{"id":23106,"date":"2024-10-26T13:11:34","date_gmt":"2024-10-26T11:11:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/?p=23106"},"modified":"2024-10-26T13:11:36","modified_gmt":"2024-10-26T11:11:36","slug":"coming-up-on-carte-blanche-27-october-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.samdb.co.za\/blogs\/blog\/2024\/10\/26\/coming-up-on-carte-blanche-27-october-2024\/","title":{"rendered":"Coming Up On Carte Blanche – 27 October 2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\u201cWe\u2019re calling it \u2018Canary in the Coal Mine\u2019 but ‘Homebound Chickens\u2019 would be equally apt. How long was it likely to be before we felt the impact of the unrealistic wage deals struck with public sector unions? Granted, government departments routinely guilty of wasting the money allocated to them by Treasury can hardly point a finger at public servants, but the largesse is returning to bite us all on our collective bum.\u201d<\/em> – John Webb, Executive Producer<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Canary in the Coal Mine<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Last year, national government signed off on a public servants wage agreement that the country simply couldn\u2019t afford. Under pressure from trade unions, government increased its already overburdened wage bill, pushing the cost of the shortfall onto provincial budgets. Now provinces have been forced to cut their budgets, slashing personnel numbers and plunging service delivery further into crisis. Already overstretched, the public health and education sectors in the Western Cape have been dealt a devastating blow, and they\u2019re not afraid to say it. Carte Blanche examines the developing crisis and asks: is the Western Cape the canary in the coal mine?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/tamGJMVhbC0\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Another Kettle of Fish<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Decaying fish line the banks of the Klipvoor Dam. It might look like a free meal for cormorants and fish eagles, but the dam \u2013 once home to hundreds of indigenous fish species \u2013 has become dangerously polluted. New research shows that the Apies River, which flows from Pretoria into the dam, is full of pharmaceutical drugs including antidepressants, as well as cocaine and tik. But that hasn\u2019t stopped criminal syndicates from poaching the fish and selling it for human consumption. Now, unsuspecting consumers are eating fish that could pose serious health risks. Carte Blanche joins an anti-poaching unit on patrol.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producer: Anina Peens | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nhttps:\/\/youtu.be\/07L25LFuVuM\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Boys to Men<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Four out of five boys in South Africa grow up without a positive male role model. The consequences can be devastating: low self-esteem, poor academic performance, and depression. But a non-profit is trying to change that. The Character Company provides mentors for boys across South Africa, changing their lives and futures. On the outskirts of Cape Town, Carte Blanche meets some of these men and the children whose lives have been positively impacted by the movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producer: Catherine Rice | Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

Conflict Resolution<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Budget cuts threaten to decimate our already fragile education sector. Later, express kidnappings are on the rise \u2013 we look at the stats. Then, a national hero \u2013 why rape survivor Alison Botha needs your help. And it\u2019s bye-bye Karpowership! But first, more than 100 days in, our government of national unity is teetering on the edge as various political parties struggle to meet each other halfway. From the highly controversial Basic Education Laws Amendment Bill to National Health Insurance \u2013 powersharing roleplayers just can\u2019t see eye-to-eye. So, can a newly formed conflict resolution committee be the GNU\u2019s saving grace?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n