First Take SA

Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan's public lecture on reforming state-owned entities was disrupted by a group of young men at the University of the Witwatersrand, in Johannesburg last night. Minister Gordhan was whisked away by security personnel after the group started chanting for him to go. Elvis Presslin spoke to Douglas Ngobeni, the Spokesperson and NEC member of the Congress of South African Students, COSAS, who attended the lecture last night

The African Transformation Movement, ATM is giving acting Public Protector Advocate Kholeka Gcaleka 24 hours to withdraw her letter to the Court which withdraws her office's applications to reverse Advocate Busisiwe Mkhwebane's suspension. The Public Protector's office has indicated through a statement that it will no longer fund Mkhwebane's court challenge but will fund her defense for her impeachment hearings. The ATM says Advocate Gcaleka has plunged the institution into another crisis of illegality. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Mr. Mzwanele Manyi, ATM's head of Policy

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 has reiterated that children and teenagers are not permitted to enter drinking establishments such as bars or taverns. A symbolic funeral has taken place for the 21 young people who lost their lives at the Enyobeni Tavern in East London last week. Forensic investigators are examining the evidence that led to the deaths - however, a stampede has been ruled out as a contributing factor. To discuss the issue Elvis Presslin spoke to a Member of Alcoholic Anonymous Jakes P...

The presidency has dismissed reports of President Cyril Ramaphosa being mum on challenges facing Eskom. This after opposition parties accused Ramaphosa of failing to take the country into his confidence by addressing the nation on load shedding and the ever-growing crisis at the power utility. Ronald Phiri spoke to Presidency spokesperson Mr. Vincent Magwenya who says the president will make an announcement in due course...

Civil society organization, Democracy in Action and supporters of former president Jacob Zuma, will this morning hold a briefing addressing issues concerning South Africa's justice system. The organization says the country's courts are corrupt and are failing. They have also called for action to be taken against President Cyril Ramaphosa. They want the National Prosecuting Authority to pave the way for a private prosecution over the Phala Phala farm robbery and alleged crimes. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Democracy in Action chairperson Thabo Mtsweni 

Trade unions Numsa and NUM have signed a wage deal with Eskom of 7% across the board. The agreement follows a weeks-long strike by Eskom workers and days of Stage 6 load shedding. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Phakamile Hlubi-Majola, NUMSA National Spokesperson

The Democratic Alliance marched to Gauteng Education MEC, Panyaza Lesufi's office in protest against the proposed Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill. The Bill seeks to amend the South African Schools Act and address a variety of issues including the language policy at schools, home education, and alcohol use at school premises among others. The DA says it seeks to capture schools and increase the power of politicians in the daily activities of the education sector. Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Shadow Minister of Basic Education Baxolile Nodada

The Democratic Alliance handed in its Fuel Price Deregulation Bill to Parliament yesterday. The Bill seeks to lower the price of fuel by removing what they term "the government's unnecessary control". This is as the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy announced fuel increases from Wednesday. The price of petrol will increase by 2-rand-37-cents per litre, diesel is set to increase by 2-rand-30-cents per litre and the price of illuminating paraffin will increase by 1-rand-66-cents per litre. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to DA Shadow Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy, Kevin Mileham

Eskom has rejected the City of Tshwane Municipality's offer to enter into payment settlement arrangements for the R878 million owed to the power utility. Eskom says the city has failed to pay R908 million which was due on the 17th of last month and only made payments of R10 million on the 23rd of June and R20 million on the 30th of June. The power utility says the non-payment by the city has contributed negatively to its own increasing overdue debt which is in excess of R 46.6 billion. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to City of Tshwane Spokesperson Selby Bokaba