It’s been a challenging year. The loss of our dear colleague, Derek, dealt our team a hammer blow for which we were emotionally unprepared and from which we’ve yet to properly recover. But it’s also been a year in which South Africans have continued to surprise and inspire us with their courage and creativity. So, from a biker making a ‘thong’ and dance about giraffes to the glorious homecoming of our world record-setting Springboks, this weekend’s rebroadcast of some of this year’s stories reminds us that, for as long as there are Siyas, Skinnys and Graces among us, hope springs eternal. ~ John Webb, Executive Producer
Holy Sheep
He was a model citizen in the farming community of Barkly East in the Eastern Cape. A God-fearing commercial farmer with a loyal circle of friends. He was wealthy, too, by all accounts and promised similar riches for some of his closest friends and several others from a lucrative investment project. It was a simple blueprint: his investors would buy cattle and sheep and he would farm them on their behalf. Leaning on their shared religious devotion, his investment base grew impressively and his scheme blossomed into a multi-million-rand operation. Then, as they so often do, things turned sour and what appeared a legitimate and profitable business imploded. The investors, the majority of whom are pensioners, lost everything. Carte Blanche investigates.
Producer: Anina Peens | Presenter: Govan Whittles
A Champion’s Return
In scenes reminiscent of the Springboks’ victorious return from the 2019 World Cup tournament in Japan, South Africans – loud and proud – rolled out the red carpet for our heroes at OR Tambo International Airport earlier this year. Thousands of people, singing and dancing, celebrated the Boks’ triumph in lifting the Webb Ellis Cup for a historic fourth time; only the second team ever to win back-to-back World Cup victories. As skipper Siya Kolisi and his team unites young and old, Carte Blanche examines how the Springboks have inspired a nation.
Producer: Stenette Grosskopf | Presenter: Govan Whittles
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. Carte Blanche examines how Grace Tshiping is using netball to empower girls and keep them off the streets.
Producer: Floris Kotze | Presenter: Claire Mawisa
Gearing Up for Greatness
Tough to break into and even tougher to succeed in, motorcycle racing is one of the most competitive sports in the world. But at ten years old, Kgopotso Mononyane – affectionately known as KJ – knew that he had a need for speed. With his hand on the throttle, he’s spent the last five years honing his skills to become one of the best rookie motorcyclists in the country. Now, he’s racing in the memory of the man who started it all: his father. Carte Blanche meets this extraordinary racer.
Producer: Floris Kotze | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli
Cheeky Bikers
Skinny van Schalkwyk is no ordinary woman. A self-declared “biker chick”, she bought her first motorbike – a pink Yamaha R6 – almost two decades ago and has never looked back. From track racing to epic adventure rides and stunts, Skinny lives for the roar of her bike’s engine and the freedom it brings. But she also has a deep love for the outdoors and, six years ago – together with her “sidekick”, Chikita – started the annual Anti-Pants, Anti-Poaching bike rally. It’s an off-the-wall way of contributing to nature conservation. This year, more than 200 trouserless bikers joined them to contribute much-needed cash to the protection of giraffe.
Producer: Stenette Grosskopf | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli
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.
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Murder: Unresolved
An under-resourced police service, understaffed and with an overwhelming number of cases. As investigations continue to crumble, South Africans have turned to the private sector to get justice. But is it the answer?
Budding Besties
It’s the Springbok rugby team you didn’t know you needed… After surviving some tragic circumstances, this group of orphaned rhinos is bringing some real ‘gees’ and joy.
JOIN THE #CARTEBLANCHE CONVERSATION
Please note: Carte Blanche line-ups are subject to change. Stories can be viewed at www.carteblanche.co.za
Facebook: Carte Blanche #CarteBlanche
Twitter: @carteblanchetv #CarteBlanche
Instagram: @carteblanchetv #CarteBlanche
Youtube: carteblancheTV #CarteBlanche
TikTok: @carteblanchetv101
