Coming Up On Carte Blanche – 17 December 2023

“I’m old enough to remember when Marthinus van Schalkwyk was our environment minister. He once held a press conference on top of Table Mountain (for reasons never entirely understood) in which he declared a clampdown on breeding lions in captivity. Years later, the industry is as controversial and shambolic as it’s ever been, and our lions continue paying the price.” ~ John Webb, Executive Producer

Lions in Laos

In September, a South African lion farmer sent a shipment of ten healthy lions to the East Asian country of Laos – a sale that raised the alarm for animal activists. In Laos, tigers have been hunted to extinction, but their body parts are still in high demand in traditional medicine and used in a fine wine. But with the supply in the tiger bone market shrinking, alternatives are being sought in South Africa. Activists believe that the shipment of lions was destined to be killed to feed the country’s growing tiger bone industry. It’s a complex story where lion bones are used to supplement the tiger bone market. But was the farmer aware that the shipment of lions would be killed in Laos? Carte Blanche investigates and what we find, suggests that these lions were deliberately sent to their deaths.

Producer: Sasha Schwendenwein | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli 

Backyard Gold

The crackdown on illegal miners, or so-called zama zamas, in Gauteng is heating up as investigators continue to apply pressure on smalltime syndicates. But the kingpins are moving on, approaching private landowners with financial offers they can’t refuse. The criminals rent a plot of land, then set up small refineries – complete with equipment and staff. Bags of gold-rich soil, dug up by zama zamas, are transported to these refineries, turning a simple backyard into a small mining operation. Carte Blanche investigates.

Producer: Kate Barry | Presenter: Masa Kekana

Maintenance Misery

In a country where many children live with single parents, South Africa’s maintenance courts are in shambles. Across the country, these courts operate within a severely broken system that allegedly makes it difficult for single parents to get assistance. Most applicants are mothers desperate to get financial support to care for their children. But instead of help, they’re often met with a hostility from inefficient court officials. Many women allege that they’ve they had to open several cases with numerous officials because their files often disappear. Carte Blanche investigates.

Producer: Tebadi Mmotla | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli

The Doyenne of Drama

For the past 35 years, Janice Honeyman has signalled the start of the festive season with her unforgettable pantomimes. It’s a genre all on its own; a feel-good formula where good always triumphs over evil. It has brought lightness and fun to South African families. But Honeyman has also produced and directed some of South Africa’s most groundbreaking theatre, too. The edgy musical Hair – long banned for its nude scenes and psychedelic undertones – and The Colour Purple with themes of humanity, decimation of human rights and darkness we all carry. It’s a celebration of a theatrical shapeshifter, an entertainer that, on the one hand, made us laugh and sing for decades while, at her opposite, made us think and explore ourselves. 

Producer: Hein Kaiser | Presenter: Xola Ntshinga

CARTE BLANCHE: THE PODCAST

2024 is Gonna Be Hot!

And we’re not just talking about the potential impact of El Niño… We look at some of the biggest events on the political calendar – both locally and internationally. One big question: is the world inching closer towards multipolarity and what would that mean for South Africa? There’s also the very real matter of coalitions, while a handful of political bigwigs are set to face the music in court in the first half of 2024. The year hasn’t even started and we’re already exhausted at the mere thought of what’s to come.

Cyber Pirates

They call it TV-on-demand – giving consumers access to hundreds of channels and streaming services, all at their fingertips. But what are you really bringing into your home with cheap, illegal TV boxes?

PICKS OF THE WEEK

PetroSA’s Dirty Business

Minister Gwede Mantashe is determined to revive PetroSA by forcing Eskom to buy diesel from it. But to what end? Watch the full investigation now.

amaPanyaza

Protectors or predators? The deployment of Gauteng’s Crime Prevention Wardens this year happened quickly, without the proper legal framework. And now, shocking reports of brutal assaults emerge.

Full Story (age restricted)

Healthcare Reimagined

It was designed for patients and built by doctors who wanted to bring change. Could Joburg’s newest hospital be the answer to some of its healthcare burdens?