First Take SA

Transport Minister Fikile Mbalula is expected to launch and outline the support of the Covid-19 Taxi Relief Fund to support the taxi industry. This comes after the National Taxi Alliance took Mbalula to court saying that the requirements set by Mbalula and his department for taxi operators were not conducive. The Department of Transport is expected to announce the R1.135 billion Covid-19 taxi relief fund, part of which will be distributed by the National Empowerment Fund. For their reaction to the launch here is the spokesperson of the Codeta Taxi Association, Andile Khanyi.

Thousands of beach-goers are expected to flock to the country's coastline this coming weekend as most beaches will officially be kicking off the start of the festive season. Health experts have warned that inter-provincial travel may further push the already soaring number of new COVID-19 infections as people travel more this time of the year. One of the country's favorite holiday destinations is the Durban beachfront where holidaymakers are expected to descend to in the thousands. The eThekwini Festive Season Management Committee says it is pulling out all the stops to ensure both health and safety protocols are observed. Committee chairperson, Malcolm Canham 

Victor Kgomoesoana, author of  "Africa Is Open For Business" and "Africa Bounces Back" brings us our Tuesday edition of Africa Brief where we look at the top African economic stories

The Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor, Eugene Johnson has called on event organizers to either postpone or cancel hosting mass gatherings this festive season as COVID-19 infections continue to soar. Johnson says thousands of people tend to flock to cities such as Port Elizabeth over the season and this may further help the spread of new infections. The newly elected mayor announced last week that the metro will also not be able to implement its annual summer program this festive season as an objection has been raised over the awarding of a new contract to the service provider tasked with the summer season program. The Nelson Mandela Bay Executive Mayor Eugene Johnson on how the announcement was received

The Competition Commission has announced that the cost of PCR Covid-19 tests at private laboratories has been reduced to R500. This follows a complaint lodged in October about the prices with the Council for Medical Schemes against private pathology laboratories alleging that the price for supplying PCR tests for COVID-19 was unfairly inflated. Chief Legal Counsel at the Competition Commission, Bakhe Majenge elaborates

Advocate Jonas Sibanyoni, commissioner at the Human Rights Commission reflects on the 25 year anniversary of the country's constitution. What has been lauded as one of the most progressive constitutions in the world, human rights injustices and inequalities continue to persist in South Africa.

25 years ago today, former president Nelson Mandela signed into law the final amendment to the country's constitution. To reflect on the 25th anniversary of the country's constitution, here is anti apartheid activist and former constitutional court judge, Albie Sachs.

VICTOR KGOMOESOANA, DIRECTOR & AUTHOR OF " AFRICA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS" TO LOOK AT THIS WEEK'S TOP AFRICAN ECONOMIC STORIES

Social Justice Chairperson at Stellenboch University, Professor Thuli Madonsela says while South Africa has made great strides in achieving a just system since signing a democratic constitution into law, much still needs to be done for the country to achieve the goals set out on the 10th of December, 1996. Madonsela says constitutional literacy among lawmakers remains vital to the interpretation and implementation of the country's constitution. This comes ahead of tomorrow's 25th anniversary of the signing of the constitution by former President Nelson Mandela in Sharpeville in Gauteng. For more on the significance of this day and the build-up to the silver jubilee of the constitution, here is former public protector and current Social Justice Chairperson at Stellenboch University, Professor Thuli Madonsela

The South African Weather Services has issued a warning of further disruptive rains over Gauteng and the Southern parts of Limpopo. This as the search for at least four people whose vehicles were swept away by flash floods in Limpopo continues.  One person, a woman has been confirmed dead following the recovery of her body by Search and Rescue teams. A 20-year-old taxi driver who is alleged to have tried to cross the Thorncliffe River just outside Steelpoort is among the missing. Hitekani Magwedze, spokesperson for the Co-Operative Governance MEC in Limpopo gives us more