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First Take SA

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5:15

SANTACO pushes back at criticism of R408m payout to...

First Take SA ·

2025/04/25

The South African National Taxi Council, SANTACO has pushed back against criticism from the Build One South Africa party, BOSA, over a R408m payout to taxi operators. This after BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane had questioned the Industry's tax compliance after Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed the one-time gratuity, five years post the pandemic. However SANTACO says tax compliance is a requirement for accessing the funds. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mmatshikhidi Rebecca Phala, SANTACO's National

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32:12

0.5% scrapping of VAT increase sparks mixed reactions

First Take SA ·

2025/04/25

South Africa's budget process has been thrown into uncertainty after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana scrapped plans for a 0.5% increase in Value-Added Tax. The move has sparked mixed reactions from politicians. The ANC has welcomed the decision, calling for more inclusive fiscal policy, while the EFF has hailed it as a victory, but is demanding the Finance Minister's resignation and a complete overhaul of the budget process. For more Elvis Presslin spoke to EFF Senior Researcher, Dr. Gumani

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4:57

AFRICA BRIEF with Victor Kgomoeswana

First Take SA ·

2025/04/25

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

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13:38

UAT party wants urgent action to eliminate pit...

First Take SA ·

2025/04/24

The United Africans Transformation party is taking the Department of Basic Education to court over what it calls a failure to eliminate deadly pit toilets in schools. The party says despite promises and deadlines, thousands of learners still face daily risks. UAT demands urgent action, saying enough is enough children deserve dignity and safety, not bureaucratic excuses. The party says they are taking legal action to hold the government accountable. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to United

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4:55

SACP to stage protests over Ukrainian presidents...

First Take SA ·

2025/04/24

The South African Communist Party is set to stage protests today against Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's official visit to South Africa. President Cyril Ramaphosa will host Zelenskyy at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, a move the SACP has strongly condemned. The Communist Party has labelled Zelenskyy a US puppet and question the legitimacy of his presidency. The SACP is demanding Ramaphosa to reverse what it calls an ill-considered and provocative invitation. Elvis Presslin spoke to

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5:38

Solidarity threatens President Ramaphosa with contempt

First Take SA ·

2025/04/24

The trade union Solidarity is threatening to take President Cyril Ramaphosa to court for contempt if he doesn't withdraw the recently published Employment Equity laws and sectoral targets. Solidarity claims the government is breaching a 2023 settlement agreement. Elvis Presslin spoke to Anton van der Bijl, Deputy Chief Executive Officer at Solidarity to elaborate further on the Union's concerns

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4:35

Former KZN Hawks boss sends letter of demand to NPA

First Take SA ·

2025/04/24

Former KZN Hawks boss, Major-General Johan Booysen has sent a letter of demand to the National Director of Public Prosecutions demanding a decision on whether to prosecute him within 30 days. Booysen was previously charged with racketeering, but the charges were withdrawn in 2014 and re-instated in 2015. A high-level group of prosecutors later found that there was no evidence to sustain the charges and that procedural imperatives were not complied with. Booysen's attorney Tania Koen has warned that

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7:05

Eastern Cape ANC condemns AfriForum's private...

First Take SA ·

2025/04/24

The ANC in the Eastern Cape has condemned AfriForum's attempt to pressure the NPA into reviewing a case against Premier Oscar Mabuyane and ANC NEC member Babalo Madikizela. AfriForum's push for private prosecution relates to the alleged misuse of funds for transporting mourners to Winnie Madikizela-Mandela's funeral in 2018. The ANC has labeled this move as "unethical and illegal," claiming it undermines the NPA's independence and noting that the issue was already resolved by the Public Protector,

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9:09

Criticism over Gauteng government's 82% budget cut to...

First Take SA ·

2025/04/23

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is criticizing the provincial government's 82% budget cut to Schools of Specialization, which they say will hinder learners' chances of gaining skilled jobs. The funding for these schools has been slashed from R69.29 million in 2022 to R13 million in 2024. The DA says this cut will negatively impact the development of critical skills needed for the economy and challenges the government's claim of empowering youth through these schools. For more on this Elvis

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5:50

BOSA concerned over allocation of COVID-19 Relief...

