CB20: World Class

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟳 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. In the Eastern Cape, thousands suffer from severe malnutrition. It’s a condition that has led to the deaths of at least seven children in the province, and a crisis that requires significant funding and political will to resolve. But in the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality, home to one of the province’s biggest cities, the priority seems to be multi-million rand vanity projects that have become a financial drain on the municipality’s coffers. Despite being cash-strapped, the municipality established a development agency tasked with boosting tourism and economic development; an agency that is now cashing in on major projects funded by the municipality and its ratepayers. In East London, what should’ve been a world-class beachfront upgrade has disintegrated into nothing more than a glorified “stoep”, while the bill for the Waterworld Fun Park revamp has ballooned to an eye-watering R120 million. Carte Blanche investigates why an entity with a poor track record for delivery is still in business. Find more exclusive content on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟱 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟴. For years, analysts, banks and rating agencies promoted global retailer Steinhoff as a sound investment. With 40 brands under its belt, and operating in over 30 territories, the retail giant was one of the top performers on world markets. That is until the house of cards came tumbling down. Billionaire businessman and former chairman of the company, Christo Wiese, is suing Steinhoff for R59 billion. But was he really unaware of the accounting fraud and financial irregularities happening right under his nose? We put Wiese in the hot seat. Find more exclusive content on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟰 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. A new proposal to erect a cableway in Franschhoek has divided the town. In peak season, the cableway could take 3000 visitors to the top station, which lies in a UNESCO World Heritage site. Final approval will be needed from national government before construction can go ahead. But if it does, restaurants, curio shops and an adventure centre will be built in this picturesque nature reserve. As the public participation process got underway, things got ugly on social media between those in favour and those against. The developers say this is the largest single investment into Franschhoek in many years and will create jobs and uplift the town, but many residents are not convinced. Find more exclusive content on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟰 𝗝𝗮𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰. On paper, the offer was good: two well-known property developers offered the elderly the opportunity to purchase a unit in one of the high-class estates. The pensioners would own the life rights to live in the unit until they pass away or move out. Once that happens, the developer would sell the unit on their behalf and each pensioner would receive their money. But three years ago, something went wrong, leaving bereaved family members to deal with the double blow of losing a loved one and not being able to wind up their estates or receive the money owed to them. Now, Carte Blanche returns to investigate the property developers accused of reneging on their promises to the elderly and their beneficiaries. Find more exclusive content on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv