“Need a lift from modern life’s daily grind? Well, Sunday’s insert on a group of grannies playing competitive soccer is just the tonic. They might be in their 70s and 80s, but they’re as committed as any social league team I’ve seen play. Given some more time together, they might just give a team like, oh, I don’t know, Royal AM a run for their money. (Any connection between the sentiment expressed here and possible legal action emanating from last week’s show is purely coincidental – Ed)” – John Webb, Executive Producer
Paying for Air
Johannesburg ratepayers are fed up. For years, residents have fought the City over exorbitant municipal bills. Then the municipality implemented what it calls “water shifting”: switching off some suburbs’ water to supply others. This left residents without water for hours and sometimes even days at a time. But instead of water bills decreasing, many increased dramatically. In several cases, desperate residents checked their meters and found them spinning out of control despite there being no water in the pipes. Carte Blanche investigates why scores of households are literally paying for the air in their water pipes, instead of the water they consume.
Producer: Sasha Schwendenwein | Presenter: Claire Mawisa
Failure to Act
In April 2019, a newborn baby died after a trusted midwife failed to react when the infant displayed signs of distress in the womb. But this wasn’t the midwife’s first victim, or her last. In almost a decade, several children have either died or been severely disabled, allegedly because of this midwife’s actions. And despite losing her licence, she is still practicing. So, why has the South African Nursing Council (SANC), the regulatory body responsible for holding her accountable, failed to stop this registered nurse from operating? And did the Council do enough to prevent this well-known midwife from hurting more mothers and their children?
Producer: Tarryn Crossman | Presenter: Masa Kekana
Yolande Maritz: Menacing Midwife
In 2020, #CarteBlanche exposed a midwife accused of using a dangerous drug to speed up her patients’ deliveries without their consent. Five babies died and several were left disabled. Yolande Maritz (now Fouchee) had her licence revoked, but that hasn’t stopped her.
Soccer Grannies
In a community stadium in Nkowankowa, Limpopo a group of soccer players converges on the field and the game begins. But this is no ordinary football match. Among the players is eighty-something-year-old Mama Annah “Bull” Bvuma, known as a fierce defender. Like her, the other players are all elderly and, while they might seem frail, they’re just as competitive as athletes half (or even a third) their age. The Vakhegula Vakhegula football club has become a firm favourite with both local and international spectators. Many of these women have travelled around the world playing in the Soccer Grannies World Championships. Carte Blanche meets the old ladies from rural communities who are taking to the beautiful game.
Producer: Tarryn Crossman | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli
CARTE BLANCHE: THE PODCAST
Simply Inhumane
Causing a stink in Cape Town – the so-called livestock death ship reignites a decades-long debate. Eradicate pit latrines or else – why government has failed to address this human rights violation. Then, we finally have an election date! And why is the ANC staying quiet on Alexei Navalny’s death?
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Royal AM: Msunduzi’s Own Goal
Msunduzi Municipality is crumbling and money is running out. Yet the city is willing to spend R27 million to sponsor the Royal AM football club. The mayor says it makes perfect sense, residents disagree.
UPDATE: Zuko Nonxuba
For years, lawyer Zuko Nonxuba allegedly stole millions in medical negligence claims – payouts intended for children with cerebral palsy. As the LPC apparently dragged its heels, the investigation into Nonxuba’s alleged crimes faltered. That’s when a team of lawyers stepped in.
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