“There comes a point when you wonder whether stories about the collapse of municipal services are worth the effort. At what point will our viewers grow weary of yet another potholed road, burst water pipe or unrepaired substation? Has our audience become so inured to the reality of non-delivery that it no longer cares to be reminded of its extent? I fear it has. But when reports of exploding electricity boxes and a hospital functioning on little to no power reach our desks, we’re compelled to investigate.” – John Webb, Executive Producer
Taken for a Ride
In the Free State, a small-town mayor is racking up the kilometres on expensive car rentals and exorbitant fuel costs while taxpayers foot the bill. In Nketoana Municipality, Mayor Mamiki Mokoena is under investigation for spending thousands of rands on fuel and rental vehicles, despite strong evidence that wherever she was going had nothing to do with her actual responsibilities. Across the municipality, several multi-million rand infrastructure tenders are almost at a standstill. In just one month this year, she reportedly travelled close to 7000 kilometres in a rented luxury 4X4. But when last did she inspect any of these critical municipal projects? So, where was the mayor travelling to? It’s a story of abuse of power told through the odometer, and the numbers simply don’t add up.
Producer: Harri Vithi | Presenter: Govan Whittles
Komani in the Dark
Komani (formerly Queenstown) in the Eastern Cape was once a thriving community. But for years, the Enoch Mgijima Municipality has been in crisis. Komani’s infrastructure is rapidly deteriorating while the municipality racks up millions in fruitless expenditures. In 2019, the municipality was placed under administration which should’ve stopped the decline. But today, Komani is a shadow of its former glory as some areas – including the provincial hospital – endure weeks without power. Since 2020, the municipality’s Eskom debt has skyrocketed from R350 million to R1.4 billion, meaning a large portion of its funds are consumed by debt repayment and staff salaries, and very little is left for critical service delivery. As National Treasury approves a billion-rand bailout for the municipality, can Komani be saved?
Producer: Sasha Schwendenwein | Presenter: Masa Kekana
Chasing the Sun
It was a science experiment born out of necessity. A group of Stellenbosch University students and academics wanted to run tests on a Kenyan-built electric motorbike. However, the bike first had to be transported from Nairobi to the university campus. Since standard couriers weren’t feasible, the team devised a plan to drive the motorbike themselves across six African countries. With no charging stations on the route, they custom-built a pop-up travelling solar array to keep the batteries going on solar power alone. It’s a stunt they hope will raise awareness about the potential for electric vehicles in Africa, and champion local skills in a fast-growing global industry. But most of all, it was a life-changing adventure.
Producer: Marion Edmunds | Presenter: Erin Bates
PICKS OF THE WEEK
The Historian
On any afternoon in the Botanical Gardens, visitors might encounter one of Johannesburg’s rare sights. It could be an Inca warrior, an Ottoman trader, or – on particularly special days – a Crusader wandering the woods. Gareth Sephton is a one-of-a-kind individual with a deep passion for history. He doesn’t just study the past – he steps into it, quite literally, by recreating the lives of those who came before us. For Gareth, history isn’t just about facts; it’s about immersing oneself in the sights, sounds, and sensations of another time. While his outfits might raise eyebrows, they captivate children at a local primary school and bring joy to seniors at a nearby retirement home. His story is a charming reminder of the magic that unfolds when imagination takes flight.
Books Galore!
Right in the heart of Johannesburg’s inner city lies a hidden gem for book lovers: the Literary District. It’s an unexpected haven packed with books by some of the most celebrated African and international authors. Whether you’re hunting for rare collectables in the basement of the Rand Club or browsing second-hand paperbacks from street vendors, this vibrant area is home to over 70 booksellers, all within about a kilometre of each other. One of these passionate booksellers is Griffin Shea, a former Agence France-Presse journalist who’s spent the last decade creating a detailed map to help fellow book enthusiasts explore the district. Carte Blanche takes a closer look at the surprising reading culture thriving in the city’s inner core.
NEWS AND VIEWS
Surviving the Floods
In the wake of the devastating Los Angeles fires, and severe flooding across the UK, we revisit our 2024 story on the deadly Spanish floods which claimed at least 232 lives. These events are stark reminders that the climate crisis is no longer a question of “what if” but “what now?”
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