“We commissioned our concussion insert to tell Pat Lambie’s story and highlight the steps being taken to protect rugby players. There’s no shortage of effort to make the game as safe as possible. But, as I write this, the internet is buzzing at a decision by a disciplinary panel to rescind a red card handed to England flyhalf, Owen Farrell for a blatant, head-high tackle. It is, to be frank, an outrage.” – John Webb, Executive Producer
The Grand Dame Ellis Park
Emirates Airline Park, still popularly known as Ellis Park Stadium, has been the site of some of the biggest milestones in South African sporting history. In 1995, it hosted the Rugby World Cup Final – South Africa’s first major international sporting victory after years of isolation, and Nelson Mandela’s first trophy as president. Set in Johannesburg’s inner city, it’s a stadium steeped in history. But it’s suffering the consequences of Johannesburg’s steady decay. So, what does the future hold for this landmark, and will it be possible to turn around its fortunes without doing the same for the city of gold?
Producer: Nicky Troll | Presenter: Claire Mawisa
From Prison to Parow
There’s a tragic mystery that haunts Mitchells Plain in the Western Cape; who killed 21 young boys between 1986 and 1994? They’re cases that remain unsolved, a still-festering wound for many of the area’s residents who lived through the anxiety and fear of that time. With the recent release of a convicted murderer dubbed the Station Strangler, still suspected of having been behind the murders but found guilty of just one, these children are once again front of mind. And as Norman Simons settles back into society as a paroled prisoner some residents of Parow, where he now lives, are re-living their worst fears.
Producer: Annalise Lubbe | Presenter: Erin Bates
High Impact
They called him “The Baby-Faced Assassin” – a talented flyhalf and crowd favourite who played for the Springboks. At the prime of his career, and with two World Cups under his belt, Pat Lambie was an undeniable star. But at just 28 a shocking diagnosis forced his retirement. He’d suffered a series of concussions and continuing to play at the highest level was deemed too dangerous. But he’s not alone: in the world of high-impact contact sports, concussions are relatively common. Quite difficult to diagnose, players are often relied upon to be upfront about their own symptoms. South Africa’s concussion programmes for diagnosing and preventing concussions are world-class and researchers are determined to detect and treat these head injuries effectively.
Producer: Liz Fish | Presenter: Govan Whittles
Alldays Victory
In March this year, Paulina Manengena and Stephen Serakalala were at their wits’ end. For almost two decades, the twosome had been running the Dirisanang Drop-In Centre in Alldays that looks after vulnerable children. The centre was operating from a corrugated iron shack but in 2013, a Swedish benefactor, Leif Rahmqvist promised to raise funds and build a new facility for the children. The municipality made the land available and the new centre was erected. But Rahmqvist never gave the children access to the building and, for a decade, the Blouberg Municiplaity failed to act against him. After we broadcast this controversy, the Swedish press picked up the story and Rahmqvist fled South Africa. The building has now officially been taken over by the municipality and has finally been handed over to the Drop-In Centre.
Producer: Stenette Grosskopf | Presenter: Masa Kekana
CARTE BLANCHE: THE PODCAST
Trial and Error
We take quick look at the recent taxi strike and, of course, Zuma’s special remission. Then, we focus on several court cases this week including the Blue Lights assault matter, the acquittal of child rapist, Ntokozo Zikhali, and the latest on the Babita Deokoran case. We also continue our Women’s Month discussion.
Tractor Tannie
What would you do to help your child realise their sporting dream – even if it’s wacky and off-beat? The story of a mother, her daughter and a 1600 km journey in a very old tractor.
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Holy Sheep
What does a retired prison warder, a house mother and pastor have in common? They all landed in the clutches of a notorious local scamster. We’re on the trail of a well-known Eastern Cape farmer who duped scores of victims out of their pensions.
A Hard-Knock Life
It’s a registered NPO with the Limpopo Department of Social Development, and for years, the volunteers have been serving the vulnerable children of Alldays. They provide food and a safe place for the youngsters to go after school. For many of them, this is their only meal for that day. Then came a wealthy Swedish national who promised to build an orphanage, on municipal land, to accommodate the children. Donations poured in from around the world, and a building was erected. Ten years later, the NPO is still feeding children in Alldays, from a corrugated iron shack, in the dust, and next to the building that was intended for them. Their cries for help to the local Municipality have gone unanswered. Carte Blanche investigates.
Shooting for Success
Delareyville in the North West is one of the most forgotten towns in the country. It’s a community beset with teenage pregnancy and drug abuse, where young girls fall prey to devious predators. But one woman is determined to change that by building a generation of confident and resilient young women. And she’s using a popular school sport to do it. As the Netball World Cup draws near, Carte Blanche examines how Grace Tshiping is using netball to empower girls and take them off the streets.
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