First Take SA

Umalusi, the matric examinations quality assurance body says this year's matric class has performed worse that last year's group. This came out during a media briefing earlier today in Pretoria. Umalusi also says 26 cases of alleged group copying during the 2015 matric examinations were reported in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Llimpopo and Mpumalanga. Results in the affected centres will be withheld for now.

110 Journalists have been killed around the world in 2015, with 67 being killed specifically for their work or while in the line of duty. This is according to a report released by Watch group Reporters Without Borders who are calling for the United Nations to take action. According to the report, War-torn Iraq and Syria were the most dangerous places in the world, with France listed third after eight journalists were killed in a jihadist assault in January on the offices of the satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo. Reporters Without Borders Head of Eastern Europe & Central Asia Desk, Johann Bihr...

Our producers Sithakazelo Dlamini, Izak Du Plessis and Molebogeng Sebidi bring us the untold stories of the Northern Cape's so called forgotten people. SAFM teamed up with the Gift of the Givers and RSG on a journey that spanned over a thousand kilometers across the mountainous province bringing Christmas cheer to some of its most impoverished communities...

The justice department has made it clear that it expects AbaThembu King Buyelakhaya Dalindyebo to present himself at Mthatha prison by the end of today to start serving his 12-year jail sentence. The king's family earlier hinted that he would not hand himself over. The ministry says it is considering a petition from his lawyer Yasmin Omar to reopen the case. However, it cannot reverse his bail conditions.

AbaThembu King Buyelekhaya Dalindyebo is now left with under 8hours to hand himself over at the Mhatha Prison. If he does not arrive at the prison by midnight, he will be arrested. Justice ministry spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga says current bail conditions stand, despite the king's legal team having filed a petition to reopen his trial. Dalindyebo's younger brother Siganeko earlier said the king would not hand himself over. On December 2, the Constitutional Court dismissed Dalindyebo's appeal against his sentence for culpable homicide, assault, arson, and kidnapping.

The Southern African Fraud Prevention Service has appealed to consumers to be aware of fraudsters trying to scam them of their money this festive season. The organisation says consumers must protect their personal information. We earlier spoke to the organisation's spokesperson Carol McLoughlin and I started by asking her how consumers can protect themselves against fraudsters.

The ANC says the recalling of President Jacob Zuma was never discussed in the Extended National Working Committee meeting held on Monday. Party leaders held a press briefing amidst calls that Zuma should resign following his move to sack former Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene. Zuma has since replaced David Van Rooyen with Pravin Gordhan, a move that was welcomed by the market. The party has also moved to assure investors that there will not be any changes in fiscal policy.

The tide is slowly turning for some South Africans as they start to become aware of their financial situation and how to deal with it. According to the MD of Dinehelo, Thoko Nchabeleng there has been a decline in the number of over-indebted South Africans. Dinehelo is a company that gives advice on financial wellness. However, many South Africans remain overly indebted. We spoke to Nchabeleng and I started by asking her how best consumers can spend money this festive season.

South Africa's new Finance Minister David van Rooyen says he is facing a colossal assignment at a time when the economy is struggling. Van Rooyen who replaces the axed Nhalanhla Nene has issued a televised statement saying that he will focus on developing the country's economy for all people - not just the few. The Minister says his department will become more accessible to all the country's people. Van Rooyen says he's mindful of the difficult economic conditions that the country is facing...

Convicted murderer, Sindisiwe Manqele has broken down in the dock after she was found guilty of unlawfully and intentionally killing her rap star boyfriend, Flabba Hadebe. The High Court sitting in Randburg handed down judgment a short while ago. Acting Judge Solly Sithole also found that there was some premeditation to her actions. Manqele fatally stabbed Habedi at his Alexandra home in March this year during an apparent violent altercation.