First Take SA

The ANC Youth League has defended the appointment of ANC-aligned professionals to public institutions, rejecting claims of unqualified patronage. This comes after Minister Nobuhle Nkabane withdrew some appointments to Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) due to opposition. The league argues that capable and qualified individuals should be deployed to key institutions. For more on this...

Residents of Johannesburg's Ward 127 are set to march to demand action on key issues affecting their community. The march led by SANCO and Communities from Solplaatjie, Matholesville, Goudrand and beyond will converge on Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi's office as they call for urgent action on stalled housing, water shortages, unsafe informal settlements, and a school project delayed since 2010. F...

The Public Servants Association (PSA) has expressed concern over a report by the Public Service Commission (PSC) that suggests many senior managers in the North West provincial government may lack the necessary qualifications. The PSC found that only 68% of senior managers in the Premier's Office had suitable qualifications and 31 out of 348 senior managers across 12 departments may not meet requi...

There has been a takedown operation in Durban in the Olorato Mongale murder case. Olorato's body was found in Lombardy, Johannesburg on the 25th of May and police are searching for three suspects. For more on what is taking place in Durban, Elvis Presslin spoke to Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi

South Africa is battling a surge in violent crime with bail decisions facing criticism following the murder of Olorato Mongale. Two suspects linked to the murder of Olorato are out on bail despite prior arrests for kidnapping and robbery. This was revealed yesterday by national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe. The case has sparked debate over the country's bail system. To elaborate fu...

The Democratic Alliance has slammed the government's proposed Transformation Fund, calling it a repackaged B-BBEE failure that enriches political elites while millions remain jobless. DA MP Toby Chance says the fund stifles investment and ignores real economic drivers like business growth and skills development. Instead, the DA proposes linking empowerment to UN Sustainable Development Goals, boos...

The Khulumani Support Group has praised the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to address delays in investigating and prosecuting apartheid-era crimes identified by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed the commission, led by Justice Sisi Khampepe to probe claims of political interference and law enforcement collusion. For more on this El...

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 South African Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee is set to reveal its latest decision on the repo rate. With inflation currently at a subdued 2.7%, some economists are calling for a rate cut to stimulate growth. However, others caution that global economic uncertainties and domestic structural challenges may justify maintaining the current rate. To discuss the implications, Elvis Pressli...

A new study has highlighted concerns about children's online safety in South Africa, with many accessing the internet without parental consent and encountering harmful content. The findings come as the country marks Child Protection Week. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mr. Ephraim Tlhako, Acting Chief Executive Officer  of the Films and Publications Board to discuss the implications and potential so...

The Western Cape High Court in Saldanha Bay is set to deliver sentencing today in the disappearance of six-year-old Joshlin Smith. In April, Joshlin's mother, Kelly Smith and two co-accused were convicted of kidnapping and human trafficking charges linked to the child's disappearance last year. Despite exhaustive investigations, Joshlin's whereabouts remains unsolved. Elvis Presslin spoke to Heind...

Build One South Africa (BOSA) is demanding the cancellation and restart of the National Lottery operator appointment process after the Gauteng High Court in ruled that Minister Parks Tau's attempt to extend Ithuba Holdings' contract until May 2026 was unlawful and lacked transparency. Despite the ruling, Minister Tau has named Sizekhaya Holdings as the preferred bidder for the National Lottery lic...

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have vowed to pursue legal action against Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi over his policy directive aimed at relaxing company transformation and Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) requirements to enable Starlink's operations in South Africa. Malatsi faced the Communications and Digital Technologies Portfolio Committee to address conc...

President Cyril Ramaphosa expressed confidence that U.S. President Donald Trump will attend the G20 Summit in Johannesburg later this year. The announcement follows a recent bilateral meeting where the two leaders explored deepening trade and investment ties. To unpack the significance of this development, Elvis Presslin spoke to Political analyst Musa Mdunge

The Zulu royal family remains confident that Prince Simakade's court challenge will not disrupt King Misuzulu's ascension to the throne. Prince Simakade is contesting President Cyril Ramaphosa's recognition of King Misuzulu as the legitimate Zulu monarch in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. For more on the case, Elvis Presslin spoke to Prince Thulani Zulu, spokesperson for the Zulu Roya...

The South African entertainment industry is in mourning following the sudden passing of Presley Chweneyagae, a talented actor best known for his iconic role in the Oscar-winning film Tsotsi. Chweneyagae, who recently captivated audiences with his portrayal of Cobra in the popular telenovela The River, left an indelible mark on the industry. Elvis Presslin spoke with Kenneth Nkosi, actor and former...

The ANC is facing fresh allegations of internal irregularities after a scathing letter surfaced claiming that the party's Peter Mokaba regional conference in Limpopo was marred by manipulation and tampering. According to the letter, addressed to the party's National and Provincial Executive Committees, complaints about the alleged irregularities were ignored and that the conference was held withou...

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) has welcomed the Johannesburg High Court ruling that Daybreak Foods may not resume unsupervised chicken breeding after allegations of inhumane slaughter and neglect. The NSPCA will retain oversight until further notice. Despite receiving R74 million from the PIC,The court found Daybreak failed to prove compliance. Both parties m...

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA), alongside other unions will today march to the KZN Premier's office in Pietermaritzburg to demand an end to government contracts awarded to rogue security firms. The union accuses these companies of defrauding workers by withholding pension and medical deductions and continuing to secure tenders despite flouting labour regulations. Elvis...

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has relaunched the Nasi Ispani Programme, aiming to create 40,000 jobs. However, critics, including the DA, question the programme's funding, citing past financial challenges. Elvis Presslin spoke to Vuyo Mhaga, Gauteng Provincial Government Spokesperson, to discuss the programme's prospects and challenges

KwaZulu Natal businessman Farhad Hoomer has applied to register a new political party named the Islamic State of Africa (ISA), which has raised widespread concern. Hoomer, was previously accused of terrorism-related charges and sanctioned by the United States for alleged ties to recruitment, kidnapping, extortion and robberies linked to terrorist financing. Hoomer is now seeking to enter the count...

COPE has strongly condemned Minister Solly Malatsi's decision to reportedly exempt tech billionaire Elon Musk's Starlink from the 30% black ownership requirement. The party has called the move a betrayal of South Africa's transformation agenda. Elvis Presslin spoke to Teboho Loate, COPE's acting National Treasurer, to elaborate on the party's concerns

The Cape Crime Crisis Coalition has issued an urgent call for a National Commission of Inquiry to address the escalating gang violence plaguing South Africa. The organization says gangs are unleashing a wave of violence across the country with the state struggling to contain the crisis. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Llewellyn MacMaster, Chairperson of the Cape Crime Crisis Coalition

The Eastern Cape Education Department is urging unregistered Early Childhood Development (ECD) centers to register with the government to ensure safety and quality education for young children. Currently, around 20,000 ECD centers nationwide remain unregistered, putting thousands of children at risk. To elaborate more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Nozipho Chiliza, Chief Director for Early Child...

The Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi has confirmed his appearance before Parliament, alongside his department, in response to a summons pertaining to his recent policy directive for the ICT sector. This directive, which was officially gazetted last week is perceived to outline a process that could potentially waive certain transformation laws to allow Starlink to...