First Take SA

There are growing concerns about the number of learners falling ill from suspected food poisoning. In Bronkhorstspruit, local community members have shut down shops selling allegedly expired goods, following an incident where 25 learners became sick after eating snacks from street vendors near their school. Earlier this week, four learners were hospitalized after 47 students at Rapelego Primary in...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng says it has submitted a Promotion of Access to Information Act application to force Premier Panyaza Lesufi to release all 177 forensic investigation reports. The party says Gauteng residents have the right to know the outcomes of these investigations and the number of completed reports. Here is the DA Gauteng Chairperson Solly Msimango...

In response to the ongoing issue of construction mafias causing delays by demanding protection fees on construction sites, The Gauteng MEC for Infrastructure Development and Cooperative Governance, Jacob Mamabolo, has introduced the Infrastructure Delivery Platform (iDEP). This new digital solution is designed to tackle delays in the completion of crucial infrastructure projects, including schools...

The GOOD Party has voiced its support for GBVF and women's rights activists in opposing Chris Brown's upcoming concert in the country. The party argues that Brown, with his history of violence against women, should not be allowed a platform, particularly in a country grappling with a severe GBVF crisis. This stance comes amid divided public opinion on the singer's performance, scheduled for Decemb...

Mpumalanga Police are Investigating a case of suspected food poisoning at Marhagi Secondary School. This after more than 20 learners in Verena, near Bronkhorstspruit, were hospitalized due to suspected food poisoning. According to reports, the learners consumed atchaar purchased from a vendor outside the school premises. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Mpumalanga Education Department Spok...

EFF MP Carl Niehaus has expressed his disappointment over Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane's resignation, calling it "deeply disappointing". Mkhwebane, a former Public Protector, had joined the EFF just a year ago after being impeached from her previous role. Her resignation comes on the heels of her recent denials that she was planning to leave the party. Niehaus shared his thoughts with our Senior Pr...

Parliament's Standing Committee on Appropriations has raised concerns over Eskom's escalating bailouts, projected to reach R496 billion by 2025/26, as revealed by National Treasury. This staggering figure has significant implications for service delivery, as essential funds are being diverted to support underperforming state-owned enterprises (SOEs) like Eskom, SAA, and Transnet. For more Elvis Pr...

Johannesburg MMC for Community Development, Kabelo Gwamanda has received petitions from community members and civil society groups, led by Africa for Palestine, on the proposed renaming of Sandton Drive to Leila Khaled Drive. At the same time, the Democratic Alliance has submitted over 5,500 objections, criticizing the renaming as a costly vanity project in a city already struggling to provide ess...

A massive manhunt is underway in the Eastern Cape, as police seek to apprehend four suspects linked to a devastating mass shooting that left 18 people dead. The tragedy occurred in Nyathi village, Ngobozana, Lusikisiki, where unknown gunmen opened fire, claiming multiple lives. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to National Police Spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe

Four learners remain hospitalized after a food poisoning incident involving 47 primary school children from Rapelego Primary in Hammanskraal. The learners, aged 9-14, were treated at different hospitals in Tshwane. The Grade 5 learners reportedly consumed expired chocolates purchased from a fellow student. This comes just days after six children tragically lost their lives in Naledi, Soweto, due t...

President Ramaphosa is seeking a Constitutional Court ruling on the constitutionality of the Copyright Amendment Bill. The move comes hot on the heels of Section 27's urgent application, filed on behalf of Blind SA, against President Ramaphosa for not signing the bill. Blind SA challenged the constitutionality of the Copyright Act two years ago, arguing it infringed on the rights of blind and visu...

The South African Weather Service has issued a Yellow Level 2 warning for severe thunderstorms, excessive lightning, and persistent heatwave conditions across various regions. For expert insights Elvis Presslin spoke to South African Weather Service Forecaster, Letlhogonolo Thobela to provide more information on the severe weather conditions

The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) has welcomed the findings of the National Food and Nutrition Security Survey, which paints a concerning picture of food insecurity in the country. A staggering 63.5% of households struggle to access nutritious food, while child malnutrition rates are alarmingly high, with 28.8% of children under five facing stunted growth and 5.3% affected by wasti...

The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng is warning hospital patients to brace for potential disasters due to severe budget cuts. DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, Jack Bloom says hospital CEOs have been instructed not to hire new staff, and some medical professionals might not receive their December salaries. This is particularly concerning given that hospitals in Gauteng are already understaffed. Elvis Pr...

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the Government of National Unity's success should be evaluated based on its tangible impact on the lives of South Africa's poor and working-class citizens, rather than the political affiliations of its constituent parties. Ramaphosa was reflecting on the first 100 days of the government's seventh administration. This comes as tensions rise between the ANC and its all...

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

Former Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink has raised concern about the city's new mayoral committee, warning that it spells disaster for clean governance. This comes after incumbent Mayor Dr. Nasiphi Moya unveiled her 10-member multi-party mayoral committee, which notably excludes the Democratic Alliance. Brink's concerns center around the inclusion of the EFF in the committee, which he believes will hi...

A mass shooting in Orange Farm, south of Johannesburg, has left seven people dead, including a three-year-old child. Ronald Phiri spoke to Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili about the number of fatalities and motive for the deadly shooting & A joint operation between the South African Police Service and the Ethiopian Federal Police has led to the arrest of a 29-year-old South Africa...

The National Education, Health, and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) is set to meet with Parliament's management today to address concerns over the mandatory medical tests for nearly 1,000 support staff. The tests, which include urine analysis, gastrointestinal inspections, and lung-function checks, have sparked outrage and criticism from Nehawu, citing privacy violations. For more on this Elvis Pre...

Tributes are flooding in for former Finance Minister and Reserve Bank Governor, Tito Mboweni, who passed away on Saturday after a brief illness. Mboweni died at the age of 65. His family, politicians and citizens are still reeling in shock over his sudden loss. Leslie Maasdorp, a former Special Adviser to Tito Mboweni during his tenure as Labour Minister, spoke to Elvis Presslin to share insights...

Gauteng's bulk water supplier, Rand Water, has warned municipalities to reduce water losses by 33% amid dwindling storage levels. The water utility says supply systems including Rand Water reservoirs are critically low and the situation is anticipated to worsen with the ongoing heat wave. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Ferrial Adam, the Executive Manager of WaterCAN

The Democratic Alliance has called on the Gauteng Provincial Legislature's ethics committee to investigate corruption allegations against Premier Panyaza Lesufi. The party claims Lesufi failed to address widespread corruption within the Department of Social Development (DSD), involving money laundering and fraud that cost the provincial government hundreds of millions of rands meant for struggling...

The National Prosecuting Authority, NPA has declined to prosecute anyone in relation to the Phala Phala farm case, involving President Cyril Ramaphosa and Major General Wally Roode. Director of Public Prosecutions Ivy Thenga made the decision after assessing evidence from the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, following a complaint by Arthur Fraser alleging money laundering and corrupti...

South Africa's femicide epidemic claims seven lives daily, with intimate partners responsible for nearly 60% of murders. Research by the South African Medical Research Council shows the Eastern Cape as a hotspot for femicide, with women twice as likely to be killed as those elsewhere in the country. To discuss this further Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor Rachel Jewkes, Executive Scientist at the...

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