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First Take SA

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6:18

Eastern Cape committed to addressing issue of...

First Take SA ·

2025/01/23

The Eastern Cape Provincial Government, led by Premier Lubabalo Oscar Mabuyane has committed to addressing the pressing issue of unemployed doctors in the province. Premier Mabuyane together with Director General, Mbulelo Sogoni, as well as Acting MEC for Health Sibulele Ngongo, met with leadership of Cosatu in the province and representatives of unemployed doctors to discuss their demands for permanent employment. For more on this Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Mpumelelo Melamane, Chairperson of the

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6:21

BOSA calls for the abolition of 30% pass mark

First Take SA ·

2025/01/23

BOSA is calling for the abolition of the 30% pass mark in Basic Education, citing concerns that it undermines the intellect of South Africa's youth, entrenches mediocrity and low expectations. The party has gathered over 20,000 signatures in support of this move, which is part of a broader effort to rethink and rebuild the country's education system. BOSA leader Mmusi Maimane has emphasized the need for higher standards, proposing a 50% pass mark as a minimum. To discuss this further, Elvis Presslin

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6:15

230 000 jobs lost in 2024 due to minimum wage

First Take SA ·

2025/01/23

The Institute of Race Relations says South Africa's minimum wage has led to a staggering 230,000 job losses in 2024 alone. The Institute says this represents 3.4% of the 6.7 million low-wage jobs in the country, where workers earn up to R7,500 per month. The IRR is blaming the mandated minimum wage of R27.58 per hour for this devastating impact. The Institute is urging the National Minimum Wage Commission to reconsider its recommendation to increase the minimum wage by inflation, plus 1.5%. This

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5:57

Foreign prisoners outnumber local inmates in some...

First Take SA ·

2025/01/23

Foreign prisoners now outnumber local inmates in some correctional services facilities, putting a strain on South Africa's prisons. Parliament's Correctional Services Committee Chairperson Anthea Ramolobeng, who revealed the statistics yesterday says over 22,500 foreigners are currently incarcerated in correctional centers. She says the surge in foreign prisoners has significant implications for the country's correctional system, which is already grappling with issues like overcrowding and resource

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7:05

EFF to open criminal case against Public Works &...

First Take SA ·

2025/01/22

The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) will today open a criminal case against Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure, Dean Macpherson, at the Pretoria Central Police Station. The party alleges that Macpherson, in collusion with the Democratic Alliance, is abusing state institutions to serve the interests of white minority capital. Last year Minister Macpherson allegedly pressured a junior staff member at the Independent Development Trust (IDT) to expedite payment to Lonerock Construction. This

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12:49

SAPS denies allegations regarding treatment of...

First Take SA ·

2025/01/22

The South African Police Service has denied allegations that hospital admissions are being denied to rescued illegal miners in Stilfontein, North West province. This after the Mining Affected Communities United in Action organisation, MACUA expressed concerns about the health and treatment of the miners. To shed more light on this matter, Elvis Presslin spoke to Christopher Rutledge, Executive Director of the Mining Affected Communities United in Action, MACUA Advice Office

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4:46

Alarm raised over witness protection after shooting...

First Take SA ·

2025/01/22

A brazen shooting at the Lenasia Magistrates' Court in Johannesburg has raised alarming concerns about witness protection in South Africa. A witness scheduled to testify in a 2021 murder case was gunned down, sparking a massive manhunt by police to apprehend the suspect. This shocking incident bears a disturbing resemblance to a similar attack in November 2023, where a key witness in a police torture trial was killed outside the Randburg Magistrate's Court. The recurrence of such incidents has cast

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6:21

President Ramaphosa addressing WEF emphasized SA's...

First Take SA ·

2025/01/22

President Cyril Ramaphosa has unveiled South Africa's ambitious vision for its G20 presidency, aiming to elevate cooperation and collaboration among the world's leading economies to new heights. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Ramaphosa emphasized South Africa's commitment to harnessing its presidency to consolidate G20 initiatives supporting African countries. To delve deeper into the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, and economic development, Elvis Presslin

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6:53

CAPRISA concerned over US withdrawal from the WHO

First Take SA ·

2025/01/22

The Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa, CAPRISA has expressed concerns over the US withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). CAPRISA Director Professor Salim Abdool Karim told our senior producer Ronald Phiri that Trump's executive order, suggests the US is relinquishing its leadership role in global health

