First Take SA

Yet another alleged incident of racism has surfaced in our schools, this time at Milnerton High School in Cape Town. The Western Cape education department says it's investigating an incident where a black school learner is alleged to have been forced to kneel and bow down before his white counterpart. This followed an altercation on the school grounds between a group of learners of the school. For further details here is the department spokesperson in the province, Millicent Merton

Political parties have reacted with mixed reactions to the decision by Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) to turn down requests for President Cyril Ramaphosa to appear before it over the alleged use of state funds for party political gains. ANC MP's represented in SCOPA used their majority vote to turn down the request while the DA, the EFF, and the IFP also represented in the same committee voted for the proposal. President Ramaphosa had meanwhile indicated that he would appear before SCOPA if requested following his written response last week to SCOPA. Former SCOPA chairperson, Themba Godi...

The South African Medical Research Council says the country's Covid-related deaths could be three times higher than the official reported figures. The Medical Research Council says their system in tracking Covid19 related deaths, could be more or less three times higher than that of the National Health department's figures. Ramphelane Morewane, the deputy director-general for primary health at the Department of Health... 

KwaZulu-Natal Maths guru, tutor and teacher, Dr. Khangelani Sibiya will be representing South Africa at the Global Education Awards ceremony in Dubai in March this year, after being nominated Teacher of the year. In 2019 Dr. Sibiya popularly known as "DJ Maths", was named Best Global Teacher of the Year at this Awards ceremony. Dr. Sibiya conceptualizes Maths and Science by using South African traditional music and art to make the subjects fun and easier for students to comprehend. Dr. Khangelani Sibiya elaborates on what he does

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".

Former President Thabo Mbeki will be in the Freestate today for a three-day visit to assist the provincial ANC with its process of unity and renewal. Mbeki's visit comes at a time when the party is closing cracks caused by divisions dating back from 2012. The province has an Interim Provincial Committee led by Mxolisi Dukwana after the Supreme Court of Appeal verdict which disbanded the leadership and found it unconstitutional. Here is ANC Interim Provincial Committee spokesperson, Oupa Khoabane bringing us the latest around the visit

EFF leader, Julius Malema has defended the struggle song "Dubula ibhunu" accused AfriForum of wasting the court's time and of being racist. Malema was testifying before the Johannesburg High Court in a matter brought by AfriForum to get the court to declare the struggle song hate speech. The organization argues that it incites violence and contributes to the increase in farm attacks. Malema told the court that the song must not be taken literally. The court is set to continue hearing the matter between Afriforum and the EFF regarding the singing of the song. Professor Pitika Ntuli, an academic, sculptor, poet, and writer has also reiterated that struggle songs should be viewed under a historical and political context but also adds that South Africa, needs to have a post-apartheid debriefing session about the country's history.

African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) leader Dr. Kenneth Meshoe is calling on all employees who suffered side effects due to COVID-19 vaccines to lodge claims from both the state and their employers. Dr. Kenneth Meshoe made this call during the Joint State of the Nation (SONA) Debate at the City Hall in Cape Town...

President Cyril Ramaphosa has once again emphasized the importance of government effort to stimulate economic growth and create jobs. Among the measures taken include the establishment of a unit in the presidency to cut red tape within the state as well as coordinating several job stimulus programs. Replying to the debate on the State of the Nation Address, Ramaphosa also responded to claims that he is creating a bloated bureaucracy in his office. Public Policy specialist at the Wits School of Governance, Dr. Kagiso Pooe gives his assessment of both SONA debates and Ramaphosa's responses

Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts, Scopa will deliberate over President Cyril Ramaphosa's response to leaked audio of him suggesting that he knew of instances where state funds were being used for political activities. In a leaked letter seen by SCOPA, President Ramaphosa reportedly denies directly having any information of state funds being used for party political campaigns - He says his comments were based on information already in the public domain and testimony from the state capture commission. Our SABC Parliamentary correspondent, Mercedes Besent elaborates...