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First Take SA

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10:55

Gauteng unemployment rate surges

First Take SA ·

2025/08/13

Gauteng's unemployment rate has surged to 33.8%, according to the latest Quarterly Labour Force Survey. Over 2.6 million residents are without jobs and nearly 600,000 have given up searching. Alarmingly, 10.3 million young people across the province are neither working nor in education or training. Premier Panyaza Lesufi is pushing to revive the Nasi Ispani programme to boost youth employment. But the Democratic Alliance and other critics argue it's a band-aid solution, failing to address deeper

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8:43

SA could see more provincial coalition governments...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/13

Political analyst Professor Susan Booysen warns that South Africa could see more provincial coalition governments after the 2029 general election. Speaking at the launch of the Coalition Barometer for 2023 to early 2025 by the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, Booysen highlighted that coalitions have become a permanent feature of South African politics.Elvis Presslin spoke to Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection (Mistra) Research Consultant, Professor Susan Booysen

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8:09

Over 4000 learners drop out of school in the first...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/12

Over 4,000 learners have reportedly dropped out of school in the first quarter of 2025. The Public Servants Association (PSA) is outraged, calling the situation a betrayal of constitutional duty due to neglect, poor planning, and weak leadership by the Northern Cape Department of Education. The PSA is demanding accountability and a full forensic investigation into the dropouts. Elvis Presslin spoke to the Northern Cape Public Servants Association Provincial Manager, Steve Ledibane

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6:47

Some GNU parties reject proposal to broaden the...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/12

Several parties in the Government of National Unity have rejected the ANC's proposal to broaden the 10-party coalition. The ANC's move follows tensions with its largest partner, the Democratic Alliance, over budget disputes and policy differences. Critics, including the Freedom Front Plus, call it a tactic to shore up power rather than strengthen unity. For more, Elvis Presslin spoke to United Democratic Movement, UDM leader, General Bantu Holomisa

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6:09

NUM dismisses claims its abandoned the ANC

First Take SA ·

2025/08/12

The National Union of Mineworkers, NUM has dismissed claims that it has abandoned the ANC ahead of the 2026 municipal elections. The union labelled reports suggesting a split as misleading and reaffirmed its commitment to the tripartite alliance. However, it emphasized that members are free to vote for any party of their choice. For more details, Elvis Presslin spoke to NUM National Spokesperson, Livhuwani Mammburu

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5:58

DA criticizes upcoming National Dialogue

First Take SA ·

2025/08/12

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen has criticized the upcoming National Dialogue, calling it an "insider stitch-up" aimed at boosting the ANC's electoral prospects. Speaking at the DA's headquarters in Bruma, east of Johannesburg, Steenhuisen labeled the initiative "illegitimate" and lacking credibility. The DA was the first party to pull out of the dialogue following the dismissal of its deputy minister of Trade and Industry, Andrew Whitfield, by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The Thabo Mbeki

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5:29

AFRICA BRIEF with Victor Kgomoeswana

First Take SA ·

2025/08/12

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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11:55

Minister Gayton McKenzie faces backlash over...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/11

Sports, Arts and Culture Minister Gayton McKenzie is facing backlash after tweets with racially derogatory language toward black South Africans resurfaced online. The African Transformation Movement (ATM) has lodged a complaint against McKenzie with the Presidency, Parliament and the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Ethics. Elvis Presslin spoke to ATM National Spokesperson, Zama Ntshona

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5:41

GIWUSA outraged over Agbiz report on food inflation

First Take SA ·

2025/08/11

The General Industries Workers Union of South Africa (GIWUSA) is outraged over a report from the Agricultural Business Chamber (Agbiz) showing food inflation has jumped to 4.7%, a 16-month high. GIWUSA says this isn't just a statistic BUT a "brutal assault" on workers and the poor. The union has criticized Agbiz for downplaying the crisis, saying deeper systemic issues are at play beyond temporary factors like avian flu. Elvis Presslin spoke to GIWUSA President, Mametlwe Sebei

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17:05

Budget processes for National Convention complies...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/11

The Presidency insists that budget processes for the upcoming National Convention comply with the Public Finance Management Act. This follows the withdrawal of several legacy foundations, including the Thabo Mbeki, Steve Biko and FW de Klerk foundations, who cited insufficient funding and tight preparation timelines. President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed the organising team has been restructured to address these concerns and ensure the convention proceeds as planned. Elvis Presslin spoke to Political

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4:28

ActionSA lodges complaint against Minister Gayton...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/11

