First Take SA

A report by the University of Johannesburg's Centre for Sociological Research and Practice has revealed that black working-class communities are bearing the burden of the current electricity crisis. Titled 'Energy Racism: The Electricity Crisis in South Africa',  the report found that load reduction predominantly affects townships, with the power going off anywhere from two hours to an entire day. The research was conducted in Soweto and sought to explore the experiences, responses, and solutions of members of this community to the energy crisis. Yesterday power utility Eskom announced that it would increase load-shedding from stage 3 to stage 4 due to further loss in generating capacity.  For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to the director of the Centre for Sociological Research and Practice at the University of Johannesburg, Dr. Trevor Ngwane

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...

Tributes continue to pour in for multi-award-winning Gospel musician, Deborah Fraser who passed away yesterday after battling diabetes for years. She died at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto. She suffered a stroke a few weeks ago. Fraser was popularly known for her first solo album, Abanye Bayombona. Elvis Presslin spoke to gospel musician mama Lusanda Mcinga, a friend and former colleague of the late Deborah Fraser.

The Public Servants Association will embark on a strike next week over wage disputes with the South African Revenue Service, SARS. The union is demanding an Inflation increase plus a 7% increase to be applied across the board. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to the Acting Provincial Manager for the Johannesburg office of the Public Servants Association, Stefan Viljoen.

The National Prosecuting Authority says the death of the first witness to arrive at the Senzo Meyiwa murder scene will not jeopardize the prosecution. The NPA says several other witnesses will give relevant evidence on the merits of the case, and they are confident that there's sufficient evidence to ensure a successful prosecution in the case. Retired former provisional head of SAPS Brigadier Philani Ndlovu was one of the first senior police officers to arrive at the scene of Meyiwa's murder in Vosloorus, East of Johannesburg, in 2014. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to Afriforum's Head of Prosecutions, Advocate Gerrie Nel

The Department of Higher Education and Training says it is committed to financially supporting students from poor and working-class backgrounds. Tabling the Department's Budget Vote yesterday, Minister Dr. Blade Nzimande says this will include funding reprioritized from the Departmental budget, to ensure that the full shortfall for NSFAS is addressed to support students during the 2022 academic year. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to Deputy Minister of Higher Education, Science and Innovation Mr Buti Manamela...

Pan African Mall Stall owners are reported to have lost thousands in stock and damages from a recent fire in Alexandra, Johannesburg. Investigations into the fire that gutted stalls are still underway. About eight stores that allegedly belonged to Operation Dudula members were set alight. To further discuss this Elvis Presslin spoke to Operation Dudula Secretary General, Zandile Dabula

Kimberley residents have been left with no water supply for the next few days. The Sol Plaatje municipality says the shutdown is to allow the municipality to deal with growing water leaks and other maintenance issues. For more on this, Elvis Presslin spoke to SABC reporter in Kimberly, Katleho Morapela...

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...

The Wildebeesfontein Evaton Community Association says the demolishing of houses, by a private company, yesterday in Beverly Hills in the Vaal, south of Gauteng, was illegal. Footage of houses being demolished surfaced in the media where it was reported that the houses were built on privately owned land. But to tell us about this story Elvis Presslin spoke to the chairperson of the association Andrew Molifi Molefi