First Take SA

ANC veterans have criticised the governing party for having former president Jacob Zuma lead a memorial service paying tribute to the late struggle veteran Andrew Mlangeni. In a letter directed to the party's general manager, Febe Potgieter-Gqubule, the veterans bemoaned what they called the "unsuitability" of choosing Zuma to fulfil such an important role. Zuma was a keynote speaker at a virtual memorial honouring Mlangeni, the last remaining Rivonia trialist on Friday. Mlangeni, who celebrated his 95th birthday last month, died last Tuesday night at the 1 Military hospital in Pretoria after being admitted with abdominal complaint.

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With grade 3 and 10 learners expected back in class this morning, the ANC says the re-opening of schools should follow the guidelines set out by the World Health Organisation. Basic education minister Angie Motshekga met with her cabinet colleagues yesterday following renewed calls to close schools amid the spike in Covid-19 infections in the country. Last week Motshekga met with teacher unions and other stakeholders after calls for the closure of all schools. Motshekga is expected to announce this week whether she bows to the pressure. General Secretary of the National Association of School Governing Bodies, Matakanye Matakanye

Business owners in the hospitality and leisure sector have warned insurance companies of sustained legal action over the failure to pay out valid COVID-19 related claims. These businesses include fast-food franchises, game lodges, restaurants and hotel groups that have had to shed thousands of jobs over the national lockdown period. Spokesperson for the Hospitality, Entertainment and Leisure Industries of South Africa Alliance, Duncan Heafield, says there has been a mass carnage of businesses within the hospitality industry due to the current government regulations and insurance companies who refuse to pay up for business disruptions. This, he says, is tantamount to putting the final nails into the coffins of already ailing and dying businesses.

Three-hundred Chefs in 10 cities across the country are embarking on a Mandela Day initiative that seeks to make 67-thousand litres of healthy nutritious soup using surplus rescued produce. The initiative is a joint-venture between SA Harvest and non-profit organisation, Chefs with Compassion. SA Harvest says it is shocking that 18-Million women and children go to bed hungry in South Africa although 10 million tons of food goes to waste every year. Meanwhile, National Project Manager of Chefs with Compassion, Chef Coo Pillay, says 268-thousand people are expected to receive a warm nutritious cup of soup on Mandela Day on Saturday. National Project Manager of Chefs with Compassion, Chef Coo Pillay

According to the UIF more than 2,000 SA's performing artists have received relief funds from the department of arts & culture for gigs cancelled during the lockdown, others complain of being left out in the cold. Musicians such as Arthur Mafokate, Kelly Khumalo, Caiphus Semenya poet laureate Wally Serote - are listed as having received once-off payments of between R10,000 and R20,000 to help them during the covid crisis, but the likes of- - Dr Victor and the Rasta Rebels and Sipho Hotstix Mabuse claim the department has not given them cent. DR Victor leader of the band Dr Victor & the Rasta Rebels

The Congress of the South African Students (COSAS) in Mpumalanga has resolved to embark on a process of shutting down all public schools in the province TODAY. This as calls for schools to close down in order to curb the spread of the coronavirus are increasing countrywide. The call for the shutdown of schools is being supported by among others SADTU, SASCO, the YCL and the One South Africa Movement. Cosas in Mpumalanga says schools have become death traps rather than being safe spaces for both learners and teachers. Provincial secretary, Brilliant Mncina..

The coronavirus pandemic has plunged South Africans and many others across the world into a lot of uncertainty. This as daily reports of Covid-19 infections and deaths surge both locally and globally. Millions of people have also lost their incomes, livelihoods and many more are going hungry. The reimposition of the alcohol ban and night curfew has made an already bad situation worse. All this is taking its toll on people's mental health. While we have no control over this unprecedented situation, the protection of our mental wellbeing during this pandemic has become a top priority for Clinical Psychologists like Viwe Dweba

A Russian vaccine against COVID-19 could be ready for its final stage of testing as early as August, according to the head of the centre carrying out the trials. Russia's Sechenov University says the first trials are over and the vaccine has been shown to be safe. But more tests are needed before it can be put to use. Retired epidemiologist, Dr Jo Barnes weighs in on these tests...

Despite being the epicentre of the Coronavirus pandemic in South Africa, Gauteng is the National Soccer League's preferred province for the completion of the ABSA Premiership and the GladAfrica Championship. This was announced by Premier Soccer League chaiarman, Irvin Khoza, at a media briefing in Johannesburg. He provided clarity on the process and progress made towards the completion of the 2019/2020 ABSA Premiership and GladAfrica Championship seasons. Sports Physician and Health Consultant, Dr Mahlane Phahlane....