First Take SA

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...

Public Servants Association (PSA) is demanding an urgent investigation into the suspicious death of Dr. Francis Idika, a respected Medical Manager at Vryheid Hospital, in KwaZulu-Natal. Dr. Idika, known for his dedication to healthcare, allegedly endured years of workplace bullying and victimisation. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Mlungisi Ndlovu, Provincial Manager of the Public Servant...

The newly approved Budget, passed by a slim margin of 194 to 182 votes, has widened rifts within the Government of National Unity (GNU), especially between the ANC and DA. The escalating tensions have sparked concerns about the GNU's stability and speculation about a potential cabinet reshuffle. Meanwhile, the DA is set to lodge a legal challenge in the Western Cape High Court against Parliament's...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is preparing to file a legal challenge in the Western Cape High Court against Parliament's approval of the 2025/26 National Budget. The party argues that the Finance Committee's meeting on April 1st, failed to adhere to Parliament's standing rules, specifically citing that the Fiscal Framework was not formally presented to the Committee for approval or rejection. To br...

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to address the National African Federated Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (NAFCOC) 60th Anniversary celebration on Friday at the Durban International Conference Centre. This milestone event will reflect on NAFCOC's six decades of commitment to economic empowerment and transformation, while honouring the legacy of its founding members who fought for the liberatio...

The South African National Defence Union (SANDU) has given a cautious welcome to the peace agreement brokered by SADC defense chiefs in Goma. This deal promises the safe return of SANDF troops, who have been stuck in their bases for 63 days, as well as the recovery of military equipment. SANDU Chief Negotiator Jeff Dubazana shares his insights with Elvis Presslin

Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube will this week visit Limpopo's Vhembe West District to hand over newly constructed toilets and assess progress at local schools. She will also provide a national update on efforts to eliminate pit toilets in schools following the missed March 31 deadline. For more Elvis Presslin spoke to Section27 spokesperson Pearl Nicodemus,  the Organization has been...

COSATU in Limpopo will stage a picket today outside the Mankweng Magistrate's Court, where a 58-year-old teacher is set to appear on rape charges. He was arrested for allegedly assaulting a 13-year-old student multiple times between November 2024 and March 2025 in the Capricorn South Education District. The suspect initially fled after pretending to report himself to the police, triggering a manhu...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has accused ActionSA of working with ANC to push through a 1% VAT increase over the next two years.  ActionSA, however, has refuted this, asserting that the ANC has instead backed their 2025 Budget amendments, which block a proposed 0.5% VAT rise and secure income tax relief by addressing "bracket creep". Yesterday, Parliament's Standing Committee on Finance adopt...

A heavy police presence in Zimbabwe on Monday stifled planned mass protests against President Emmerson Mnangagwa's bid to extend his rule until 2030. Mnangagwa, who took power in 2017 after Robert Mugabe's ousting, is in his final term. Former allies, the war veterans, led the calls for demonstrations but faced a fierce crackdown. Fearing unrest, businesses shut down, streets emptied, and in weste...

The Public Servants Association (PSA) in KwaZulu-Natal is outraged over the National Assembly's Portfolio Committee on Health allegedly disregarding frontline workers during their recent visit. The PSA claims the committee sidestepped the real healthcare crisis, which includes severe shortages of medical staff and equipment. Elvis Presslin spoke to  Nkosinathi Thwala, KwaZulu-Natal PSA Provin...

Minister of Human Settlements Thembi Simelane has vehemently denied allegations of her involvement in corrupt activities with Eskom contractor Vitrovian. The allegations claim Simelane was involved in inflating prices for community liaison work during her tenure at Vitrovian, for which she was paid at least R700,000. The Democratic Alliance (DA) has announced plans to lay criminal charges against...

South Africans are taking to the streets today in nationwide protests, demanding justice for 7-year-old Cwecwe, who was allegedly raped at Bergview College in Eastern Cape. Elvis Presslin spoke to Operation Dudula President, Zandile Dabula who will be taking part in the demonstrations

Lobby group Afriforum says there is no evidence supporting allegations that 7-year-old Cwecwe was raped at Bergview College in Eastern Cape. This as the school principal faces allegations of rape. The organization has sent a letter to the Matatiele police station commander, expressing concerns over the handling of the case. Furthermore, Afriforum reveals that the school principal sought legal advi...

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