EDITORIAL

Jon Sparkes

Jon Sparkes is the owner of the Carte Blanche production company, Combined Artistic Productions. He has been responsible for the production of more than six Miss World and Miss South Africa pageants, and successfully promoted tours by Billy Connolly, UB40, Wet Wet Wet and Mike and the Mechanics.

John Webb

John Webb began his career in journalism at news agency Network Radio News in 1997, from where he was headhunted by Talk Radio 702 in 1999 as a news reader and reporter assigned to major local and international news stories. John joined Carte Blanche in 2004, presenting his first ever insert in April of that year and what he thought would be his last in early 2009. A four-year stint abroad saw him working as a presenter and producer for the European broadcaster, Setanta Sports, but he returned to South Africa in 2013 and, after completing a six-month contract as a late-night talk show host on Talk Radio 702 and 567 Cape Talk, he made his Carte Blanche comeback. In March 2014, John re-joined the family as the Pretoria field anchor for their acclaimed Oscar Pistorius Trial channel. Seven years later, and after yet another move to Europe from where he produced and presented the show’s international content, John has made the move into management as Carte Blanche’s Executive Producer. John has written a book, is raising two brilliant young daughters with his Irish wife, Emma, and can state without hesitation that he knows more about rugby than anyone with whom he’s ever debated the subject.

Laura Byrne

Laura has a BA and an Honours from Wits University and graduated from York University (UK) with a Masters in Postcolonial Studies in 2013. She worked on the Oscar Pistorius Trial Channel and local newspapers before joining the Carte Blanche team in 2015 as a researcher and producer. Her focus is on environmental and medical stories.

Lezanne Janse van Rensburg

She is the Online Editor at Carte Blanche, South Africa’s leading investigative television programme. She manages all digital content for the show. In July 2020, she produced, edited and hosted Carte Blanche: The Podcast which ran for about two years. When she’s not creating online content, she’s tracking news developments, coordinating the Carte Blanche Audience Panel, and contributing to various internal editorial processes. Before joining Carte Blanche, she worked as a writer and social media manager at tvplus Magazine, a researcher for UNICEF, and a freelance contributor to various international publications. Her portfolio includes coverage of crime, justice, science, technology, and social issues. She is known for her sharp editorial judgment and strategic use of social media to inform and engage audiences.

Meinie Heydenrych

Meinie Heydenrych is a South African television professional with experience across several production companies. She is currently Operations Manager at Combined Artists, known for producing Carte Blanche. Before this, she held roles at Urban Brew Studios, including Project Coordinator, Facilities Administrator, and Accounting Clerk. She also worked at Obeco as an OB Planner. Her production credits include Wie Word 'n Miljoenêr?, Kersvreugde met kykNET, and Koppestamp.

Nombuso Nkosi

As a freelance Production Manager and Associate Producer, Nombuso has had the privilege of working on a variety of projects in the film and television space both locally and in Africa. In 2018, she joined the team as Carte Blanche's Production Coordinator.

Rudi Botha

Rudi Botha is Head of Television and Special Projects at Combined Artists and kykNET. He has directed and produced for major South African shows including Family Feud South Africa, In Gesprek and Govan Ontbloot. He holds a diploma in Broadcast Journalism from Tshwane University of Technology and has worked across live broadcast, documentaries and reality TV. He was selected as a juror for the 2025 International Emmy Awards.

Stenette Grosskopf

Stenette Grosskopf is the Managing Editor at Carte Blanche and a long-time producer and editor with Combined Artists. She has worked on a wide range of investigative and current affairs stories, including segments on organised crime, environmental issues, and public health. She has been with Combined Artists since 2017 and previously worked on 50/50, the environmental programme on SABC2, for over a decade.

PRODUCTION

Annalise Lubbe

Annalise Lubbe is a South African journalist and producer with Carte Blanche. Her work spans investigative reporting, international coverage, and human interest stories over many decades. She has produced segments on forensic science, environmental issues, and international justice. Her notable work includes coverage of the wrongful imprisonment of South African engineers in Equatorial Guinea, exploring political tensions and human rights violations; and a forensic investigation using pig carcasses to study decomposition in Cape Town’s murder hotspots, aimed at improving criminal case outcomes.

