𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟬 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. It’s a Thursday morning in a hijacked building in Johannesburg’s inner city. A fire breaks out on the first floor and soon sets the dilapidated building ablaze. Trapped inside, dozens of people – men, women, and children - are unable to escape the flames. In the street below, onlookers frantically call for help as people attempt to save themselves by jumping from upper-storey windows. Hours later, as rescue workers pull the dead from the debris, the scale of the disaster becomes clear. Blame is soon shifted to NGOs working in the inner city by officials denying any culpability in the tragedy. But few could argue the victims would not have suffered such excruciating deaths had the warning of at least the past two decades been heeded. The same NGOs as well as the media and several politicians had been warning of the dangers posed by Jo’burg’s hijacked buildings. Yet the problem grew unchecked and now 77 people are dead. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟯 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Marinda Beukes is a woman on a mission. She’s lived in Benoni, on Johannesburg’s East Rand, for almost 20 years. But in the last few years, fear and desperation have forced her to take to her neighbourhood’s streets on the lookout for the illegal miners who are terrorising the community. Residents say the zama zamas are moving their illicit gold mining operations right into their suburbs. In their single-minded pursuit of gold, the zama zamas are digging right outside office parks and homes. Explosions and shootings are regular events, and blanket-wrapped bodies have been found next to the freeway. The zama zamas have even erected their own village, complete with makeshift markets where they dig, refine and trade their illicit gains. Carte Blanche investigates. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟳 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Sailing is one of the most challenging sports in the world as individuals battle dangerous winds and waters to voyage to distant shores. But for a group of unlikely seafarers from South Africa, sailing has unlocked a world of opportunity. In a history-making voyage, the first complete crew from the Royal Cape Yacht Club Sailing Academy – hailing from marginalised communities – crossed the finish line of the 50th Cape2Rio yacht race in third position. On board the ArchAngel, the team arrived in Rio de Janeiro 24-days after setting sail from Cape Town. The crew broke every stereotype, proving that it is possible for people from diverse backgrounds to participate in sports previously only accessible to a privileged few. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟲 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. In the space industry, astronauts are vaunted as the ultimate explorers of the universe, rising far above the earth. But in the depths of the remote underground caves beneath the Cradle of Humankind, Dr Marina Elliot and Dr Keneiloe Molopyane are the extraordinary "Underground Astronauts," embarking on a courageous quest to uncover and study hominid fossils that have remained undisturbed for centuries. Their mission is simple: to boldly go where few have ever dared to go. And to date, they’ve had great success. Their groundbreaking discoveries challenge conventional beliefs about our evolutionary journey and shed light on the remarkable species known as Homo naledi. Carte Blanche meets the courageous paleoanthropologists unearthing the human story long preserved in rock and bone.  Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv