First Take SA

President Cyril Ramaphosa has given municipalities sixty days to carry out women's safety audits in all high-risk areas, following the discovery of eleven women's bodies in Ekurhuleni. He says broken streetlights, hijacked buildings, overgrown spaces and unsafe routes must be identified and fixed urgently. The President has also ordered police and the NPA to recover unresolved rape and murder cases and clear forensic backlogs, with public progress reports every quarter. Cabinet will also receive a plan within sixty days to curb alcohol-related violence. For Reaction Elvis Presslin spoke to Gender activist, Nontyatyambo Makapela...

COSATU is lobbying Parliament for the immediate passing of the Second Special Appropriation Bill to unlock ten billion rands in emergency fuel relief. The federation wants the funds directed straight to the Central Energy Fund's Equalisation Fund to cushion consumers against volatile international oil markets. For spoke to COSATU's Parliamentary Coordinator, Matthew Parks.

The Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa, DENOSA, has welcomed President Cyril Ramaphosa's address to the nation on the recent killings of women and government's renewed efforts to tackle Gender-Based Violence and Femicide. Among the measures announced is a four-point action plan that includes stronger law enforcement interventions, community safety audits, and intensified efforts to address systemic weaknesses in the criminal justice system. To discuss the President's address and what more needs to be done to protect women and vulnerable members of society. We spoke to Khutlang Lethena, DENOSA National Gender Chairperson.

Rhodes University says it is deeply concerned about the continued disruption of essential services on campus amid ongoing student protests. The university's leadership has accused the Student Representative Council of preventing staff responsible for critical services from accessing residences and campus facilities. These services include the provision of food, cleaning, and water, which the university says are vital to the health, safety and wellbeing of students. To discuss the situation, We spoke to Olwetu Gwanya, Communications and Media Relations Manager at Rhodes University.

The South African Local Government Association, SALGA says ending gender-based violence and femicide requires urgent action from municipalities. SALGA was responding to President Cyril Ramaphosa's address announcing interventions to confront the escalating crisis. The Association says it supports the directive for all municipalities to conduct women's safety audits within clear timeframes. We spoke to Nozibele Makanda, SALGA Portfolio Head for Health, Community Services and Inclusivity.