“Our government’s obvious alignment with Moscow despite its sworn non-alignment on the Ukraine conflict must get tongues wagging at embassy parties. You can almost hear the chuckles as diplomats share tweets from one of our more industrious departmental spokespeople. ‘Urging restrain from both sides!’, they’d exclaim, brushing spluttered champagne and cocktail sausages from their lapels and feather boas (are they still a thing?). ‘What’s Pandor playing at?’, they’d say as they head to the Craps table. Yes, our diplomatic clout sadly diminished, many are scratching their heads at that very question. Perhaps a certain commodity mined in a certain corner of our country holds a clue?” – John Webb, Executive Producer
Let Them Eat Pap
It’s a story that spans continents – from Europe to the USA, and to Kuruman in the Northern Cape. In 2004, Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg arrived in South Africa looking for manganese mining opportunities and a BEE partner to win the mining rights. Several politically connected entities jostled for the privilege, but one consortium stood out. It included the ANC’s investment holding company, Chancellor House and the little-known Kuruman Community Trust. The consortium won the mining rights and Vekselberg invested $350 million to build the mine. Today, the mine is the third-largest manganese producer in the world and the shareholders should all be reaping the benefits. But that hasn’t been the case for the poor local villagers who are beneficiaries of the Kuruman Community Trust. While the politically connected earn millions from the mine, they’ve been reduced to little more than R1000 a year and an annual Christmas hamper. Believing they were simply used to acquire the mining rights, they survive on pensions and government grants in villages with no running water, no inside toilets, and no jobs. In this two-part investigation, Carte Blanche examines how the poor and disenfranchised were used to line the pockets of the rich.
Producer: Kate Barry | Presenter: Masa Kekana
Closer to Home
Marinda Beukes is a woman on a mission. She’s lived in Benoni, on Johannesburg’s East Rand, for almost 20 years. But in the last few years, fear and desperation have forced her to take to her neighbourhood’s streets on the lookout for the illegal miners who are terrorising the community. Residents say the zama zamas are moving their illicit gold mining operations right into their suburbs. In their single-minded pursuit of gold, the zama zamas are digging right outside office parks and homes. Explosions and shootings are regular events, and blanket-wrapped bodies have been found next to the freeway. The zama zamas have even erected their own village, complete with makeshift markets where they dig, refine and trade their illicit gains. Carte Blanche investigates.
Producer: Chuma Kave | Presenter: Govan Whittles
Netball Glory
She’s an ultimate competitor on the netball court. Playing centre and wing attack for the senior national side, Proteas captain Bongi Msomi is a fierce opponent. Now, she and her army of fourteen will take on the world’s toughest teams at the Netball World Cup, hoping to upset the odds and lift the trophy on home soil. Msomi is a veteran of the sport, having played in three previous World Cups. And having never won the tournament, she knows all too well the bitter taste of defeat. So, can Msomi and her teammates make history this time ’round?
Producer: Julian Sun | Presenter: Erin Bates
CARTE BLANCHE: THE PODCAST
Mashatile’s Misery
The scandals keep piling up against South Africa’s Deputy President. But all is perhaps not what it seems. A little help from his friends? In the case of Joburg Mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda, it seems that’s exactly what’s happening. And a small victory in a monumental fight as Caster Semenya is thrown a lifeline.
Empty Harvest
For days, heavy rains in the Western Cape wreaked havoc on the province. With no electricity and no food supplies coming in, Citrusdal was cut off and farmers suffered devastating losses. We visit a community in turmoil.
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Black Dust
As the influx of coal trucks to Richards Bay keeps escalating, stockpiles are popping up like mushrooms with scant regard to rules and regulations. How will the residents survive clouds of black dust permeating the air they breathe?
Making a Difference with Lexus Pop Classics
There’s still time to grab your tickets for this year’s Lexus Pop Classics 2023! By attending this musical extravaganza, you’ll be supporting the Carte Blanche Making A Difference Trust and giving the most vulnerable a second chance at life. Find out more about this even and the Trust.
Black Beach Hell
In 2013, Daniel Janse van Rensburg was illegally detained for more than 400 days in one of Equatorial Guinea’s worst prisons. Notorious for the brutalisation and neglect of prisoners, inmates at Black Beach are denied visiting rights and medical treatment. After eventually being released and returning to South Africa, Daniel sued the country’s vice president, Teodorin Obiang, the man he believes had him incarcerated at Black Beach. In 2021, the Western Cape High Court awarded him R39 million for his losses and suffering and illegal incarceration and ordered the attachment of Obiang’s assets. Then, on the 9th of February this year, two days after a super yacht belonging to Obiang was seized in Cape Town, two South African citizens were detained in Equatorial Guinea and sent to Black Beach. Coincidence or a perverse act of revenge?
UPDATE: Black Beach Hell
In April this year, a nightmare unfolded in the hotel rooms of two South Africans working in Equatorial Guinea. They were bundled from their beds, accused of possessing drugs, and thrown into one of the continent’s most notorious prisons. Both men were hopeful they’d be exonerated and finally come home. Sadly, that hasn’t been the case.
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