{"id":22103,"date":"2024-05-17T16:28:50","date_gmt":"2024-05-17T14:28:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=22103"},"modified":"2024-05-17T16:28:55","modified_gmt":"2024-05-17T14:28:55","slug":"coming-up-on-carte-blanche-19-may-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2024\/05\/17\/coming-up-on-carte-blanche-19-may-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Coming Up On Carte Blanche – 19 May 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cI recall conversations with students (some more rational than others) and Vice-Chancellors (some more defiant than others) that made clear the challenge of solving the Fees Must Fall crisis. Most observers agreed free education was out of the question. Jacob\u00a0Zuma, his presidency increasingly tenuous, believed otherwise. Not too surprising then that a concept born of such uncertain circumstances should find itself mired in controversy.\u201d\u00a0<\/em>-John Webb, Executive Producer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/VAT8O4quM6k\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Broken Promises: KwaZulu-Natal<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At King Shaka International Airport in KwaZulu-Natal, the much-anticipated, multi-million rand statue of King Shaka Zulu is still ominously missing. The imposing bronze statue has been years in the making but \u2013 much like promised housing and infrastructure projects in the province \u2013 it has yet to be officially unveiled. In one community, residents are still waiting for government to deliver on its promise of housing and proper sanitation. But contractors abandoned the project many years ago and the land where the houses should\u2019ve been built is empty. Carte Blanche examines whether the trail of broken promises in KwaZulu-Natal will impact how people in these communities cast their votes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producer: Carol Albertyn Christie | Presenter: Lourensa Eckard<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fact or Fiction<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

On the face of it, he\u2019s just a flamboyant character accustomed to a flashy lifestyle and luxury vehicles. But Lennox Ntsodo, a former high-placed member of uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MK Party), insists he\u2019s a credible whistleblower with shocking allegations about the fledgling movement. As South Africa approaches an unpredictable and possibly volatile election, Carte Blanche examines the evidence for allegations that one of the country\u2019s newest parties committed electoral fraud.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producer: Marion Edmunds | Presenter: Govan Whittles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/wuvyGVGrIjk\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Funding Fiasco<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme, better known as NSFAS, is a vital lifeline for students in need of financial assistance. It is funded by government and manages the billions of rands that are distributed to students to cover their fees, books, accommodation, and even their meals. Now it\u2019s under threat. Years of mismanagement and questionable financial decisions inside the organisation have left hundreds of thousands of students in the lurch. Many of the problems can be traced back to a new payment system that allows service providers to charge high service fees. Carte Blanche examines how proximity to high-ranking NSFAS officials has benefitted one of these service providers.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producer: Sasha Schwendenwein | Presenter: Govan Whittles<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Great Exits & Questionable Campaigns<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Shell is gone \u2013 what the oil giant\u2019s exit from South Africa really means. Then, a burning flag sends some South Africans into a fiery rage. Later, Israel ups the ante as ground forces intensify their presence in Gaza. And could it soon be lights off for Joburg? Perhaps, if Eskom gets its way. But first, several construction workers remain trapped beneath the rubble after a five-storey apartment building in George in the Western Cape collapsed. While it\u2019s too early to determine the cause, South Africans want answers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n