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The Lead

News24
South Africa
City Power
Uber
E-Hailing Services
Donald Trump
Johannesburg
Ebrahim Rasool
United States
ANC
Eskom
Journalism
Anele Mdoda
Gender-Based Violence
Springboks
Trump Administration
News24
Passenger Rail Agency
Personal Income Tax
Department Of International Relations and Cooperation
Cyril Ramaphosa

Seasoned broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer brings you The Lead, News24’s definitive podcast for in-depth reporting. Join us every Monday to Thursday at 19:00 SAST for candid conversations with our top journalists, and discover what they saw, heard, and uncovered in their relentless pursuit of the big story. Episodes drop on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube like clockwork. WhatsApp: 072 ... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes208Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
News

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Artwork for The Lead

Latest Episodes

He thought: What have I got to lose? Let me take on the man widely tipped to lead the DA next. In this edition, The Lead host Graeme Raubenheimer picks Sibusiso Dyonase's brain on his 15-year journey in the DA, who he looks up to, and why challenging... more

“In time, we shall be in a position to bestow on South Africa the greatest possible gift – a more human face.”Who said that? The late great Steve Biko, of course. But you may be a little disheartened to hear that Biko and the Black Consciousness Move... more

He may not be your average police sergeant. Fannie Nkosi, who this Tuesday appeared before a Pretoria magistrate on several criminal charges, has been revealed to be a critical cog in how organised criminals communicated with the SAPS’ alleged bad ap... more

When it comes to global corruption indicators, South Africa continues to languish in the red, according to NGO Corruption Watch, as local efforts to drive out rampant graft and improve our world ranking have only stagnated in more recent years. Enter... more

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Recent Guests

Herman Mostert
Senior rugby writer for News24 Sport
News24 Sport
Episode: 100 days to kickoff, here’s your Boks ‘26 test guide
Jeff Wicks
Investigative journalist from News24
News24
Episode: The ‘Cat’ and a dozen cops in cuffs for alleged graft. Plus: EC ANC mess
Lisa-Lee Solomons
News24 journalist reporting from the scene
News24
Episode: Inside the Bellville South house of horrors
Sikonathi Mantshantsha
Investigative journalist, News24 Investigations
News24 Investigations
Episode: Graft-spotting? Texts reveal ex-Prasa head’s alleged corruption
Andy Mothibi
Advocate, National Director of Public Prosecutions (NPA)
National Prosecuting Authority
Episode: Hear from new NPA boss, and the summit births two jobs
David McWilliams
Irish economist and commentator
Independent commentator
Episode: Hear from new NPA boss, and the summit births two jobs
Cole Davids
Community connector facilitating opportunities
Pillar 5 group
Episode: Hear from new NPA boss, and the summit births two jobs
Zeyda Juris
Unemployed volunteer featured in documentary
Lavender Hill, Cape Town
Episode: Hear from new NPA boss, and the summit births two jobs
Edward Kieswetter
SARS Commissioner
South Africa Revenue Service
Episode: On The Record: Hear job insights from Paton, Ramaphosa, Manuel, Kieswetter

Host

Graeme Raubenheimer
Broadcast journalist and host of The Lead, with extensive reporting on South African politics, crime, and public affairs.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 124 ratings
  • Meh

    I was very excited to find a home grown serious news podcast, but if you want to be take seriously you can't just use it to give Basson airtime to blather. You have great journos with interesting things to say, please use them.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    bbjfvbhfxvbk?);:,$&(( b
    South Africaa year ago
  • Misinformation

    Just another way to spread misinformation by a formerly independent media company that supports expropriation without compensation and state capture.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    pjnel
    Australiaa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Misinformation: a minority view accuses the outlet of enabling misinformation through perceived biases; this sentiment highlights the importance of continued editorial balance and sourcing.
Meh: listeners appreciate serious, in-depth reporting but some feel the coverage can fixate on certain figures or present limited airtime for diverse perspectives.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#43
South Africa/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

100 days to kickoff, here’s your Boks ‘26 test guide
Q: Explain this tournament to the casual Springbok viewer.
It's a condensed, North-South hemisphere hybrid competition that serves as a 'mini World Cup' by grouping top teams from the Southern and Northern Hemispheres into a single season, with a trophy at stake rather than a separate, traditional season trophy.
The ‘Cat’ and a dozen cops in cuffs for alleged graft. Plus: EC ANC mess
Q: What role did Petunia Lenono play in the tender process, and why does her involvement matter for the case's integrity?
Lenono helped tailor the tender and later moved into Matlala's orbit, which violates policy against unauthorized personnel in contracts and demonstrates how conflicts of interest can contaminate procurement outcomes.
The ‘Cat’ and a dozen cops in cuffs for alleged graft. Plus: EC ANC mess
Q: Jeff, how did you and the team trace the money flow and what are the most compelling links between the police bidding process and Matlala's profits?
The investigation laid out a chain from the bid specifications through the BEC to the BAC, showing misrepresentations and fronting, with cash gifts and loans acting as a de facto incentive structure that helped Matlala win the contract and siphon funds into related networks.
98 then 94, now 97% complete! Will Jozi’s forensic super lab finally open?
Q: What did the budget report reveal about the completion rate and who is responsible for paying and implementing changes?
The budget shows a 94% completion rate and assigns responsibility among departments, with DID and the health department often pointing to each other, while payments to main contractors have advanced only modestly.
98 then 94, now 97% complete! Will Jozi’s forensic super lab finally open?
Q: When is the Forensic Superlab actually going to be opened, given the repeated deadlines?
The team cites the eighth deadline as the target, but past performance makes it hard to take that claim at face value; the latest reporting suggests optimism but with significant caution.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Lead

What is The Lead about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show centers on in-depth, battle-tested reporting on South Africa's current affairs, with a focus on politics, governance, corruption investigations, and major infrastructure and policy stories. Episodes frequently feature senior journalists and researchers unpacking how power, money, and policy intersect—covering topics like public procurement, state decisions, budgetary reform, and critical national issues such as water security and crime. A notable strength is rigorous, evidence-backed discussion that connects parliamentary developments, investigative reporting, and daily realities faced by communities. The format tends to blend strong interview-driven analysis with on-the-ground reporting, making it particularly useful for listener... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Lead?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Lead:

1. The Money Show
2. SMWX
3. MoneywebNOW
4. BizNews Radio
5. The Gareth Cliff Show

How many episodes of The Lead are there?

The Lead launched a year ago and published 208 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Lead?

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What guests have appeared on The Lead?

Recent guests on The Lead include:

1. Herman Mostert
2. Jeff Wicks
3. Lisa-Lee Solomons
4. Sikonathi Mantshantsha
5. Andy Mothibi
6. David McWilliams
7. Cole Davids
8. Zeyda Juris

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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