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First Take SA

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17:03

Lancet study reveals SA's health challenges are shifting

First Take SA ·

2025/10/17

A new study in The Lancet reveals South Africa's health challenges are shifting. Life expectancy has dropped to 66.5 years in 2023, down from 67.7 in 1990. While progress against HIV/AIDS has been strong, non-communicable diseases like stroke and diabetes are rising, threatening those gains. Experts warn that without action on chronic illnesses, health systems face growing strain. Globally, the study shows life expectancy climbing to 76.3 years for women and 71.5 for men. However, chronic diseases

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4:26

AFRICA BRIEF with Victor Kgomoeswana

First Take SA ·

2025/10/17

Bongiwe Zwane 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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12:14

Police minister denies communicating with Brown...

First Take SA ·

2025/10/17

Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has denied any communication with businessman Brown Mogotsi when he ordered the disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team. Mchunu, who is currently placed on special leave is appearing before Parliament's ad hoc committee amid allegations of political interference in policing. Mchunu has expressed concern that Mogotsi obtained information about his directive. The committee is investigating claims of criminal infiltration and corruption in the justice system. For

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16:36

UDM welcomes report on the impact of...

First Take SA ·

2025/10/16

The United Democratic Movement, UDM has welcomed a new report on the impact of de-industrialisation on small towns, launched at the Heidelberg Symposium. Titled "The Impact of De-Industrialisation on Small Towns: Case Studies of Lichtenburg and Komati," the report by Frontline Africa Advisory, the Industrial Development Think Tank and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition highlights how industrial decline has fueled unemployment, strained municipal finances and weakened community ties in

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9:05

DA to lay criminal charges against former CFO of...

First Take SA ·

2025/10/16

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is set to lay criminal charges against Lerato Madyo, the former Chief Financial Officer of the Gauteng Department of Health. The charges will be opened at Johannesburg's Central Police Station today. Madyo is accused of failing to act on warnings from murdered whistleblower Babita Deokaran about suspected fraud at Tembisa Hospital. She's also suspected of possibly being involved in leaking information linked to Deokaran's assassination. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to

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8:56

Pretoria High Court to hear case to recover millions...

First Take SA ·

2025/10/16

The Pretoria High Court will today hear the Presidency's bid to recover over R28 million in legal fees from former President Jacob Zuma. The costs stem from his court battles since 2018, linked to the 1999 arms deal. Zuma's legal team argues he cannot afford the repayment, citing financial hardship despite his pension. The Presidency, alongside the State Attorney and Solicitor-General is pushing for a court order to enforce repayment with added interest, potentially increasing the total amount owed

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10:40

7-day national mourning declared in Kenya

First Take SA ·

2025/10/16

Kenyan President William Ruto has declared a 7-day national mourning period following the death of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga. Odinga passed away in India at the age of 80, where he was receiving medical treatment. He led Kenya from 2008 to 2013. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has sent condolences to the Kenyan government and Its people. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Kenyan MP, Maxwell Kariuki

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9:10

Suspended Police minister to testify before the Ad...

First Take SA ·

2025/10/16

Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu is set to testify before Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee today. Mchunu is facing questions over allegations of interference in the justice system and corruption within the police force. KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi accused Mchunu of overstepping his authority, including disbanding a task team investigating political killings and freezing crime intelligence hires. Mchunu, who has been on special leave since July, denies

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7:47

Coalition rejects hourly minimum wage to protest in...

First Take SA ·

2025/10/16

The Campaign to Scrap the Labour Law Amendment Bills will today protest outside the Department of Employment and Labour's Braamfontein office in Johannesburg. The coalition of more than 40 unions, feminist groups and social movements has rejected the current R28.79 hourly minimum wage, calling it a "poverty wage". They're demanding public hearings so workers can have their say on what constitutes a decent living wage. Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Vice-Chairlady at Izwi Domestic Workers Alliance, Tshepiso

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5:46

DA calls for immediate dismissal of Gauteng's Head of...