Anina Peens

Anina Peens is a South African journalist, producer, and news anchor currently working with Carte Blanche. She has produced investigative segments and international reports, including coverage from Ukraine during the Russian invasion. She holds a BA in Drama and Journalism from the University of Pretoria and began her career in radio at Radio Pretoria. She later joined eTV’s Sunrise and became one of the founding anchors of eNuus, South Africa’s first independent Afrikaans news bulletin on kykNET. Anina has also worked as a news anchor and producer at eNews Channel Africa (eNCA), where she contributed to both Afrikaans and English bulletins and managed CSI projects in the Northern Cape and North West Province.

Beth Neale

Beth Neale is a producer at Carte Blanche and a four-time South African freediving champion. She has produced segments such as On the Run, covering the Sardine Run off the KwaZulu-Natal coast, and Deadly Waters, which investigated the environmental impact of shark nets and drum lines. Outside of television, she is known for her conservation work and freediving achievements. She holds African continental records in no-fins freediving and has led ocean education programmes in South Africa, Mozambique, and Bermuda. She co-hosted the freediving reality series Freediving Diaries and runs outreach projects through her company Aqua Souls.

Bryan Bartle

Bryan Bartle is a South African video editor and producer known for his work on documentaries and television. His credits include Doc-U-Mentally (2016), a documentary exploring the mental health of junior doctors in South Africa, and Neem My Saam (2014).

Busisiwe Gumede Chizhanje

Busisiwe needs little introduction, having served as producer and investigative journalist on several popular current affairs programmes over the years. She has the prestigious title as one of the Mail & Guardians Top 200 Youth in South Africa, and has shone a light on a multitude of buzzworthy matters.

Carol Albertyn Christie

Carol's career in television started when she received a Diploma in Film and Video Technology Pretoria Technikon in 1985. Thereafter she worked as a video editor for 11 years. In 1996 she became a producer of documentaries, corporate programmes, television channel promos and branding, music videos and magazine inserts. Carol joined Carte Blanche as a producer in 1998 and has since won a number of awards.

Catherine Rice

Catherine Rice is a South African journalist and producer currently working with Carte Blanche. She has over 25 years of experience in broadcast journalism, having started her career at Cape Talk Radio in 1999. Her previous roles include senior reporter at eTV, documentary producer for Thomson Reuters, court reporter and editor at African News Agency, and podcast producer for News24. She holds an Honours degree in English Literature and History from the University of Cape Town. Her work spans crime reporting, political coverage, environmental documentaries, and human rights stories.

Diana Lucas

Diana Lucas has been a Carte Blanche producer for more than 10 years, preferring stories of an esoteric nature with human drama elements. She has been to all four corners of the globe with Carte Blanche covering stories such as life on a US Aircraft Carrier off the Iraqi coast, a look into the mystery of civilization and the Egyptian Pyramids, an interview with the famous Brazilian healer, and more recently an interview with alternative health guru Deepak Chopra.

Elizabeth Shakwane

Elizabeth Shakwane is a Production Assistant at Combined Artists, the company behind Carte Blanche. She works within the operations department and supports the production of current affairs, reality TV, and live events. Her role involves logistical coordination and production support for segments aired on Carte Blanche.

Floris Kotze

Floris Kotze is a South African producer and video editor with over two decades of experience in broadcast television. He is currently a producer and editor at Carte Blanche, where he has worked on many stories. He began his career as an editor at The Videolounge and joined Carte Blanche in 2009. He holds a degree in Motion Pictures (Television Production). His skill set includes video editing, digital media, copy editing, and television production. He is also known for embracing new technology in his production processes. Kotze is a member of the South African Guild of Editors and has contributed to documentaries such as Follow the Guns (2018) and Bridging Worlds (2014). He has written and produced content for platforms like TimesLIVE and Bhekisisa, focusing on health, social justice, and lifestyle topics. 3Graham Coetzer Graham Coetzer joined Carte Blanche in 2009 and has produced stories exposing torture, fraud, scams and corruption. From covering tow truck wars to exposing rent-a-baby scams, Graham prefers to focus on the criminal underbelly of society. He has worked as a producer/director across the African continent, and was extensively involved in productions for the Carte Blanche Oscar Pistorius Trial channel.

