Best Sast Podcasts (2025)

1
Rassie’s suprise year-end rookie. PLUS: Black Coffee’s R157m CT villa 26:12

Play Pause

10d ago26:12

26:12

The Springbok boys in green and gold go head-to-head with their old foes, the Japanese Cherry Blossoms this 1 November. Coach Rassie Erasmus has already named his squad for next month’s tour, with young Stormers breakout star Zachary Porthen tipped to make his debut. Taking stock post-Rugby Championship for The Lead is our News24 sport editor, Lloy…

1
Poor Economic Empowerment - DA’s answer to BEE. PLUS: Slain auditor update 18:43

11d ago18:43

18:43

On one hand, the ANC’s championing of broad-based black economic empowerment (BBBEE) has certainly succeeded in putting money into black people’s hands, a majority race excluded from enjoying the fruits of our country’s economy for centuries. But BBBEE’s critics, on the other hand, claim that the wealth this contentious policy has generated has oft…

1
Is this why Ekurhuleni auditor Mpho Mafole was assassinated? 25:37

12d ago25:37

25:37

Hunted. What was slain auditor Mpho Mafole and his team probing from within the City of Ekurhuleni when he was gunned down in Kempton Park this year? Find out by listening to this edition of The Lead with our senior investigative journalist, Sikonathi Mantshantsha. Later, in our trending topic, the PA unseats the ANC in a startling Soweto by-electi…

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Mchunu defends decision to disband PKTT, with Jan Gerber 29:28

16d ago29:28

29:28

He’s been itching to tell his side of the story. Suspended Police Minister Senzo Mchunu has been emphatic to Parliamentarians this Thursday that there was no sinister ulterior motive in disbanding the Political Killings Task Team and that the unit was under review for a long time. Catch the very latest from Mchunu’s evidence before MPs, with our se…

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The real costs of the police’s PKTT. PLUS: Bafana’s last chance 43:59

19d ago43:59

43:59

Much of the Madlanga Commission’s focus has been on detailing the events leading up to the disbandment of KwaZulu-Natal’s Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) nearly a year ago and the alleged reasons behind the decision. But if we pause and consider the text-based evidence tabled before the commission regarding the PKTT’s effectiveness, has it been…

1
Mkhwanazi in Parly. Maumela, Sibiya raids. PLUS: Bafana FIFA preview 49:45

23d ago49:45

49:45

Die poppe is besig om te dans! Translated: the dolls are busy dancing! Which essentially means the chickens have come home to roost. While the SIU raids tender don Morgan Maumela’s Sandton mansion, and heavily armed officers swarm the Centurion home of suspended top cop Shadrack Sibiya, KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi wrapped u…

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More Jozi coalition chaos on the cards? PLUS: Mkhwanazi latest 20:37

24d ago20:37

20:37

The smaller, minority political parties are easily the kingmakers in the City of Johannesburg. Now, though, it has emerged that some of them have suddenly exited their shared WhatsApp group. So where does this leave the current configuration of the government of local unity in Jozi? Could it spell more coalition uncertainty for a metro screaming ou…

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ANC considers changing tack against DA’s Zille in Jozi 24:43

25d ago24:43

24:43

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Meet the monster John Harris (with Jacques Pauw) 50:43

1M ago50:43

50:43

Please note that our top story in The Lead today may upset you. Listeners’ discretion is advised. In short, you’re going to meet the monster John Harris, as narrated by the veteran investigative journalist who unearthed the harrowing story, Jacques Pauw. Harris, 73, a British-born music teacher for schoolchildren who had frequented many towns up an…

1
Morgan Maumela’s North West hospital hustle, with Jeff Wicks 25:20

1M ago25:20

25:20

He’s been riding high in Lamborghinis, now eyed by investigators for asset seizure. Hangwani Morgan Maumela, the supreme tender don at the centre of the Tembisa Hospital tender scam, has since been pushing to get his foot in the door in the North West province too. But as investigative journalist Jeff Wicks reports, Maumela’s company couldn’t even …

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Mogotsi, Matlala and the ‘Big Five’ criminal cartel 42:12

