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First Take SA

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4:16

President Cyril Ramaphosa says his administration...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/17

President Cyril Ramaphosa has committed his administration to drastically reduce road fatalities. He was speaking at the Inaugural National Transport Conference in Midrand, north of Johannesburg. The three-day gathering attended by Transport Minister, Barbara Creecy, and her deputy, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, brought together decision-makers, investors and innovators to engage on how to build a sustainable transport system that works for the economy and job creation. It also saw attendees from some countries

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5:28

Trained former Special Task Force sniper accused of...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/17

A former Special Task Force member has appeared in court charged with murdering a key witness, raising concerns about the unit's integrity. Matipandile Sotheni, a trained sniper, is accused of killing Madlanga Commission whistleblower, Marius van der Merwe, also known as Witness D. Crime analysts say some task force members are being recruited by organised crime syndicates because of the skills they possess. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mpho Kwinika, General Secretary of the Independent Policing Union of

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6:20

Cape Town father launches "Stop all educational...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/16

A Cape Town father and former teacher is calling for a major rethink of homework in South Africa. Joseph Nefdt has launched a petition titled "Stop all educational homework in South Africa," arguing that excessive homework is leaving many children overwhelmed and stressed. He spoke to Elvis Presslin

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3:25

Limpopo suspect arrested in possession of dagga...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/16

The police in Limpopo say they are intensifying crime prevention efforts through Operation Shanela II, which recently led to the arrest of 27 suspects, including one in possession of dagga worth over R2 million in Hoedspruit. A 38-year-old foreign national was arrested shortly after entering the Hoedspruit Central Business District while driving a white bakkie. Upon searching the vehicle, police discovered 22 sacks of dagga, graded as Swaziland dagga, with an estimated street value of over R2

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5:20

Teacher unions demand suspension of Acting Education,...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/16

The South African Democratic Teachers Union and the National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa, have raised concerns about governance and possible financial mismanagement at the Education, Training and Development Practices Sector Education and Training Authority. They say the ETDP SETA Board opposed a controversial Marshalltown office lease over safety, compliance and cost concerns, but allege those decisions were ignored. The unions are now calling for urgent action, including

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5:10

COSATU blames SA Post Office crisis on institution's...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/16

The Congress of South African Trade Unions has rejected proposals to liquidate the South African Post Office, blaming the institution's crisis on the failures of its Business Rescue Practitioners. COSATU is now calling on the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies to approach the courts to remove the practitioners and appoint competent administrators to lead a turnaround of SAPO. Elvis Presslin spoke to Matthew Parks, COSATU's Parliamentary Coordinator

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4:51

National Police Commissioner says points to...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/16

The South African National Defence Force has been deployed alongside the South African Police Service under Operation Prosper for 13 months, with more than 2,000 troops deployed nationwide. The operation, which was announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa, will focus on crime hotspots in the Free State, Gauteng, North West, Western Cape and Eastern Cape. The SANDF and SAPS held a joint media briefing where they outlined the aim of the deployment. National Police Commissioner, General Fanie Masemola

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6:06

Media reports point to ANC decision to recall...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/16

Media reports suggest that the African National Congress (ANC) intends to recall Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero. This comes ahead of the local government elections in a few months. The party held a meeting this weekend to discuss Morero's future. Elvis Presslin spoke to Political Analyst Levy Ndou

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7:01

A Grade-1 learner nearly fell into an open pit-toilet...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/13

The Public Servants Association, PSA is calling for urgent intervention after a Grade-1 learner nearly fell into an open pit-toilet at Mogogelo Primary School in North West. The union says the incident highlights systemic failures in providing safe sanitation in schools. The PSA is demanding that the Premier and education officials take immediate action to address the infrastructure crisis.For more we are joined on the line by PSA Labour Relations Officer in North West, Nceba Baardman

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3:53

FlySafair has introduced a temporary fuel surcharge...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/13

South Africa's low-cost airline FlySafair has introduced a temporary fuel surcharge on ticket prices, citing a sharp increase in global jet fuel costs. The airline says the measure is necessary to manage rising operating expenses while continuing to offer affordable travel. We're joined now by Kirby Gordon, Chief Marketing Officer at FlySafair...

