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First Take SA

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7:30

UNICEF report: 1 in 5 Children in Eastern and...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/11

A new UNICEF data brief reports that nearly one in five children in Eastern and Southern Africa are engaged in child labour. The region accounts for almost one‑third of the global total and has the highest number of children in hazardous work, including mining and construction. UNICEF says children belong in classrooms, not workplaces. Elvis Presslin spoke to Nankali Maksud, Regional Advisor for Child Protection at UNICEF Eastern and Southern Africa

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6:48

Paul O'Sullivan's Credentials Questioned at...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/11

Forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan's credentials have been questioned at Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee on criminality in the justice system. During his testimony, O'Sullivan described his work exposing corruption and assisting crime‑prevention as a police reservist. When asked by ActionSA MP Dereleen James to state his formal qualifications, he admitted he holds none. For more reaction Elvis Presslin spoke to MK party Member of Parliament, David Mandla Skosana

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7:34

UDM Warns Student Housing Crisis Deepens as Students...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/10

United Democratic Movement, UDM acting Secretary General, Zandile Phiri says the recent sight of students sleeping outside Cape Peninsula University of Technology is a clear sign that South Africa's student accommodation crisis is deepening. Hundreds of students at the start of the 2026 academic year remain without confirmed residence placements. NSFAS has stated it does not manage university housing and that institutions are responsible for student accommodation, while some providers have accepted

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5:13

AFRICA BRIEF with Victor Kgomoeswana

First Take SA ·

2026/02/10

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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4:53

ANC Youth League in Gauteng to Lodge SAHRC Complaint...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/10

The ANC Youth League in Gauteng will today lodge a formal complaint with the South African Human Rights Commission against the Gauteng Department of Education over its alleged failure to pay scholar‑transport service providers. A strike that has left thousands of pupils without transport for a second week. For more on the League's complaint, Elvis Presslin spoke to ANCYL Gauteng Provincial Chairman, Ntsako Kevin Mogobe

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4:43

March and March leader for Mass Deportations, Warns...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/10

March and March founder and leader Jacinta Ngobese‑Zuma has called for mass deportations of undocumented immigrants and urged South Africans to stop renting space to those harbouring them. Speaking at a recent campaign event, she asked President Cyril Ramaphosa to declare a state of emergency, deploy the army to assist police and involve courts and the defence force in removing illegal foreigners. She claims undocumented migrants are linked to high crime rates and are draining public resources

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6:45

Paul O'Sullivan to Testify in Person Before...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/10

Forensic investigator Paul O'Sullivan is expected to testify in person today before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee, which is investigating allegations of corruption and political interference in South Africa's criminal justice system. O'Sullivan had asked to appear virtually, citing security concerns. The EFF had earlier accused Speaker Thoko Didiza of trying to shield Brown Mogotsi and Paul O'Sullivan from testifying before the committee. Elvis Presslin spoke to EFF Member of Parliament, Sinawo

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4:49

ANC Rejects DA Claim Crediting Steenhuisen With...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/10

The ANC Study Group on Agriculture has rejected the Democratic Alliance's claim that Minister John Steenhuisen single‑handedly revived local Foot‑and‑Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccine production after 21 years. The ANC says the groundwork was laid under its 6th administration, with Agricultural Research Council scientists already developing strains from 2010 to 2018 and registering a vaccine in 2023. The ANC adds that former Minister Thoko Didiza's 2022 nationwide cattle‑movement ban helped contain

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6:16

Talks continue with public scholar transport service...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/09

The Gauteng Department of Education is calling for calm as it continues talks with public scholar transport service providers to settle outstanding payments. The department says it's working in good faith to reach a sustainable solution and urges providers to keep services running for learners who rely on them. Schools have been told to prepare academic recovery and catch up programmes to address any learning losses from recent disruptions. Elvis Presslin spoke to Sibongile Maseko, General Secretary

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4:42

Arrests imminent in 2022 murder of Emmanuel Mbense

First Take SA ·

2026/02/09

Police say arrests are imminent in the 2022 murder of Emmanuel Mbense. National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed that eight people remain alive among the original twelve persons of interest in the case. Mbense was allegedly tortured and killed by Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department officers, with his body later found dumped in a dam near Nigel. So far, four of those persons of interest have died. Three were killed in what police describe as assassination-style attacks

