“I’ve changed. Once a journalist who covered violent rebellion in the DRC and the Second Gulf War, I now regularly cry in the final of MasterChef. And for that, I lay the blame squarely on my children. Since becoming a dad, I’ve morphed from emotionless hack to emotional wreck, a shadow of my windswept, dust-smeared former self. So, you can imagine how I struggled to maintain composure as I watched little Bella Esterhuyse courageously emerge from her fight against cancer.” – John Webb, Executive Producer
Keys to Nowhere
A trio of would-be property moguls is selling a luxury real estate dream in Midrand’s booming new suburbs – and would-be homeowners have taken the bait. Over 30 families have handed over their life savings and taken out personal loans to pay deposits on brand-new, glossy houses advertised on social media. But their homes have never materialised, and it turns out even the property belongs to someone else. Meanwhile, professional fees and rent have gone unpaid for months. Carte Blanche tracks down the self-styled developers who won over not only first-time buyers but even seasoned construction professionals before going to ground.
Producer: Sebe Buthelezi | Presenter: Lourensa Eckard
Prescription for Addiction
In Benoni, the drug dealer wears a white coat. High-risk, scheduled drugs are being sold with no prescription, no oversight, and no accountability. This is a story of legal drugs being sold illegally, and it’s happening daily in full view of the community. From pharmacies offering addictive painkillers to a private clinic where you can hook up for a daily drip – or even schedule a house call. In this middle-class suburb, doctors and pharmacists are the dealers, legal drugs are fuelling addiction under the radar, and nobody’s watching.
Producer: Sasha Schwendenwein | Presenter: Govan Whittles
Keeping a Promise to Bella
In October 2024, we met Isabella Esterhuyse, a little girl who captured the hearts of the nation when she ran onto the field during the final game of the Rugby Championships. Bella was in the thick of a brutal fight against cancer. But in that moment on the field, she reminded South Africa what courage looks like. Govan Whittles sat on her bedroom floor to chat, and they connected instantly. Before he left, he made her a promise: “When you get better, I’ll come back and we’ll play rugby together.” Now, Bella has completed her aggressive chemotherapy treatment and she’s been given the all-clear. So, Govan is returning to the Eastern Cape to keep his promise.
Producer: Tarryn Crossman | Presenter: Govan Whittles
WATCH AGAIN: Isabella’s Dream
On 28 September 2024, South Africans cheered as our nation’s heroes took to the field to face Argentina in the Rugby Championship final. But the pluckiest person on the field was fighting not for a trophy, but for her life. Ten-year-old Isabella Esterhuyse is undergoing intense chemotherapy to combat the cancer invading her body. But her spirit remains undaunted. An avid rugby fan, her dream was to meet the Springboks… But, as she walked into the stadium holding Siya Kolisi’s hand, it was Isabella who captured the nation’s hearts.
NOW STREAMING
Toxic Streaming
TikTok: it’s a world of makeup tutorials and glittery filters. But don’t be fooled: there’s a dark side to it, too. A subculture of influencers literally fighting for likes and follows. And the winners boost more than their tough-guy reputations. They take home cold hard cash. But now, the hype and violence seem to be spilling out from behind the screen and onto the streets. And one young man – and his family – have paid the price.
Living on Cheese
Potholes are such a common sight on our roads that they’re now jokingly referred to as our national emblem. We’ve become so used to them that they rarely raise an eyebrow these days. But that’s not how our crew reacted on a recent trip to Tshwane. That’s where they encountered what some have described as potholes on steroids – massive sinkholes impacting roads, businesses, and homes thanks to crumbling public infrastructure.
NEWS & VIEWS
SANDF Torture Squad
In 2023, we reported on an elite shadow force allegedly operating above the law in the South African National Defence Force (SANDF). Investigations linked the group to the kidnapping of an Ethiopian man and his bodyguard from the Mall of Africa the year before. The Special Forces members claimed they were on a training exercise.
Then, the man investigating the kidnapping, Lieutenant Colonel Frans Mathipa was shot in the head while driving on a highway. As we and other organisations investigated, evidence pointed to a dark underworld in our country’s national defence force.
Last week, the Hawks announced the arrest of 13 SANDF members in connection with Mathipa’s murder and the kidnapping. The suspects appeared in court this week to apply for bail. We’ll be following this story and bringing you a substantial report in an upcoming show.
In case you missed our 2023 investigation, you can watch it now on the Carte Blanche website.
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