PODCAST

First Take SA

SAfm

News and Current Affairs

news

All Episodes

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

en-US

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

en-US

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

en-US

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,

en-US

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

en-US

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

en-US

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

en-US

4:40

AFRICA BRIEF with Victor Kgomoeswana

First Take SA ·

2026/02/06

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

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,

en-US

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

en-US

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

en-US

7:17

Gauteng Learners Stranded as Education Department...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/05

Thousands of Gauteng learners are reportedly without transport after the provincial education department failed to pay scholar‑transport operators. The Democratic Alliance says at least 20 schools are affected, with operators reporting they have not received payments for more than three months, breaching a 30‑day contract term. The Gauteng Small Bus Operators' Council says the Department of Roads and Transport has also not issued required permits, prompting many operators to suspend services. DA

en-US

6:10

NUM members protest outside IDC offices over job cuts

First Take SA ·

2026/02/05

Members of the National Union of Mineworkers, NUM have been protesting outside the Industrial Development Corporation's head office in Sandton, demanding action over imminent job cuts at Cast Products South Africa, which faces liquidation. The union says hundreds of jobs are on the line and is calling on the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition to intervene and find a solution. For more on the situation, Elvis Presslin spoke to NUM PWV Regional Organiser, Mpho Hlongwane

en-US

7:16

AgriSA welcomes extension of AGOA

First Take SA ·

2026/02/05

AgriSA has welcomed the United States Senate's approval of a one‑year extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, AGOA. The Act grants eligible sub‑Saharan African nations, including South Africa, duty‑free access to the US market. AgriSA says the so‑called "Liberation Day" tariffs of 30 percent have reduced some of AGOA's benefits but the programme remains vital for local exporters. To discuss the impact, Elvis Presslin spoke to AgriSA Chief Executive Officer, Johann Kotze

en-US

6:13

The first Annual "The Rural" Career Expo is underway...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/04

The Baphiring Tribal Authority, in partnership with The Princess & Friends NPC, is hosting the first Annual "The Rural" Career Expo. The event is currently underway at the Baphiring Tribal Offices and Sports Grounds in Mabaalstad, exposing around 4 000 learners to career paths in accountancy, commerce, STEM field - science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) , medical sciences, arts and humanities. It also provides career guidance, mentorship and access to scholarships and bursaries

en-US

2:55

Water shortage in Johannesburg enters its seventh day

First Take SA ·

2026/02/04

The water shortage in Johannesburg, especially in Midrand, has entered its seventh day, leaving thousands without running water. As local elections approach, RISE Mzansi says the crisis must be addressed at the ballot box. The party is urging residents to vote for new leadership in the upcoming local government elections to address the ongoing water challenges. Elvis Presslin spoke to RISE Mzansi National Chairperson and Member of the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Vuyiswa Ramokgopa

en-US

4:24

DA in Ekurhuleni concerned over salary increases for...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/04

The Democratic Alliance in the City of Ekurhuleni has raised concerns over salary increases awarded to two senior officials who are now on precautionary suspension. Caucus leader Brandon Pretorius says Khemie Beharie, Head of Legal Services, and Linda Gxasheka, Head of Human Resources, each received a 28 percent raise, about R585,000, just two months after being appointed to their departmental posts. Both officials are currently suspended pending investigations linked to separate allegations from

en-US

7:26

DA leader expected to announce he will not seek...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/04

Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen is expected to announce today that he will not seek re‑election at the party's federal congress In April. Steenhuisen, who has led the DA since 2019 and also serves as Agriculture Minister, has faced mounting criticism from groups such as AfriForum and Solidarity, as well as from some farmers. AfriForum CEO Kallie Kriel described Steenhuisen's centralised, state‑heavy response to the foot‑and‑mouth disease outbreak as the "last straw," saying it reflected

en-US

5:52

World Cancer Day: South Africa's cancer burden is...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/04

Today marks World Cancer Day, which is observed globally on the 4th of February. The Cancer Association of South Africa (CANSA) says the country's cancer burden is growing fast with new cases projected to double by 2030, reaching around 220,000 annually. The Association says people‑centred care can save lives, restore dignity and give hope. Elvis Presslin spoke to CANSA Clinical Health Specialist and Patient Advocate, Professor Michael Herbst

en-US

6:29

MK Party Criticises O'Sullivan, Mogotsi's...

First Take SA ·

2026/02/03

The uMkhonto weSizwe Party has condemned the refusal by Paul O'Sullivan and Brown Mogotsi to appear before Parliament's Ad-Hoc Committee, citing alleged security concerns. The party says no individual is above the law and all persons summoned to appear before the committee must comply. The MK Party notes inconsistencies in Mr. O'Sullivan's position on security concerns and says adequate security arrangements were offered to Mr. Mogotsi, which he declined. Elvis Presslin spoke to MK Party Member of

en-US

8,022 results

First Take SA

All Episodes

Similar Podcasts

Expres Ráno

Expres FM

PBS News Hour - Full Show

PBS News

CD Voice

China Daily

Israel Today: Ongoing War Report

Noa Levi

Jeffrey Epstein: The Coverup Chronicles

Bobby Capucci