First Take SA

The ANC Women's League's new National Task Team Convenor, Baleka Mbete says the party retrogressed in its previous elective conference when Jessie Duarte was the only woman among the ANC's top six. On the passing of Ms. Duarte, Ms. Mbete says even as Duarte lay in hospital battling cancer, she was trying to ensure that the party's elective conference in December would have more female representation within the ANC's top six leadership. Elvis Presslin spoke to Independent political analyst, Ms. Precious Lugayeni...

The United Taxi Associations Front has given the government and the National taxi Association 21 days to allow it to increase taxi fares or face strike action. The association is demanding a taxi fare increase which it says has been caused by the ever-rising cost of fuel. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to United Taxi Association Front Spokesperson, Sipho Nkwanyana.

NUMSA says its preparations for the elective conference are well on course besides some factional efforts to derail them. The labour organisation recently suspended Second Deputy President Ruth Ntlokotse for undermining the NUMSA and its unity. Meanwhile, NUMSA is also demanding a 20% wage increase from the automotive industry or it goes on strike. So far the talks between Numsa and the Automobile Manufacturers Employers Organisation have so far not yielded any positive results. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to Numsa Spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola...

Political parties who hope to form a coalition government in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro, say there has been a breakthrough in negotiations for a new government.  The parties in the agreement are the ACDP, African Independent Congress, Abantu Integrity Movement, the DA, FF Plus, PAC, and the UDM. They recently met at least eight times to discuss a government to replace what they call a fractured and dysfunctional ANC coalition.  For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to FF Plus spokesperson Wouter Wessels

The EFF wants president Cyril Ramaphosa to step down. It's now approaching the courts to have the president investigated and answer questions on the Phala Phala farm robbery in Limpopo. Millions of dollars were allegedly stolen, but the case was never opened by the president. EFF leader, Julius Malema, says they will not back down in their bid for Ramaphosa to leave office amid this saga. Elvis Presslin spoke to EFF national spokesperson, Sinawo Thambo...

Time to take a look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoesoana, 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...

President Cyril Ramaphosa says the section 194 inquiry into suspended Advocate Mkhwebane's fitness to hold office is not a platform to make unsubstantiated allegations that fall outside of the scope of inquiry. Ramaphosa was responding to a call by the leader of the United Democratic Movement Bantu Holomisa, that he should be called to testify at the inquiry, regarding the CR17 campaign funding matter. This, despite the Constitutional Court ruling that upheld the High Court judgment in dismissing Mkhwebane's request for Ramaphosa to be investigated for alleged money laundering in relation to his CR17 ANC election campaign funding. We now speak to UDM leader General Bantu Holomisa

Trade Union Numsa has suspended its 2nd Deputy President Ruth Ntlokotse. The union accuses Ntlokotse of sowing divisions and undermining the union's leadership. This is as the union is set to hold its national conference on the 25th of July in Cape Town to elect new leadership this year. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Ruth Ntlokotse

The number of detectives at police stations across South Africa has declined by more than 1 300. This was revealed by Police Minister Bheki Cele in a written reply to a parliamentary question from the DA. The South African Police Service (SAPS) has reportedly been understaffed, under-resourced and under-trained for four years. In another parliamentary question Minister Cele revealed that 20% of the vehicles allocated to detectives were not operational. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Lesiba Thobakgale, Spokesperson for the South African Police Union, SAPU

The first day of a nationwide strike by SARS employees saw a number of taxpayers turned away from branches. Workers affiliated with Nehawu and the Public Servants Association downed tools yesterday after wage negotiations deadlocked. The employees have rejected a 1-point-39 percent wage increase offer tabled by the South African Revenue Services. For more this, Elvis Presslin spoke to NEHAWU National Spokesperson Lwazi Nkolonzi