First Take SA

Environment Minister, Willie Aucamp has decided to push ahead and rule on appeals against environmental authorisations for key offshore oil and gas exploration projects. The decision comes against a backdrop of sharply rising global oil prices fueled by ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Speaking at the Southern Africa Oil and Gas Conference in Cape Town, Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe strongly criticised environmental groups, accusing their court challenges of delaying South Africa's ability to tap its substantial oil and gas reserves and hampering national development. However, environmental groups argue that exploration could undermine climate objectives and harm marine ecosystems. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dr. Ross Compton, Senior Director of global policy at EnerGeo Alliance, who have welcomed Minister Aucamp's decision...

The Department of Home Affairs is facing pressure to insource over 4 years contracted workers who are part of the Digitisation Programme. Civic group Soil of Africa, representing the workers, says it's unfair for the department to downgrade these employees to insecure month-to-month contracts. The group is planning a march to the Department of Home Affairs and the Union Buildings today to demand permanent employment with full benefits. Elvis Presslin spoke to Soil of Africa Chairperson, King Bongani Ramontja...

US President Donald Trump has slammed Counterterrorism Center's Director, Joe Kent following his resignation in protest of US military action against Iran. Trump called Kent "weak on security" and said he wasn't surprised by the criticism. Kent had claimed Iran wasn't a threat. He also accused Israel and its American lobby of deceiving President, Trump into the conflict. Elvis Presslin spoke to International relations expert Dr. Charles Sinkala to unpack the implications...

The disbandment of the Political Killings Task Team again featured strongly during the second appearance of the National Police Commissioner, General Fannie Masemola, before the Ad Hoc Committee looking into concerns into issues of national security. Masemola first appeared in October last year, and he was the second witness to testify. The committee is investigating allegations made by the KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi last year in July. Zalene Merrington reports...

A historic moment in UK–Africa relations is unfolding as Bola Tinubu arrives at Windsor Castle for a state visit, the first by a Nigerian leader in nearly four decades. The visit marks a significant step in strengthening ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, with growing trade, investment, and a large Nigerian diaspora linking the two nations. Experts say the visit could signal new opportunities for economic cooperation and policy alignment. Elvis Presslin spoke to Dorothea Hodge, Founder and CEO of Aequitas Global...