1M ago42:12

42:12

It is already week three of the Madlanga Commission in Pretoria, and we have witnessed some damning allegations of the criminal capture of the country’s justice system. The rot in the police is so bad that the senior men and women in blue have a name for the criminal syndicate that has infiltrated its heart: “The Big Five”. And with a new inquiry e…

1
Is SA the next Mexico or Brazil when it comes to contract killings? 33:08

1M ago33:08

33:08

There are some signs that South Africa is heading down the Latin American route, following the recent assassinations of some key societal figures. From Babita Deokaran to Bouwer van Niekerk, global crime experts warn that the targeting of whistleblowers, prosecutors, activists, and even journalists weakens the very foundation of democracy. To take …

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Police chief Masemola claims Mchunu, Sibiya shielded criminals 26:53

1M ago26:53

26:53

On day five of the Madlanga Commission sitting in Pretoria: South Africa’s police chief, Fannie Masemola, has alleged that his now-suspended deputy, Shadrack Sibiya, the now-suspended police minister, Senzo Mchunu, the mysterious associate Brown Mogotsi and the incarcerated tender don, Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala all, in turn, schemed to get rid of the …

1
Masemola reveals deputy Sibiya probed for alleged criminal syndicate links 27:34

1M ago27:34

27:34

It’s been day four of the Madlanga Commission with our second witness on the stand: national police commissioner Fannie Masemola, who’s since insisted that the decision to disband the contentious Political Killings Task Team was “unlawful”. That’s not all: Masemola told the commission in Pretoria on Monday that he received a tip-off alleging that h…

1
Mkhwanazi tells Madlanga about Mogotsi’s ‘unfettered’ SAPS access 28:56

1M ago28:56

28:56

Friday marks day three of the Madlanga Commission of Inquiry into allegations of criminal capture of the country’s criminal justice system. Evidence of WhatsApp conversations between KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi and an apparent associate and friend of now suspended police minister Senzo Mchunu has offered …

1
Mkhwanazi guns for NCC MP Fadiel Adams over ‘reckless’ handling of classified info 29:43

1M ago29:43

29:43

It’s day two of the Madlanga Commission and KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Lieutenant-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has begun implicating more public figures for their alleged role in politically interfering in the country’s criminal justice system. Mkhwanazi alleges that National Coloured Congress (NCC) MP Fadiel Adams has been “reckless” in his…

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Foundation laid on Day 1 of the Madlanga Commission 24:26

2M ago24:26

24:26

For the first time ever, News24’s The Lead has gone live from the source of the story. The News24 team has set up camp at the Brigitte Mabandla Justice College in central Pretoria for all the main talking points from Day 1 of the Madlanga Commission. Host, Graeme Raubenheimer has been in conversation with specialist legal journalist, Karyn Maughan,…

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DA envy: Unpacking Ramaphosa’s startling admission with Bongekile Macupe 44:54

2M ago44:54

44:54

In a stunning admission rarely seen from any politician in South Africa today, ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa conceded that DA municipalities, such as Cape Town, are outperforming those governed by the ANC. Ramaphosa told thousands of the ANC ward councillors attending roll call at FNB Stadium in Soweto this week that it’s high time they prioritise …

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Unravelling the complex crypto fund that embroiled slain lawyer Bouwer van Niekerk 37:24

2M ago37:24

37:24

Four people continue to elude the Gauteng police’s grasp for the brazen murder of top Johannesburg insolvency attorney Bouwer van Niekerk. He was shot and killed in his law firm’s offices earlier in September. Since then, the questionable, multimillion-rand NTC Global Trade Fund that Van Niekerk helped place in business rescue has been provisionall…

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The Cat and the Hat - what did Cele do at Zimbali villa? PLUS: Charlie Kirk’s hit 32:25

2M ago32:25

32:25

For our final edition of The Lead this week: it’s getting more difficult for former police minister Bheki Cele to downplay his past meetings with controversial tender don Vusimusi “Cat” Matlala. Investigative journalist Jeff Wicks is our first guest filling in the blanks here. Later in the show, we cross to long-time Washington correspondent John M…

