First Take SA

The South African Human Rights Commission has launched an investigation into an alleged racially-motivated altercation between black learners and white learners at Hoerskool Jan Viljoen in Randfontein, on Gauteng's West Rand. Racial tensions reached a boiling point at the school when the parents of both groups of learners clashed, forcing police to fire rubber bullets in order to disperse them. Some black learners have accused some white staff members of racial discrimination and sexual misconduct, among others. The SAHRC visited the school yesterday and its Commissioner Responsible for Education, Commission Andre Gaum explains....

Johannesburg residents are advised that they will experience reduced water supply to no water this coming Saturday as City Power embarks on the first of two rounds of maintenance to its transformers. The water disruptions will last for nine hours, beginning at 06:30 am and ending at 15:30 pm. The second round of maintenance is expected to commence on March the 5th, also lasting for the same duration. Areas that will be affected include most parts of Soweto, Rooderpoort, and the Langlaagte and Southdale areas. Here is Executive Manager at the Rand Water's Zuiherbosch Water Plant, Eddie Singo to tell us more

DA leader John Steenhuisen says he has tabled a motion of no confidence with the office of the speaker of parliament Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula in the entire cabinet of President Cyril Ramaphosa. Steenhuisen revealed this during his address in the debate of the State of National Address yesterday. The leader of the opposition lambasted president Ramaphosa for not dismissing government ministers that were failing in their duties. Steenhuisen alleges that president Ramaphosa chooses to nurse internal ANC infightings above the needs of the country. Steenhuisen gives us further details...

The ANC in the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality says it has been left reeling following the fatal shooting of ward 20 councilor, Wandile Booi earlier this week. Booi was gunned down as he made his way home. The attack comes just days after the attempted murder of a Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality branch leader at the weekend.  ANC regional spokesperson, Lukhanyo Mzinzi discusses this further

Huawei South Africa has been dragged to court for allegedly employing more foreign nationals than locals. Yesterday the Employment and Labour Department filed papers against the Chinese telecommunications giant for alleged non-compliance with the employment equity policy. The department says Huawei employs 90% foreign nationals. For more on this, we're joined on the line by Advocate Fikiswa Mncanca- Bede, Chief Director for Statutory and Advocacy Services at the Department

This week on Africa Brief Elvis Presslin spoke to  Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo and author of  "Africa Is Open For Business" and "Africa Bounces Back", Victor Kgomoesoana on some of the top African economic stories on the continent

The South African National Taxi Council, SANTACO's bid to acquire Mango Airlines has reportedly failed. SANTACO was one of the bidders trying to take over the low-lost airline. The airline has been in voluntary business rescue since last year July. The Taxi Council says they will release a statement this coming week. Aviation Analyst Phuthego Mojapele

What would you do with R350? Well, most social media users were shocked to find out that certain Individuals have managed to start businesses with their R350 social relief distress grants. During his State of the Nation Address, SONA last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced that Lindokuhle Msomi, an unemployed TV producer from KwaMashu Hostel, saved the R350 grant he received for nine months to start a fast food stall. And Thando Makhubu from Soweto saved his R350 grant for 7 months last year and opened an ice-cream store that now employs four people. But many people feel R350 is far too little to start a business. So how did they do it? For more on this, here is one of the business owners; Thando Makhubu, to shed light on how he started Soweto Creamery in Jabulani

The Gauteng government has suspended at least nine senior officials implicated in irregularities related to the awarding of contracts for the refurbishment of the Anglo Gold Ashanti Hospital in the West Rand. The suspension of the officials from both the health department and the Department of Infrastructure development follows a recommendation by the Special Investigating Unit. The unit had been investigating allegations of irregularities and maladministration in the procurement of goods and services related to the government's response to the COVID-19 pandemic. For further details, here is Gauteng Government spokesperson, Vuyo Mhaga

Travelers to Botswana will from today (14 February 2022) need to produce proof of being fully vaccinated to gain entry to the country. For more on this here is Sethomo Lelati-sitswe, Assistant Minister of Health in Botswana