First Take SA

The Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Commission (CRL) has criticised what it calls the continued dominance of English and Afrikaans in South African schools. The Commission says in order to achieve non-racialism all official languages need to be prioritized in the school system. The statement comes as two clauses specifically related to teaching in home language are being disputed in the Basic E...

Seriti Coal Mine plans to retrench over 1000 workers due to commercial sustainability issues, however labour union AMCU is having none of it. The mine cites uncompetitive unit costs, freight rail inefficiencies, and coal market volatility as the reasons behind this decision. However, AMCU President Jospeh Mathunjwa is gearing up for a fight, stating that AMCU does not support retrenchments and wil...

South Africa's taxi operators are celebrating a significant reduction in fuel costs. The National Taxi Alliance has hailed the move, citing benefits from developments in petroleum and mineral resources. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mr. Theo Malele, Spokesperson for the National Taxi Alliance

The deadline for public submissions on the reform of South Africa's electoral system has been extended to October 31, 2024. This is a call to action for individuals, organizations, political parties, and prospective independent candidates to share their thoughts on potential reforms for the National Assembly and Provincial Legislatures. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Advocate Richard K S...

ANC Gauteng Chairperson Panyaza Lesufi has dismissed claims of division within the party, saying the provincial and national leadership are united. This comes after DA Federal Council Chairperson, Helen Zille accused Lesufi and his team of defying national leaders by backing the removal of former Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink. But Lesufi says the decision was taken in the ANC's best interests. For...

Former Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane has spoken out against the Supreme Court of Appeal's decision to dismiss her appeal, calling it a significant personal and professional setback. The court's ruling yesterday struck down Mkhwebane's application to appeal the judgment that led to her removal from office. Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane spoke to Elvis Presslin to discuss the implication...

Emfuleni Local Municipality's financial woes have reached a boiling point, with municipal workers facing delayed salary payments for September. The crisis began when Eskom attached four of the municipality's bank accounts to recover an estimated R8 billion in unpaid electricity supply fees. The measure by Eskom has left the municipality struggling to cover its operational costs, including employee...

African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association (AUBBTA) commends the arrest of corrupt officials and six illegal immigrants. The officials allegedly extorted bribes from motorists and passengers using fake date stamps and exploiting undocumented immigrants. AUBBTA has long highlighted corruption at the Beitbridge border post, where officials collude with illegal bus operators ferrying undocumented p...

The uMkhonto weSizwe party says it will appeal the ruling interdicting impeached judge Dr. John Hlophe's participation on the Judicial Service Commission. Last Friday, the Western Cape High Court ruled in favour of the DA's urgent application dealing a blow to the MK party's interests. The MK party is also seeking the postponement of Judicial Service Commission sitting. For the latest on the appea...

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is opposing a proposed hike in the National Minimum Wage. The party says an increase in the minimum wage could lead to job losses, particularly among small businesses and in rural areas. Michael Bagraim, a Labour lawyer and DA Spokesperson on Employment and Labour, discusses this further with Elvis Presslin

Residents of Fleurhof, west of Johannesburg, are staging a shutdown to protest the lack of infrastructure and poor service delivery in their area. Despite numerous attempts to engage with local government officials, residents say their concerns have fallen on deaf ears, prompting the shutdown. The community is frustrated with the absence of essential facilities like clinics, schools, and a police...

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

ActionSA is filing criminal charges against Justice Minister Thembi Simelane today at the Polokwane Police Station. The party is alleging violations of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA). The move follows revelations that Simelane solicited a questionable R575,600 loan from Gundo Wealth Solutions during her tenure as Mayor of Polokwane. Elvis Presslin discusses this de...

The South African Weather Services says snowfall is expected to clear up in the Western Cape and western parts of the Eastern Cape later today. The weather services says snowfall will persist until tomorrow over the eastern parts of Eastern Cape and southern KwaZulu-Natal. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Weather Forecaster at the South African Weather Services, Tokelo Chiloane

Disgruntled taxi operators in KwaZulu Natal are accusing the provincial Transport Department of breaking a previously agreed-upon deal. The department had promised to suspend the seizure of taxis, but numerous vehicles have still been impounded for lacking permits and failing roadworthiness tests. The seizure of taxis has left many operators feeling frustrated and concerned about their livelihoods...

The South African Democratic Teachers Union (SADTU) has resolved that the BELA Bill must be implemented. Speaking at the union's 10th National Congress, its re-elected president Magope Maphila pledged SADTU's commitment to the bill's immediate enforcement, warning that any delay would be seen as a declaration of war against Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube. The BELA Bill, recently signed in...

The South African Federation of Trade Unions has slammed the Government of National Unity, led by the ANC and DA, for deepening the struggles of the working class. Marking 100 days since its formation after the May 29 elections, The union argues that despite initial optimism, the coalition has failed to tackle critical issues like unemployment, poverty, and inequality. While President Ramaphosa's...

The death toll from Friday's mass shooting in Lusikisiki, Eastern Cape, has risen to 18. The 18th victim, who had been critically injured passed away in hospital at the weekend. For the latest Elvis Presslin spoke to Yanga Masiko, neighbour to the victims of the mass shooting

President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a historic ceremony today at the Freedom Park Heritage Site and Museum in Pretoria to honour 42 South African freedom fighters who lost their lives in Zambia and Zimbabwe during Apartheid. The repatriation and restitution homecoming ceremony follows the arrival of the mortal remains of these liberation heroes and heroines, who were received at Waterkloof Air For...

The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) has welcomed the ousting of Tshwane Mayor Cilliers Brink, following a vote of no confidence spearheaded by the ANC and backed by ActionSA. 120 councillors supported Brink's removal, while 87 opposed it, and one councillor abstained. The dramatic shift in the city's leadership comes after ActionSA severed ties with the DA in Tshwane. For more on thi...

Protests are set to unfold in Hartbeespoort, North West, as the Harties Shutdown Movement organizes a shutdown due to allegations of racism. At the heart of the issue are claims by black business owners that their white counterparts are intentionally sabotaging their operations. The shutdown follows a surge in threats and violent attacks targeting black-owned businesses in the area. For more on th...

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 National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) will today march to Parliament to protest against the non-compliance of security companies. These companies, some with government contracts, have reportedly failed to provide essential benefits like pension funds and medical insurance to security workers. NUMSA's national spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, spoke to Elvis Presslin to she...

The Executive Director of the Rural and Farmworkers Development Organization, Billy Claasen has strongly condemned the actions of Lutzville farmer Christoffel Stoman, who allegedly ran over 6-year-old Khwezi Jantjies, accusing him of stealing fruit. The incident left the young boy with both legs broken. Claasen is demanding the full force of the law to be applied and has vowed to protest against S...

The Budget Justice Coalition says the impending budget cuts to Basic Education will put the most vulnerable students at risk. This warning comes after Minister Siviwe Gwarube revealed that seven provincial education departments will be unable to cover their budgets by 2027/28. The coalition is strongly criticizing the government's austerity measures, arguing they undermine human rights and widen t...