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Why is trans inmate taking state to court? PLUS: ‘Sweatshop’ sentencing 24:15

2M ago24:15

24:15

Welcome to this bumper Wednesday edition of The Lead on News24. Our first topic deals with the case of a transgender inmate in Johannesburg Central Prison who is fighting for their right to access the use of women’s clothes and gender-affirming healthcare. Later in the show, a group of Chinese nationals are sentenced for running a human-trafficking…

1
The brutal killing of ‘incorruptible’ lawyer Bouwer van Niekerk, with Kyle Cowan 39:41

2M ago39:41

39:41

The hit on a top Johannesburg insolvency lawyer has reverberated throughout the country’s legal fraternity. Now, while the police attempt to arrest the gunmen who so brazenly snuffed out Bouwer van Niekerk’s life last Friday, details are slowly emerging about the multimillion-rand cryptocurrency trading fund that he was engaged with. Kyle Cowan, ou…

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Who is Andre Pienaar, the ‘low-level’ spook badmouthing SA in DC? 28:49

2M ago28:49

28:49

Welcome to the 100th episode of The Lead on News24, hosted by broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer. First, we’ll reflect on the moment with our proud editor-in-chief, Adriaan Basson. Then, in our top story: from Johann Rupert to the DA, we are aware of the most notable South African figures who’ve visited the White House to consult with the Tru…

1
Senses wide open, with Tyreek McDole on The K Jazz Show 36:14

2M ago36:14

36:14

It is always a joy on The K Jazz Show to bring you the sounds and stories of artists who are not just shaping the present, but also defining the future of jazz. This Sunday, we are honored to welcome one of the brightest rising stars on the global scene — a 25-year-old Haitian-American baritone whose voice is as rich in depth as it is in vision. Ty…

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The City of Roses with Thapelo Khumisi on The K Jazz Show 28:47

2M ago28:47

28:47

South Africa’s jazz story is a living archive, and each artist adds a new chapter to this ongoing melody. Today on The K Jazz Show, as we open our Heritage Month series, I am truly delighted to be joined by a pianist whose music is both rooted and boundless, deeply African yet universally resonant. He is internationally acclaimed, a winner of the C…

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Council chaos in the wild, wild North West, with Siyamtanda Capa 26:33

2M ago26:33

26:33

The North West province appears to be the wild, wild west these days. The audit reports for most municipalities in this often-forgotten province make for painful reading as critical service delivery has ground to a halt in many towns. Including the city of Mahikeng, where, despite this grim reality, managers recently walked away with a fat bonus. T…

1
No laughing matter: How Mchunu set the Hawks on a TikTok satirist 31:08

2M ago31:08

31:08

It’s a story so out of left field and certainly not one we had on our bingo card for 2025! The Hawks, our supposedly elite crime-fighting unit, which is currently severely underpowered, have come out in strong defence of their investigation of fairly well-known local social media content creator Anton Taylor. The story, broken last week by our spec…

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Looters’ paradise or critical body? Debate over role of state pensions agency 28:05

2M ago28:05

28:05

It’s been a national talking point these past few weeks thanks to our intrepid investigative journalist, Sikonathi Mantshantsha, who’s refusing to take his foot off the pedal when it comes to the numerous allegations of dodgy payments to the tune of billions at the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA).First came revelations that the age…

1
Witness the rise of our Springbok Women, with Lloyd Burnard 32:23

2M ago32:23

32:23

South Africa’s Springbok Women celebrated this weekend like never before with a truly historic win: their first triumph over Italy and their very first time reaching the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinals, currently under way in England. It all came down to the wire with a nail-biting 29-24 victory over the Italians in the city of York on Sunday…

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Time Travelling with Ofri Nehemya on The K Jazz Show 22:16

2M ago22:16

22:16

So this Sunday, you and I connect with a young drummer from Tel Aviv in Israel by the name of Ofri Nehemya, who has shared stages in collaboration with incredible artists has marked himself as one of the most prominent Israeli drummers in the global jazz scene, collaborating with world wide known artists including Avishai Cohen (bass), Ben Wendel, …

