First Take SA

The United Nations' General Assembly has overwhelmingly voted to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine and demand its immediate withdrawal, with 141 in favor, 5 against, and South Africa and 34 other countries have abstained. For more on this, here is Professor Chris Landsberg, SARChI Chair in African Diplomacy and Foreign Policy at the University of Johannesburg, UJ

The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs is calling for public participation during its planned public hearings on proposed amendments to the Electoral Bill. This week, the committee hosted a two-day virtual public participation process which will be followed up with in-person public hearings in parts of the country, from next week. The Bill seeks to comply with the Constitutional Court ruling that the electoral system make provisions for independent candidates to run for elections. During the virtual hearings, some of the presenters highlighted issues including accountability of independent candidates and questions around the proposed 200 seats set aside for independent candidates. For more on this here is Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs, Mosa Chabane

Motorists can expect to pay historical prices at the pumps as of today. This as the price of both grades of petrol is expected to increase by one-rand-46-cents per litre. Diesel will see a hike of up to one-rand-48 cents per litre. This comes after some economists warned that motorists should expect another petrol price hike in April if the Russian-Ukraine conflict doesn't stabilise. For more, Economist and Businessman, Dr Peter Karungu

The Social Development Department is set to continue on its next round table discussions on teenage pregnancies this month in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. This follows engagements with community members of Lusikisiki within the Ingquza Hill Municipality in the Eastern Cape. The department is joined in this drive by the department of health, Basic Education, SAPS, and traditional leaders. Social development department spokesperson, Lumka Oliphant says the high numbers of teen pregnancies should be a cause for concern for all social role players

World leaders continue to condemn Russia's invasion of Ukraine as peace talks between the two countries were given a chance. The United Nations held an emergency session calling for peace to be given a chance while the European Union announced further sanctions against the Russian Federation. Meanwhile, locally the Department of International Relations and Co-operation has also strongly condemned the racism targeted at African and Indian nationals that were attempting to flee from Ukraine to neighbouring countries such as Poland, Romania, and Hungary. For some insight into the use of diplomacy in this war, here is SARChl chair of African Diplomacy and Foreign Policy at the University of Johannesburg, Professor, Chris Landsberg

More people have fled Ukraine to neighbouring countries such as Poland and Slovakia since the start of Russia's invasion last week. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees says the agency's teams were stepping up humanitarian efforts amid escalating rights abuses there. For more on this, we're joined on the line by Octavia Mckenzie, a South African living in Bratislava, Slovakia, who is currently accommodating families who have fled Ukraine following Russia's invasion In the country

Employment and Labour Minister Thulas Nxesi says economic growth and job creation are of utmost importance in the truck industry, but violent protests should be condemned in the strongest terms. This as truck drivers affiliated with the All Truck Drivers Forum and Allied SA embarked on a protest stay away in Braamfontein yesterday. Briefing the media yesterday, Minister Nxesi also called on Interested parties to submit written comments on the proposed Draft National Labour Migration Policy and the Employment Services Amendment Bill.  For more on the proposed National Labour Migration Policy, here is Tzvi Brivik, Labour Law specialist and Director of Malcolm Lyons & Brivik Attorneys South Africa...

Labour unions have expressed disappointment following a ruling by the Constitutional Court which dismissed an appeal brought by public-sector unions in a bid to force the government to honour a 2018 three-year wage agreement. This comes after the government reneged on some aspects of its collective wage agreement - citing a lack of funds due to lower tax revenue. The salary increase would have added 38-billion rand to the already high public sector wage bill. Author and former labour unionist  Dr Ebrahim Harvey

Time to take a look at the current top African economic stories.....We are joined on the line by 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 ANC Youth League in Gauteng has called for the South African government to stand with Russia in the war against Ukraine. In a strongly-worded statement, the league lambasted International Affairs minister  Naledi Pandor describing her as a chief pensioner that is in pursuit of appeasing Western countries. The comments by the Youth League follow statements by the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) regarding the Russia-Ukraine war. The Provincial League in Gauteng says the South African government should not have selective amnesia by forgetting the support Russia afforded the ANC through military training.  Provincial Coordinator of the ANC Youth League in Gauteng Stanley Letsoalo