“There are moments in this job when you wonder whether it’s all worth it: the bureaucratic accountability-dodging, the nose-thumbing criminal arrogance, and the ubiquitous stream of legal threats that accompanies any attempt at exposing either. But every now and then, a rogue once believed untouchable faces justice, and you’re reminded of the significance of what you do.” – John Webb, Executive Producer
Kirstenbosch Collapse?
For over a century, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden has been one of our greatest natural treasures. But claims that it’s in decline have erupted into controversy. It began with a Facebook post alleging widespread neglect at the gardens, prompting emotional responses from horticulturists, former staff and loyal visitors. Management insist that, while they face massive challenges, they continue to celebrate conservation successes. Is the garden truly in decline or have expectations surrounding a beloved landmark become impossible to meet? And what does its future hold?
Producer & Presenter: Catherine Rice
Six Years Later
Six years ago, a mother sent us a message; her daughter had suffered a traumatic birth, and she believed her midwife had drugged her. The investigation that followed uncovered dead babies, brain injuries and mothers searching for answers. Carte Blanche first exposed midwife Yolande Maritz Fouchee in 2020. Over the next six years, mothers refused to stay silent, and we kept the spotlight on a story of loss, grief, and an extraordinary fight for justice. Now, judgement has finally arrived.
Producer: Tarryn Crossman
Future Clinic
It’s an all-too-familiar picture in our rural communities: overwhelmed clinics, too few doctors, and preventable medical mistakes. But a young Free State doctor wants to change that reality. The result: an AI-assisted technology that allows doctors to supervise and assist remotely while nurses provide essential hands-on care. It’s built on South African medical guidelines, and it’s already reducing dangerous oversights in rural Free State clinics. Step inside one of Africa’s first live AI-assisted clinic systems.
Producer: Sasha Schwendenwein | Presenter: Claire Mawisa
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