Claim OwnershipFirst Take SA
Subscribed: 46Played: 6,063
Subscribe
© 2026 SAfm
Description
News and Current Affairs
4998 Episodes
Reverse
The South African National Roads Agency, SANRAL says toll tariffs on national roads will increase by 3-point-12 percent from the first of march. SANRAL ties the annual adjustment to the consumer price index from Stats SA. The figure, confirmed in the government gazette earlier this month, comes in below last year's 4.85 percent rise. For reaction we're joined by Gavin Kelly, Road Freight Association Chief Executive Officer
Two men will appear before the Alexandra Magistrate's Court on charges of attempted murder. One of the suspects is the son of the late former Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe. They face attempted murder charges for allegedly shooting a gardener in Hyde Park, north of Johannesburg. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe's ruling party, ZANU‑PF, says they "abhors violence in any form" and that late party President Mugabe had been clear on this. Farai Marapira, is the Zanu PF Spokesperson...
The Public Servants Association will embark on a major protest this Saturday against steep contribution increases to the Government Employees Medical Scheme, GEMS. More than 5,000 PSA members are set to gather at the GEMS head office in Pretoria, with simultaneous demonstrations planned across all nine provinces. For the latest we're joined by Claude Naiker, Acting Deputy General Manager for the Public Servants Association, PSA.
The Casual Workers Advice Office has published its 2025 Strike Barometer and the numbers show a clear uptick in labour unrest last year. 117 strikes took place across South Africa in 2025. That's a sharp rise from the 87 recorded in 2024 and edges above the pre-pandemic figures of 116 in 2018 and 102 in 2019. For more on this we are joined on the line by Sydney Moshoaliba, Casual Workers' Advice Office (CWAO) Researcher...
The African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association is calling for the immediate resignation of the head of law enforcement at the Cross-Border Road Transport Agency. AUBBTA chairperson Phumudzo Mukhwathi says the group is devastated after yet another crash yesterday at the same treacherous Tshambudzi mountain curve near Makhado on the N1 - the very spot where 43 people died in a bus plunge back in October last year. Reports say the latest Zimbabwe-bound bus veered off the road and into a ditch in the early hours, with several feared dead and injured. Rescue teams are still at the scene. Mukhwathi blames ongoing illegal cross-border bus operations for the surge in accidents. AUBBTA chairperson Phumudzo Mukhwathi...
The South African Policing Union, SAPU, together with philosopher Professor Motsamai Molefe, will today hold a national dialogue in Pretoria to declare gender-based violence and femicide a National Moral Disaster. The event builds on President Ramaphosa's previous call to treat GBV and femicide as a national disaster. Organisers are now going further, issuing a clear five-point demand: stop GBV, stop femicide, stop rape, stop murder and stop the killing of police officers. Elvis Presslin spoke to Lesiba Thobakgale, Spokesperson of the South African Policing Union, SAPU
Four of the 19 men who were trapped in Russia have arrived back in South Africa. In November last year, the government received distress calls from 17 of the men, who were believed to have been lured to Russia with promises of lucrative jobs before reportedly being placed in a military‑training programme. Jabulani Khumalo, who is assisting the families of the South African men still stranded in Ukraine, spoke to Elvis Presslin
Suspended Deputy National Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya told the Madlanga Commission that former Public Protector Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane had cleared him and the City of Joburg of wrongdoing over his appointment as head of Group Forensic Investigation Services. But Mkhwebane's 2022 report, posted on X, lists irregularities and calls for further action, directly challenging Sibiya's testimony. General Sibiya is facing scrutiny over corruption, political interference and alleged links to organized crime. Elvis Presslin spoke to former Public Protector, Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane
DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga will today deliver the party's alternative True State of the Province Address. Msimanga, joined by DA MPLs and councillors province-wide, will highlight ongoing service delivery failures plaguing the province. Elvis Presslin spoke to Member of Provincial Legislature and Leader of the DA in Gauteng, Solly Msimanga
Trade union federation COSATU in KwaZulu-Natal has strongly condemned the collapse of the business rescue process at sugar producer Tongaat Hulett. The company's administrators last week applied to the High Court to end rescue proceedings and move to provisional liquidation, after key sale agreements lapsed earlier this month and no viable rescue remained possible. COSATU KZN says the failure threatens thousands of jobs in the province. Elvis Presslin spoke to Edwin Mkhize, COSATU KZN Provincial Secretary
