“I consider my two days in Chernobyl among the most surreal of my life. Within hours of arriving, I was being urged to try homemade mushroom soup and locally distilled vodka. I left convinced that, if you plugged me into the national grid, I could power a laptop and small TV. How Russian occupiers later thought it prudent to dig trenches in one of the most radioactive corners of one of the most radioactive areas on the planet is utterly baffling. On Sunday, we ask why they bothered occupying it in the first place.” -John Webb, Executive Producer
Rabid Seals
Cape fur seals are generally curious and friendly sea mammals. They are often found lazing around in Western Cape harbours and diving sites, and they’ve become a common sight on our beaches. But in recent years, there has been a significant increase in unprovoked attacks on people both in the water and onshore. Experts say this behaviour is unusual because seals usually attack only when they’re protecting their young. Now eight seals, including a pup that attacked five surfers in May this year, have tested positive for the deadly rabies virus: the first recorded cases in seals since 1981. Scientists, veterinarians and marine authorities are confounded, and companies that used to snorkel with seals have closed shop.
Producer: Liz Fish | Presenter: Erin Bates
A Time of War
In March 2022, Russia did the unthinkable: Eight years after the first Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2014, thousands of Russian troops crossed the border as Vladmir Putin carried out his long-standing threat to invade the country again. Chernobyl, home to the world’s most notorious nuclear power station, was captured and hundreds of people were trapped. Then Russian troops occupying the area began to withdraw. Now, more than two years since the war began, Carte Blanche goes inside the exclusion zone to examine why keeping Chernobyl out of Russian hands was critical to Ukraine’s fightback.
Producer: Floris Kotze | Presenter: Govan Whittles
Hot Tea and Apricots
It was a 40th birthday celebration that should’ve ended in high spirits. But without warning, career woman and mom of three young children, Kim Ballantine, lost her voice. Spasmodic dysphonia, a rare and serious neurological condition, caused her vocal cords to spasm, leaving her unable to breathe and, on several occasions, at death’s door. Meals were puréed and sipped through a straw but often triggered life-threatening spasms of Kim’s vocal cords. Doctors couldn’t find the cause of her condition, and she was told she would never speak again. And then, just as the family was learning to adapt to a new normal, Kim was diagnosed with breast cancer. In this remarkable story of loss and hope, love and faith, we speak to a family that stuck together through the tough times, inspiring us never to give up – no matter how dire the situation may appear.
Producer: Joy Summers | Presenter: Masa Kekana
CARTE BLANCHE: THE PODCAST
A Media Massacre
Another week, another blow to independent media. We send out an SOS. Comparing apples and pears… literally. The Competition Commission warns fresh produce wholesalers to stop its anti-competitive practices. Later, Ray Mahlaka tells us why he believes Transnet is about to stage the biggest turnaround in business history. And women in Soweto are saying: Funk It, I’m Walking. But first: it was a lavish affair, but now the real work begins. Now that the presidential inauguration is behind us, and the fight for cabinet positions continues, we look at how the markets have responded to the Government of National Unity, President Ramaphosa’s second term, and discover everyone from industry to ratings agencies believe we’re finally on a road to recovery.
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Bikes and Bandits
High-end motorbikes are in demand. Gangs move through suburbs, scouting neighbourhoods for these valuable bikes. The bikes are offloaded on the black market in neighbouring countries, ensuring they disappear for good. Now, a team of private security investigators are on the gangs’ trail and Carte Blanche has exclusive access to this exhilarating takedown.
GNU Talks with Helen Zille
Govan Whittles and Masa Kekana recently sat down with the DA federal chairperson, Helen Zille, to talk about ongoing GNU discussions and what the party considers to be a deal-breaker.
Coalitions and the Political Purge
How did the ANC lose its political grip? And how did the MK Party leave so many political parties and analysts surprised? Erin Bates speaks to the experts.
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