Post-Battles Interview: Francois Viljoen

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟮 𝗙𝗲𝗯𝗿𝘂𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Has there been a State of the Nation Address delivered amidst more discontent in post-democracy South Africa than Cyril Ramaphosa’s address this week? Having once encouraged voters to “thuma mina” (send me), the President’s seventh SONA comes at a time of unprecedented anger and frustration. This Sunday, Carte Blanche views SONA 2023 through the eyes of the ANC’s traditional constituency in Khayelitsha and follows veteran social activists as they prepare to make their voices heard on one of Parliament’s most important days. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://bit.ly/PodcastCB

It was a fun and flavourful day at the Wild Oats Community Farmers' Market, with a big surprise at the end. Danny Painter chats to Martin and Eddie about their MKRSA journey, favourite moments, what they learnt, and their shocking decision to go home.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮. WARNING: this story contains visuals of hunting and animals in distress. In the Cape Peninsula and Boland, poachers are targeting small wild animals, killing them for the pot or for use in traditional medicine. Carte Blanche investigates rising tensions between poachers, conservationists, and nature-loving residents in post-pandemic Cape Town as we set out with rangers. Scattered across SANParks Table Mountain National Park, we uncover these rudimentary devices, shaped into loops, that have proliferated in recent years. Small animals like mongoose, guinea fowl, Cape grysbok, and caracal come forage surprisingly close to suburban Cape Town, bringing poaching that much closer to home. We speak to various role players about this polarising and illegal practice. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://bit.ly/PodcastCB

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟱 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟮. Is it a case of money before members? Health Squared sold itself as a ‘dynamic, new-age medical scheme that is continuously challenging the status quo by delivering more of the healthcare benefits you need’. But for three years, it operated well under the mandatory solvency threshold of 25 percent without a word of caution to its members. Even as the financial situation deteriorated post-pandemic, with a rapidly dwindling membership and an above-average claims ratio from pensioners, members were oblivious that the writing was on the wall. When the axe finally fell, and the scheme applied for voluntary liquidation, members on chronic treatment for life-threatening diseases had mere days to scramble for alternative cover. The bombshell came in defiance of a bid by the Council for Medical Schemes to appoint a curator to protect members. In a lifeline to some, the court ruled that 54 members on dialysis would have their treatment and medication covered until the end of September, or until they joined another scheme. Carte Blanche investigates what this means for patients experiencing grave, life-altering risks. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://bit.ly/PodcastCB