First Take SA

Liberians are currently voting to elect a successor to Africa's first female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. A total of 20 presidential candidates are running to succeed Sirleaf. The main contenders in the race to succeed her are Ex-football star George Weah and Vice-President Joseph Boakai. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Ibrahim Nyei, a Political Analyst, In Liberia

Heavy rains have caused havoc in KwaZulu-Natal resulting in some major roads being closed for hours. Two people have died in the Nquthu Municipality in northern KwaZulu-Natal. One person was struck by lightning, while another drowned trying to cross a flooded river. The South African Weather Service has warned that the adverse conditions are likely to continue into tomorrow. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Kwazulu-Natal Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs, Lennox Mabaso

To mark the World Mental Health Day the Crazy for Walking Initiative, has launched a campaign in which they've walked from Pretoria to Cape Town to raise awarenesss and also the de-stigmatisation of mental health. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Crazy For Walking Project CEO, Francois Louw

Parliament's Portfolio Committee on Communications says it will call both the trade union BEMAWU and the so-called SABC 8 to appear before it. This comes after the chairperson and some political parties received two open letters from the union and the group about the state of affairs at the SABC in the absence of a permanent board. The SABC's finances and President Jacob Zuma's delay in appointing the board also were raised during the committee meeting. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the chairperson of the Portfolio committee on Communication, Humphrey Maxengwana

Humanitarian organisation Doctors Without Borders (MSF) says medical facilities have become the front line in conflict zones such Syria Afghanistan and South Sudan. The organisation says two years after the bombing of one of their hospitals by the US army in Afghanistan, medical facilities are no longer safe places where civilians can go for aid and lifesaving medical care. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to MSF's Senior Humanitarian Policy Advisor Jens Pederson who has worked with the organisation in the Central Arican Republic, South Sudan, Sudan and Sierra Leone.

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga has withdrawn from the rerun of the presidential elections scheduled for later this month. This after the first vote in August was annulled by the country's Supreme Court. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to our reporter In Kenya, Sarah Kimani

The Lady Frere magistrate's court in the Eastern Cape has withdrawn charges against a woman who stabbed three men whom she found raping her daughter a month ago. One young man, who's related to the victim died in the attack while two others sustained injuries. The two suspects are still to appear in court this week. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to our reporter Lubabalo Dada

Unilever has apologised for an advertisement for its Dove soap brand which has been criticised for being racist. The 3-second video clip, posted on Dove's U.S. Facebook page shows a black woman removing a brown T-shirt and revealing a white woman in a white T-shirt underneath. Dove removed the clip and apologised, saying on Twitter that the post had "missed the mark in representing women of colour thoughtfully". Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the Founder and CEO of Brand Leadership Group Thebe Ikalafeng

Joburg Emergency Services has dispatched teams to assist residents whose houses have been damaged by trees during heavy rains in the city this afternoon. Spokesperson Nana Radebe says they've been alerted about trees that have fallen on houses in Sandton north of the city. Heavy rains accompanied by hailstorm have caused flooding on the roads and residential areas around Johannesburg in the past hour. Emergency services have warned residents to avoid flood hazards like streams and drainage systems. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Jhb Emergency Services Spokesperson, Nana Radebe.

The Johannesburg Emergency Management Services has urged residents to be extra vigilant following flooding in most parts of the city this afternoon. Heavy rains accompanied by large hail has fallen in the past hour causing flooding and chaos on the roads. Earlier the South African Weather Services issued a warning for heavy rainfall with damaging winds and hail. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to SABC Meteorologist Sihle Kunene