The party is also highlighting concerns over high electricity costs and rampant unemployment in the province. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to the EFF Limpopo Chairpreson, Lawrence Mapoulo

SAFA President Danny Jordaan is set to appear in court today, facing allegations of misusing R1.3 million in association funds for personal gain. The accusations against him include fraud, theft, and improperly using SAFA funds to hire a communications company to manage his image after former ANC MP Jennifer Ferguson alleged he had raped her in 2017. Jordaan's alleged misconduct occurred between 2...

A planned operation to remove illegal water connections in Lenasia's Phumla-Mqashi informal settlement has been abandoned after residents protested violently, damaging four utility vehicles with stones. The entity's efforts to address illicit connections in the Lenasia area were put on hold due to the hostility towards workers. Joburg Water spokesperson, Nombuso Shabalala, told our Senior Producer...

Concerns are growing for thousands of suspected illegal miners trapped underground in the North West. Residents in Stilfontein claim over 4,000 miners remain stuck, prompting a community-led rescue effort. Last week, more than 1,000 illegal miners emerged from an abandoned mine in Orkney, having faced severe hunger and thirst. For the latest, Elvis Presslin spoke to Thembile Botman, a Community Le...

The South African Institute of Taxation says the country's current excise duties on beer may ultimately do more harm than good. The Institute's CEO Keith Engel's concerns center on the disproportionate burden placed on consumers, particularly those with lower incomes, as well as the potential risk of reduced government revenue. A recent report by Oxford Economics Africa, commissioned by South Afri...

Eskom has pulled back on its threat to cut electricity to Johannesburg. This move follows successful mediation led by Electricity Minister Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, who stepped in to resolve a debt dispute between the city and the utility. Just last week, Eskom warned Johannesburg of an impending power cut, citing unpaid bills amounting to R6.3 billion. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Jo...

The City of Johannesburg has announced water restrictions starting Thursday, aiming to stabilize reservoir levels, currently at 40%. The restrictions will be in effect daily from 9 pm to 4 am. This move follows a briefing by Water and Sanitation Minister Pemmy Majodina on the city's water supply challenges. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Ferrial Adam, Executive Manager of WaterCAN, to discuss the imp...

Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia has strongly criticized the government's decision to suspend food sales within and around school premises, citing increased divisions and hardship for South Africans. The movement says with an alarming 39.9% unemployment rate among Black African women, informal trading is often a necessity for survival, rather than a choice. Dr. Dale McKinley, member of the Coord...

The withdrawal of the SABC Bill has sparked calls for privatization of the state broadcaster. Civil rights group AfriForum says the move presents an opportunity for a new direction, urging Communications Minister Solly Malatsi to consider privatization and scrapping TV licenses. AfriForum had previously submitted written and oral evidence to parliament, advocating for privatization. The group welc...

The Department of Electricity and Energy has intervened in the ongoing debt dispute between Eskom and the City of Johannesburg, bringing in an independent mediator to resolve the issue. The debt has ballooned to billions, according to Electricity Minister Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa. The South African National Energy Development Institute (Sanedi) will compile a technical report on the debt crisis t...

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

Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Communications and Digital Technologies, Khusela Sangoni Diko has expressed deep concern regarding Minister Solly Malatsi's decision to withdraw the SABC Bill from Parliament. Minister Malatsi reportedly cites flaws in the bill's funding model and excessive powers granted to him in board appointments as reasons for withdrawal. Elvis Presslin spoke to Diko...

Disgruntled truck drivers will embark on a nationwide shutdown today. South African truck drivers are raising concern about the continuous employment of foreign drivers. The All Truck Drivers Forum Alliance South Africa is accusing trucking companies of sidestepping local workers by employing foreign nationals at lower wages to boost profits. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Sifundiso Beja...

South African municipalities are set to enforce by-laws governing spaza shops following a surge in food-borne illnesses that has claimed 23 lives and affected 441 people since January. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi met with municipal officials over the weekend to discuss the implementation of new by-laws to regulate informal food retailers. Gauteng Provincial Spokesperson, Vuyo Mhaga spoke to Elv...

ActionSA is intensifying its push for a comprehensive investigation into the tenure of former Johannesburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda, following his dismissal as MMC for Community Development on fraud charges. Gwamanda stands accused of defrauding vulnerable individuals through a funeral scheme and faces scrutiny over his academic qualifications. To shed more light on this development, Elvis Presslin s...

The South African Football Association (SAFA) President, Danny Jordaan is facing mounting pressure as #Notinmyname International calls for his resignation pending the resolution of criminal charges against him. Jordaan has been accused of fraud and theft, with allegations amounting to R1.3 million. He is accused of employing a communications company to improve his image after former ANC MP Jennife...

The Right2Protest Project (R2P) has condemned Mozambique's ongoing internet shutdown, labeling it a grave violation of democracy and human rights. R2P, A coalition championing the right to peaceful protest, argues that cutting off internet access is an outright violation of freedom of expression and assembly, rights firmly enshrined in the African Charter on Human and Peoples' Rights. The country...

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema has responded to the recent resignation of former Chairperson Advocate Dali Mpofu, who has announced his departure from the party to join Umkhonto We Sizwe. Speaking on the social media platform X, Malema hinted that at least two more senior EFF leaders are likely to leave soon. Despite this, Malema confidently declared that the EFF remains resi...