First Take SA

Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau says South Africa remains committed to finalizing a trade agreement with the United States, despite ongoing challenges. Tau says the country will also not retaliate against recent US tariffs and is open to negotiations. The deal is expected to unlock significant investment and trade opportunities for both countries. Elvis Presslin spoke to Trade,...

The Democratic Alliance has raised alarm over the sharp rise in hospital-acquired infections across Gauteng's public hospitals. DA Health Shadow MEC Dr Jack Bloom says over 7,700 patients contracted infections last year, many antibiotic-resistant and life-threatening. Charlotte Maxeke leads with an 11% infection rate one in ten patients. Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Gauteng Shadow MEC of Health, Dr....

South African Democratic Teachers' Union (Sadtu) has expressed deep concern over the ongoing use of corporal punishment in schools, nearly three decades after it was outlawed. This follows a report by the Department of Basic Education, revealing that in 2023, nearly one in five pupils in KwaZulu-Nata and 6.8% nationally were still subjected to corporal punishment. To expand more on the findings, E...

Domestic violence remains a serious concern in South Africa, with one in three women experiencing physical intimate partner violence in their lifetime, according to a 2024 report by the Human Sciences Research Council. The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities is calling for greater awareness and action to address this pervasive issue. To elaborate on the scourge Elvis Presslin...

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 is opposing the potential sale or lease of the Pretoria City Hall to the Iranian Embassy. The DA cites concerns over the city's historical asset being given to a foreign government. The party has also questioned the benefits of such a deal, pointing to Iran's close ties with the ANC rather than the South African people and the potential negative impact on relations with the...

The Commission of Inquiry into Criminality, Political Interference and Corruption in the Criminal Justice System has begun its work, with Chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga expressing confidence in the legal team's ability to deliver on its mandate. The commission was established by President Cyril Ramaphosa in response to allegations of infiltration of the justice system by criminal syndicate...

A 55-year-old man, previously arrested in connection with the murder of Sindiso Magaqa is expected to appear in the Umzimkhulu Magistrate's Court today. The suspect was re-arrested in Durban yesterday. The suspect, a former municipal manager, was part of a group initially arrested in 2018, including the late Mayor of Umzimkhulu and several others. One of the accused, a hitman, was recently sentenc...

Cameroon's electoral commission has barred opposition leader Maurice Kamto from running in the upcoming presidential election in October later this year. The decision has sparked concerns of unrest and is seen as a boost to 92-year-old incumbent President Paul Biya, who has been in power for decades. Elvis Presslin spoke to Cletus Suhfree, Spokesperson of Ambazonia, based in South Africa, who says...

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, NUMSA, has condemned Macsteel's decision to offer Voluntary Severance Packages to employees without consulting the union. NUMSA General Secretary Irvin Jim says the packages are inadequate and don't reflect the socio-economic realities faced by workers. Elvis Presslin spoke to Numsa Spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola

The South African Network of People Who Use Drugs (SANPUD) is calling for peer-led strategies to be prioritized in the country's fight against hepatitis. This as the world marks hepatitis day today. South Africa has one of the world's heaviest hepatitis burdens, with an estimated 3.4 million people living with chronic hepatitis B. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Andrew Scheibe, Technical Advisor for t...

ActionSA has introduced a constitutional amendment bill aimed at overhauling the executive branch of government. The proposed bill seeks to abolish the positions of 43 deputy ministers, citing redundancy and financial waste. The party's parliamentary leader, Athol Trollip, argues that this move will save South Africa billions of rands and promote accountability in government. Elvis Presslin spoke...

The strike by FlySafair pilots continues as negotiations with Solidarity union stall over key issues like scheduling and working conditions. While some headway has been made, critical sticking points remain. The dispute centers around working conditions, particularly the scheduling system, rather than salary increases. Pilots are seeking more predictable rosters and at least one guaranteed weekend...

The Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson has stopped funding for the Matjhabeng Local Municipality in the Free State due to allegations of councillors receiving large monthly payments. The move comes as Parliament's portfolio committee on Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs cracks down on corruption and mismanagement in municipalities. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr....

The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng is calling for urgent action to stop illegal street racing in Johannesburg's suburbs. The party's spokesperson for community safety, Michael Sun, says innocent lives are being put at risk due to reckless driving. Recently, two people lost their lives in a collision involving three vehicles racing on Jan Smuts Avenue in Rosebank. Elvis Presslin spoke to MPL and DA...

The Pestalozzi Trust, a homeschooling civil rights group, has filed a Constitutional Court challenge against the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act, known as BELA. The organisation argues that Parliament did not allow sufficient public participation during the law-making process. The BELA Act, signed into law last year, introduces reforms like mandatory Grade R and stricter regulations on school a...

The African National Congress in the Eastern Cape is reeling from the assassination of Comrade Xoliseka Lali, Chief Whip of Emalahleni Local Municipality in the Chris Hani District. His body was discovered this week in Komani, where he resided. The ANC strongly condemns this brutal killing, calling it an act of barbarism that undermines public service and community development. To discuss this fur...

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

EFF leader Julius Malema says the party's 12th anniversary celebrations in Cape Town this weekend will center on uplifting the marginalised. The party, known as the Red Berets, has been a vocal presence in Parliament since 2014. Malema says the celebrations will be a "festival of the poor". For more, Elvis Presslin spoke to Member of the EFF Central Command Team, Commissar Itani Mukwevho 

Sibusiso Zitha has been found guilty of murdering celebrity pastry chef Thembekile Letlape. He pleaded guilty to stabbing her multiple times during a domestic dispute at their Fourways apartment in front of their 10-year-old daughter in 2024. The guilty verdict was handed down in the Johannesburg High Court. Elvis Presslin spoke to Thembekile's father, ActionSA MP, Dr. Kgosi Letlape

The General Industrial Workers Union of South Africa,GIWUSA has strongly condemned South African Airways for operating FlySafair routes during a pilots' strike. The union calls SAA's actions, described as an emergency agreement, a state-backed move to undermine the legitimate strike by over 200 FlySafair pilots, organized by Solidarity. GIWUSA accuses the ANC government of betraying workers by usi...

Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi will deliver a keynote address today at the TB Vaccine Country Preparedness Workshop in Pretoria. The event is part of South Africa's ongoing efforts to combat tuberculosis, a leading cause of death and illness in the country. Elvis Presslin spoke to World Health Organization South Africa,TB Technical Expert, Dr. Nkateko Mkhondo

South Africa and eSwatini have expressed concern over the US deportation of dangerous convicted criminals with alleged links to terrorist groups. The men are being held in solitary confinement in eSwatini, but critics say the country is being used as a "dumping ground" - raising serious concerns about security in the region. Elvis Presslin spoke to Swaziland Solidarity Network spokesperson, Lucky...

The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng will lay criminal charges today against former Head of the Gauteng Department of Transport, Ronald Swartz. DA Shadow MEC Evert Du Plessis says Swartz, who served from 2013 to 2019, oversaw significant financial mismanagement. A PricewaterhouseCoopers report revealed over R400 million in irregular expenditure on bus subsidies during the 2016/17 and 2017/18 financi...

Patriotic Alliance Deputy President Kenny Kunene has denied any personal relationship with businessman Katiso Molefe. This after being found at Molefe's Gauteng home during a police operation. Four suspects, including Molefe, were arrested in connection with the 2022 murder of DJ Sumbody, real name Oupa John Sefoka, who was gunned down in Woodmead. The DA is calling for Kunene's resignation. Elvis...