The Democratic Alliance is calling for urgent answers after a break-in at the SAPS K9 Unit in Ulundi, KwaZulu-Natal. Reports say unknown suspects forced their way in and stole four pistols, one R5 assault rifle, one shotgun, plus around 300 rounds of ammunition, handcuffs and empty magazines. The theft was spotted during a shift change. DA NCOP member on security and justice, Mzamo Billy MP, says this is a major security lapse that puts lives at risk. He spoke to Elvis Presslin
The Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU says the latest Stats SA figures show a positive shift in the labour market.This follows the release of the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey, which showed that the unemployment rate decreased by point five of a percentage point to 31point four-percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. COSATU is calling on the ANC‑led government to strengthen frontline public and municipal services, boost infrastructure investment and expand public employment programmes and relief for the poor and unemployed. Elvis Presslin spoke to COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, Matthew Parks
A new University of the Free State study has found hormone-disrupting chemicals in every sanitary pad and pantyliner tested from brands sold in South Africa, even those labelled organic or chemical-free. The research detected phthalates, parabens and bisphenols in all samples, with at least two such substances in every product. UFS scientists warn that millions of women face regular exposure and are calling for clearer labelling, tougher safety regulations and urgent further research. Elvis Presslin spoke to Team Free Sanitary Pads Founder, Nokuzola Ndwandwe
The ANC Youth League in Gauteng has slammed the Gauteng Department of Education over unpaid municipal electricity bills that have left schools in Ekurhuleni without power. In a strongly worded statement, the League described the situation as unacceptable, saying learners are now forced to study in the dark because of the department's failure to settle accounts with the City of Ekurhuleni. Elvis Presslin spoke to Kgotso Pooe, ANC Youth League Spokesperson in Gauteng
Messages of sympathy are flooding in for Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, who passed away at his Chicago home on Tuesday at age 84. U.S. President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social, calling Jackson "a good man with lots of personality, grit and street smarts" and offering condolences to his family. Former President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle said Jackson "created opportunities for generations of African Americans and inspired countless more." Former President Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary also expressed deep sadness at his passing. Jackson, a longtime civil‑rights leader and two‑time presidential candidate, is remembered for his work with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and for founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. Elvis Presslin spoke to Chicago-based faith leader, Pastor Stephen Thurston, a close family friend who also grew up playing at the Jackson house
Members of the Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance South Africa, together with other anti‑alcohol organisations will today march to Parliament to raise concern about the harmful impact of alcohol on children and local communities. Organisers point to alcohol abuse as a major factor behind high murder rates on the Cape Flats and they are calling for stronger measures to curb its availability and protect vulnerable residents. Elvis Presslin spoke to Southern African Alcohol Policy Alliance South Africa Campaign Manager, Nomcebo Dlamini
The Democratic Alliance says Gauteng lost 54,000 jobs in the fourth quarter of 2025, the steepest decline of any province. This with unemployment at 33 % and about 2-point-56 million residents out of work. DA leader Solly Msimanga links the slump to under‑investment caused by high crime, power and water outages and crumbling infrastructure, especially in central business districts such as Johannesburg. DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Economic Development, Mike Moriarty spoke to Elvis Presslin
The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) says it is appalled by last week's disruptions to teaching and learning at Wordsworth High School in Benoni- East of Gauteng. ACDP Cllr Palesa Yates says the protest by community members supporting girl learners wishing to wear male school uniforms amounts to grandstanding by those with an inappropriate political agenda. Our schools need to focus on preparing our children for the world of work and not on encouraging sexuality in those still too young to vote. Elvis Presslin spoke to ACDP Ekurhuleni Councillor Caucus, Palesa Yates
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
Comments
Download from Google Play
Download from App Store
United States