“I vaguely recall having a few cold ones at Randolf Jorberg’s bright yellow beer hall in Cape Town. Back then, it was an institution on arguably the city’s most famous thoroughfare, Long Street. How sad that it’s come to represent so much pain and uncertainty, a monument to the wanton violence and insatiable greed of Cape Town’s gangsters.” – John Webb, Executive Producer
The Politics of Power
South Africa’s newly formed Government of National Unity (GNU) is settling in, forging new alliances to build an accountable and effective government. But while political adversaries appear to be burying the hatchet at national level, old and new faultlines threaten to scupper this fragile political marriage of convenience. In Gauteng, the failure to form a representative GNU is a symptom of deeper and darker political contests beneath the surface. Carte Blanche tests the waters with South Africa’s ministerial newbies, to establish the strength and nature of the glue in the GNU – and to ask: on whose shoulders will success ultimately rest?
Producer: Marion Edmunds | Presenter: Erin Bates
Extortion City
On the surface, Randolf Jorberg – with his bright yellow t-shirt, sunglasses and newly dyed yellow beard – is an eccentric character. But on the streets of Cape Town, he’s a well-known business owner who used to run one of the best beer houses on Long Street. In recent years, though, Randolf has been forced to retreat from the spotlight as protection rackets targeting small businesses have flourished. Cape Town has become the extortion epicentre, with violent criminal syndicates operating across the city. In 2015, Randolf refused to pay protection money. Weeks later, his doorman was assassinated. He says it was a clear message: pay up or suffer the consequences. Alleged underworld kingpins are currently on trial in the Western Cape High Court, but that hasn’t stopped their henchmen from wreaking havoc. Carte Blanche examines the underbelly of the Western Cape’s deadly extortion rackets.
Producer: Catherine Rice | Presenter: Govan Whittles
The Thirteen Peaks
The 13 Peaks Challenge is a journey of over 100 kilometres, climbing more than 6000 metres and conquering some of the Western Cape’s most difficult mountain peaks. It was designed by an experienced extreme endurance runner, and it’s a tough adventure for even experienced adult trail runners. But that hasn’t deterred Mackenzie Knott, a sporty 11-year-old with a passion for animals and the outdoors. Determined to raise funds for the care of rhino orphans, Mackenzie has taken on the gruelling 13 Peaks Challenge every year since she was just eight years old.
Producer: Laura Byrne | Presenter: Erin Bates
CARTE BLANCHE: THE PODCAST
Of Cabinets and Cow Farts
The Gauteng Cabinet is crumbling as the ANC, DA and EFF struggle to see eye-to-eye. Then, starting claims made by the former CEO of VBS Mutual Bank. But are these just the ramblings of man desperate for a lighter sentence? Why appointing a jaded former judge to the JSC has experts concerned. And some closure in the Life Esidimeni tragedy. But first, just days into his tenure as new Sports, Arts and Culture Minister, Patriotic Alliance leader, Gayton McKenzie ruffled a few feathers.
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Horror in Heidelberg
The mystery around the death of 18-year-old Dylan Bothma has yet to be solved. In June last year, Dylan was beaten and later died after being hit by two cars on the R23 between Heidelberg and Balfour. On the night of his death, he attended a sweet sixteenth birthday party, but our investigation reveals that it may have been anything but an innocent party for teenagers.
Limpopo Bus Tragedy
In Molepolole, the largest village in Botswana, 44 identical graves lie side-by-side in the community cemetery. The burial site stands as a memorial for the scores of people killed in a horrific bus crash across the border in South Africa. Just days before the start of the Easter celebrations, busloads of worshippers travelled from across Southern Africa to Moria in Limpopo for the annual ZCC pilgrimage. But these Batswana pilgrims and their bus driver never made it to the sacred place of worship. Instead, the speeding bus plunged over the bridge on the Mmamatlakala Pass. There was just one survivor – an eight-year-old girl who escaped with just minor injuries. But what really happened on the bridge? This dangerous hairpin bend on the R518 has become notorious for serious accidents and, while the authorities have suggested speeding as the primary cause of the crash, could something else have contributed to the tragic outcome? Now, Carte Blanche examines the state of the barriers before the accident on Maundy Thursday
Shauwn Mkhize: A Clean Sheet?
Shauwn Mkhize is a flamboyant, high-flying businesswoman and soccer boss from KwaZulu-Natal who was once at the centre of allegations of fraud and tax evasion. MaMkhize secured much of her wealth from multiple government tenders to build low-cost housing in the province. Despite being found guilty of fraud in 2005, she doesn’t take kindly to being called a convicted fraudster – something Carte Blanche did in a previous episode. In February this year, we investigated Msunduzi Municipality’s multi-million rand sponsorship of Mkhize’s PSL football club, Royal AM. Days later, Mkhize filed court papers, saying the label “convicted fraudster” was false and defamatory and insisting her record is clean. But, right after our legal papers had been filed, she withdrew the case. Now, in an explosive interview with Govan Whittles, the soccer boss and tenderpreneur pushes back against our claims.
The Floating Book Fair
In early May, the Logos Hope – a large ship that has been travelling around the world – docked at Durban Harbour. Comprising a crew of mostly volunteers, the Logos Hope is no ordinary vessel. It’s a floating book fair. With over 5000 book titles covering subjects that range from science to medicine and even children’s literature, it’s a book lovers’ dream.
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.
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 / X: @carteblanchetv #CarteBlanche
Instagram: @carteblanchetv #CarteBlanche
Youtube: carteblancheTV #CarteBlanche
TikTok: @carteblanchetv101
Threads: carteblanchetv
