First Take SA

City Power says technical teams are working to restore electricity following a fire at the Mayfair Substation. The outage has affected the SABC in Auckland Park, Garden City Hospital and several surrounding areas. The power utility says Heavy rain has hampered progress. Isaac Mangena, is City Power's General Manager, Department of Public Relations and Communication

The Madlanga Commission resumes its public hearings today after weeks of in-camera testimony. Murder accused and controversial businessman Vusimuzi "Cat" Matlala is expected to take the stand today and tomorrow. Commission spokesperson Jeremy Michaels elaborates...

With over 130 hung councils emerging from the 2026 local government elections, President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged political parties to approach their coalition talks with maturity and to be guided by what will best serve the people. SABC News reporter Ntebo Mokobo has more 

An Independent candidate that has emerged victorious in ward 2, in Trompsburg under Kopanong municipality has attributed his win to the residents who requested him to contest the 2026 local government elections. Madi Seleka was initially nominated to stand as an ANC candidate but was defeated by another candidate. Seleka says he registered a dispute as he believed votes were rigged in that process but was not successful. The community say they convinced Seleka to contest as an independent candidate after they felt he was cheated during the processes of nomination within the ANC. Makgala Masiteng filed this report...

As South Africans awaited the outcome of the 2026 Local Government Elections, millions turned to SABC News for reliable results, analysis and projections. Once again, the public broadcaster partnered with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, or CSIR, to forecast election outcomes and help explain emerging voting trends. The collaboration, which spans nearly a decade, combines science, technology and data analytics to make sense of one of the country's most complex democratic processes. Puseletso Mokoena reports.....

in the Middle East, thousands of displaced families in Gaza are spending nights in the open after heavy rains flooded tens of thousands of tents. Aid groups say about 90 percent of the population has been left homeless since the war began three years ago, with access to shelter and aid under growing strain. For more on the humanitarian situation and the reality on the ground, we are now joined by Palestinian journalist and humanitarian worker Mr. Akram Al-Sattari in the Gaza Strip...

The City of Johannesburg is facing legal action over its 65-point-6 percent water tariff increase. Resident groups say the hike is unaffordable and will worsen the cost of living crisis. They argue the City failed to properly consult before implementing the increase. While the City argues the levy is necessary to maintain water infrastructure. The matter is expected to be heard in court soon.Elvis Presslin spoke to WaterCAN Executive Manager, Dr. Ferrial Adam...

10 suspects are expected in the Douglas Magistrate's Court today for allegedly destroying 100 ballot papers at Bongani Community Hall last week. The IEC says results for Douglas will be withheld until a revote is held. Chairperson Mosotho Moepya says the law allows a revote where ballots are lost or destroyed before counting. The date for the revote will be announced soon, while Hawks investigations continue. For the latest  Elvis Presslin spoke to Northern Cape Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Tebogo Thebe...

The ANC's loss of electoral dominance has sparked an intense debate about whether this is the beginning of the end or a moment for renewal. Author Yonela Diko argues that the ANC's decline cannot be understood only through governance failures, but also through its inability to shape the broader centres of power in society, while abandoning a tradition of competent leadership that once defined the movement. We now explore whether this represents a temporary setback or a defining crossroads for the ANC with Yonela Diko

President Cyril Ramaphosa has urged political leaders to put residents first as coalition talks get underway. Speaking at the Results Operation Centre last night, Ramaphosa said service delivery cannot be held hostage by political differences. He was speaking as parties begin negotiations to form governments in hung municipalities following the local elections. For a wrap on the 2026 municipal elections, Elvis Presslin spoke to Political analyst, Professor Piet Croucamp.