First Take SA

The South African Cabin Crew Association headed to the labour court this morning to appeal the interdict that's put their strike on hold. Workers went on strike this week demanding better working conditions and that their daily meal allowance be increased. Currently, cabin crew members get a meal allowance of $130 per trip. They wanted $170, arguing that the allowance had not increased in many years and that they stay in international hotels where food is expensive. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the South African Cabin Crew Association's deputy President Christopher Shabangu who says they are open for talks with the airline to avert another possible strike...

COSATU in Limpopo says it supports calls for President Jacob Zuma not to address the May Day rally on Monday- while Cosatu in Gauteng says it's not in a position to say whether President Zuma should address the national May Day Celebrations on Monday or not. Cosatu's biggest affiliate, Nehawu, has written to the federation demanding that he be replaced by deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa as the main speaker at its May Day celebrations. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the President of COSATU, Sdumo Dlamini...

Thirteen people have been injured after a gas explosion at a scrapyard in Doornfontein. Two people remain in a critical condition in hospital. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Netcare 911 spokesperson Chris Botha for the latest on the accident...

President Jacob Zuma says a lot has been achieved over the past 23 years of freedom, but admits the democratic dividends have not reached everyone. He was speaking at the Freedom Day celebrations at Manguzi in northern KwaZulu-Natal this afternoon. The event was attended by Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and several cabinet ministers as well as Acting Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Sihle Zikalala. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Professor Somadoda Fikeni, a Political and Policy analyst to understand whether our economical and political developments in the country are in line with our 23 year old freedom....

According to the National Credit Regulator (NCR) South African consumers are 1.66-trillion rand in debt and the World Bank has also ranked the country number one when it comes to debt. The Credit Ombud says it's a sad reality that South Africans cannot run away from the desperate financial situations they find themselves in. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to the Deputy Credit Ombud, Reana Steyn...

The South African Airways says most striking cabin crews have reported to work today. This after the national carrier filed an application to request the court to declare the strike unprotected. More than 30 flights had to be cancelled yesterday, after hundreds of cabin crew staff went on strike over meal allowances. The South African Cabin Crew Association, SACCA, says it will ask the Labour Court to review its ruling that ended the strike. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to SACCA's Vice President Christopher Shabangu

One of the victims of last Friday's accident in Verena in Mpumalanga, where 20 people died, is recovering at a Pretoria hospital. 15 year-old Omphile Molepo suffered a broken left arml. He says the accident occured when the taxi attempted to make a right turn towards Wolvenkop - colliding with a truck that was too close. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Education Department spokesperson Elijah Mhlanga about the process of regulating scholar transport...

The Labour Court in Johannesburg has granted South African Airways an interim interdict ordering striking Cabin Crew Association members to return to work immediately. The union failed to meet a deadline to challenge the interdict and the matter has been postponed to June 23. At least 32 flights have been cancelled after cabin crew started striking this morning over meal allowances. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to South African Airways Spokesperson Tlali Tlali

The South African Cheese Festival takes place this weekend in Stellenbosch in the Western Cape. Festival goers will get the opportunity to rub shoulders with celebrity chefs and treat themselves to gourmet dishes and a selection of some of the best cheeses in the country. Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to Agri-Expo Chief Executive Officer Johan Ehlers

The African Independent Congress and African National Congress have agreed to ensure that Matatiele is incorporated back into KwaZulu-Natal, from the Eastern Cape. Both parties have signed a memorandum of understanding outlining a process to reverse the move, which took place in 2005. The AIC expected Matatiele to be back in KwaZulu-Natal by end of November. The two organisations agreed on "political co-operation" in the Ekurhuleni metropolitan municipality, the Rustenburg local municipality, Umkhanyakude district municipality, and other municipalities where both parties had representation. Earlier Tsepiso Makwetla spoke to African Independent Congress' General Secretary Mahlubanzima Jafta and Constitutional law expert Pierre de Vos