First Take SA

The Ahmed Kathrada Foundation, together with Show Racism the Red Card, has raised alarm over what they describe as a disturbing surge in racism across international football in 2026. Despite campaigns and initiatives led by FIFA, tens of thousands of abusive posts were recorded during the 2026 FIFA World Cup alone, exposing what critics say is a failure to tackle systemic racism in the game. We spoke to Rethabile Ratsomo, programme manager of the Advancing Non-Racialism Programme at the Ahmed Kathrada Foundation.

A new SECTION27 report says South Africa's 2025 health budget does not meet the needs of women, particularly those in poor and rural areas. It finds under investment in infrastructure is limiting access to care, while floods and heatwaves are damaging facilities and increasing demand.
The report notes 89% of professional nurses are women and that women do most unpaid care work, yet funding to support them remains low. SECTION27 is calling for a gender-responsive and climate-resilient health budget and says government must close the gap between policy commitments and actual spending. We spoke to SECTION27 Budget Analyst, Matshidiso Lenqcoasa.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has released the National Water Action Plan following a meeting of the National Water Crisis Committee at the Union Buildings. The plan sets out short, medium and long-term actions to stabilise failing municipal systems, increase infrastructure investment and tackle corruption in the water sector. For reaction on the National Water Action Plan. We spoke to WaterCAN Executive Manager, Dr. Ferrial Adam.

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

The City of Ekurhuleni insists that the removal of office furniture by the Germiston Sheriff is not due to unpaid service providers, but rather a dispute over sheriff fees. The City says the capital amounts have already been settled. While officials say urgent legal steps are underway to recover the assets, the incident has raised questions about governance, financial management and administrative processes within the metro. We spoke to ANC Ekurhuleni Regional Secretary, Jongizizwe Dlabathi to respond to these developments.