{"id":20825,"date":"2023-12-22T13:12:53","date_gmt":"2023-12-22T11:12:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=20825"},"modified":"2023-12-22T13:12:55","modified_gmt":"2023-12-22T11:12:55","slug":"coming-up-on-carte-blanche-24-december-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2023\/12\/22\/coming-up-on-carte-blanche-24-december-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"Coming Up On Carte Blanche – 24 December 2023"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Frank Sinatra could not have imagined the world in 2023 when he suggested that \u201cfrom now on, our troubles will be miles away\u201d. Nor could he possibly have grasped the challenges \u2013 most of them self-inflicted \u2013 South Africa would be wrestling with. But with a less literal interpretation of arguably the greatest ever Christmas song in mind, allow us to wish you all a \u201cmerry little Christmas\u201d. <\/em>~ John Webb, Executive Producer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=IMUhvwiAPj4\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Christmas Cheer<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s Christmas without song? In Alberton, Gauteng, beloved choir master Ida Strydom and her merry band of choristers are turning the town into their own rehearsal stage as they prepare for this year’s Christmas celebrations. Tannie Ida is a bubbly 72-year-old with an incredible passion for music dating back to 1994 when she founded The Cantare Children\u2019s Choir. But she didn\u2019t stop there and, through her passion for music, she\u2019s impacted the lives of many children. Recently, Harmonia \u2013 a choir full of talented young women \u2013 performed at the beautiful Thaba Eco Hotel and Tussen Twee Koppies. This Chrismas Eve, Tannie Ida and her Harmonia Choir give us something to smile about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producer: Sinethemba Nogude | Presenter: Masa Kekana<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=bdAxZe3qZiQ\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lessons in Solitude<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s the most gruelling unassisted solo yacht race around the world. Attempted by only the world\u2019s finest sailors, the Golden Globe Race is designed to push skills to the limit and challenge an athlete\u2019s mental fortitude. With no navigational tools or weather reports, Kirsten Neusch\u00e4fer battled the elements and intense loneliness for 235 days to cross the finish line a day ahead of her competitors. Now, after winning the world\u2019s toughest sailing competition the old-fashioned way, she\u2019s back on home soil and getting her feet stuck into her next solo adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producer: Liz Fish | Presenter: Erin Bates<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Tractor Tannie<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Mom of two, Corn\u00e9 Else, has brought a new twist to the moniker \u201csoccer mom\u201d. For 13 days this year, Corn\u00e9 drove the family\u2019s battered 59-year-old tractor close to 2000 kilometres through some of the country\u2019s smallest towns. She was raising money to send her daughter to a sporting World Championships. Not soccer, though, or even netball. No, this was funding for tug-of-war. Corn\u00e9\u2019s daughter, Marconette, is a South African champion and she\u2019d been invited to the World Champs in Switzerland. But, in the absence of government funding, Corn\u00e9 \u2013 with a little help from generous friends and family \u2013 devised a cunning plan to get her daughter to Europe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producer: Tarryn Crossman | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtube.com\/watch?v=0z75Fd_t3sM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

IronMac: The Finish Line<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s one of the most unforgiving long-distance triathlons in the world. The IRONMAN Championship comprises an exhausting 3.8km swim, a grueling 180km cycle, and an intense 42km marathon. Undertaken after years of training by only the world\u2019s toughest athletes, IRONMAN tests the physical, mental and emotional fortitude of every contender. But for Carte Blanche\u2019s resident cycling enthusiast, Macfarlane Moleli, it was a promise made to a departed friend that pushed him into this elite competition. With just six months of intense training, Macfarlane confronted the ultimate challenge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producer: Floris Kotze | Presenter: Derek Watts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

2024 is Gonna Be Hot!  <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

And we\u2019re not just talking about the potential impact of El Ni\u00f1o\u2026 We look at some of the biggest events on the political calendar – both locally and internationally. One big question: is the world inching closer towards multipolarity and what would that mean for South Africa? There\u2019s also the very real matter of coalitions, while a handful of political bigwigs are set to face the music in court in the first half of 2024. The year hasn\u2019t even started and we\u2019re already exhausted at the mere thought of what\u2019s to come.<\/p>\n\n\n\n