First Take SA ·

2025/10/15

The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng is calling for the immediate dismissal of Lesiba Arnold Malotana, the Head of the Health Department, rejecting his current suspension with full pay. The DA accuses Malotana of longstanding underperformance and links to multiple scandals, including a Special Investigating Unit probe into allegations of a multi-million-rand bribe to secure a contract. In August, Premier Panyaza Lesufi faced questions from DA Shadow MEC for Health, Dr. Jack Bloom, about Malotana's

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6:11

President Ramaphosa to visit tragic bus crash scene

First Take SA ·

2025/10/15

President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to visit Louis Trichardt following a tragic bus crash that claimed 43 lives. The bus was traveling from Gqeberha to Zimbabwe and Malawi when the accident occurred. Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba says authorities are investigating boxes of medication and condoms found scattered at the crash site. Elvis Presslin spoke to African Unite Borders Bus Trucks Association Chairperson, Phumudzo Mukhwathi

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20:24

KZN police commissioner accused of stirring public chaos

First Take SA ·

2025/10/15

Suspended Deputy National Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has accused KwaZulu-Natal Commissioner General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi of using corruption allegations against him to block his path from becoming national commissioner after Fannie Masemola's term. Appearing for a second day before Parliament's Ad Hoc committee probing police corruption, Sibiya denied meddling in murder probes or ties to shady figures, calling Mkhwanazi's claims a bid to stir public chaos. Elvis Presslin spoke to Security

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4:35

POPCRU concerned over unexplained pension fund values...

First Take SA ·

2025/10/15

The Police and Prisons Civil Rights Union, POPCRU, has raised concern over unexplained reductions in pension fund values reported by its members in recent statements from the Government Employees Pension Fund. POPCRU says these changes were made without consultation or clear explanation. The GEPF attributes the reductions to actuarial projections, but POPCRU argues these should not affect existing balances and questions the decision's legitimacy and governance. The union is demanding full disclosure

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7:06

A Protea is Not a Flower exhibition opens at the...

First Take SA ·

2025/10/15

A Protea Is Not a Flower, is a thrilling exhibition presented by Zeitz MOCAA featuring South African contemporary visual artists Robin Rhode and Lerato Shadi based in Germany, responding to the life and works of poet Don Mattera, painter Gerard Sekoto and writer Bessie Head. The exhibition opens on 16 October 2025 and runs until 15 November 2026. Elvis Presslin spoke to Khanyi Mawhayi, the Curator of A Protea Is Not a Flower at Zeitz MOCAA Museum

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15:25

Madagascar's President reportedly flees the country...

First Take SA ·

2025/10/14

Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina is reported to have fled the country on a French military plane. The move comes after mass protests led by young people, dubbed "Gen Z", rocked the nation with demands for change escalating into unrest. Segments of the military allegedly refused orders to crack down on demonstrators, instead siding with protesters, fuelling the crisis. Elvis Presslin spoke to Mme Sophie Mokoena, SABC's International Correspondent, for analysis on the situation in Madagascar and

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7:57

Ad Hoc Committee told Shadrack Sibiya not solely...

First Take SA ·

2025/10/14

Suspended Deputy Police Commissioner Shadrack Sibiya has told Parliament's Ad Hoc Committee he wasn't solely responsible for disbanding the Political Killings Task Team. Sibiya says he acted on instructions from National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola. Appearing before the committee probing allegations of corruption and political interference in the justice system, Sibiya denied being the key figure behind the task team's disbandment. He's the third witness to testify before the committee. For

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3:48

AFRICA BRIEF with Victor Kgomoeswana

First Take SA ·

2025/10/14

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

8:19

ActionSA: ANC's debt settlement agreement with...

First Take SA ·

2025/10/14

ActionSA has reportedly obtained the confidential agreement behind the ANC's R150 million debt settlement with Ezulweni Investments, which it says breaks the Political Party Funding Act. The deal, now public through ANC court papers, shows the ANC ordered R190 million worth of election materials to write off the R150 million debt - a move ActionSA calls an unlawful donation-in-kind exceeding the R15 million annual donor limit. ActionSA says the agreement contravenes the Act, contradicting statements

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5:14

Freed hostages mark major development in US-brokered...

First Take SA ·

2025/10/14

All 20 living hostages held by Hamas in Gaza are back in Israel after two years in captivity. The freed hostages mark a major development in the US-brokered ceasefire deal. Bodies of 28 deceased hostages remain in Gaza but are due to be returned. In exchange, Israel is releasing 250 Palestinian prisoners serving long sentences and over 1,700 Gaza detainees held without charge since October 2023 attacks. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump reportedly suggested President Isaac Herzog pardon Prime

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3:49

UDM concerned over surge in kidnappings across South...

First Take SA ·

2025/10/13

The United Democratic Movement, UDM has voiced concern over the surge in kidnappings across South Africa. In the latest incident, Tshwane officers on Saturday stopped a suspicious vehicle on the R80 highway in Rosslyn and freed a bound and hooded man from the back seat. Four suspects were arrested on the scene, with police seizing an AK-47 rifle loaded with live rounds, dashboard blue lights, a vehicle siren, cable ties and T-shirts bearing South African Police Service emblems. The UDM says the case

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