First Take SA

The EFF is expected to hold a march to parliament ahead of the Budget Speech against loans by the government to the World Bank and the IMF. For more on this here is EFF spokesperson, Sinawo Tambo

The South African Informal Traders Alliance has called on the government to stop thinking of the sector as beggars who require handouts but rather view the sector as strategic partners who are able to contribute meaningfully to the economy and the creation of jobs. This as Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana is expected to juggle the country's fiscus today when he tables his maiden Budget speech. SAITA says with the right support in training and skills development coupled with the elimination of red tape, informal businesses could play a vital role in fighting hunger and unemployment. SAITA National Director of Membership Paul Bester...

Judgment has been reserved in the Tshegofatso Pule murder case in the High Court in Joburg after both the state and the defense submitted their closing arguments.  Pule - who was eight months pregnant was murdered in June 2020. Convicted killer, Muzi Malepane, has accused Ntuthuko Shoba, of being the mastermind behind her murder. For more on this, here is Defence attorney Tumisang Katake, who is Tshegofatso Pule's Uncle...

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"

One South Africa Movement Leader, Mmusi Maimane says the recent attacks on foreign nationals have propelled the country towards what he calls 'A Season of Afrophobia'. Maimane penned an opinion piece with online publication TimesLive, in which he challenges those targeting foreign nationals to consider the repercussions of the attacks. On Sunday, thousands of South Africans gathered under the Put South Africans First banner and marched in the Johannesburg CBD, targeting businesses known to employ more foreign nationals than South Africans. This comes amid growing tensions between locals and migrants as the country battles a record-high unemployment rate of 34,9%. Maimane elaborates on this call.

Trade Union Federation, COSATU says the upcoming budget speech by Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana needs to display boldness and decisiveness in dealing with the commitments made during the State of the Nation Address by President Cyril Ramaphosa. Godongwana is expected to deliver his budget speech on Wednesday amid threats of protests by the EFF and Zwelinzima Vavi's South African Federation of Trade Union, SAFTU. Meanwhile, COSATU spokesperson Sizwe Pamla says he hopes the finance minister will give clarity on legislation that can allow highly indebted and financially distressed workers limited access to their pensions

The killer of SACP leader Chris Hani, Janusz Walus will today (22 FEB) approach the Constitutional Court in another bid to be released on parole. This after he lost his bid for leave to appeal the refusal of his release on parole in the Supreme Court of Appeal last year. 69-year-old Walus has made several unsuccessful applications for parole. The Polish self-confessed killer has spent over 28 years behind bars for his role in the 1993 assassination of Chris Hani. Over the years the SACP has strongly opposed Walus' applications to be released on parole. For more on this, here is SACP Central Committee Member, Dr. Alex Mashilo

The family of Amkelekile Sibongile Mokoena is demanding answers after their six-year-old daughter died at a school in Germiston after reportedly choking on a grape. The grade 2 pupil was rushed to the hospital after collapsing in class but sadly was found to be already dead upon her arrival at a Germiston hospital last month. Her mother, Lovely Mokoena, says they will not rest until they get answers on what really happened to their child

The City of Tshwane has collected close to 500 Million rands in unpaid bills. This follows the campaign by the metro to have businesses and government departments pay up for their service. The campaign, titled "Tshwane Ya Tima" has highlighted how businesses and government departments have not been paying for both electricity and water bills. For more on this we spoke to Tshwane spokesperson, Sipho Stuurman

A South African is currently facing life imprisonment in Thailand after being convicted on drug charges. 22-year-old Ashley Oosthuizen from George in the Western Cape was initially sentenced to death but after an appeal, the sentence was changed to life imprisonment. Ashley was working as a teacher in Thailand when she was arrested for reportedly smuggling drugs in 2020 -  a crime she allegedly didn't commit according to her family and friends. Meanwhile, the Department of International Relations and Cooperation, DIRCO says it's aware of the imprisonment of Ashley Oosthuizen. For more on this, we spoke to Lynn Blignaut, the mother of Ashley Oosthuizen