Inside the spectacle that was SONA 2026

The opening of Parliament, albeit from Cape Town City Hall, is anything but a quiet affair. Let The Lead host, Graeme Raubenheimer, take you inside the spectacle that was the State of the Nation Address 2026. From politicians’ demands on the red carpet and a student protest to the president’s podium, Raubenheimer holds out his mic to gauge the moment. And, besides the perpetual water crisis, crime and corruption, Raubenheimer discovers across party political lines an undercurrent of concern over illegal immigration. This is The Lead, and this is the South African story. Comment below and send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note: 072 562 3179. To advertise: [email protected]. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube. The show is fully produced, presented and edited by Raubenheimer and quality-checked by Simon Sonnekus.