First Take SA

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation will today commemorate the life of whistle-blower Babita Deokaran, marking the third anniversary of her assassination in 2021. Deokaran, who was serving as the acting chief director of financial accounting at the Gauteng Department of Health, was murdered after exposing fraud and corruption within the department. In a statement, the foundation says the event will hono...

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

Former President Jacob Zuma is set to hold a media briefing today, where he is expected to share his thoughts on the current political landscape in South Africa. This comes as 10 MPs, recently expelled from the MK Party, have also announced a press conference to share their perspective. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Thami Khuzwayo, former UmkhontoWesizwe party student command leader an...

South Africans continue to pay tribute to renowned Science and Maths teacher William Smith. He died aged 85 after a short battle with cancer. He passed away surrounded by family in Perth, Australia. Mr. Smith was best known for presenting Math and Science lessons on television, inspiring generations of students across the country. For more on the legend, Elvis Presslin spoke to Senamile Masango, N...

The National Commissioner of the South African Police Service (SAPS), General Fannie Masemola, has boosted police presence in the Eastern Cape to combat rising gang violence and extortion. The province has seen a surge in criminal activities, with gangs and mafias terrorizing communities, intimidating local businesses, and demanding protection fees from schools. While the police focus on cracking...

ActionSA's Nobuhle Mthembu has been elected as the new speaker of the Johannesburg Council. She replaces Margaret Arnolds who has now been appointed Finance MMC. Mthembu won the seat against the DA's Nonhlanhla Sifumba. The new speaker says she aims to address critical issues like the city's billing crisis and inner-city rejuvenation. For more on this, Nobuhle Mthembu, the new speaker of Joburg co...

A looming wage strike by Air Traffic and Navigation Services (ATNS) workers could severely disrupt air travel across South Africa. The South African Transport Allied Workers Union (Satawu) is demanding a 6.5% wage increase, but negotiations have stalled as ATNS offers 2% less. If workers strike, it could paralyze the aviation sector, causing massive delays and financial losses. For more on this El...

The South African Human Rights Commission has responded to a Supreme Court of Appeal ruling on the binding nature of its recommendations. The case involved a complaint by farm occupiers who were denied access to water. The Commission found rights violations and directed the farm owners to restore water access, but the owners refused. The Court ruled that the Commission's directives are not legally...

Civic organization, Save South Africa Civic Movement is calling on the government to abolish the age limit for recruitment in the police and defence forces. The group claims that the current age restriction of 35 is exacerbating unemployment and contributing to higher crime rates. In a statement, the movement argued that the age limit is discriminatory and neglects individuals between 36 and 59 ye...

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) in Gauteng is sounding the alarm on a growing mental health crisis within the province's security cluster, following a recent tragic incident where two Gauteng Traffic Provincial Inspectors died in a suspected murder-suicide. The union is speaking out against the lack of effective mental wellness programs and is calling for proactive strategies to...

Qatar Airways Group has announced a significant acquisition. The global aviation giant has acquired a 25% stake in Airlink, which currently operates in 15 countries across Africa. In a statement the regional airline based in Johannesburg, says this investment will strengthen the existing partnership between the two airlines. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Guy Leitch, Aviation Expert

A group of fired uMkhonto WeSizwe Party members are set to challenge their removal from Parliament in court today. Ten former MK MPs have filed an urgent application with the Western Cape High Court, seeking to overturn their dismissal as Members of Parliament. For the latest Elvis Presslin spoke to Legal expert, Abigail Ngobeni

The Hawks are investigating Chidimma Adetshina's mother for alleged identity theft. Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs has been informed that two department officials are also under investigation in connection with the case, which has sparked widespread controversy. Adetshina, who withdrew from the Miss SA pageant, had claimed to be born in Soweto to a Nigerian father and a Zulu moth...

The Democratic Alliance has welcomed the Basic Education Minister, Siviwe Gwarube's, decision to halt the issuing of a R9.8 billion tender that would have centralized procurement for the National School Nutrition Programme (NSNP) under a single provider. Currently, each province manages its own School Nutrition Programme, which delivers at least one meal daily to over 9.6 million learners. Last ye...

EFF leader Julius Malema has criticized party members who are threatening to leave if they are not chosen for leadership positions. This comes after the departure of former deputy president Floyd Shivambu, who joined the MK Party. In a speech to hundreds of EFF supporters at the Orlando Community Hall in Soweto, Malema stressed the need for loyalty and commitment to the party's goals. For more on...

The National Assembly is set to debate Eskom's proposed 36% electricity tariff increase, following a request by the Democratic Alliance (DA). National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza has approved the DA's proposal, which highlights concerns over Eskom's "make-up tariff" that could add R8 billion to consumers' bills next year. The DA argues that this increase would severely burden South Africans, alr...

Tomorrow (21st August) marks World Entrepreneurs' Day. The day traces its roots back to 2010 when it was first established by the United Nations. August 21st was chosen as the official day to celebrate and acknowledge the contributions of entrepreneurs globally. In South Africa alone, small businesses contribute roughly 36% of the total country's gross domestic product. For more on this, Elvis Pre...

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

Former president Jacob Zuma's daughter Nomcebo Zuma is reportedly facing hostility since it was announced she would marry King Mswati of eSwatini. The Swaziland Solidarity Network (SSN) says Swati citizens have to revolt against the unholy alliance and that ordinary people are up in arms accusing the king of being busy on his escapades using money belonging to poor Swatis and enriching the Zuma fa...

The ANC's national working committee (NWC) will today conclude its visit to KwaZulu-Natal. The NWC is evaluating the party's performance following the May 29 elections after significant losses in the province. This weekend saw key leaders, including President Cyril Ramaphosa, Secretary General Fikile Mbalula, and Chairperson Gwede Mantashe, meeting with ANC structures. For more on this Elvis Press...

The 2024 Grade 12 preparatory exams will commence today until 18 September 2024. According to the Mpumalanga Department of Education these examinations will provide an opportunity for Grade 12 learners to gauge or measure themselves using similar tools as the end of the year examinations. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor Ramodungoane Tabane from Department of Psychology of Educat...

The Pretoria High Court will today hear former Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane's urgent application to compel the Public Protector South Africa to pay her a R10 million gratuity she claims she is entitled to. However, the office of the Public Protector argues that Mkhwebane is not eligible for the payment. Current Public Protector Koleka Gcaleka, in her affidavit, says that Mkhwebane...

The Central Energy Fund (CEF) Group says it has noted with concern recent allegations in a Sunday publication that there is a battle between Minister Gwede Mantashe and Minister Kgosientsho Ramakgopa over the control of the Central Energy Fund. The CEF says its Mandate is to contribute to the security of energy supply of South Africa and reports to the Minister of Mineral and Petroleum Resources....

The South African Health Professionals Collaboration (SAHPC),a national group of 9 medical, dental and allied healthcare practitioners' associations representing more than 25,000 dedicated private and public sector healthcare workers, says it will not be signing the President's Health Compact. It says the compact is nothing more than an attempt to lock in support for the NHI Act. The SAHPC believe...

The Department of Cogta in the Eastern Cape has denied allegations that the cost of a taxi rank in Tsomo has escalated from R5.8 million to over R20 million. The taxi rank, which was completed in 2019, remains unused because taxi operators claim it's too small for their vehicles to turn around. The Intsika Yethu Local Municipality has stated that Phase 2 of the project is currently in the design p...