{"id":18997,"date":"2023-07-21T16:36:47","date_gmt":"2023-07-21T14:36:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=18997"},"modified":"2023-07-21T16:36:51","modified_gmt":"2023-07-21T14:36:51","slug":"coming-up-on-carte-blanche-23-july-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2023\/07\/21\/coming-up-on-carte-blanche-23-july-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Coming Up On Carte Blanche – 23 July 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u201cOur government’s obvious alignment with Moscow despite its sworn non-alignment on the Ukraine conflict must get tongues wagging at embassy parties. You can almost hear the chuckles as diplomats share tweets from one of our more industrious departmental spokespeople. \u2018Urging restrain from both sides!\u2019, they\u2019d exclaim, brushing spluttered champagne and cocktail sausages from their lapels and feather boas (are they still a thing?). \u2018What\u2019s Pandor playing at?\u2019, they\u2019d say as they head to the Craps table. Yes, our diplomatic clout sadly diminished, many are scratching their heads at that very question. Perhaps a certain commodity mined in a certain corner of our country holds a clue?” –<\/em> John Webb, Executive Producer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let Them Eat Pap<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s a story that spans continents \u2013 from Europe to the USA, and to Kuruman in the Northern Cape. In 2004, Russian oligarch Viktor Vekselberg arrived in South Africa looking for manganese mining opportunities and a BEE partner to win the mining rights. Several politically connected entities jostled for the privilege, but one consortium stood out. It included the ANC’s investment holding company, Chancellor House and the little-known Kuruman Community Trust. The consortium won the mining rights and Vekselberg invested $350 million to build the mine. Today, the mine is the third-largest manganese producer in the world and the shareholders should all be reaping the benefits. But that hasn\u2019t been the case for the poor local villagers who are beneficiaries of the Kuruman Community Trust. While the politically connected earn millions from the mine, they\u2019ve been reduced to little more than R1000 a year and an annual Christmas hamper. Believing they were simply used to acquire the mining rights, they survive on pensions and government grants in villages with no running water, no inside toilets, and no jobs. In this two-part investigation, Carte Blanche examines how the poor and disenfranchised were used to line the pockets of the rich.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producer: Kate Barry | Presenter: Masa Kekana<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=P-2hw4vPPeg\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Closer to Home<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Marinda Beukes is a woman on a mission. She\u2019s lived in Benoni, on Johannesburg\u2019s East Rand, for almost 20 years. But in the last few years, fear and desperation have forced her to take to her neighbourhood\u2019s streets on the lookout for the illegal miners who are terrorising the community. Residents say the zama zamas are moving their illicit gold mining operations right into their suburbs. In their single-minded pursuit of gold, the zama zamas are digging right outside office parks and homes. Explosions and shootings are regular events, and blanket-wrapped bodies have been found next to the freeway. The zama zamas have even erected their own village, complete with makeshift markets where they dig, refine and trade their illicit gains. Carte Blanche investigates.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producer: Chuma Kave | Presenter: Govan Whittles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=Jch4NIQKoDI\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Netball Glory<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

She\u2019s an ultimate competitor on the netball court. Playing centre and wing attack for the senior national side, Proteas captain Bongi Msomi is a fierce opponent. Now, she and her army of fourteen will take on the world\u2019s toughest teams at the Netball World Cup, hoping to upset the odds and lift the trophy on home soil. Msomi is a veteran of the sport, having played in three previous World Cups. And having never won the tournament, she knows all too well the bitter taste of defeat. So, can Msomi and her teammates make history this time ’round?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producer: Julian Sun | Presenter: Erin Bates<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

CARTE BLANCHE: THE PODCAST<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Mashatile\u2019s Misery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The scandals keep piling up against South Africa\u2019s Deputy President. But all is perhaps not what it seems. A little help from his friends? In the case of Joburg Mayor, Kabelo Gwamanda, it seems that\u2019s exactly what\u2019s happening. And a small victory in a monumental fight as Caster Semenya is thrown a lifeline.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen Now<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Empty Harvest<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

For days, heavy rains in the Western Cape wreaked havoc on the province. With no electricity and no food supplies coming in, Citrusdal was cut off and farmers suffered devastating losses. We visit a community in turmoil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Listen Now<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PICKS OF THE WEEK<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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