First Take SA

Acting Chief Justice, Raymond Zondo has slammed Tourism Minister, Lindiwe Sisulu for her controversial article in which she attacked the country's Constitution and judiciary. Addressing a media briefing Zondo said the article is an insult to all black judges. In the article published in IOL Sisulu questioned the moral standing of the country's judges and compared unnamed judges with "house Negroes. Zondo says while they accept criticism, it should be fair and based on facts. Retired judge, Johann Kriegler delves into this...

Healthcare workers from the Eastern Cape are camping outside the National Department of Health offices in Pretoria. They want the department to intervene following the termination of their contracts. Zandile Finca is a community liaison officer with the group

The battle for the ANC leadership is heating up ahead of the governing party's elective conference in December. With Limpopo having backed President Cyril Ramaphosa for a second term, several names have been suggested for some top six officials' positions.  ANC MP Boy Mamabolo has ambitions to run for the position of ANC deputy president, while some members want NEC Member and Justice Minister Ronald Lamola to take over from David Mabuza as deputy president of the party. Speculation is also rife that the party's leader in Limpopo, Stan Mathabatha, is also vying for the party's Chairmanship.  Ntebo Mokobo has more.  

Teacher union SADTU has warned that the upcoming year will be tough as teachers and learners play catch up to time lost due to COVID-19 restrictions. SADTU's General Secretary, Mugwena Maluleke..

The Southern African Development Community Troika is expected to extend the mandate to keep the standby force in Mozambique when it meets in Malawi. The SADC Mission - compromising mostly of soldiers from South Africa, Tanzania and Botswana is facing many challenges while fighting insurgency in the Cabo Delgado region. Their biggest hurdle - lack of resources and financial support. The Troika meeting which is chaired by President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to clarify the next steps of the mission. Political analyst and Media Scholar from the Centre for Communication Studies in Maputo, Egidio Vas Raposo on how the SADeC intervention has been in affected areas in Capo Delgado province in Mozambique

Time to take a look at the current top African economic stories..... Victor Kgomoesoana, author of  "Africa Is Open For Business" and "Africa Bounces Back", as well as the Executive Director for Marketing and Communication at the University of Limpopo....

National Professional Teachers' Organisation of South Africa or NAPTOSA is calling for schools to return to full time learning in 2022. The organisation says, the damage caused by rotational and online schooling, particularly to learners in early development stages has been insurmountable. Elvis Presslin Spoke to the chairperson of the Federation of Association of Governing Bodies of South African Schools, Dr Jaco Deacon...

ANC president Cyril Ramaphosa has assured supporters that the party is doing all it can to make sure that it emerges victorious from all the challenges it is currently facing. This on the back of the release of the first part of the State Capture Report, which fingered a number of senior ANC officials. Ramaphosa delivered the January 8th statement, as part of the ANC's 110th birthday celebrations in Polokwane on Saturday. Ramaphosa, who was endorsed for a second term by some stalwarts over the weekend, was quick to remind them that the decision did not lie with him but with the party's branches. Elvis Presslin spoke to Professor of African Politics at UNISA Kealeboga Maphunye

Humanitarian organisation, Gift of the Givers is continuing with relief efforts in the Eastern Cape following devastating floods in the province. Six people were reported to have died in the floods which affected areas including Buffalo City, Nyandeni and Mhlonto. Residents have asked government to fast track the distribution of temporary shelter. Elvis Presslin spoke to Eastern Cape coordinator for the organisation, Corene Conradie. 

Some opposition parties have different views on whether the State of the Nation Address should be held virtually or in Cape Town. This comes as Parliament is currently scrambling for accommodation to host SONA in February at a suitable event. The National Assembly Chamber from where the President addresses the Nation annually has collapsed after the fire destroyed the building. SONA is an annual address called by the President to address the nation through a Joint Sitting of Parliament. A final decision on where SONA will be held is expected later today. Political analyst with the University of the North West, Prof. Andre Duvenage has more...