News24 The Lead

All aboard? Not quite, as Gautrain stuck in search for new operator

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Democratic South Africa has had such lofty dreams of bullet trains for our now largely decrepit rail network. The Gautrain, though, stands as somewhat of a contemporary rail success story. And now, the high-speed service between OR Tambo International Airport and the capital, Pretoria, is approaching its final station in finding a new operator to run it. News24 business journalist William Brederode tells The Lead that the appointment process is heavily delayed. Later, in our trending topic, the site of the deadly George building collapse is going up for auction soon. Finally, a curious murder case grabbed national attention in 1970s apartheid SA, with On This Day in SA History, our regular segment. You can send our host, broadcast journalist Graeme Raubenheimer, a voice note with your questions or thoughts on the show: 072 562 3179. To advertise in the show: thelead@24.com. Full editions drop Monday through Thursday at 19:00 on Spotify, Apple and YouTube.
Chapters
  • 00:01 Graeme's intro
  • 01:19 Crossing to William Brederode
  • 12:00 UK / SA trains subsidy comparison
  • 22:35 Trending topic: George building collapse site auction
  • 24:01 Finally: On This Day in SA History / Dick Cheney fun fact
4 Nov 2025 English South Africa News · Society & Culture

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