First Take SA

Stellenbosch University political analyst, Zwelinzima Ndevu says failure to deal with perceptions of racial conflict within any political party is dangerous. Ndevu was reacting to claims of discrimination against Khoisan activsts, during a recent ANC West Coast regional congress. ANC councillor Sammy Claassen says he has lodged a complaint with the SA Human Rights Commission. Chris Mabuya reports...

Economists say South Africa might avoid a recession in the second quarter of the year. This as Statistics South Africa gears up to release the second quarter growth number in for 2018. Gross Domestic Product growth dropped by 2-point-2 per cent in the first quarter of the year. Naledi Ngcobo reports….

For our Women's Month Feature, the final one today, we speak to Kurisani Maswanganyi. She is Managing Director and Founderl of Kulani Engineering. Maswaganyi founded the company in a bid to do work that significantly contriubutes to the development of the country and its economy through home-grown engineering projects. She was this week recognised by the University of Johannesburg for her work in co-founding "She Engineers" a platform that places women at the forefront of the industry. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to her earlier this week and asked her to tell us what the challenges are for a black female owned company in fighting for big contracts

For our Women's Month Feature we speak to Lebo Motswenyane, an entrepreneur and owner of the company Lucky No 8, which is credited with organising Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture featuring Barack Obama as keynote speaker. She tells us how she quit her job with only a month's salary in the kitty, to a journey that has seen her as management of international acts at the Delicious Festival, SAMA Red Carpet show for live TV, Delicious Festival and the Mebala Biodiversity Conference. I started by asking her whether she was daunted by the prospects of managing the address of Barack Obama to tens of thousands eager South Africans....

The restructuring project introduced by consulting agency Bain during suspended SARS Commissioner Tom Moyane's tenure at the revenue collector is said to have dismantled strategic departments which were responsible for collecting hundreds of billions in tax revenue. This is according to tax professionals appearing before the SARS commission of inquiry in Pretoria. Naledi Ngcobo reports....

National Treasury says it is a war they are fighting to make sure there is no abuse of the system - especially when it comes to procurement. Acting Treasury Chief Procurement Officer, Ndleleni Mathebula, revealed this during the State Capture inquiry in Parktown, Johannesburg. Mathebula was the first witness and gave evidence on procurement processes, and whether they were flouted in the department. He also told the commission that government's procurement spend, is in excess in 800 billion for goods and services on an annual basis. Amina Accram filed a report and Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to SACP Gauteng provincial secretary, Jacob Mamabolo

The SABC Board has avoided answering the question on who authorised the airing of a video by President Cyril Ramaphosa, speaking in his capacity as ANC leader, on the expropriation of land without compensation. The DA laid a compliant against the SABC, following the airing of the video footage more than two weeks ago. The Public Broadcaster also told Parliament's Communication's Committee that it will only have about 26-million rand in the bank at the end of this month. Our Parliamentary Correspondent, Mercedes Besent, reports...

Convicted KZN FeesMustFall activist and student leader, Bonginkosi Khanyile, has vowed to camp on the lawns of the Union Buildings in Pretoria until President Cyril Ramaphosa receives his memorandum of demands. Khanyile will be sentenced on the 16 of October. Khanyile and a group of supporters from various student bodies want the presidency to pardon all students and activists who have been arrested and convicted for participating in the 2015/2016 FeesMustFall campaigns and protests. Phanuel Shuma reports.

The Land Bank's CEO, Tshokolo Nchocho, has asked Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene to ensure that the right of the bank as a creditor is protected when land is expropriated without compensation. About 60 percent of the bank's funding uses land as collateral which can be sold in the event of a default. Nene asked the Land Bank Board to prepare for land expropriation without compensation. Tshepo Mongoai reports…

President Cyril Ramaphosa has reassured South Africa and the Agricultural Sector that Land Expropriation without Compensation will be done in a just manner - and so there shouldn't be fears. He says there is an urgent need for a clear and explicit policy around land reform in the country. He was addressing the African Farmers Association of South Africa, AFASA Presidential Gala Dinner in Kempton Park, Johannesburg last night. Abongile Dumako reports