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Will the delayed Madlanga inquiry restore SA’s trust in the SAPS? 57:55

2M ago57:55

57:55

It was all meant to get under way in Pretoria in the new week, but the Madlanga inquiry has been delayed, seemingly due to factors out of its control. We’ve since heard from Minister Mmamaloko Kubayi that she’s suspended her department’s director-general, advocate Doc Mashabane, and his deputy, Jabu Hlatshwayo, for failing to ensure the commission …

1
Denel sends US firm 2 old jets allegedly without ejector seats 27:49

2M ago27:49

27:49

State-owned arms manufacturer Denel, known for developing world-renowned defence weaponry, including the Casspir armoured vehicle and the Rooivalk attack helicopter, has been battling to stay financially afloat in recent years, despite government bailouts. And now a jet deal it struck with a US firm has seemingly soured, too. Bringing The Lead this…

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News24 probe spurs finance minister to intervene in state pensions admin agency 37:48

2M ago37:48

37:48

It’s a fairly obscure government agency, but with a big budget. And now a News24 investigation led by journalist Sikonathi Mantshantsha has spurred the finance minister to appoint a new acting CEO at the state pensions administration agency. This follows evidence uncovered of irregular contracts, including a ghost building lease and ICT deals to th…

1
Clocking in from jail? Overtime abuse with Mangaung on the brink 26:11

2M ago26:11

26:11

It has been under national administration. And yet the financial books for the metro council in charge of Bloemfontein, Mangaung, remain firmly in the red. In short, the City’s liabilities exceed its assets. News24 investigative journalist Sipho Masondo reports to The Lead that the troubled council has allowed a culture of staff excessively billing…

1
"Live in Johannesburg" with Sean Jones on The K Jazz Show 27:19

2M ago27:19

27:19

On The K Jazz Show today, we welcome one of the great voices of our time on trumpet—Sean Jones. He’s a celebrated bandleader, composer, and former lead trumpeter of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis. As Artistic Director of Carnegie Hall’s National Youth Jazz Orchestra, Sean is shaping the next generation of jazz ambassadors…

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The Siya Charles Septet, debuts on the Joy of Jazz Festival 2025 22:21

2M ago22:21

22:21

The second hour of The K Jazz Show, we welcome a phenomenal artist whose journey is a story of passion, excellence, and jazz brilliance. She is the 2025 Standard Bank Young Artist for Jazz, a trailblazing trombonist, composer, and arranger whose music has graced global stages from Montreux to New York’s Blue Note. This includes performances alongsi…

1
Which ANC bigwigs could face US sanctions? Check with Zondo 32:55

2M ago32:55

32:55

Some US lawmakers remain relentless in drafting new legislation that seeks to punish South Africa on a range of policy fronts, going further than the measures already brought by the second Trump administration. The latest Bilateral Relations Review Bill, sponsored by a Texas Republican congressman, Ronny Jackson, will need plenty of support to make…

1
Babita Deokaran Day? 4 years later, calls to honour whistleblower 57:53

2M ago57:53

57:53

This Saturday, 23 August 2025, marks exactly four years to the day since Babita Deokaran, a single mother, was murdered. Gunned down in a hail of bullets fired from the firearms of hired hitmen, what we didn’t know at the time was that the Gauteng health department’s chief accountant had just recently internally flagged and frozen some R100 million…

1
Adriaan Basson names SA’s dirtiest politician 36:01

2M ago36:01

36:01

It’s a critical position in the now crumbling City of Johannesburg: a mayoral committee member for group corporate and shared services. It may sound a bit vague. But in this seat, you’re responsible for finance management, the city’s IT infrastructure, and supply chain processes. And it’s now occupied by one, Mr Sithembiso Zungu. He’s an ANC politi…

1
How a Polish website drives fake news in SA 39:28

3M ago39:28

39:28

A new report, put out by a research centre at Stellenbosch University, has now exposed a Poland-based news group called Visegrád24 for amplifying the views of alt-right commentators and their false narratives and mistruths about what’s happening in South Africa today. The report, authored by the university’s Centre for Information Integrity in Afri…

