First Take SA

Members of the Food and Allied Workers' Union are embarking on protected strike action at Heineken Beverages South Africa, following a deadlock in wage negotiations. The union is demanding a 7% wage increase and a revised meal allowance, after dropping several earlier demands in what it says was an effort to reach a compromise. However, the company has held firm at a 5% offer, prompting workers to down tools. We now spoke to FAWU's media liaison officer, Dominique Martin about the looming strike and what it means for workers and the industry.

The Democratic Alliance, DA is heading to the Western Cape High Court today to challenge the Expropriation Act. Party leader Geordin Hill-Lewis says the law gives government vague powers to seize property without compensation. The DA wants the court to declare the Act unconstitutional. It argues the measure threatens homes, businesses and investment. The party vows to keep fighting for secure property rights. We spoke to Cassiem Khan the Spokeperson for Minister of Land Reform and Rural Development, Mr. Mzwanele Nyhontso.

The Bapong Royal Family is calling on government to urgently resolve the long-running Bapo Ba Mogale chieftaincy dispute. Princess Itumeleng Moerane confronted President Cyril Ramaphosa over the issue during an ANC voter drive in Bapong over the weekend. The family rejects the recognition of Andrew Mogale as Kgosi, saying he was imposed by the provincial ANC and is not accepted by the community. They say they have waited years for closure and are now demanding decisive intervention from the Presidency and North West government. We spoke to Princess Itumeleng Moerane.

South Africa has wrapped up the final voter registration weekend. The IEC says it used the last push to get as many eligible citizens onto the voters' roll ahead of the upcoming elections. With registration now closed, focus shifts to verifying the roll, finalising logistics and building voter confidence. IEC Chief Executive Sy Mamabolo reflects on the turnout and what happens next.

The Department of Health says it is preparing for the possible rollout of a new TB vaccine currently in advanced trials. The M72/AS01E vaccine, now in phase 3 trials across several countries including South Africa, could become the first new TB vaccine in over a century, potentially offering protection to adolescents and adults, unlike the existing BCG vaccine which is mainly given to infants. We spoke to Professor Norbet Ndjeka, Head of the National TB Programme at the National Health Department, to unpack what this could mean for the country.