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First Take SA

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13:36

Pressure mounts mounts to extend the Madlanga...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/13

Calls are mounting to extend the Madlanga Commission investigating alleged infiltration of criminal syndicates into law enforcement and government. Early findings point to corruption and weak oversight in municipalities like Ekurhuleni and Tshwane. Concerns are also rising over the effectiveness of municipal Section 79 and 80 committees, meant to ensure accountability but reportedly hampered by politicisation. Researcher Lesego Mahlangu joined us for the discussion

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6:07

Asylum seekers and advocacy groups express concern...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/13

Asylum seekers and advocacy groups have expressed concern over the Constitutional Court's ruling that bars rejected applicants from submitting new applications once their case is finalised. The decision overturns a Supreme Court of Appeal judgment that allowed rejected asylum seekers to reapply while remaining in South Africa. Many now worry the ruling could leave genuine refugees with no legal recourse if circumstances change or new evidence emerges. FWe spoke to Claude Marie Bernard Kayitare, Head

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6:14

ActionSA calls on President Ramaphosa to fire GNU...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/13

ActionSA has called on President Ramaphosa to fire GNU ministers it blames for South Africa's worsening jobs crisis. The party cited Stats SA data showing 345,000 jobs lost in the first quarter of 2026, pushing unemployment to 32.7%. It said community services and construction were hit hardest, with youth unemployment also rising sharply. ActionSA says the figures reflect policy failure and will write to the President demanding urgent action. We spoke to ActionSA Member of Parliament, Alan Beesley

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5:53

The African People's Convention calls for President...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/13

The African People's Convention, APC has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to account to Parliament over the Phala Phala Review Panel report. The APC says taking the matter to judicial review avoids giving the public and Parliament his side of the story. It argues that challenging a process meant to clear his name undermines accountability. The party says Parliament must proceed with its duties as outlined by the Constitutional Court. For more we're joined by Freddy Mbhandze, APC National

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5:57

Solidarity Trades' Network threatens legal action...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/13

The Solidarity Trades' Network has threatened legal action against the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations over delays in issuing red seal certificates to young artisans. It says nearly 100 artisans have joined a class action after waiting months despite completing training and passing trade tests. Coordinator Stef Pretorius says the delays are unlawful and harming careers and incomes. He joined us for the conversation

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5:00

Gauteng Liquor Board inquiry report allegedly reveals...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/13

The Social Movement for Advocacy, Rights and Transformation, SMART says a scathing report from the Gauteng Liquor Board's (GLB) Committee of Inquiry report reveals corruption, maladministration and unlawful licensing practices. SMART says thousands of illegal outlets operate near schools and residential areas due to weak oversight and too few inspectors. The group is calling for criminal investigations, closure of illegal outlets, lifestyle audits and an overhaul of the Gauteng Liquor board to

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5:30

A look at the current top African economic stories...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/12

A look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoesoana

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10:55

South African People's Civic Organisation calls for...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/12

President Cyril Ramaphosa is taking the Section 89 panel report on Phala Phala on review and says he will not resign. Parliament is expected to proceed with impeachment proceedings in parallel. The South African People's Civic Organisation has called on the President to step aside, saying it would help protect public confidence and allow due process to unfold without perceived interference. SAPCO says the call is about accountability and preserving the integrity of the presidency. We spoke to SAPCO

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4:44

SA celebrates International Nurses Day

First Take SA ·

2026/05/12

Mpumalanga will mark International Nurses Day with a special event in Secunda hosted by DENOSA and the provincial Health Department. This year's theme, "Our Nurses. Our Future. Empowered Nurses Save Lives," focuses on working conditions, training and support for nurses. Outstanding nurses will be honoured for excellence in patient care, education and leadership. We're now joined by Cyril Mdhluli, Provincial Secretary of DENOSA to reflect on the significance of this day and the state of nursing in

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19:38

President Ramaphosa Phala Phala saga on the spotlight

First Take SA ·

2026/05/12

President Cyril Ramaphosa says he will not resign from his office but will rather take the Indepedent Panel Report on Phala Phala on judicial review. Ramaphosa announced this in an address to the nation on Monday night (11/05) beamed from his offices at the Union Buildings in Pretora. This address follows the judgment of the Constitutional Court last Friday (08/05) finding that the rules governing Parliament's impeachment process are unconstitutional. The rules were challenged by the EFF and ATM who

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10:25

Policing capacity in Pretoria West questioned

First Take SA ·

2026/05/11

Serious concerns have been raised about policing capacity in Pretoria West following an oversight visit by the Gauteng Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Community Safety. The Committee has flagged critical infrastructure and ICT failures at the local police station, including fragmented office buildings, outdated systems, and slow network connectivity, all of which are said to be undermining effective policing and service delivery. To unpack these issues, We spoke to Chairperson of the

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7:56

Pressure mounts for President Ramaphosa to resign.

