Coming Up On Carte Blanche – 6 October 2024

“Semigration is having a noticeable impact on the Cape Winelands. Paarl, Stellenbosch, and Wellington – once rural idylls – are now as famous for their housing developments as they are their Pinotage and Chenin Blanc. It’s the inevitable consequence of the desire for a more secure and peaceful life – real or imagined.” – John Webb, Executive Producer  

Botmaskop Bonanza

A half-hour walk up the mountain above Unie Park in Stellenbosch takes you to a huge construction site where ground has been broken for what is meant to be one of the Cape’s new exclusive lifestyle estates. Roads have been laid on the steep slope and reinforced to prevent erosion, alien plants have been cleared, and the entire area enclosed with a fence which snakes down the mountainside. Luxury houses will go up here, commanding breathtaking views. The developers are selling plots for millions, attracting both local and international buyers who want a taste of the high-end Winelands lifestyle. But, for Stellenbosch residents concerned with urban heritage, this development feels very different from the small mountain resort they approved in a 2003 public participation process. And people living in neighbouring Ida’s Valley are chafing at a controversial land swap which they allege favours the developers with a sliver of municipal land in exchange for steep ground on which the developer cannot build. This at a time when plans for social housing on an adjacent piece of land seem to have fallen off the table. Carte Blanche examines the paper trail which throws light and shade on the convoluted process of environmental authorisation for an exclusive housing estate.

Producer: Marion Edmunds | Presenter: Govan Whittles

Deadly Desires

Standing in the dock at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court, Sifiso Mkhwanazi is an ordinary figure, just one of several hundred criminals who have appeared before Judge Cassim Moosa for sentencing. But his casual demeanour conceals a ruthless, violent serial killer – one of the youngest recorded in South Africa – who terrorised sex workers in downtown Johannesburg. After a series of gruesome murders sent shockwaves through the community, Mkhwanazi emerged as the shadowy figure behind the killings. As investigators dug deeper, they painted a chilling portrait of a man driven by dark impulses and a twisted sense of retribution. Carte Blanche asks: What drove a soft-spoken young man to become one of the country’s most prolific serial killers?

Producer: Sinethemba Nogude | Presenter: Claire Mawisa

Chess for Change

On the outskirts of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Lucky Nxumalo, a self-taught welder, is using chess to transform his community. Lucky’s passion for the game is giving local children a chance to develop their minds and discover new possibilities. After years of seeking government support to teach chess, Lucky’s dream remained out of reach. It wasn’t until a chance encounter with a stranger that his vision began to take shape. With some support, the Hlulabantu Chess Garden was created: a space where local kids gather to learn and play. Despite earning modestly, Lucky teaches chess for free, believing the game sharpens strategic thinking and can lead to a brighter future for his community. Through one man’s unwavering dedication, the simple game of chess is becoming a powerful tool for education and empowerment in an area where opportunities are few.

Producer: Carol Albertyn Christie | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli

CARTE BLANCHE: THE PODCAST

Government of Provincial Disunity

While the GNU looks healthy more than 100 days in, the same can’t be said for provincial government… Then, from Palestine to Lebanon – why President Ramaphosa believes South Africa could play an integral mediation role. Later, why Eskom’s proposed tariff hikes won’t address the real issue… Also, are we turning a corner in the fight against rhino poaching? And we find inspiration in the stories of 35 trailblazers under 35. But first, as pressure mounts on the ANC and President Cyril Ramaphosa to act against Justice Minister, Thembi Simelane, some are beginning to say this is all part of a ploy to halt prosecutions in the VBS and State Capture matters.

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PICKS OF THE WEEK

Terrorised by Taxis

There’s no question that taxis are the backbone of our economy. They transport thousands of people cheaply each day, ensuring they get to work and back. But it’s an industry notorious for lawlessness and aggression. Whether it’s being overtaken from the emergency lane or yet another jumped traffic light, most of us have taxi-related stories to tell. But reckless driving is one thing, intimidation and extortion in the name of protecting profits is another. Now, it seems some taxi operators believe they’re entitled to dictate whether private motorists can carry passengers. Our first story tonight focusses on Gauteng but exposes a national problem.

Full Story

UPDATE: Ibogaine Death

In 2019, we investigated Dr Anwar Jeewa, a dentist running a rehab clinic in Durban. Jeewa dosed his patients with ibogaine, a controversial psychedelic substance that blocks the symptoms of opiate withdrawal. Two years before our investigation, a young Canadian man who’d approached Dr Jeewa for help with his prescription addiction died just hours after his arrival at the clinic. Seven years later, the courts have finally had their say.

Listeriosis Lawsuit

In 2017, South Africa was faced with the largest listeriosis outbreak in world history. By September 2018, this foodborne disease had killed more than two hundred people and left hundreds more in serious condition. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) investigated and traced the source of the outbreak to Enterprise polony, a popular ready-to-eat processed meat produced by Tiger Brands. The deadly listeriosis strain that caused the outbreak, ST6, was not found at any location or facility during the outbreak period except Tiger Brands’ Polokwane meat processing facility. A class action lawsuit saw listeriosis survivors demanding compensation from the consumer goods giant. But six years later, they have received nothing.

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Oom Frans and His Newspapers

In an antique building on the main street of Calvinia in the heart of the Hantam Karoo, 91-year-old Oom Frans Hugo shuffles from his desk to the large cardboard printouts on another table. He carefully cuts out a black-and-white photograph and sticks it just below the newspaper headline that he’s working on. This is the newsroom where, for decades, Oom Frans has been patiently producing three weekly newspapers: The Messenger, Die Noordwester and Die Owernuus. As the future of print news hangs in the balance, and the journalism profession faces an existential crisis, Oom Frans seems unaffected. Once a week, he sets off before daybreak to drive 1200 km in a single day, personally delivering his popular newspapers to readers across the region.

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By Andrew Germishuys

Founder of SAMDB | Actor | Armourer | Tech Enthusiast With over two decades in the film industry, I'm a seasoned actor and skilled armourer. I hold numerous certifications in acting and filmmaking, complemented by degrees and diplomas in IT and technology, giving me a unique blend of creative and technical expertise. When I'm not on set or in the workshop, you'll find me immersed in the world of gaming and VR, fuelling my passion for cutting-edge technology. Connect with me: X / Twitter Facebook Instagram Mastodon Threads Explore my work on SAMDB IMDb