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9:48

ActionSA's Athol Trollip to conduct oversight visit...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/09

ActionSA Parliamentary Caucus Leader, Athol Trollip will conduct an oversight visit to Humansdorp in the Eastern Cape to assess a recurring foot‑and‑mouth disease outbreak. The region is experiencing its second outbreak within a year. Trollip's visit will focus on how the government's delayed response is affecting large dairy farmers. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mr. Trollip, who is also a sixth‑generation farmer and member of the Portfolio Committee on Agriculture

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5:42

MK Party calls for Parliamentary debate over...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/09

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party is calling for a debate in Parliament to address South Africa's worsening national water crisis. Communities across the country are experiencing dry taps, polluted water and failing sewage and wastewater systems. The party says the issue has moved from a municipal service delivery problem to a national governance failure. The MK Party wants Parliament to investigate how the crisis escalated, hold President Cyril Ramaphosa accountable for not delivering on his 2025 State of

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5:17

SAMWU: Ditsobotla Local Municipality in the North...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/09

The South African Municipal Workers Union, SAMWU says the Ditsobotla Local Municipality in the North West has not paid employees' pension contributions for 14 months. Last August, workers also went three months without salaries after Treasury withheld the municipality's equitable share grant to enforce financial compliance, including payments to creditors such as Eskom and water boards. At the end of the 2024/25 financial year, the municipality's liabilities exceeded its assets by R295 million,

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16:01

Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026 kicks off in...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/09

The Investing in African Mining Indaba 2026 kicks off today at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. Over 10,500 delegates, including mining executives, global investors, government officials, service providers and community representatives will gather for four days of talks, exhibitions and networking under the theme "Stronger Together: Progress through Partnerships". Elvis Presslin spoke to Benchmark Foundation lead researcher and activist, David Van Wyk

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13:23

MISA welcomes SA's inclusion in AGOA extension

First Take SA ·

2026/02/06

The Motor Industry Staff Association, MISA has welcomed South Africa's inclusion in the one-year African Growth and Oppportunity Act (AGOA) extension. MISA says duty-free US access gives relief after 2025 exports plunged from R26.5 billion to R9.8 billion following the programme's lapse and a 30% tariff from August. Elvis Presslin spoke to MISA's new spokesperson, Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, who is also the former Spokesperson of the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa, Numsa

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13:45

City of Tshwane to hold open day in Region 6 at...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/06

The City of Tshwane's Customer Relations Management Department will later this morning hold an open day in Region 6 today at Eersterust Civic Centre, starting at 08:00. Residents can meet officials from finance, billing, metering, electricity, indigent services, building control and other units to resolve long‑standing service‑delivery queries, with priority given to cases logged between 2019 and 2023, though recent issues will also be addressed. Elvis Presslin spoke to Tshwane Mayor Dr

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4:40

AFRICA BRIEF with Victor Kgomoeswana

First Take SA ·

2026/02/06

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7:01

President Ramaphosa says security to be tightened for...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/06

President Cyril Ramaphosa says security for Madlanga Commission witnesses will be tightened after an attempted hit on Wiandre Pretorius in Ekurhuleni yesterday. Pretorius was named by murdered witness Marius Van der Merwe, also known as Witness D, who testified that Pretorius took part in the 2022 torture and killing of Emmanuel Mbense by Ekurhuleni Metro Police officers. Van der Merwe, was killed last year after his testimony. AfriForum's Private Prosecution Unit which represents the Mbense family,

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6:39

DA calls for investigation into maladministration and...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/06

The Democratic Alliance has called on the President, the Public Protector and Parliament to investigate allegations of maladministration and abuse of power at Parliament. The party submitted a 393‑page dossier requesting probes into the rapid salary increase of Secretary to Parliament Xolile George, questions over his appointment and alleged misuse of millions of rand for the 2023 BRICS Parliamentary Forum. DA MP Rikus Badenhorst said former National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa‑Nqakula and

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4:46

Water supply in Midrand affects some schools in the area

First Take SA ·

2026/02/06

Intermittent water supply in Midrand, Johannesburg has left some schools in the area grappling with sanitation challenges, increased staff and learner absenteeism and disrupted classroom activities. The dire situation has prompted SADTU's Site Secretary for Midrand High School, Lebogang Shovhote to call for urgent municipal intervention. She spoke to Elvis Presslin, to elaborate further on her concerns

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