First Take SA

Two Johannesburg families are grieving the deaths of their sons, both of which occurred under school supervision, in two separate incidents. Both families are demanding answers from Laerskool Bekker and Parktown Boys High School. 13-year-old Enock Mpianzi's body was retrieved from the Crocodile River, near Brits, in the North West on Friday, where he was attending an orientation camp organised by Parktown Boys High School. Another teen, Keamohetswe Shaun Seboko, was found dead in the hostel swimming pool at Laerskool Bekker in Magaliesburg.

Some economists say the decision by the Reserve Bank's Monetary Policy Committee to reduce the repo rate will not do much to boost the ailing economy. The central bank took most economists by surprise by lowering the repurchase rate by 25 basis points. The move will reduce the prime lending rate to 9.75 percent from 10 percent with effect from tomorrow

Trade union Solidarity has asked for a moratorium on retrenchments at Telkom. The telecoms giant has notified unions that up to 3000 workers could lose their jobs as it struggles with declining performance in fixed voice and data services.

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) has in the past two years lost almost one-billion rand through train fires, vandalism, public disorder, train collisions and floods. This emerged during a media briefing by Transport Minister, Fikile Mbalula, to outline some challenges and progress made in turning around the struggling state-owned company.

Mineral Resources and Energy minister Gwede Mantashe says the board of the Nuclear Energy Corporation of South Africa (NECSA) is being replenished to ensure good governance. Mantashe made the comments following the resignation of the parastatal's entire board. NECSA has reportedly been insolvent since 2016 and is asking government for a 500-million-rand bailout.

The South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (saccawu) has expressed deep concern over plans by MASSMART to retrench workers. Saccawu has accused the retail giant of failing to adequately consult with unions on the matter. MASSMART has announced the possible closure of as many as 34 Dion Wired and Masscash stores, which could affect over one thousand 400 employees. Massmart owns retail outlets such as Game, DionWired and Makro among other brands.

A 48-year old man has made a brief appearance at the Wynberg Magistrates' Court in Cape Town on charges of kidnapping and murdering 12-year old Michaela Williams. Magistrate Goolam Bawa ruled that the identity of the accused not be revealed until further notice. Michaela was reported missing to the Grassy Park police station last Wednesday. Her body was found the next day.

The Commission of Inquiry into State Capture will kick off the year with an application by the commission's legal team for an order authorising a summons for former president Jacob Zuma to appear from the 27th to 31st of January. Commission Chairperson Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo will TODAY(14/01) hear how Zuma has failed on several occations to appear before the commission as planned due to reported ill health - hence the bid for a subpoena to compel his to return to the inquiry. Besides the former President, the Commission is set to, in the coming months, hear testimony from a number of high profile people including ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa with the probe expected to only deliver its final report early next year.

Energy expert, Ted Blom, says government is lacking the political will to fix Eskom's power capacity woes. This follows bouts of loadshedding in the new year - and substation maintenance issues causing power disruptions. Eskom board chairperson, Jabu Mabuza, resigned on Friday after admitting his failure to keep a promise that there will be no load shedding before the 13th of this month. Blom says Eskom's leadership aren't fully equipped to run the power utility

While some Matriculants choose to further their studies at higher education institutions, some will enter the job market. But as job seekers how do they build a distinctive personal brand to distinguish themselves from other job applicants.