1
Sax in the city with Lakecia Benjamin on The K Jazz Show 28:37

3M ago28:37

28:37

As we are firmly into the second hour of our show and today, we’re thrilled to welcome an incredible talent as part of our “Road to the Joy of Jazz 2025” series. From electrifying saxophone solos to her soulful compositions, Lakecia’s music has captured hearts around the world. And now, she’s coming to Johannesburg for the Joy of Jazz Festival—and …

1
What to do with a rogue general? With Pieter du Toit 24:34

3M ago24:34

24:34

It seems like anyone can become South Africa’s foreign policy spokesperson these days. Just ask the chief of our defence force. South African National Defence Force chief General Rudzani Maphwanya jetted off to Tehran this week to meet with his Iranian counterpart and, quite astonishingly, spoke like the country’s foreign minister. And now our actu…

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Billions for blue lights, SA’s VIP protection splurge with Jan Gerber 29:54

3M ago29:54

29:54

R1.47bn. This is how much the government has spent on protecting its VIPs from the 2020/21 financial year to date. And it’s not even the full picture of the cost. It’s especially mind-boggling, given that around R2.3bn has been set aside just this year alone to keep VIPs safe. To make sense of the numbers for The Lead, we’re joined in our Cape Town…

1
Coalition crumbles and cloak and dagger dealings in Joburg metro 38:15

3M ago38:15

38:15

The game of thrones, with its political musical chairs for coalition maneuvering now even has smaller parties pitted amongst each other in the government of local unity in the City of Johannesburg where local service delivery has suffered and urban decay has set in, in more recent years. Central to the latest bout of inter-political unhappiness is …

1
Exposing the pension agency’s near R1bn ghost headquarters deal 34:54

3M ago34:54

34:54

Another day, another allegedly dodgy case involving a lesser-known state agency. This time, News24’s investigations team has uncovered evidence that the Government Pensions Administration Agency (GPAA) has issued millions to a company to facilitate its new headquarters in the capital, Pretoria. Yet contractor Shula Developers has not secured the le…

1
Inside Netshitenzhe’s speech on ‘white supremacy’ and a platinum bourse 30:11

3M ago30:11

30:11

He’s a mostly quiet but key former policy mind for the ANC. However, Joel Netshitenzhe is now picking up where former US ambassador Ebrahim Rasool left off. Now with the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection, or Mistra for short – the same think-tank that facilitated a webinar at which Rasool uttered controversial comments about US Presiden…

1
Tony Leon on the state of the GNU, the DA, and brown envelopes 39:49

3M ago39:49

39:49

The government of national unity (GNU) is MIA. And it’s not unified in the nation’s interests - it’s every man or woman for themselves. This is the opinion of one former DA leader-turned-ambassador, Tony Leon, who argues that SA’s current crop of leaders is failing the perfect storm test as we barrel toward Trump’s tariffs sans a senior diplomat in…

1
No deal (yet) - what does Trump’s 30% tariffs mean for you? 38:18

3M ago38:18

38:18

We’re edging ever closer to becoming one of the few countries in the world to bear the full brunt of the US Trump administration’s 30% tariff slap. Can a last-minute phone call from President Cyril Ramaphosa curry favour and land a new US/SA trade deal? Business journalist William Brederode and The Lead host Graeme Raubenheimer are holding their br…

1
Shades of Babita - another auditor, another hit and more tender billions 24:06

3M ago24:06

24:06

It may mean “place of peace”. But the City of Ekurhuleni has been on edge this year following the murder of its chief auditor, Mpho Mafole. The soon-to-be married financial investigator was shot and killed not far from his Kempton Park home in late June. Mafole, a former staffer in the Auditor-General’s office, was only three months on the job in E…

1
Criminal comrades? Pieter du Toit on THAT party picture that says a thousand words 34:59

3M ago34:59

34:59

“All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others”.If you haven’t read Animal Farm, that’s one of author George Orwell’s most famous quotes and it has never rung truer in the South African context than today, 31 July 2025.As we wait for the Madlanga Inquiry’s first public hearings into alleged police criminal capture, the man at the centr…