First Take SA

The South African National Civic Organization, in the Free State, has resolved to register as a political party and contest for political power in the next general elections set for the year 2024. The Free State says it will be taking this resolution to its National General Council taking place in Johannesburg this upcoming weekend. The Civic organization has once decried how its leaders are treated as 'stepchildren' in the alliance between the ANC, COSATU, and the South African Communist Party. For more on these latest developments, here is SANCO chairperson in the Free State, Gift Poli.

Economists expect the Reserve Bank to hike interest rates today (Thursday) on the back of surging fuel and food prices. The bank's Monetary Policy Committee is currently meeting. It had its last meeting in January before tensions between Ukraine and Russia escalated. Statistics South Africa has released the Consumer Price Index for February, which is unchanged from January's figure of five-point-seven percent year-on-year. On a month-on-month basis, February's CPI was higher at zero-point-six percent, compared with zero-point-two percent in January.  Economists say the Reserve Bank could probably hike rates between 25 to 50 basis points to try and tackle rising inflation. For on this here is Chief Economist at the Efficient Group, Dawie Roodt

President Cyril Ramaphosa says It's no longer mandatory to wear a mask outdoors. Addressing the nation on developments in South Africa's response to the COVID-19 pandemic last night, President Ramaphosa however says a mask will be required indoors. Ramaphosa has also added that government intends to lift the state of disaster as soon as new regulations by the Health Minister have been finalized. For more on this, here is Dr. Nicholas Crisp, Deputy Director-General in the Department of Health and also the Head of the National Vaccination Programme

The High Court in Pretoria has barred the government from donating 50-million-rand to the Republic of Cuba which had been earmarked as humanitarian aid in that country. Earlier this month, lobby group Afriforum urgently applied to interdict the payment saying the decision to approve the donation was unconstitutional. The International Relations Department's announcement last year regarding the proposed payment drew heavy criticism from civil society groups and some political parties. The money would have come from the department's The African Renaissance and International Cooperation Fund. For more on this here is South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) Chair in African Diplomacy and Foreign Policy at the University of Johannesburg, Professor Chris Landsberg

At least nineteen workers within the City of Tshwane have been given notices of the intention to suspend them following continued disruptions to electricity supply in several parts of Tshwane. This as the disruptions have been attributed to an illegal strike by municipal workers represented by the South African Municipal Workers Union. The Tshwane metro has now given the identified workers until Thursday the 24th to give reasons as to why their services should not be terminated. Tshwane municipal spokesperson, Selby Bokaba

An international South African rugby player says the situation in Russia is dire since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The player, who chose to remain anonymous for security reasons says Russians are starting to feel the economic pinch after Western countries imposed sanctions on the country due to the ongoing conflict with Ukraine. Anonymous, who played club rugby in Russia fled the country since the start of the war. He says his life here back home in South Africa has also been tough due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. He shares his experience with us...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has cautioned what he calls groups that act as vigilantes in the wake of growing tensions between some South Africans and some foreign nationals. Kwezi Mngqibisa, Research Fellow, at the Centre for African Diplomacy and Leadership at the University of Johannesburg, UJ looks at the history of the country's reliance on the rest of the continent

The Commercial Stevedoring Agriculture and Allied Workers' Union have blamed labour brokers for the recent violence between Lesotho and Zimbabwean nationals at Nkqubela in Robertson, Western Cape. Last Thursday about 200 people, mostly women and children, were forced to evacuate the area and seek refuge at a local police station. Almost 20 people were injured and several homes looted. The union says the unrest was a direct result of labour rights violations in the agriculture sector, including the alleged exploitation of immigrant farmworkers and the use of labour brokers. CSAAWU has called on the government to intervene and meet with all stakeholders. Karl Swart, the National Organizer of the Commercial Stevedoring Agriculture and Allied Workers' Union (CSAAWU)

Mpumalanga Police have launched a manhunt after award-winning and world-renowned Ndebele artist Dr. Esther Nostokana Mahlangu, was attacked and robbed in her home at the weekend. The 87-year old was viciously attacked, robbed of her firearm and an undisclosed amount of cash. For more on this here is Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala

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