“Sunday’s red dust story mirrors a similar investigation we undertook into coal dust pollution in Richard’s Bay. That experience made clear the extent to which this level of pollution – whether within regulated levels or not – impacts people’s lives. And the way the potential health effects are indignantly dismissed by corporate spokespeople is quite chilling. Is it too significant a leap in logic to assume breathing in clouds of coal or iron ore dust might not do the human body much good?” – John Webb, Executive Producer
Saldanha’s Red Dust
Imagine living in a place where opening your door means inviting a red storm into your kitchen. Where your home, no matter how many times you clean or repaint it, is never clean enough. In Saldanha Bay in the Western Cape, red dust isn’t just a nuisance, it’s a crisis. Iron ore dust from the port has painted the entire landscape red: houses, cars, even pets. Despite efforts by Transnet to suppress the dust, it continues to seep into every corner of the town, damaging property and possibly posing a health risk to residents. The Red Dust Action Group is trying to help, determined to hold powerful corporations accountable for polluting their community. They’re not just pushing for cleaner air, they’re pushing for justice.
Producer: Floris Kotze | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli
Sebokeng’s Children
The Carte Blanche Making A Difference Trust has a longstanding relationship with Sebokeng Regional Hospital. In the last decade, the Trust has built two paediatric high-care wards at Sebokeng, but they’re operating beyond capacity. Meanwhile, at Sebokeng – as at other regional hospitals – children are traumatised by their exposure to violence and illness in the emergency department they share with the community’s adults. So the Trust stepped in again. In 2023, construction began on a first-of-its-kind Paediatric Emergency Unit, where children will be treated by specialist doctors using equipment designed for their tiny bodies. This week, the Trust proudly unveiled the completed, state-of-the-art facility and handed it over to the hospital, its community and, most importantly, its children.
Producer: Laura Byrne | Presenter: Claire Mawisa
Jerry’s Rangers
In Soweto, Jerry Selwane is an unstoppable force, saving and rehabilitating injured and abandoned animals in his community. Through Soweto’s Animal Rescue and Advisory Centre (SARAC), he is on a mission to revolutionise animal welfare, one rescue at a time. Jerry’s journey began more than two decades ago when he worked for the SPCA. But he soon realised that much more was needed to combat animal cruelty. So, he took a bold leap, pouring his heart (and life savings) into SARAC. But Jerry’s vision extends far beyond rescuing animals. He’s now cultivating a new generation of animal advocates, aptly called Jerry’s Rangers.
Producer: Busisiwe Gumede-Chizhanje | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli
Cambodia’s Surrogacy Crackdown
Surrogacy has become a valuable commodity throughout the world. Desperate soon-to-be parents are willing to do almost anything to grow their families, including travelling to other countries to find affordable surrogates. Cambodia has become a popular destination for this service, but as its commercial value increases, the risk of exploitation heightens. Now, Cambodia is cracking down on the practice, making it more difficult for prospective parents. But it’s also left some surrogates raising children they never wanted. In this special, an Australian couple risks it all to build a family through overseas surrogacy.
Producer: SBS
CARTE BLANCHE: THE PODCAST
A National Disaster
Out-of-control incidents of food poisoning push the President to address the nation. Then, violence erupts once more in Mozambique. Later, the SAPS is watching – your TikToks, that is. But first, as taps begin to run dry in parts of Johannesburg, some are sounding the alarm… With about 35% of the metro’s drinkable water lost due to leaks and illegal connections, city management is quickly running out of road to turn things around.
PICKS OF THE WEEK
Exorcisms: See No Evil
Exorcisms – the spiritual practice of casting out demons – is prevalent in many parts of our country. Despite being viewed as dated and controversial by most modern standards, they’re fully embraced by many communities. Sadly, that belief in what some call spiritual warfare has led to sometimes tragic outcomes. In this investigation, we head to KwaZulu-Natal where a family has become the latest to fall victim to abuse dressed up as faith.
Budget Cuts: Canary in the Coal Mine
Last year, national government signed off on a public servants wage agreement that the country simply couldn’t afford. Under pressure from trade unions, government increased its already overburdened wage bill, pushing the cost of the shortfall onto provincial budgets. Now provinces have been forced to cut their budgets, slashing personnel numbers and plunging service delivery further into crisis. Already overstretched, the public health and education sectors in the Western Cape have been dealt a devastating blow, and they’re not afraid to say it. Carte Blanche examines the developing crisis and asks: is the Western Cape the canary in the coal mine?
Boys to Men
Four out of five boys in South Africa grow up without a positive male role model. The consequences can be devastating: low self-esteem, poor academic performance, and depression. But a non-profit is trying to change that. The Character Company provides mentors for boys across South Africa, changing their lives and futures. On the outskirts of Cape Town, Carte Blanche meets some of these men and the children whose lives have been positively impacted by the movement.
NEWS & VIEWS
Poisoned
On an afternoon walk in downtown Johannesburg, street vendors offer a myriad of lethal poisons to eager customers looking for pesticides to kill rodents. But some of these products have been banned for years and the sale of these substances is illegal. Aldicarb is one such chemical which is easily available from vendors. Another known (but legal) chemical is the highly toxic terbufos that can kill grown men within hours. It’s this chemical that investigators from the Department of Health now believe may be behind the tragic deaths of six children who died after consuming food from a local spaza shop in Naledi, Soweto. This follows startling reports of other children around the country who have either died or become critically ill from eating snacks or food bought from spaza shops. Now, as government contends with increasing numbers of reported poisoning, especially in children, Carte Blanche investigates whether the state may ultimately be responsible for these deaths.
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