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First Take SA

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5:12

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

First Take SA ·

2026/05/26

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

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6:08

COSATU urges SARB to keep interest rates unchanged at...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/26

COSATU is urging the South African Reserve Bank to keep interest rates unchanged at this week's Monetary Policy Committee meeting. The federation says rising inflation is driven by global factors, not local demand.COSATU warns that any repo rate hike would further strain struggling workers and slow an economy already facing low growth and high unemployment. We spoke to COSATU Parliamentary Coordinator, Matthew Parks for reaction.

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8:53

Limpopo Illicit Cigarette Trafficker Sentenced to 13...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/25

A 13-year prison sentence handed to an illicit cigarette trafficker in Limpopo is being hailed as a potential turning point in the fight against tax crime. Tax Justice South Africa says the ruling should set a national precedent, as illicit trade continues to cost the country an estimated R100 billion a year. To discuss this further we spoke to Tax Justice South Africa founder, Yusuf Abramjee.

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6:08

Mbeki Says Phala Phala Matter Is Personal Not an ANC...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/25

Former President Thabo Mbeki says the Phala Phala saga is a personal issue for President Cyril Ramaphosa, not an ANC matter. Speaking to SABC news specialist correspondent, Sophie Mokoena, Mbeki welcomed the Constitutional Court's decision to set aside Parliament's 2022 vote against impeaching Ramaphosa. The case relates to allegations of 580,000 US dollars stolen from the President's Limpopo farm. Mbeki argued the ANC should not involve itself in what he described as a private affair. We spoke to

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7:17

Human Settlements Flood Relief Fund Fraud ‘Kingpin’...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/25

A key suspect in a major fraud case linked to the Human Settlements Flood Disaster Relief Fund is expected in the Durban Magistrates Court this morning. The kingpin faces charges for illegally accessing emergency housing funds as part of a syndicate dismantled under Operation NenzaniLaEzweni. MEC Siboniso Duma says authorities are making strong progress in rooting out officials and politicians who sold or rented RDP houses to undocumented foreign nationals in areas including eThekwini and

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5:57

City Power Reports Major Progress in Reducing...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/25

City Power says it has made significant headway in cutting electricity losses in Johannesburg, with the rate dropping from just over 40 percent last July to around 25 percent by April this year. The utility credits the improvement to its Revenue Enhancement Programme, which has recovered roughly 1-point-6 billion rand through billing corrections, meter audits and the removal of illegal connections. We spoke to City Power's Chief Commercial Officer, Thami Mathiso.

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5:11

DA Welcomes Public Protector’s 30-Day Deadline on...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/25

The Democratic Alliance, DA in Gauteng has welcomed the Public Protector's report setting 30-day deadlines to fix fire-damaged sections of the Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital. The report notes repair costs have ballooned sharply while critical services remain disrupted. We spoke to Dr. Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health.

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7:14

SAHRC Raises Alarm Over Rising Tensions Around...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/25

As South Africa marks Africa Day, the South African Human Rights Commission is raising alarm over growing tensions linked to marches reportedly targeting undocumented foreign nationals. The Commission has now called for an urgent virtual imbizo, bringing together civil society, community leaders and stakeholders to address rising reports of violence, displacement, and threats to human dignity. The aim is to find solutions, but also to confront difficult questions about rights, safety, and social

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6:28

Gauteng Health confirms the re-opening of several...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/22

The Gauteng Department of Health has confirmed that forensic pathology service centres in Hillbrow, Pretoria and Diepkloof have resumed operations following several days of protest action over working conditions. The disruption led to delays in post-mortem services and placed strain on families awaiting the release of loved ones. As operations stabilise, attention now turns to how the Department is addressing staff concerns while ensuring continuity of essential services. We spoke to Steve Mabona,

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5:02

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

First Take SA ·

2026/05/22

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

en-US

10:04

Various groups reject a planned March and March...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/22

Community groups, faith leaders, students and residents say they reject a planned March and March protest against undocumented nationals In Cape Town tomorrow. They argue the planned march from Belville to Parow misdirects public anger toward migrants and refugees instead of addressing unemployment, corruption and failing services. The organisations warn rhetoric has led to intimidation and violence before and calls on police, officials and media to prevent xenophobic incidents. We spoke to Isaiah

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5:11

The National Consumer Commission takes FlySafair to...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/22

The National Consumer Commission has referred FlySafair to the National Consumer Tribunal over allegations of overbooking and overselling tickets. The case follows complaints from passengers who were denied boarding despite holding valid tickets. FlySafair says overbooking is part of its business model as the matter moves to the Tribunal for review. We spoke to Prudence Moilwa, Executive Head for Complaints and Investigations at the National Consumer Commission.

