First Take SA

The Congress of the People - COPE - wants all its Councillors to be trained so that they understand and implement the Public Finance Management Act. This was one of the promises made by party president, Mosiuoa Lekota during the party's manifesto launch in Johannesburg last month. The party, which is a splinter group from the ruling African National Congress, only won 0.67% of the popular mandate and 3 seats in the 2014 general elections.

Good party leader, Patricia De Lille has pleaded with registered voters for the upcoming Local Government Elections to lend her party their votes in order to better fight corruption, deliver GOOD services and unseat the ruling ANC.

The Good Party launched its election manifesto 3 weeks ago, ahead of the November 1st elections, promising pro-poor plans that are aimed at tackling transport and housing challenges among others. The party's election manifesto is largely based on FOUR principles - spatial justice, economic, social and environmental justice. Party leader, Patricia De Lille says voters should not just complain about the lack of service delivery but rather use their votes to express their dissatisfaction...

The ACDP launched its manifesto for the November 1st local government elections in Johannesburg on Saturday. Party leader Rev Kenneth Meshoe says the foundation of the party is based on biblical and family values. Meshoe put emphasis on fighting crime and corruption, empowering small business and the issue of mandatory vaccination. We speak to Deputy President of the African Christian Democratic Party, Wayne Thring

United Democratic Movement (UDM) leader, General Bantu Holomisa has promised voters that the party will not politicise service delivery. Holomisa was speaking on Saturday during the manifesto launch of the party at Mthatha in the Eastern Cape. 

The Western Cape Transport Department has warned that it will not hesitate to close down more taxi routes and ranks that risk the lives of commuters through violence. This follows YESTERDAY'S killing of three people at the Joe Slovo Taxi rank in Cape Town while a fourth person was admitted to a local hospital. Police have since opened a triple murder investigation and that of attempted murder. Earlier in the year, transport MEC in the province Daylin Mitchell closed down taxi routes and ranks due to a spate of shootings which claimed the lives of many innocent commuters. Mitchell has called on the taxi industry leadership to assist the police in apprehending the suspects behind the violence. He now joins us on the line for more details...  

The South African Cabin Crew Association says it is cautiously optimistic ahead of the South African Airways' return to the skies this morning. SAA was grounded in March 2020 due to travel bans to contain the Covid-19 pandemic. The cash-strapped airline was placed under administration after it failed to make a profit for almost a decade, surviving on state bailouts and government debt guarantees. We spoke to spokesperson for the South African Cabin Crew Association, Zazi Nsi-banyoni-Mugambi

President Cyril Ramaphosa has given a strong signal that the 350 rand Social Relief of Distress Grant will be extended beyond March next year. Addressing COSATU's three-day Central Committee gathering, President Ramaphosa said the level of unemployment in the country is beyond a crisis. He said there's a need to extend more support to the unemployed and the poor.

The three-day Central Committee gathering comes as Cosatu is besieged by divisions arising in collective bargaining, differences within the tripartite alliance and a jobs bloodbath in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic. We spoke to  COSATU president, Zingiswa Losi

The Democratic Alliance has reiterated its call for policing powers to be placed under provincial governments. The party says this will better assist in fighting violent crimes including gender-based violence in the country. DA shadow minister of policing, Andrew Whitfield, has also suggested a cut to the VIP protection budget by half and channel the savings to visible policing in communities. We also spoke to policing expert, Eldred De Klerk.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has invited members of the public to send their nominations for the position of the next Chief Justice of South Africa. This comes as the term of the current Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng comes to an end on 11 October. Ramaphosa has given the public until 1 October to send their nominations, following which a panel will shortlist between three and five candidates for his consideration. He says he has taken this unprecedented route in order to promote transparency and encourage public participation. We spoke to Executive Secretary at The Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution, Lawson Naidoo....

Cosas reacts to adjustment of matric exam timetable