First Take SA ·

2025/04/23

The Build One South Africa (BOSA) party has raised concerns over the government's decision to allocate R408 million from the Covid-19 Relief Fund to the taxi industry, five years after the pandemic's peak. Transport Minister Barbara Creecy confirmed the one-time gratuity in response to BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane. BOSA argues that funneling public funds into an untaxed sector is unjustifiable when critical services like education and healthcare remain severely underfunded. To discuss this further,

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6:41

SADTU stages nationwide protest march

First Take SA ·

2025/04/23

The South African Democratic Teachers' Union (SADTU) is staging a nationwide protest march in Pretoria today against education budget reductions. The Union will march to the National Treasury, Department of Basic Education, and Department of Higher Education and Training to voice concerns over austerity measures and cuts that reportedly threaten public education and promote privatization. Elvis Presslin spoke to SADTU General Secretary, Dr. Mugwena Maluleke

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5:24

POPCRU opens national Gender Forum

First Take SA ·

2025/04/23

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union (POPCRU) has opened a national Gender Forum in Johannesburg, themed "Deepening the Struggle for Gender Justice." The two-day event, which started yesterday brings together union leaders, activists, and partners to address gender equity in the criminal justice sector. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union spokeperson, Richard Mamabolo

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7:39

Freedom Park CEO: SA's liberation remains unfinished

First Take SA ·

2025/04/23

Freedom Park CEO Dr. Jane Mufamadi says the country's liberation remains unfinished, with many socio-economic foundations of inequality still intact. This as South Africa marks 31 years of democracy on Sunday. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Jane Mufamadi to discuss her opinion piece, 'Freedom Deferred? The Unfinished Work of Liberation

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11:05

FOSA calls on the Justice Minister to focus on...

First Take SA ·

2025/04/22

Forum for South Africa (FOSA) has slammed Minister of justice and constitutional development Mmamoloko Kubayi, accusing the Justice Minister of reducing her department to a spaza shop over her remarks on Floyd Shivambu. While FOSA questions Shivambu's ethics for attending fugitive Shepherd Bushiri's church, it slams Kubayi for politicizing a personal matter. The forum demands she focus on extraditing Bushiri wanted for rape and bail violations instead of misusing state power to settle personal

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5:26

Zimbabweans are set for a second national stay-away...

First Take SA ·

2025/04/22

Zimbabweans are set to participate in a second national stay-away today, demanding the resignation of President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association (AUBBTA) announced that the shutdown will include protesters blocking Beitbridge, intensifying calls for Mnangagwa to step down. The association is also urging Zimbabweans in South Africa to return and join the movement. To discuss this, Elvis Presslin spoke to AUBBTA Chairperson, Phumudzo Mukhwathi

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6:28

SACBC joins Catholics in mourning the passing of Pope...

First Take SA ·

2025/04/22

The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference joins Catholics worldwide in mourning the passing of Pope Francis, who died on Easter Monday at age 88 in his Vatican residence. The bishops honour his enduring legacy of humility, justice, and compassion, and have extended heartfelt condolences to the global Church. For further insights, Elvis Presslin spoke to Father Hugh O'Connor, Secretary General of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference

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5:28

DA to challenge impending VAT increase in court today

First Take SA ·

2025/04/22

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is in the Western Cape High Court today challenging the impending VAT increase in May. The DA argues that the tax hike will intensify South Africa's cost-of-living crisis, disproportionately burdening vulnerable households and exacerbating economic hardship. To discuss this further, Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Federal Chairperson Dr. Ivan Meyer

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4:59

AFRICA BRIEF with Victor Kgomoeswana

First Take SA ·

2025/04/22

en-US

6:28

ActionSA accuses DA of complicity in controversial 2%...

First Take SA ·

2025/04/22

ActionSA has accused the Democratic Alliance (DA) of complicity in the initial proposed controversial 2% VAT increase, despite the party's public denials. A parliamentary reply obtained by ActionSA reveals that DA MP and Deputy Minister of Finance, Ashor Sarupen allegedly played a significant role in drafting the original budget speech proposing the hike. ActionSA has criticized the GNU coalition partner for political opportunism and hypocrisy. Elvis Presslin spoke to Alan Beesley, ActionSA Member

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8:44

Univ. study reveals a widespread parental anxiety...

First Take SA ·

2025/04/17

A recent Stellenbosch University study reveals widespread parental anxiety over children's safety en route to school. In the Cape Metropole, especially in lower-income areas. Over 86% of parents voiced concern, with fears highest in communities plagued by pedestrian crashes. Sophia du Plessis, researcher, has stressed urgent intervention, better enforcement, safer sidewalks, and child-focused transport systems to address this growing outcry from worried families. For more on this we are joined by

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