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4:52

DA condemns R100 billion Transformation Fund

First Take SA ·

2025/01/22

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has strongly condemned Minister Parks Tau's announcement of a R100 billion Transformation Fund reportedly aimed at exclusively assisting black businesses. The DA views this move as a unilateral and irresponsible policy decision that undermines Cabinet and the Government of National Unity. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Spokesperson on Trade, Industry & Competition, Toby Chance

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8:38

SA committed to address SA's pressing issues at WEF

First Take SA ·

2025/01/21

As President Cyril Ramaphosa prepares to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, he has reaffirmed the government's commitment to partnerships in addressing South Africa's pressing issues. With the country set to outline its priorities for the G20 Presidency, we'll explore the significance of this global gathering for Africa's economic growth. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dawie Roodt, Chief Economist at Efficient Group

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6:39

Groundbreaking plan to limit nicotine levels in...

First Take SA ·

2025/01/21

The US Food and Drug Administration has announced a groundbreaking plan to limit nicotine levels in cigarettes to minimal or non-addictive levels. If implemented, the move would make the United States the first country to take such drastic action to combat smoking-related diseases and deaths. The proposed rule would cap nicotine levels in cigarettes and other tobacco products. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Catherine Egbe, Senior Specialist Scientist at the South African Medical Research Council

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8:34

ANC embroiled in dual crisis

First Take SA ·

2025/01/21

The ANC is embroiled in a dual crisis, as the party undertakes a significant overhaul of its Provincial Executive Committee (PEC) while one of its senior ministers, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, faces allegations of corruption. The ANC's decision to reconfigure its PEC in Gauteng and KwaZulu Natal is seen as a strategic move to revitalize the party's structures and improve its electoral prospects. However, this development is being overshadowed by the controversy surrounding Minister Ntshavheni, who is

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5:06

AFRICA BRIEF with Victor Kgomoeswana

First Take SA ·

2025/01/21

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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5:25

ANC stands by Minister Ntshavheni despite allegations...

First Take SA ·

2025/01/21

The ANC is standing by Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, despite allegations of her involvement in a R2.5 million tender corruption scandal during her tenure as Municipal Manager of Ba-Phalaborwa Local Municipality. The Democratic Alliance is calling on Ntshavheni to step down immediately, citing the completion of the Hawks' investigation into the matter. However, ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says no formal charges have been brought against Ntshavheni. For more Elvis Presslin

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15:41

US content creators push for repeal of TikTok ban

First Take SA ·

2025/01/20

US President-elect Donald Trump has reportedly spoken with Chinese President Xi Jinping about the ban on TikTok, a Chinese-owned short-form video app. This conversation comes as American content creators continue to push for a repeal of the ban, which was upheld by the US Supreme Court due to national security concerns over China's potential access to user data. For insights into the implications of this ban, Elvis Presslin spoke to Lorato Tshenkeng, CEO of Decode Communications and Communications

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5:38

TikTok ban leaves millions in the dark

First Take SA ·

2025/01/20

A new US law banning TikTok has just taken effect, leaving millions of users in the dark. The app stopped working across the country late Saturday, with a message informing US users that a law banning TikTok had been enacted. Elvis Presslin spoke to US-based former SABC journalist Amina Accram-Brooks to break down the implications of this ban

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6:34

SAMWU condemns Tshwane's decision to review...

First Take SA ·

2025/01/20

The South African Municipal Workers' Union (SAMWU) has strongly condemned the City of Tshwane's decision to review the reinstatement of five managers implicated in the Rooiwal Water Treatment plant scandal. This move comes after the South African Local Government Bargaining Council ruled that the suspension of these officials was unlawful. The five managers are accused of disregarding legal protocols in the awarding of the Rooiwal tender to companies linked to controversial businessman Edwin Sodi

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5:06

PSA condemns decision to liquidate Ithala Bank

First Take SA ·

2025/01/20

The Public Servants Association, PSA has strongly condemned the Prudential Authority's decision to seek the liquidation of Ithala Bank. The Association says the decision is 'reckless' and 'devastating', accusing the Prudential Authority of disregarding the bank's vital role in serving marginalised communities in KwaZulu Natal. To elaborate further on their concerns Elvis Presslin spoke to PSA Provincial Manager, Mlungisi Ndlovu

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5:22

COGTA to engage unions over CWP participants

First Take SA ·

2025/01/20

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa will engage with labour unions this week to explore solutions to continue supporting Community Work Programme (CWP) participants aged 55 and older, despite budgetary constraints. The move follows his decision to extend contracts for these participants until the end of March, while exploring viable and sustainable solutions. Initially, over 60,000 workers were set to lose their contracts by the end of this month due to

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