ActionSA has lodged a complaint against Sports Minister Gayton McKenzie with the South African Human Rights Commission. The complaint is over alleged racist remarks in old social media posts where McKenzie reportedly used Apartheid-era slurs against black South Africans. ActionSA is also taking action against Minister Dean Macpherson for allegedly using racially charged language against party supporters. Elvis Presslin spoke to ActionSA MP, Alan Beesley

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9:08

Cape Town Deeds Office troubling practice of racial...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/08

A DA oversight visit to the Cape Town Deeds Office has reportedly discovered a troubling practice of racial classification. The party says South Africans are being forced to declare their race on a mandatory form when buying or transferring property. Land Minister Mzwanele Nyhontso admitted in a parliamentary reply earlier this year that no legal definition of race supports the regulation. Elvis Presslin spoke to MP and DA Spokesperson on Land Reform & Rural Development, Mlindi Nhanha

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5:33

AFRICA BRIEF with Victor Kgomoeswana

First Take SA ·

2025/08/08

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6:51

ACDP condemns viral video classifying coloured community

First Take SA ·

2025/08/08

The ACDP has strongly condemned a viral video falsely portraying the classified Coloured community in a degrading and incestuous light, calling it racist, defamatory, and rooted in colonial-era stereotypes. The Open Chats team has since issued an apology , which many critics deemed inadequate. Meanwhile, the Patriotic Alliance has opened a criminal case, the DA approached the Human Rights Commission, and civil society has labelled the remarks as hate speech. Elvis Presslin spoke to ACDP leader in

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7:57

Operation Dudula members arrested for blocking...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/08

Several members of Operation Dudula have been arrested and are being held at Diepkloof Police Station. The group is accused of blocking foreign nationals from accessing public clinics and hospitals in the area. Operation Dudula claims its members are facing charges for allegedly impersonating Home Affairs officials. The group's president, Zandile Dabula, says the arrests are part of a broader effort to undermine their movement's activities. Elvis Presslin spoke to Operation Dudula President, Zandile

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24:55

NSFAS denies owing millions in unpaid accomodation fees

First Take SA ·

2025/08/07

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) has denied that it owes R62-million in unpaid accommodation fees. The scheme refuted these claims after Private Housing Student Association (PHSA), which represents private landlords, claimed that this money is owed from January 2024 to July 2025. Kagisho Mamabolo, PHSA CEO, says landlords in private accommodation are at financial risk due to the late payments made by NSFAS. Especially those who account for the majority of available beds. Elvis

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7:45

Concerns over grade tampering and racial bias at UCT

First Take SA ·

2025/08/07

Higher Education Minister Buti Manamela says claims of grade tampering and racial bias at UCT's Social Development Department are deeply concerning. Manamela is calling for answers from UCT's leadership, demanding clarity on internal probes and how academic standards will be upheld. This comes after allegations surfaced that UCT academics in the faculty of Social Development have allegedly been awarding higher marks to white students while penalizing Black students. Elvis Presslin spoke to former

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7:03

SANEF slams alleged attempt to bribe Daily Maverick...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/07

The South African National Editors' Forum, SANEF has slammed an alleged attempt by the Industrial Development Trust's CEO, Tebogo Malaka, to bribe Daily Maverick investigative journalist Pieter-Louis Myburgh. The incident, aimed at halting Myburgh's reporting on corruption allegations against Malaka, comes shortly after her suspension following a PricewaterhouseCoopers probe. The investigation uncovered irregularities tied to IDT's 836-million-rand oxygen plants scandal. Elvis Presslin spoke to

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4:16

SANDF issues warning over sharing of explicit content...

First Take SA ·

2025/08/07

The South African National Defence Force has issued a stern warning to its members over the rising trend of sharing explicit content on social media while in uniform. The Defence Force says such behaviour is a serious breach of military discipline and tarnishes the image of the force. The Defence Force insists personal freedoms do not override military values. Elvis Presslin spoke to SANDF spokesperson, Siphiwe Dlamini

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6:58

Suspended IDT CEO faces possible criminal charges

First Take SA ·

2025/08/07

Suspended Independent Development Trust CEO Tebogo Malaka faces possible criminal charges after allegedly trying to bribe a journalist. Video footage from the Daily Maverick shows Malaka and IDT spokesperson Phasha Makgolane offering R60,000 in cash to reporter Pieter-Louis Myburgh at a meeting near Stellenbosch. The bribe was reportedly to halt Myburgh's investigation into Malaka's affairs. This comes after her suspension over irregularities in an R836 million oxygen plant tender. Public Works

en-US

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