Graham Coetzer

Graham Coetzer joined Carte Blanche in 2009 and has produced stories exposing torture, fraud, scams and corruption. From covering tow truck wars to exposing rent-a-baby scams, Graham prefers to focus on the criminal underbelly of society. He has worked as a producer/director across the African continent, and was extensively involved in productions for the Carte Blanche Oscar Pistorius Trial channel.

Harri Vithi

Harri Vithi is a producer at Carte Blanche, where she has worked on investigative segments including The Great Chain Robbery and Gone Grain. She won the Politics category at the 2023 Vodacom Journalist of the Year Awards for her exposé on Johannesburg councillors. Before joining Carte Blanche, she was a documentary producer at eNCA, a scholarship associate at the African Leadership Academy, and a news anchor at Hot91.9FM. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Human Resources Management.

Joy Summers

Joy Summers began producing for Carte Blanche in 1995. Two years later she was appointed Story Editor. In 2001 she moved on to become the Africa and International Commissioning Editor. She spent five years as the managing editor on the local version of the show. For several years she was the studio director of Carte Blanche Africa. Currently she is back in the field working as a producer for Carte Blanche.

Julian Sun

Julian Sun is a South African producer, director, and musician. He works at Carte Blanche, where he produces investigative segments on health, finance, sport, and social issues. His television work includes stories on COVID-19, property market disruptions, youth athletics, and the Proteas’ World Cup history. Before television, he co-founded the band Henry Ate with Karma-Ann Swanepoel. He contributed as a guitarist, backing vocalist, and songwriter. The band released several successful albums in the 1990s, including Slap in the Face and Torn and Tattered. Their singles charted nationally.

Kate Barry

Kate Barry joined Carte Blanche in 1995 as a scriptwriter and assistant producer. She began producing her own inserts in 2000, for which she has received several journalism awards. Kate has also directed other M-Net productions like “Talk With Tumi Makgabo”, “Living It” and “Criminal Minds”. Her many scripting credits include the Final Draw of the FIFA World Cup 2010. Recently Kate directed the live feed of the Oscar Pistorius Trial from the courtroom.

Latashia Naidoo

Latashia Naidoo is an award-winning investigative journalist, foreign correspondent, and producer currently working with Carte Blanche. She has produced segments on crime, justice, and international affairs, including Mothers Who Kill and Fake Injectors. Her career spans print, radio and television. She has written for Business Report, Cape Times, Weekend Argus, and Independent Online, and has worked as a broadcaster and correspondent covering regional politics in Africa. She is known for her sensitive handling of complex stories involving trauma, justice, and public accountability.

Liz Fish

Liz Fish joined Carte Blanche in 2007 as a producer. Her first major insert was an award-winning investigation into fraudulent labelling of commercially available fish. Before joining Carte Blanche she spent 25 years producing and directing tv documentaries for local and international broadcasters after graduating from UCT in the mid-80s. She specialises in environmental investigations, and has won numerous awards including the inaugural David Suzuki Green Producer Award at the Banff World Media Festival in Canada in 2011, and the 2010 Siemens Pan African Science Journalist of the Year.

Marion Edmunds

Marion Edmunds is a journalist, documentary filmmaker and producer based in Cape Town. She began her career in radio during South Africa’s transition to democracy, reporting on the peace talks in Kempton Park and later covering Parliament under Nelson Mandela’s leadership. She has worked for the Mail & Guardian, e.tv News, and international outlets including CNN. She was one of the founding producers of Special Assignment on SABC3 and produces for Carte Blanche on M-Net. Her documentary work includes The Vula Connection, Troopship Tragedy, and Mandela: The Death of an Icon, with multiple SAFTA nominations and wins. She studied at the University of Cape Town and Stellenbosch University, earning an Honours in Journalism. She continues to work as a freelancer, combining investigative journalism with long-form documentary storytelling.

Mari Truter

Mari Truter has served as Personal Assistant to various Executive Producers at Carte Blanche for decades. She also serves as Facility Manager at Combined Artists.

Mart-Marie Faure

Mart-Marie Faure is a South African investigative journalist and producer with Carte Blanche. Her work includes high-impact segments on medical malpractice, organised crime, and prison conditions. She co-produced The Surgeon, a three-part exposé on alleged misconduct by a Johannesburg laparoscopic surgeon, and Imprisoned by Circumstance, which explored life inside a women’s prison in Oudtshoorn. She has also faced legal challenges in her reporting, including being named in cases involving gag orders aimed at silencing journalists, highlighting her commitment to press freedom and accountability.

