“As Christmas approaches, we’re rebroadcasting a selection of the year’s more inspirational Carte Blanche stories. Consider it our gift to you this Yuletide as we wish you and yours a wonderful and safe festive season.” – John Webb, Executive Producer
Black Mambas
South Africa remains a global hotspot for the illicit rhino horn trade. It’s a violent and remorseless underworld. No wonder, then, that when most of us think of anti-poaching units, we picture armed men ready for combat. But just outside the town of Hoedspruit, we meet a group of rangers with a very different approach. They’re called the Black Mambas and they’re the world’s first all-female anti-poaching unit. Trained to be the eyes and ears of the bush, the Mambas have reduced poaching incursions by 62% in the Greater Kruger where they operate. Remarkably, they’ve been able to achieve that without a single shot fired. We meet the inspiring group of women taking on the dangers of the bush unarmed.
Producer: Graham Coetzer | Presenter: Govan Whittles
Benny and the Fossils
It started with a young boy playing drums on the strange rocks on his favourite Wild Coast beach. Back then, Benny Mbotho didn’t realise that his playground was a series of unique fossil beds along the shore. But thanks to his grandmother, and her love of the beach and its fossils, he began to see this coastline from a new perspective. Right in front of him were the remnants of shark teeth, giant clams and petrified tree trunks from a time long forgotten: the age of the dinosaurs. And for the past five decades, Benny has been guarding these treasures for future generations.
Producer: Stenette Grosskopf | Presenter: Claire Mawisa
Hope and Healing
A normal day at home for eight-year-old Lelitha Jantjies turned into a nightmare when the family dog viciously attacked her, severely injuring her face. After multiple procedures to stitch her wounds and fight off an infection, the little girl was left with terrible scars and the emotional wounds inflicted by some uncaring schoolmates. Last year, medical specialist Dr Ansua Steyn heard about Lelitha’s plight and felt compelled to help. It was the start of something special as Dr Steyn, together with some of her colleagues, operated on Lelitha’s scars and slowly helped the little girl regain her confidence. But the team hasn’t stopped there. Theirs is a remarkable story of lending a hand to those who have suffered severe facial disfigurement and helping them get their lives back.
Producer: Mart-Marie Faure | Presenter: Claire Mawisa
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 80-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
And That’s a Wrap!
In the very final episode of The WholeWeek Wrap with Daily Maverick and Carte Blanche, we reflect on some of the biggest moments of 2024 and celebrate everything that South Africa has to offer.
PICKS OF THE WEEK
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.
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