Carte Blanche: The Podcast

Bringing the Gees REPEAT

It's the winning combination of two of SA’s favourite things: rugby and song. But the Gwijo Squad says it’s about more than just singing catchy anthems – they’re hoping to reignite a new passion for the rugby. 

25 Dec 2022 10 min

The Big Coal Switch

How is high-grade coal being switched out for lower-grade coal? We uncover this lucrative scam and confront those allegedly behind the big coal switch. 

20 Dec 2022 13 min

Rugby Rumpus

Rugby is one of the most well-supported sports in the world. It’s a highly competitive sport where the influence of the referee is becoming more crucial. But is social media throwing a microscope on the performance of referees? 

19 Dec 2022 9 min

Vet Gone Violent

From expired anaesthetics, overdosing on dangerous medication and sepsis… Why has one notorious vet in Gauteng been allowed to continue treating animals? 

18 Dec 2022 13 min

Phala Phala Predicament

A disgraced spy boss implicates a reform-minded president in a dodgy deal… The fall-out is extraordinary. Can President Cyril Ramaphosa pull himself out of this mess to face the electorate in the run-up to the 2024 elections? 

16 Dec 2022 9 min

COMING SOON! The WholeWeek Wrap with Daily Maverick

The South African news cycle is fast-paced and, at times, chaotic. Keeping up with the latest happenings - whether it be politics, crime, environmental news, or international developments - can be tricky. Fortunately, Daily Maverick's Ferial Haffajee and Carte Blanche's Masa Kekana will help you make sense of it all…

15 Dec 2022 25 min

EXTRA Battle Lines at ANC NEC with Ongama Mtimka

The biggest weekend in local politics is upon us. As the ruling party prepares for internal battles at this year's ANC National Elective Conference (NEC), South Africans are waiting with bated breath to see who walks away as party president. Political analyst Ongama Mtimka looks at the contenders, the power…

15 Dec 2022 13 min

A Sting in the Tale

 It started off as an innocent friend request on social media – a new friend and a party – and turned into a drug hell that stole years of her life. We reveal how a syndicate is utilising apps and social media to recruit children as drug mules. 

14 Dec 2022 14 min

Helping Hand at Tygerberg

The Carte Blanche Making A Difference Trust has finalised its 22nd project - this time at Tygerberg Academic Hospital. With as many as 10 000 people at Tygerberg on any given day, this project is a lifeline for many. 

13 Dec 2022 8 min

Presidential Panic

An embattled president, a disgraced former party leader, and the silent contender quietly gathering support... Together, they are the top title contenders. Now, as the ANC’s highly anticipated National Elective Conference draws near, who will take the coveted position of party president? 

12 Dec 2022 10 min

Vapes for Breakfast

Ghost breath, dragon, waterfall – vaping tricks and challenges are making people world famous on social media. But we investigate the vaping health risks hiding in plain sight.

11 Dec 2022 12 min

Dumped Police Dogs

It was once a state-of-the-art training and breeding facility, responsible for some of the SAPS’ most high-value assets – police dogs. Now, with 214 SAPS dogs valued at around R200 000 each recently handed over to the NSPCA, there are almost no dogs left to train. 

7 Dec 2022 13 min

Phumeza Tisile's Story

In 2015, we met Phumeza Tisile. She had survived extreme drug resistant TB but, as a medication side-effect, lost her hearing. We were there when her cochlear implant was switched on for the first time. So, where is she now? 

6 Dec 2022 8 min

Gauteng Health Up in Flames

An accident or an act of sabotage? We investigate how the fire that almost gutted Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Gauteng could’ve been a last-ditch attempt to hide crucial evidence.

5 Dec 2022 11 min

Of Grave Concern

The emotional trauma of losing a loved one can leave bereaved families in conflict and torn, especially over funeral costs. What happens when the funeral policy you’ve been paying off monthly refuses to pay out? 

4 Dec 2022 12 min

EXTRA The Streets of Hillbrow with Masa Kekana

Hillbrow - a Johannesburg neighbourhood that's famous for all the wrong reasons. But underneath the dark veneer of violence and crime are residents just living their lives. Masa Kekana speaks to Carte Blanche producer Sasha Schwendenwein about spending a night on the streets of Hillbrow. 

1 Dec 2022 24 min

One Night in Hillbrow

It’s dog-eat-dog kind of suburb where buildings are hijacked and stripped bare, alcohol flows freely and drug addicts camp out on the streets. It's a full-time job for one security company in Hillbrow.

30 Nov 2022 12 min

Pride and Prejudice

It’s been over 30 years since the first Pride event in Joburg. Since then, our Constitution guaranteed the rights of the LGBTQI+ community. Yet, life looks very different and discrimination and prejudice is rife. 

29 Nov 2022 11 min

Cricket SA All Choked Up

After so many painful exits from ICC World Cups, defeat to the Netherlands surely ranks as the most disappointing of all. What will it take for the Proteas to shed the tag of 'Chokers' once and for all?

28 Nov 2022 9 min

Something's Amiss in Kuruman

Kuruman residents are desperate for solutions as ailing infrastructure, alleged mismanagement, and rampant crime leaves a community traumatised. What’s being done to save the small town? 

27 Nov 2022 13 min