Matuba Mahlatjie

Matuba Mahlatjie is a South African journalist, producer and strategic communications expert. He currently produces for Carte Blanche, where his work includes segments on language, culture and social justice. He has over 17 years of experience in broadcast journalism, having worked for eNCA, SABC, CNN Johannesburg Bureau, CGTN Nairobi, TRT World, and teleSUR. He has held editorial roles including News Editor at eNCA and Sub-Editor at SABC. Matuba is also a trained sangoma and LGBTQ+ rights advocate. He has used journalism as a tool for activism, amplifying marginalised voices and promoting policy change. His work spans government communications, climate justice, and human rights storytelling, including roles with OutRight Action International and Power for All.

Mihle Klaas

Mihle Pearl Klaas is a Production Manager with Carte Blanche. Her career includes experience at Quizzical Pictures, Open News, and EarCandy as Production Coordinator. Her background spans transcription, production coordination, and research, with a focus on broadcast journalism and television production. She has worked across multiple formats including news, documentary, and actuality programming.

Nickolaus Bauer

Nickolaus Bauer is a South African journalist, producer, presenter and social entrepreneur. He currently works as a producer and presenter for Carte Blanche on M-Net. He co-founded Dlala Nje in 2012, a youth-focused community organisation based in Ponte Tower, Johannesburg. The initiative offers educational and recreational programmes for children and young adults, funded through guided tours of the inner city. Bauer holds a Master of Philosophy in Inclusive Innovation from the University of Cape Town and a Bachelor's degree in Language Practice from the University of Johannesburg. His journalism career includes work for eNCA, Al Jazeera, News24, and The Africa Report. He has covered topics ranging from illegal mining to political analysis and language education. He is also the author of South Africa's Easy Election Guide: Who To Vote For in 2024, aimed at helping voters make informed decisions.

Nicky Troll

Nicky Troll started in investigative journalism in 2002 working in Durban. In 2012 Nicky moved to Jozi to pursue a career with Carte Blanche. Working in all aspects of TV journalism, her passion is exposing crime and corruption. She has won a number of awards, including SAB Environmental Journalist of the Year; CNN Journalist of the Year: General Features; and the European Commission’s Lorenzo Natali Award for Africa.

Sasha Schwendenwein

Sasha Schwendenwein is an award-winning investigative journalist and producer at Carte Blanche. She joined the show in 2012 and has since produced impactful stories on human rights, crime, politics and environmental issues. She holds a Master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from Columbia University’s Joseph Pulitzer School of Journalism in New York. Her investigative work includes the acclaimed documentary Follow the Guns, which traced the transnational flow of weapons used in rhino poaching. This piece earned her second prize in the TV category at the 2019 Southern African Development Community (SADC) Media Awards. Before joining Carte Blanche, Sasha worked as a news anchor for GBC World News and held roles at MultiChoice. She also has a background in competitive swimming, having represented Austria internationally.

Sebe Buthelezi

Sibusisiwe “Sebe” Buthelezi is a South African TV producer, investigative journalist, human rights advocate and public speaker. She currently produces for Carte Blanche, where her work includes segments on counterfeit goods, human trafficking, and social justice. Her career spans over a decade, with experience in print journalism, broadcast production, and investigative reporting. She is known for gaining access to restricted environments, including being the only woman in South African broadcasting allowed to film inside an initiation school. She has written for amaBhungane, and has covered topics ranging from corruption and fraud to environmental disasters and gender-based violence.

Sinethemba Nogude

Sinethemba Nogude is a journalist and producer at Carte Blanche, working with Combined Artists since 2015. He studied at Walter Sisulu University and has contributed to investigative segments covering crime, corruption, and cross-border issues. Nogude’s reporting reflects a focus on justice, accountability, and underreported social issues.

Tarryn Crossman

Tarryn Crossman is an award-winning documentary filmmaker base in JHB, South Africa. Tarryn studied journalism at Rhodes for a year, she then went on to graduate from AFDA and after working in the TV industry for many years, decided to move to NYC to specialise in documentary filmmaking. On return she started her own production company and focused on telling stories from around Africa for local and international audiences. She has screened her documentary films at international festivals and won awards for independent and commercial work. She started producing for Carte Blanche in 2016.