First Take SA

Today marks the final deadline for parties to iron out their differences over clauses 4 and 5 of the Bela Bill, as set by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Despite a settlement between the Solidarity Movement and Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube, the Presidency has expressed doubts about the agreement's legitimacy. To shed more light on this development, Elvis Presslin spoke to Werner Human, Opera...

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

Action Society is intensifying its call for the National Register for Sex Offenders to be made public. This follows alarming statistics revealed by the National Association of School Governing Bodies that over 16,000 teachers in South Africa have criminal records, including grave offenses such as rape and assault. The organization argues that transparency is essential to safeguard children in trus...

The South African National Civic Organisation (SANCO) is leading a march to the Union Buildings today, urging the government to address pressing issues such as illegal immigration, porous borders, and illegal mining activities. The organisation is also concerned about unregulated spaza shops selling unsafe food. Elvis Presslin spoke to Donovan Williams, SANCO National Spokesperson and Acting Natio...

The MK Party says its case against the IEC to set aside the results of the general elections in May due to alleged vote rigging, is ready.  This after the party was granted leave by the Electoral Court to withdraw it's application at the end of October, while making a cost order against the party. MK Party secretary general, Floyd Shivambu briefing the media in Durban, says the party is ready...

The City of Johannesburg has embarked on a mission to tackle the longstanding issue of hijacked buildings and problem properties in the Inner City. As part of this effort, the city has begun evacuating approximately 145 individuals from the Moth Building. To gain a deeper understanding of this initiative and its implications, Elvis Presslin spoke to Nthatisi Modingoane, Spokesperson for the City o...

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) is set to discuss a proposed policy amendment that would require members to have a post-matric qualification to serve in the party's Central Command Team (CCT). This is as the party's third National People's Assembly gets underway at the Nasrec Expo centre in Johannesburg today. For more, Elvis Presslin spoke to EFF MP Commissar, Sharon Letlape, to delve into th...

The African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association (AUBBTA) has condemned an attack at the Fleet Africa Bus Rank in Newtown, Johannesburg. Suspected hitmen reportedly targeted cross-border buses, which resulted In the death of a crew member during a shootout. To unpack this incident and its broader implications, Elvis Presslin spoke to Phumudzo Mukhwathi, Chairperson of AUBBTA

The University of South Africa's Council has reappointed Professor Puleng LenkaBula as Principal and Vice-Chancellor for a second term. The decision comes after her historic appointment as the UNISA's first female Principal and Vice-Chancellor in January 2021. To discuss the implications of this reappointment, Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor Solomon Magano, Acting Vice-Principal for Institutiona...

The South African Communist Party's highly anticipated 5th Special National Congress gets underway today, amidst tensions within the tripartite alliance. The four-day gathering at the Birchwood Hotel's OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni, is expected to tackle critical issues, including the possibility of the Communist party contesting elections while remaining in the ANC alliance....

A disturbing trend has come to light, with the Road Accident Fund (RAF) revealing that some individuals are intentionally throwing themselves against moving vehicles in a bid to claim compensation from the Fund. The Fund has issued a stern warning saying it will not pay out claims for such incidents. To discuss this alarming trend Elvis Presslin spoke to Road Accident Fund (RAF) National Spokesper...

There has been a major shake-up in leadership at the State Information Technology Agency, SITA, in KwaZulu-Natal. The acting Managing Director has transferred the Provincial Manager and appointed an acting replacement, following a damning investigation report. The report revealed widespread abuse of power, victimization of employees, and gross mismanagement. The Public Servants Association has wel...

A young child, born to a South African woman imprisoned in Mauritius for drug trafficking, is being repatriated to South Africa. The child's mother has been awaiting trial for six years, and is among 38 South Africans detained in Mauritius for similar offenses. Elvis Presslin spoke to the South African High Commissioner to Mauritius, Dr. Hlamalani Manzini

National Treasury is considering a significant increase in excise tax on alcohol, in a bid to curb the country's drinking problem. The move aims to reduce the affordability and appeal of alcoholic beverages, but what will be the impact on the liquor industry? Elvis Presslin spoke to Lucky Ntimane, National Convener of the National Liquor Traders Council

South Africa will today join the global community in commemorating International Human Rights Day. This day marks the historic adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948. This landmark document stands as a powerful proclamation of the inherent and inalienable rights to which every individual is entitled simply by being human. F...

The Gauteng Education Department says it is confident about its position regarding today's High Court challenge by the school governing body (SGB) of Pretoria High School for Girls. The SGB is taking legal action against the department, demanding the release of the full report on the racism probe and a halt to any actions based on the report's findings. The probe was launched in response to allega...

The Democratic Alliance has urged Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to swiftly probe the aviation fuel supply crisis at OR Tambo International Airport. The party warns that this failure poses a severe threat to tourism, investor confidence, and South Africa's international standing. This follows confirmation from the Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) that refueling challenges yesterday at the a...

The Road Freight Association is calling on President Cyril Ramaphosa to intervene in the Mozambique crisis, which has resulted in the closure of the Lebombo Border Post. The Association says the election-related unrest in Mozambique cost the South African economy approximately R10 million daily. Gavin Kelly, CEO of the Road Freight Association, spoke to Elvis Presslin about the situation

The Black Business Council (BBC) is calling for a comprehensive ban and blacklisting of McKinsey & Company and other companies implicated in state capture. The BBC says the firms, which have been accused of bribing government officials, pose a significant threat to the country's stability. McKinsey & Company has agreed to pay a 122 million US dollar settlement in a South African bribery ca...

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 Democratic Alliance has come out strongly against reports of an ANC faction pushing President Cyril Ramaphosa to fire Basic Education Minister Siviwe Gwarube. This development comes amid allegations of intense internal pressure on the president, sparked by weeks of tensions over the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, BELA Bill. Minister Gwarube recently revealed reaching an agreement between...

AfriForum has issued a stern warning to the ANC, threatening legal action to safeguard private property rights in South Africa. This comes hot on the heels of the ANC's announcement to propose Constitutional amendments, paving the way for expropriation without compensation. AfriForum's Head of Public Relations, Ernst van Zyl says any attempts to dismantle private property rights will be met with f...

City Power has strongly objected to Eskom's proposed 66% tariff hike over the next three years. Instead, the utility company recommends an 11% increase for each of the application years. Frank Hinda, General Manager for Pricing & Tariffs at City Power, told our Senior Producer Ronald Phiri that the proposed 11% tariff hike is based on a thorough analysis of Eskom's costs and revenue requiremen...

South Africa will join the global community today in commemorating International Anti-Corruption Day amidst ongoing concerns about corruption in the country. The day recognizes the United Nations Convention Against Corruption, which was signed in Mexico in 2003. As the country grapples with corruption, this day serves as a call to action for governments, political leaders, and civil society to uni...

ActionSA President, Herman Mashaba has lambasted President Cyril Ramaphosa for relaxing visa requirements for Nigerian citizens. The decision by Ramaphosa has sparked widespread outrage and calls for his resignation on social media. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA President, Herman Mashaba