First Take SA

17:30 Econ Update with Jose Fernandes of FNB Securities

16:30 Econ Update with Jose Fernandes of FNB Securities

Cosatu says the SASSA's application to the Constitutional Court is a sign of a lack of leadership at government level. The labour federation has called on Minister of social development, Bathabile Dlamini to be released from her responsibilities with immediate effect. Elvis Preslin spoke to COSATU's national Spokesperson, Sizwe Pamla

The South African Social Security Agency (Sassa) and the department of Social Development have come under fire for asking the Constitutional Court for a six month extension of its contract with Cash Paymasters Services (CPS). This, after the court ruled in 2014 that the contract Sassa signed with CPS in 2012 was illegal and invalid. COSATU has called on minister Bathabile Dlamini to be released from her responsibilities with immediate effect.The department of Social Development and the agency were given until March 31, 2018 to find a new provider to administer the grants. Meanwhile the Inter-Ministerial Committee (IMC) says the so called CPS contract extension is not really an extension to the current contract. Elvis Preslin spoke to IMC spokesperson Phumla Williams

17:30 Econ Wrap with Herman Lloyd of FNB Securities

Activists from the Alternative Mining Indaba, earlier marched to the Cape Town ICC to hand over a memorandum to the officials at the Mining Indaba2018. The Alternative Mining Indaba is calling on mining bosses to change their attitudes and shift their mind-sets when it comes to the communities around the mines. Elvis Preslin spoke to the Executive Director of the Economic Justice Network, Reverend Malcolm Damon...

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) says its saddened by the death of two mine workers who were trapped underground at Kloof mine, on Gauteng's West Rand due to a fall of the ground. It's unclear at this stage what the exact cause of the incident was, but Sibanye Gold believes it may be due to seismic activity. Elvis Preslin spoke to NUM's Health and Safety Chairperson, Peter Bailey

The highly anticipated Black Panther film premieres in South Africa on the 16th February 2018 at cinemas nationwide. The cast features a few South Africans including veteran actor John Kani. Kani, who plays King T'Chaka, the ruler of a fictional world called Wakanda has managed to influence Marvel Studio to adopt isiXhosa as Wakanda's official language. Kani's son, Atandwa also features in the movie. Another South African who appear in the movie is veteran actress Connie Chiume who is most famous for her role in the soapie, Rhythm City. Elvis Preslin spoke to veteran actor John Kani

ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa has assured South Africans that his engagement with President Jacob Zuma seeks to find a speedy resolution to the current leadership and political impasse. In a statement, Ramaphosa says he has begun "direct" discussions with President Zuma on the transition and matters relating to his position as Head of State. Ramaphosa was responding to the heightened anxiety over the fate of President Zuma after the State of the Nation Address was postponed yesterday. Zuma also faces a no confidence motion later this month. Elvis Preslin spoke to our senior political reporter, Tshepo Ikaneng

arliament's Portfolio Committee on Transport says it is disappointed by the conduct of the PRASA board. This, after they failed to appear before the committee this morning. PRASA's Acting Chief Executive Officer, Cromet Molepo, told the Committee that there was confusion with the invite and it reached Prasa only yesterday. Elvis Presslin spoke to Chairperson of the Committee of Transport, Dikeledi Magadzi....