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7:50

FOSA questions the allocation of the R80 million to...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/21

The Forum for South Africa, FOSA, has raised concerns over government's allocation of nearly R80 million to spaza shop owners, questioning the transparency, fairness and impact of the funding. While the initiative is meant to support small businesses, FOSA argues that without clear accountability and measurable outcomes, the intervention risks missing its intended beneficiaries. The organisation is now calling on government to publish a full list of recipients and provide a detailed breakdown of how

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8:22

MK Party demands the immediate resignation of Deputy...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/21

The MK Party Is demanding the immediate resignation of Deputy Minister in the Presidency For Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Steve Letsike as the Vice President of the South African Pharmacy Council. The party said his dual role raises serious concerns over governance, ethics and the independence of the statutory regulator. MK Party argued that a sitting Deputy Minister holding office in the Council creates a conflict and undermines public confidence in regulatory integrity. We spoke to

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6:04

ATM criticises National Assembly Speaker Thoko...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/21

The African Transformation Movement, ATM has criticised National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza for rejecting their motion of no confidence against President Cyril Ramaphosa. ATM MP Vuyo Zungula said the ATM was unhappy with the decision. In the same breath, Afrika Mayibuye Movement leader Floyd Shivambu said there was no legitimate basis for the rejection and called it opportunistic. We spoke to Vuyo Zungula, ATM Parliamentary Leader.

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7:35

Civil society organisations condemn the intimidation...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/21

Several civil society organisations have strongly condemned a recent wave of intimidation and violence targeting migrant communities, including children, in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. The groups warn that these actions, which include threats against schools and learners, undermine constitutional rights and put vulnerable children at serious risk. Wee spoke to, Katherine Sutherland, Head of Research and Advocacy at the Equal Education Law Centre.

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8:49

APC calls for urgent, science-led response to Ebola...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/20

The African People's Convention (APC) has called for urgent and science-led action in response to the growing outbreak of Ebola virus disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The party is backing warnings from leading epidemiologist Salim Abdool Karim, who has raised concern about the spread of the rare Bundibugyo strain, which currently has no approved vaccine or specific treatment. The APC is urging authorities to strengthen border screening, surveillance systems, and public

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7:12

Joburg ramps up crackdown on hijacked CBD buildings...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/20

The City of Johannesburg says it is intensifying efforts to reclaim hijacked and unsafe buildings in the CBD following illegal structures found inside Marble Towers. Law enforcement has also launched a major operation targeting undocumented immigrants and criminal activity in the area. The planned demolition of illegal structures at Marble Towers has been halted after the owners secured an urgent court interdict. Elvis Presslin spoke to MMC for Public Safety and Security in the City of Johannesburg,

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5:16

ActionSA condemns SAPS officials' exoneration in...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/20

ActionSA has condemned the exoneration of two senior SAPS officials in internal disciplinary hearings linked to the Phala Phala matter. The party says the outcome contradicts IPID findings that recommended action for serious misconduct. ActionSA plans to file a Promotion of Access to Information Act, PAIA application to access the full record of the proceedings, arguing that SAPS internal processes are failing to ensure accountability. Elvis Presslin spoke to Lerato Ngobeni, ActionSA Parliamentary

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6:43

Congolese Solidarity Campaign calls for coordinated...

First Take SA ·

2026/05/20

The Congolese Solidarity Campaign has raised concern over the plight of refugees and migrants in Durban, saying many are living without shelter or protection. The group says on Monday, several individuals seeking safety were turned away from police and temporary accommodation sites and spent the night outside Durban Central Police Station. The organisation is calling for a coordinated response from authorities to address the situation. Elvis Presslin spoke to Congolese Solidarity Campaign President,

en-US

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