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First Take SA

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18:18

Analysis: Trump holds heated meeting with Ramaphosa

First Take SA ·

2025/05/22

US President Donald Trump confronted President Cyril Ramaphosa in a heated White House meeting over Trump's claims of "genocide" against white farmers in South Africa. Trump showed videos and articles he claimed supported his allegations, including footage of EFF leader Julius Malema singing "Kill the Boer". President Ramaphosa firmly rejected the claims, stating that inflammatory rhetoric from certain groups is "not government policy". Elvis Presslin spoke to Political Analyst, Kenneth Mokgatlhe

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5:10

SRD grant extended until March next year

First Take SA ·

2025/05/22

Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana has announced the extension of the Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant, until March next year. The grant, valued at R370 per month was introduced at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Discussions are now underway for a potential transition to a Basic Income Grant (BIG) in the long term. Elvis Presslin spoke to Social Grant Activist, Elizabeth Raiters

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8:40

Major cervical cancer screening unit shuts down at...

First Take SA ·

2025/05/22

A major cervical cancer screening unit at Helen Joseph Hospital in Johannesburg has shut down this week after losing crucial US funding. The closure threatens to worsen delays in early detection, risking lives in a country already battling one of the world's highest cervical cancer rates. Clinics across Gauteng are overwhelmed, and medical experts warn that without urgent donor support, many South African women may face late diagnoses and preventable deaths. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Mark Faesen,

en-US

4:55

ActionSA welcomes funding boost for SARS

First Take SA ·

2025/05/22

ActionSA has welcomed a R7.5 billion funding boost for the South African Revenue Service (SARS) in the latest budget, but has strongly criticized the government's decision to impose regressive taxes and levies on ordinary South Africans. ActionSA Member of Parliament Alan Beesley says the party believes that the funding boost to SARS is a step in the right direction, but the government's failure to curb wasteful spending and corruption is unacceptable. Mr. Beesley spoke to Elvis Presslin to

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10:57

Public invited to submit proposals to the...

First Take SA ·

2025/05/21

Parliament's joint Constitutional Review Committee is inviting the public to submit views on proposed changes to the Constitution by 31 May 2025. Some are pushing for amendments to address historical injustices, while others want it scrapped altogether. Princy Mthombeni from South Africans for Constitutional Reform says nearly 30 years on, citizens want more than symbolic language they're calling for changes, including to the preamble stating South Africa belongs to all who live in it. Elvis

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3:50

FEDUSA wants more inclusive and progressive budget

First Take SA ·

2025/05/21

The Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) is urging the government to adopt a more inclusive and progressive approach in the upcoming Budget. This as the Minister of Finance Enoch Godogwana prepares to table Budget three-point-zero before Parliament today. The Union is warning against austerity measures that could harm the poor and widen inequality. For more on the budget expectations, Elvis Presslin spoke to FEDUSA General Secretary, Riefdah Ajam

en-US

5:49

DA wants infrastructure investment to be prioritised...

First Take SA ·

2025/05/21

The Democratic Alliance is urging Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana to prioritize infrastructure investment in today's budget, while avoiding tax hikes, particularly Value-Added Tax (VAT). Last month, the Western Cape High Court suspended the half-a-percentage-point VAT increase in an application brought by the DA and EFF. The party says frontline services must be protected and calls for more efficient and smarter government spending. Elvis Presslin spoke to Willie Aucamp, DA National Spokesperson,

en-US

3:57

Civil society groups to picket outside ConCourt

First Take SA ·

2025/05/21

Civil society groups including Blind SA, SECTION27, and the South African Democratic Teachers Union will today picket outside the Constitutional Court to push for two important laws: the Copyright Amendment Bill and the Performers' Protection Amendment Bill. The apex court will hear a case regarding the constitutionality of both Bills. The Bills aim to make it easier for everyone especially people with disabilities, teachers, and artists to access and share creative works fairly. Elvis Presslin

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14:41

ANC anticipates pro-growth, pro-poor initiatives budget

First Take SA ·

2025/05/21

The ANC say it is anticipating a budget that balances fiscal constraints with pro-growth and pro-poor initiatives. Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana will table the third National Budget today, following the agreement to reverse the VAT increase and explore alternative revenue sources. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Joe Maswanganyi, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Finance

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6:12

ActionSA calls for urgent action in the third...

First Take SA ·

2025/05/21

ActionSA is calling for urgent action in the third National Budget to address unemployment and corruption, as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana prepares to table his budget speech today. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA Parliamentary Caucus Leader, Athol Trollip

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9:50

SA fight against HIV & TB under threat due to funding...

