First Take SA

Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi says his country wants peace, however they will respond if provoked. This after the Indian army reported that 20 of its soldiers were killed in fighting with Chinese troops on Monday night. It is the first time deaths have been reported during a standoff between the two countries in decades. The confrontation happened in Galwan Valley in the disputed Ladakh region.

Researchers at the Imperial College London in the United Kingdom, have described as "ground-breaking" the results of a drug trial, in the fight against Covid-19. The low-dose steroid treatment called Dexamethasone, is part of the world's biggest trial, testing existing treatments to see if they also work for coronavirus. The cheap and widely available drug is believed to cut the risk of death for patients on ventilators and patients receiving oxygen only.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged young people to lead the country's economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic. He virtually delivered his annual National Youth Day message yesterday. The president also had an interactive panel discussion with four influential young people about challenges facing the youth, and how they can contribute to the country's recovery post the pandemic

The Educators Union of South Africa has given president Cyril Ramaphosa two months to get rid of Basic Education Minister, Angie Motshekga. EUSA's Kabelo Mahlobogwane says since the re-opening of schools more than two-thousand learners and teachers have tested positive for COVID-19. He adds that more than 100 schools across the country had to close and teachers have already died from disease. However, the Education Department has rejected the allegations and says it's an attempt to tarnish the minister's name.

The brutal murder of a 42-year-old woman has left the community of Eersterus, East of Pretoria reeling from sudden shock. The mother of two was reportedly stabbed multiple times, allegedly by her boyfriend whom the police are still searching after he fled the scene leaving the deceased in a pool blood. The deceased was discovered by relatives at her parents backrooms yesterday afternoon.

Student movement, Congress of South African Students COSAS has threatened to shut down all schools, from today, that have not fully implemented strict control guidelines to combat the spread COVID -19. The movement has also reiterated its call for covid-19 tests to be made compulsory in all public schools. Last week, a group of COSAS members forcefully removed learners at various schools in Bloemfontein demanding that the safety of learners be not compromised in any way.

The controversy surrounding the costly construction and use of nuclear power in South Africa is back in the spotlight. This as the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy has begun consultations in preparation for the development of the proposed 2,500 megawatt nuclear power plant building programme. The department says through the consultation process it aims to get some insight into the costs, possible ownership structures, cost recovery, the end-user cost and sustainability of the nuclear programme. The programme has faced opposition from environmental campaigners. Earthlife Africa says it does not believe that South Africa should build any more nuclear plants.

News and Current Affairs show between 5 & 6 am on SAfm 104 to 107 anchored by Tsepiso Makwetla

South Africa's capital city remains under administration pending a court battle in the Supreme Court of Appeal in Bloemfontein. MEC for Cooperative Governance, Lebogang Maile, has petitioned the Supreme Court of Appeal to appeal the Pretoria High Court ruling dismissing their appeal against the ruling declaring the decision to put the City of Tshwane under adminstraiton was illegal. The city was placed under administration on the 4th of March.

Men are being called out to end the abuse and murder of women as Tshegofatso Pule is laid to rest. Pule was found murdered and hanging from a tree in a veld in Roodepoort - west of Johannesburg - on Monday. The 28-year-old, who was 8-months pregnant at the time, was found with a stab wound to the chest. She was buried at the Roodepoort Cemetery yesterday.