Carte Blanche: The Podcast

Of Music and Friendship

One comes from the gang-infested streets of Mitchells Plain, the other overcame relentless bullying at school. A beautiful story of friendship and healing… 

19 Oct 2022 10 min

Snare Nightmare

It’s a case of conservation versus tradition – we look at the illegal practice of snaring small wild animals in the Cape Peninsula for the pot or natural medicine. 

18 Oct 2022 11 min

Biofuel for Thought

Floods, droughts, heatwaves, and hurricanes - climate change is out of control. But still we pump greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. Could biofuels help cut it down?

17 Oct 2022 12 min

EXTRA Peter Major on Deadly Coal Trucks

By now, many of you have probably seen the viral videos showing how massive coal tipper trucks plough through bakkies, taxis and other trucks. So, why has there been such a dramatic increase in road accidents involving these behemoths? And is it too late to find a workable solution? Mining…

13 Oct 2022 15 min

Legacy of Abuse

Some of Britain’s most exclusive schools are shrouded in secrecy as two South African men face multiple charges of sexual abuse. What will it take for survivors to find closure? 

12 Oct 2022 16 min

Medical Aid Misery

Why has one medical scheme applied for voluntary liquidation at short notice while thousands of members rely on its cover? As the matter goes to court, we investigate what it means for patients with life-threatening medical conditions.

11 Oct 2022 12 min

Formula 1 in SA

In 1993, South African motoring fans waved Formula 1 goodbye. But now, almost 30 years later, the possibility of hearing these cars zip by seems all too real. 

10 Oct 2022 9 min

EXTRA Deadly Coal Run with Masa Kekana

Fully laden coal trucks overtaking on double lines, non-stop carnage on the N2… We investigate the roots of a deadly coal rush that is costing lives. Where’s law enforcement that communities have long been pleading for?

6 Oct 2022 10 min

Electric Avenue

The pressure is on to move to a greener future. But only a few a thousand vehicles on SA roads are electric. How will we shift mass public transport from fossil fuel to electric? 

6 Oct 2022 9 min

EXTRA Formula 1 Dreams with Sasha Martinengo

South Africa has a rich motorsport history… East London hosted the SA Grand Prix from the 1930s to 1960s, then was moved to the Kyalami Circuit in Joburg. Now, decades later, could Formula 1 cars be zipping across local tracks again? 

5 Oct 2022 16 min

Golden Girls

Don’t let their age fool you! These Golden Girls are true champions! Together, they won six medals at the World Masters Athletics Championships. We celebrate their victory – and find out what keeps them young. 

5 Oct 2022 10 min

Aggrieved

Once a top agricultural college, a gateway from student to commercial farmer… Today, there isn’t even a chicken left for the practical training of students. What’s happening to South Africa’s state-owned agricultural colleges?

4 Oct 2022 16 min

Jagersfontein

The tailings dam had loomed over the small town of Jagersfontein in the Free State for decades, slowly filling to capacity... But warning bells had sounded long before the dam finally burst.

3 Oct 2022 14 min

The Wrong Man?

Convicted of raping his daughter, but still maintaining his innocence… An astonishing case is unfolding in the High Court as a daughter recants her testimony and joins the fight for her father’s freedom. What will it take to set him free? 

29 Sep 2022 15 min

Queen Elizabeth II's Legacy

Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest reigning monarch, passed away on Thursday. The Queen died peacefully at her Balmoral residence, in Scotland, surrounded by her family. She was 96 years old and had been on the throne for 70 years. In the wake of her passing, we speak to some journalists…

28 Sep 2022 9 min

Kidfluencers

From having thousands of subscribers and followers on social media platforms, to being courted by big brands with big money. Kidfluencers are on the rise, and their parents are cashing in on the trend.

27 Sep 2022 11 min

Death of Defenders

What happens when those who are meant to uphold the law become victims themselves? We investigate why attacks on members of the legal fraternity have become more frequent in the Western Cape. 

26 Sep 2022 12 min

Dying for the Truth

As the head of financial accounting in the GP Health Department, Babita Deokaran was perfectly placed to expose rampant fraud and corruption. So, why wasn’t she provided the protection needed? 

22 Sep 2022 14 min

Cable Theft Wars

They have no weapons or bulletproof vests. So, what happens when security guards tasked with preventing cable theft in Joburg are ambushed by armed cable theft syndicates? 

20 Sep 2022 12 min

Young Doctors

They joined the public healthcare sector at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic… We meet some of SA’s youngest doctors to find out what keeps them committed to a system that’s far from perfect.

19 Sep 2022 10 min