First Take SA

A look at the current top African economic stories with Victor Kgomoesoana, author of Africa Is Open For Business and Africa Bounces Back

Members of the Zimbabwe Nurses Association have opted for a 72-hour stay-away instead of planned public demonstrations amid claims that nurses were intimidated and discouraged from protesting publicly. The stay-away, however, is already raising serious concerns about its impact on patient care, with fears that disruptions in services could put lives at risk. The government, on the other hand, maintains that limited revenue collection and budget constraints make it difficult to meet the demands of civil servants, including healthcare workers. We spoke to Zimbabwean activist, General Sithole.

The Supreme Court of Appeal has dismissed the Road Accident Fund's appeal with costs. The court confirmed undocumented foreign nationals can claim from the Fund, upholding a 2024 High Court ruling. Judges said Section 17(1) of the RAF Act covers "any person" and does not exclude claimants based on immigration status. The case followed a 2022 RAF directive demanding stamped passports, which was found to be unlawful. We spoke to Alan Beesley, ActionSA Member of Parliament.

The ANC has issued an ultimatum giving all ANC and SACP members ten days to choose which party to campaign for in the local government elections. Secretary General Fikile Mbalula says letters will be sent to SACP members on Thursday. The move follows a Special NEC meeting on the SACP's decision to contest elections independently. Mbalula says members cannot campaign for both parties in the local elections. He warns there will be consequences for those who do not respond on time.We spoke Political analyst, Omry Makgoale.

Calls are growing for the Department of Small Business Development to be shut down, amid concerns about its effectiveness in supporting small enterprises and driving economic growth. The Black Business Unity has weighed in on the debate, raising questions about whether the department is delivering on its mandate or if resources could be better utilised elsewhere. This comes at a time when small businesses continue to face mounting challenges, including access to funding, regulatory hurdles, and a tough economic climate. We spoke to y Sibongile Mpanza, from the Black Business Unity.