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6:47

Concerns raised over attempt's to remove Justice...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/13

Defend Our Democracy says President Cyril Ramaphosa's attempt to remove Justice Sisi Khampepe from the TRC Prosecutions Commission raises serious concerns about judicial independence. The movement views the move as an effort to derail the Commission's investigation into apartheid-era crimes. The commission's work is far advanced, with several weeks of hearings already held. The group is demanding President Ramaphosa to respect the Commission's independence. Here is the Chairperson of Defend Our

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4:45

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

First Take SA ·

2026/03/13

A look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoesoana, author of Africa Is Open For Business and Africa Bounces Back

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10:39

Small business owner continues to be impacted as...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/12

Government departments are said to owe about R12.4 billion in unpaid invoices, up 17% in a quarter. This according to the latest National Treasury payment data. Delayed payments are hitting small businesses hard, disrupting payroll and stalling growth. Area Manager at Business Partners Limited, Lawrance Ramotala says this is pushing SMEs into survival mode and undermining job creation. Elvis Presslin spoke to Thapelo Kgosi, a small business owner who services various government departments

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4:41

DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC questions health...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/12

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi has rejected DA claims that he was involved in the financial settlement with former provincial Health CFO, Lerato Madyo who is the former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Gauteng Health, implicated in a scandal involving R850 million in fraudulent, suspicious contracts at Tembisa Hospital. Lesufi says his office had no role in the negotiations or decision and that he refused retrospective approval after being informed. An independent legal probe is now underway into

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6:27

AfriForum denies reports that Afrikaaner 'refugees'...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/12

A number of South Africans who arrived in the United States as refugees since May last year are now reportedly heading back home. Many had fled in 2025, citing government-backed racial discrimination and persecution targeting the Afrikaner community. President Trump granted them priority refugee status February last year. AfriForum says the underlying problems that drove them away still have not been resolved by the South African government. Elvis Presslin spoke to Ernst Van Zyl, head of Public

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3:54

US Ambassador's remarks on SA uncalled for,...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/12

South Africa's Department of International Relations has summoned US Ambassador, Leo Brent Bozell the Third for a formal demarche after he labelled the "Kill the Boer" chant hate speech at a recent event in Hermanus, Western Cape. DIRCO says the public comments breached diplomatic protocol and disrespected South African sovereignty. The ambassador later clarified on X that his personal view aligns with many South Africans who see the song as harmful. Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor Isaac Khambule,

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5:50

SANDF boots hit Gauteng towns plagued by illegal...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/12

The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Police, Ian Cameron has raised concerns about the deployment of the South African National Defence Force troops in Gauteng. Cameron says footage from Eldorado Park, Westbury and Riverlea shows soldiers arresting civilians, with no police in sight. He wants answers on the command structure and rules of engagement. The military is supporting police in the area, but Cameron says Parliament hasn't approved the deployment. He spoke to Elvis Presslin to

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4:05

SAMATU takes to the streets to demand urgent action...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/12

The South African Medical Association Trade Union, SAMATU will today march to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to demand urgent action on the country's youth unemployment crisis. The COSATU affiliate says the jobless rate for those aged 15 to 24 now exceeds 70%, describing it as a "ticking timebomb" threatening national stability and growth. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr Talente Biyela, the Chairperson of the SAMATU Junior Doctors Committee

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6:57

Eastern Cape police probe 11-member syndicate...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/11

Police in the Eastern Cape have uncovered an 11 member syndicate allegedly involved in 62 insurance-related murders. The suspects insured family members and vulnerable individuals before killing them for payouts. Similar arrests were made in Limpopo, where five suspects were nabbed in connection with insurance killings and fraud linked to former police officer Rachel Kutumela. Elvis Presslin spoke to Gift Ngqondi, ANC Eastern Cape Provincial Head of Communications...

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6:23

Businessman, Calvin Mathibeli raided following order...

First Take SA ·

2026/03/11

Police have raided multiple properties linked to businessman Calvin Mathibeli in KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo and Gauteng as part of a tender fraud investigation. The move follows a Durban High Court order for Mathibeli to retract statements alleging corruption by KZN Provincial Police Commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. Mathibeli was accused of making defamatory claims about Mkhwanazi. The police operation is ongoing. Elvis Presslin spoke to Specialist Investigator, Mike Bolhuis

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