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First Take SA

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6:20

NUMSA rejects retrenchment process at MacSteel

First Take SA ·

2025/08/26

The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa has slammed Macsteel management for sparking an indefinite strike that began on Friday. The union claims Macsteel forcibly retrenched workers and pressured them into accepting voluntary severance packages of just 40,000 rand, based on one week's pay per year of service. NUMSA calls this far below industry standards, which typically offer three to four weeks' pay per year. The union has rejected the retrenchment process as a sham, accusing Macsteel

en-US

5:46

Five men killed at an open-cast mine in the North West

First Take SA ·

2025/08/26

Five men have been shot and killed at an open-cast chrome mine in Tlhatlaganyane, near Sun City in the North West. The area is known for small-scale mining, with several licenses issued for chrome extraction. For more details, Elvis Presslin spoke to North West Police Spokesperson, Brigadier Sabata Mokgwabone

en-US

14:26

Kleinfontein accuses City of Tshwane of political bias

First Take SA ·

2025/08/26

The Afrikaner-only community of Kleinfontein has accused the City of Tshwane of political bias after receiving an ultimatum to reapply for township status or face demolition. The community, which first applied for formalisation in 2013, was told their application is outdated due to new legislation. The City of Tshwane served court papers, threatening demolition if the community does not comply. Kleinfontein spokesperson Dannie de Beer called the city's actions unfair, pointing out that other

en-US

6:39

Concern over surge in violent crimes across South Africa

First Take SA ·

2025/08/26

RISE Mzansi says it is deeply concerned about a surge in violent crimes across South Africa. Multiple shootings and a stabbing have led to the loss of young lives in several parts of the country. Three people were shot, one fatally, outside the Mithcells Plain SAPS in Cape Town. This occurred while the Western Cape Provincial Commissioner was speaking at an imbizo nearby. In the same province, At least five people were killed and five others injured in gun violence over the weekend. In Mpumalanga:

en-US

11:14

Women in construction reveal a dark side to their work

First Take SA ·

2025/08/25

In Mpumalanga, women in the construction industry have revealed a dark side to their work, telling Premier Mandla Ndlovu about construction mafias demanding sexual favours to avoid project disruptions. The revelations came during a women in construction dialogue at the Ehlanzeni Disaster Management Centre in Mbombela. What was meant to celebrate women's progress in the male-dominated sector turned into a stark discussion on exploitation, extortion, and violence. Elvis Presslin spoke to Thembeka

en-US

6:45

Lawsuit filed 2 years after Boksburg tanker explosion...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/25

A R65 million lawsuit has been filed in the High Court nearly two years after the devastating Boksburg tanker explosion that killed 41 people. LHL Attorneys, representing 67 victims, is seeking compensation for losses, injuries and trauma caused by the December 2022 tragedy. The suit targets Infinite Fleet Transport, Innovative Staffing Solutions and the City of Ekurhuleni accusing the trio of negligence in the disaster that scarred the community. Elvis Presslin spoke to Gabrielle Berkowitz,

en-US

7:14

IFAF demands withdrawal of medical aid brokerage...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/25

The Independent Financial Advisors Forum, IFAF, is demanding the immediate withdrawal of a medical aid brokerage tender by the City of Tshwane, calling it irregular and unlawful. IFAF, a non-profit representing mostly black-owned small and medium-sized brokerages says the tender which grants medical aid members the right to choose their own brokers violates regulation of the Medical Schemes Act. Elvis Presslin spoke to Buti Sigasa, Deputy Chairperson of the Independent Financial Advisors Forum

en-US

6:52

DIRCO warns against unverified foreign job offers

First Take SA ·

2025/08/25

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) is warning young South African women not to fall for unverified foreign job offers. This after suspicious employment opportunities were advertised by social media influencers on Tik Tok, Instagram and other social media platforms. DIRCO says human trafficking syndicates are luring people into all sorts of illegal activities under slave-life conditions. Elvis Presslin spoke to Security Strategist and retired Interpol Ambassador, Andy

en-US

11:02

ActionSA condemns the intimidation of a South African...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/22

ActionSA has condemned what it says is the intimidation of Ms. Luyanda, a South African spaza shop owner in Dobsonville, Soweto. The party says during a routine bread delivery, Ms. Luyanda was threatened by a neighboring Pakistani shop owner, who demanded she shut down her business or face consequences. ActionSA calls this unacceptable, highlighting a pattern of such incidents with no action taken against perpetrators. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA Johannesburg Regional Secretary, Lebo

en-US

6:16

SADTU welcomes investigation of ghost workers in...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/22

