First Take SA

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

Concerns are growing in Mbombela after a lion was spotted roaming the area early Wednesday morning. Security footage shows the majestic creature near The Rest Estate, prompting worries among local residents. The Mpumalanga Tourism and Parks Agency (MTPA) confirms a free-roaming male lion is present in the area and is being closely monitored. Elvis Presslin spoke to Simphiwe Shungube, Senior Commun...

Operation Dudula and several political parties are launching a coalition today to protect the township economy and improve health standards. This move comes after a devastating incident in Naledi, Soweto, where six children lost their lives after consuming contaminated snacks from a spaza shop. The coalition aims to safeguard local businesses and community health standards, bringing together key p...

Tiger Brands has pledged to cover urgent medical expenses for those affected by the 2017 listeriosis outbreak, which claimed over 200 lives. The company faces estimated damages of R1.5 billion to R2.5 billion in ongoing legal proceedings. Despite no final court verdict on liability, Tiger Brands is engaging with victim representatives to reach a settlement. Zeenat Emmamally, Attorney at Richard Sp...

The Frontier Hospital In Komani, Eastern Cape has been without electricity for 10 days, endangering critically ill patients on life support. Despite Eskom's successful more than 200 consecutive days of uninterrupted power supply since March, the Frontier hospital faces severe challenges. The hospital remains operational, but staff fear for patients requiring life-support. For more, Elvis Presslin...

Government officials are pushing back after Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber prematurely announced on X (formerly Twitter) that South Africa had signed a visa waiver agreement with Ukraine. Schreiber's post stated the deal was finalized, granting visa-free access to diplomats, but the Presidency clarified that no such agreement had been signed. Officials allege Schreiber bypassed critical prot...

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) is gearing up for a battle with BMW after the Labour Court rejected their urgent application to ensure fairness for over 500 workers facing dismissal due to alleged medical aid fraud. NUMSA claims that BMW refused to provide clarity on the charges, making it impossible for them to defend their members. NUMSA National spokesperson, Phakamil...

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is set to deliver the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement today, and for a welcome change, South Africa's economic outlook is looking up. The country's recovery from the pandemic has been driven by decreasing inflation, easing interest rates, and increased energy security, showcasing the economy's resilience. Minister Godongwana is expected to highlight these posi...

Parliament's Health Committee has called on the Department of Health to investigate ways to recover medical costs incurred while treating foreign nationals at state healthcare facilities. This comes as the committee seeks to ensure the long-term sustainability of South Africa's healthcare system. Health Committee member and DA MP, Michele Clark spoke to our Senior producer Ronald Phiri about the C...

The Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU will today picket outside Parliament ahead of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement. The union is unhappy with the government's economic policies, which they believe have failed to address the country's economic woes. COSATU has been critical of National Treasury's austerity measures, which they argue will worsen the economic situation. Elvis Pr...

Botswana will head to the polls today, with President Mokgweetsi Masisi seeking a second term. He's facing challenges from three candidates, but analysts suggest the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) has the edge, helped by a fragmented opposition. Botswana, a nation of 2.3 million, is the world's top diamond producer by value, and has built relative prosperity on its diamond wealth. However,...

72% of entrepreneurs experience mental health issues according to recent research. As Mental Health Month unfolds, award-winning entrepreneur Alison Weihe says she has witnessed firsthand how the pressures of running a business can lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression. Elvis Presslin spoke to Alison to elaborate further on her sentiments about the mental struggles facing entrepreneur

The Johannesburg Labour Court has affirmed that employers can dismiss workers involved in workplace moneylending schemes. This decision follows the dismissal of a senior employee at the Free State National Botanical Gardens, who was found loaning money to colleagues at 50% interest. A forensic investigation revealed the employee's moneylending was disrupting the workplace, and the court backed the...

The Correctional Services Department is probing allegations that wealthy inmates are bribing officials for special treatment. Reports suggest some prisoners, like businessman Thoshan Panday at Westville Correctional Centre, are paying for hospital holidays and other perks, essentially buying their way out of regular prison conditions. To shed more light on this issue, Elvis Presslin spoke to Miles...

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (NEHAWU) is leading a picket at the Labour Court in Braamfontein today, to demand permanent employment for Community Health Workers nationwide. The Union's Day of Action protests is aimed at the National Department of Health's alleged failure to provide reasons for recurring fixed-term contracts for Community Health Workers. Elvis Presslin sp...

Controversy surrounds the uMkhonto weSizwe Party as members continue to express discontent over the appointment of new leaders. This after party leader Jacob Zuma recently welcomed former Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane and ex-ANC member Willies Mchunu to key roles. For expert insight, Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor Ntsikelelo Breakfast, Political Analyst from Nelson Mandela Univer...

Three suspects are in custody for allegedly facilitating fake marriages between South African women and foreign nationals. This after a joint operation uncovered a secret Home Affairs office in Greyville, Durban, allegedly used to facilitate spousal visas. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mosa Chabane, Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs

Elvis Presslin takes a look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoesoana, 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

Iran has vowed to defend itself following Israeli air strikes that reportedly killed at least four Iranian soldiers, heightening fears of a broader conflict in the Middle East. The strikes, launched early Saturday, targeted Iranian military positions, leading to significant casualties. In a stern warning, Israel stated that Iran would pay a heavy price if it retaliates. Meanwhile, Israel continued...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has welcomed Home Affairs Minister Leon Schreiber's decision to grant visa-free access to Ukrainian diplomats, but Presidency spokesperson Vincent Magwenya clarifies that President Cyril Ramaphosa has not yet approved the move. Magwenya has questioned how Schreiber announced the agreement without formal authorization. This disagreement reflects ongoing divisions within...

Parliament is seeking to expand its oversight over the Presidency, sparking a major debate about accountability and transparency. The proposal, tabled by opposition parties, including the uMkhonto weSizwe, Freedom Front Plus, and Action SA, calls for the establishment of a parliamentary committee to monitor the performance and spending of the Presidency. Former IFP chief whip, Narend Singh spoke t...

The Department of Basic Education says incidents of food poisoning have disrupted teaching and learning. This after a wave of food poisoning incidents rocked schools in Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and Limpopo, affecting over 100 learners and claiming the lives of six children in Naledi, Soweto, last month. The Department reports that the majority of cases occurred during school hours, significantly disru...

Thirty elephants that escaped from a private game reserve have caused alarm in KwaCeza, KwaZulu Natal prompting some families to flee their homes. Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife is now seeking assistance from NGOs and the public to develop non-lethal methods to manage the roaming elephants. Vuyiswa Radebe, Head of Conservation Operations at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, discusses their search for the escaped elep...

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has raised alarm over the mental health crisis within the South African Police Service (SAPS), citing rising suicide rates and mounting mental health challenges. POPCRU says officers face extreme stress, trauma, and violence daily, with inadequate support systems in place. The union is calling for urgent reforms, including improvements to the Empl...

In a significant two-day gathering, tuberculosis (TB) advocates from across South Africa will come together to focus on a critical issue of enhancing the patient experience in TB treatment and its impact on treatment adherence. Organized by the TB Accountability Consortium (TBAC), this convening seek to explore the challenges surrounding TB management. Despite an estimated 300,000 cases, only one-...