Tag: carte blanche

“I believe it was Ghandi who said you can judge a society by how it treats its animals. Of course, he may have said nothing of the sort but, if he did, he would surely have been just as forthright about how societies treat their dead. In the case of Buffalo City Municipality, though, it… Continue reading Coming Up On Carte Blanche – 13 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,… Continue reading Coming Up On Carte Blanche – 6 October 2024

“In what seems a lifetime ago, I hosted a radio show on 702. Under instruction from a highly paid consultant to take calls from listeners, we relied on what were known as “talkers” – topics known to ignite conversation to fill any dead air. There’s nothing that unnerves a radio host quite as much as lifeless… Continue reading Coming Up On Carte Blanche – 29 September 2024

“I reported on the Ghost Squad when it was launched all those years ago. Back then, many questioned the wisdom of a specialised undercover unit focussing purely on traffic violations. Good to see it’s not only still operating but making a significant difference.” – John Webb, Executive Producer Police Force or Service? In KwaZulu-Natal, shootouts… Continue reading Coming Up On Carte Blanche – 22 September 2024

“Inserts about wildlife and the environment are notoriously tricky to produce, not least because of the entrenched opinions on each side of a particular debate. Our experience has been that a defensive politician is far easier to handle than a righteously indignant activist. Then again, good luck to them. Without their passionate dedication, where would conservation… Continue reading Coming Up On Carte Blanche – 15 September 2024

“Many years ago, I worked for a radio news service that shared offices with the SA Press Association in downtown Joburg. Landlines rang incessantly over the clatter of keyboards being hammered by reporters and copy editors who’d honed their skills on typewriters. Sitting on stained red couches in an unventilated smoking room, we’d share views on the… Continue reading Coming Up On Carte Blanche – 8 September 2024