The South African Democratic Teachers Union, SADTU has welcomed the Education Labour Relations Council's appointment to investigate claims of ghost workers in public schools. The nationwide inquiry, backed by five teacher unions, the Department of Basic Education and all nine provincial education departments, aims to tackle corruption and rebuild trust in the education payroll system. Elvis Presslin spoke to SADTU, spokesperson, Nomusa Cembi

en-US

7:26

PA leader accuses the SAHRC of defamation

First Take SA ·

2025/08/22

Patriotic Alliance leader and Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, has accused the South African Human Rights Commission of defamation. The Commission found prima facie evidence of hate speech in McKenzie's past social media posts, which were flagged as offensive. McKenzie called the findings premature and politically motivated, saying they harm his reputation. Elvis Presslin spoke to Legal Analyst, Advocate Modidima Mannya

en-US

5:18

AFRICA BRIEF with Victor Kgomoeswana

First Take SA ·

2025/08/22

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

en-US

10:48

OUTA welcomes decision to place three SETA's under...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/21

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse, OUTA, has welcomed the government's decision to place three Sector Education and Training Authorities, CETA, Services SETA, and LGSETA under administration. However, the watchdog warns this step alone won't address years of corruption, wasteful spending, and leadership failures. OUTA is questioning why INSETA was excluded from the intervention despite its own governance issues and has raised concerns about the credibility of some appointed administrators. The

en-US

6:11

DIRCO dismisses allegations of racially motivated...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/21

The Department of International Relations and Cooperation, DIRCO has dismissed allegations of racially motivated attacks in rural and farming communities, as stated in the 2024 US Human Rights Report. DIRCO calls the claims inaccurate, citing South African police data from January to March 2025, which recorded six murders in farming areas, involving farm workers, dwellers and farmers, with no evidence of racial motives. Elvis Presslin spoke to Jacques Broodryk, Chief Spokesperson for AfriForum

en-US

6:09

Concerns raised over dissolution of the South African...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/21

The Portfolio Committee on Tourism has raised concerns over the recent dissolution of the South African Tourism Board by Minister of Tourism, Patricia de Lille. Reports indicate the Minister acted after the Board overstepped its authority by appointing a member to perform duties of the former Chairperson, Professor Gregory Davids, who resigned in July. The Board also reportedly violated its own charter by holding a special meeting without the Chairperson's approval. Elvis Presslin spoke to Ms

en-US

5:56

FEDUSA welcomes decision to reinstate powers for...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/21

The Federation of Unions of South Africa, FEDUSA has welcomed the Department of Employment and Labour's move to reinstate powers for labour inspectors to enforce pension fund payments. FEDUSA says this tackles widespread theft of workers' retirement savings by dishonest employers in industries like cleaning, security and local government, where unpaid contributions have ballooned into billions, leaving many workers in poverty. Elvis Presslin spoke to the General Secretary of FEDUSA, Riefdah Ajam

en-US

6:11

Protests to take place over coal exports to Israel

First Take SA ·

2025/08/21

Trade unions, civic groups and pro-Palestine activists are protesting across South Africa today, opposing the government's coal exports to Israel amid the ongoing Hamas and Israel conflict. Demonstrations are expected outside the Department of Trade and Industry in several provinces. Protesters claim South Africa's coal supplies fuel Israel's energy needs, powering systems used to profile Palestinians and conduct military strikes in Gaza. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mametlwe Sebei, President of the

en-US

8:58

ActionSA slams the approval of radio ads regarding...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/20

ActionSA has slammed the Department of Health for approving radio ads claiming vaping is as harmful as smoking cigarettes. The party calls the statement false and misleading, citing scientific evidence that vaping poses fewer risks than combustible cigarettes. ActionSA accuses the Department of spreading propaganda and undermining Parliament by presenting unpassed provisions of the Tobacco Products and Electronic Delivery Systems Control Bill as law. The Bill remains under review by the Portfolio

en-US

5:19

Criticism after President raises annual political...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/20

Civil society group My Vote Counts has criticized President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to raise the annual political donation limit to R30 million from R15 million and the disclosure threshold to R200,000 from R100,000. Senior Researcher Joel Bregman told our senior producer, Ronald Phiri, that the changes will reduce transparency in political funding, potentially allowing private interests to exert greater influence and increasing the risk of corruption

en-US

6:29

Suspect in custody after violent attack on three DA MPs

First Take SA ·

2025/08/20

A suspect is in custody following a violent attack on three Democratic Alliance MPs in Philippi, Cape Town. The incident occurred shortly after an oversight visit to the SAPS Training College. Chairperson of Parliament's Police Portfolio Committee, Ian Cameron, along with DA MPs Lisa-Maré Schickerling and Nicholas Gotsell, were ambushed by men armed with bricks who smashed their vehicle's windows. Elvis Presslin spoke to DA National Spokesperson, Willie Aucamp

en-US

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