Aquanaut to Activist

Science writer Leonie Joubert, activist and entrepreneur Mike Mpanya, and economist, futurist, and trends analyst Bronwyn Williams contemplate a changed and changing world.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟵 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. In 1943, at the height of Germany’s occupation of Poland during the second World War, Ella Blumenthal was just 22. A young Jewish activist, she’d already lost almost every member of her family to Adolf Hitler’s regime. Like millions of others, she and her niece had been rounded up by the Nazis and sent to concentration camps. They endured the horror of three of the camps – including the notorious Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp - and, for two long years, they were subjected to starvation, torture, and humiliation. But they both survived. Now, at 101, Ella is the oldest living survivor of the Holocaust in South Africa, and is subject of a documentary called I Am Here. Retracing her remarkable will to survive and thrive, it’s a celebration of a vivacious, outspoken and unique personality with a flair for fashion. Carte Blanche meets this extraordinary woman. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://bit.ly/PodcastCB

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟰 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮. In October this year, ten healthy dogs were taken to a well-known veterinarian in Gauteng for sterilisation. It was a simple enough procedure, especially for an experienced practitioner, but inexplicably, seven dogs died. This wasn’t the first time animals had mysteriously died in the vet’s care. This time, though, an animal activist who’d been investigating the vet for years, finally obtained crucial evidence to prove her negligence. Carte Blanche investigates Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://bit.ly/PodcastCB

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮. In the five weeks of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, more than four million refugees have fled to neighbouring countries – many clutching pets in their arms. But what about the numerous exotic animals in private ownership? Carte Blanche joins a wildlife activist on a risky but rewarding journey back into Ukraine.