First Take SA ·

2025/05/20

South Africa's progress in fighting HIV and TB is under threat due to US funding cuts, with 39 clinical research sites at risk. This is according to a new report by Doctors Without Borders and the Treatment Action Group done for the first time since the US announced funding cuts for foreign aid earlier this year. The recent analysis reveals that 39 clinical research sites are at risk in South Africa. Elvis Presslin spoke to TB Advocacy Pharmacist at Medisins Sans Frontiers, Christophe Perrin

en-US

6:17

Solidarity Union Issues Legal Ultimatum to Minister...

First Take SA ·

2025/05/20

Solidarity Union has slapped Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni with a legal ultimatum to retract what they call misinformation claims within seven days or face defamation and treason charges. This follows her accusations that Solidarity and AfriForum spread falsehoods during a U.S. trip. Solidarity's CEO Dirk Hermann, calls it baseless and a threat to civil liberties. This comes as diplomatic tensions with the U.S and South Africa deepen. Elvis Presslin spoke to Solidarity Deputy CEO, Anton van der

en-US

8:32

SA President on a high stakes visit to the US

First Take SA ·

2025/05/20

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's high-stakes visit in Washington, D.C. is set to take place amid rising tensions with the U.S. particularly over President Donald Trump's claims of "genocide" against white farmers in South Africa. Ramaphosa's delegation is expected to meet with Trump tomorrow to discuss bilateral trade and strained diplomatic ties. However, American conservative commentator Joel Pollak believes the talks may be headed for trouble due to Ramaphosa's team bringing the "wrong

en-US

6:39

JMPD investigating officers over soliciting bribes...

First Take SA ·

2025/05/20

The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department is investigating officers accused of soliciting bribes via e-wallet. Motorists claim they're being coerced into sending money to untraceable numbers, with officers allegedly photographing transfer pins. JMPD's Internal Affairs is leading a crackdown on this digital corruption. As the Chief Patrick Jaca warns, corruption and bribery will not be tolerated. For more on this JMPD spokesperson, Xolani Fihla spoke to Elvis Presslin

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4:16

AFRICA BRIEF with Victor Kgomoeswana

First Take SA ·

2025/05/20

Elvis Presslin takes a look at the current top African economic storie 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

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5:39

SASCO embarks on "Mega Total Shutdown" protest action

First Take SA ·

2025/05/19

The South African Students Congress (SASCO) in Tshwane will today embark on a major protest action, dubbed the "Mega Total Shutdown". Students are expected to gather at the Old Patco Depot in Marabastad and march to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). The protest aims to bring attention to the plight of students by calling for a complete shutdown of academic activities. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Thuto Mashila, SASCO National Spokesperson

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5:55

SAPO to receive bailout with a UIF partnership

First Take SA ·

2025/05/19

Minister of Employment and Labour, Nomakhosazana Meth has announced that the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) will provide over R381 million via the Temporary Employer-Employee Relief Scheme (TERS) to the South African Post Office, SAPO. The funds aims to safeguard approximately 6,000 jobs and aid SAPO's revival through a strategic UIF partnership. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Rachel Taukobung, TERS Coordinator at the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)

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5:07

EFF leads its VAT Victory March to National Treasury...

First Take SA ·

2025/05/19

The Economic Freedom Fighters will today lead its VAT Victory March to the National Treasury in Pretoria, hailing what it calls a people's win against a proposed VAT hike. The EFF is celebrating what it describes as a major victory for the people, following the withdrawal of a proposed VAT hike in the national budget. EFF spokesperson Sinawo Thambospoke to Elvis Presslin on the significance of this march and the ongoing pressure on Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana ahead of the tabling of Budget

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6:16

Nigerian televangelist, Timothy Omotoso declared...

First Take SA ·

2025/05/19

The Department of Home Affairs has declared Nigerian televangelist Timothy Omotoso an undesirable person, effectively barring him from re-entering South Africa for the next five years. His deportation to Nigeria comes on the heels of Omotoso's acquittal on 32 serious charges, including rape, human trafficking, and racketeering, by the Gqeberha High Court last month. Omotoso, the founder of the Jesus Dominion International church in Durban, had faced over 90 charges since his arrest in 2017. Elvis

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13:26

GIWUSA concerned over appointments of SETA chairpersons

First Take SA ·

2025/05/16

The Minister of Higher Education and Training, Dr. Nobuhle Nkabane has announced the withdrawal of recently appointed chairpersons of Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) with immediate effect. This after backlash that condemned the ANC's alleged attempts to capture Sector SETAs through alleged crony appointments. To elaborate further on the Union's concerns, Elvis Presslin spoke to GIWUSA President, Mametlwe Sebei

en-US

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