First Take SA ·

2026/05/11

National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza is expected to meet Parliament's legal advisors this week to weigh next steps after the Constitutional Court ordered the revival of impeachment processes against President Ramaphosa. The MK Party has filed a motion of no confidence, adding pressure ahead of local government elections. The ruling found Parliament's 2022 rejection of the Section 89 panel report irrational. The Phala Phala matter has drawn renewed scrutiny despite earlier clearances by oversight

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5:12

COSATU backs SACCAWU in opposing planned job cuts at...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/11

The Congress of South African Trade Unions, COSATU says it fully supports its affiliate, the South African Commercial Catering and Allied Workers Union, SACCAWU in opposing planned job cuts at Pick n Pay. SACCAWU says the retailer intends to retrench 22,000 workers and has accused the company of trying to bypass collective bargaining by serving notices directly to staff. The union also alleges Pick n Pay wants to cut benefits including transport allowances, subsidised meals and Sunday premiums

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4:27

COPE calls for Social Development Minister Sisisi...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/11

The Congress of the People, COPE has called on President Cyril Ramaphosa to immediately dismiss Minister Sisisi Tolashe from Cabinet. COPE cites allegations of abuse of power, unlawful dismissal and the misuse of a government employee's salary. The party says the President's delay in acting fuels public anger and a perception of impunity. It is also demanding a full, independent investigation into the claims. We spoke to COPE Acting National Chairperson, Pakes Dikgetsi to unpack their position.

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12:06

Santam partners with SA Weather Service to improve...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/08

Santam has partnered with the South African Weather Service to install nine new automatic weather stations aimed at closing observational gaps and improving early warning systems. The stations, now operational in KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape, Western Cape, Gauteng, Limpopo and Mpumalanga are expected to support more accurate forecasts and disaster preparedness. The SA Weather Service say the collaboration is key to reducing weather-related losses and building community resilience. For more we're

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14:03

Con Court expected to deliver judgment on the Section...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/08

The Constitutional Court will today deliver its judgment on the Section 89 Phala Phala report. President Cyril Ramaphosa has said he will respect the court's decision, reiterating that the judiciary operates independently. The ruling follows an EFF and ATM challenge to Parliament's rejection of an impeachment inquiry into the 2020 farm burglary. EFF members are expected to picket outside the court ahead of the ruling. For more we're now joined on the line by Nqobile Mhlongo, EFF MP

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8:50

Joburg Mayor is meeting Finance Minister today...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/08

Joburg Mayor Dada Morero is meeting Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana today following concerns over the City's finances. Treasury says the City owes creditors R25 billion but has only R3.9 billion in cash available. The Minister has also ordered the City to halt its recent agreement with union SAMWU, warning of risks to the economy. Mayor Morero says the City remains operational and is committed to transparency. For more we're joined by City of Joburg Mayor, Mr. Dada Morero

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5:23

AFRICA BRIEF: Business stories making headlines...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/08

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5:28

The United National Transport Union declares a...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/07

The United National Transport Union (UNTU) has declared a deadlock in wage negotiations with SA Cargo Services. The union has accused the company of bad faith bargaining, secrecy and exploiting workers, rejecting what it calls an "inhumane" 3.5% wage increase against an 11.8% demand. UNTU is also raising serious concerns about working conditions, lack of financial transparency and what it describes as a broader pattern of multinational companies prioritising profits over workers' rights. We spoke to

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5:39

DA calls for urgent accountability after IPID's...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/07

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate has recorded 27 rape cases involving law enforcement officers in Gauteng, raising fresh concerns over police accountability and oversight. The Democratic Alliance, DA has criticised Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi for allegedly only accounting for five of the cases in the provincial legislature. The DA is calling for urgent reform and stronger consequences for officers who abuse their authority. For more we spoke to Michael Sun, MPL and DA Gauteng

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