Coming up on Carte Blanche on M-Net & M-Net HD [101], Sunday 20 August 2023 at 19:00.
The Grand Dame Ellis Park
Emirates Airline Park, still popularly known as Ellis Park Stadium, has been the site of some of the biggest milestones in South African sporting history. In 1995, it hosted the Rugby World Cup Final – South Africa’s first major international sporting victory after years of isolation, and Nelson Mandela’s first trophy as president. Set in Johannesburg’s inner city, it’s a stadium steeped in history. But it’s suffering the consequences of Johannesburg’s steady decay. So, what does the future hold for this landmark, and will it be possible to turn around its fortunes without doing the same for the city of gold?
Producer: Nicky Troll
Presenter: Claire Mawisa
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From Prison to Parow
There’s a tragic mystery that haunts Mitchells Plain in the Western Cape; who killed 21 young boys between 1986 and 1994? They’re cases that remain unsolved, a still-festering wound for many of the area’s residents who lived through the anxiety and fear of that time. With the recent release of a convicted murderer dubbed the Station Strangler, still suspected of having been behind the murders but found guilty of just one, these children are once again front of mind. And as Norman Simons settles back into society as a paroled prisoner some residents of Parow, where he now lives, are re-living their worst fears.
Producer: Annalise Lubbe
Presenter: Erin Bates
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High Impact
They called him “The Baby-Faced Assassin” – a talented flyhalf and crowd favourite who played for the Springboks. At the prime of his career, and with two World Cups under his belt, Pat Lambie was an undeniable star. But at just 28 a shocking diagnosis forced his retirement. He’d suffered a series of concussions and continuing to play at the highest level was deemed too dangerous. But he’s not alone: in the world of high-impact contact sports, concussions are relatively common. Quite difficult to diagnose, players are often relied upon to be upfront about their own symptoms. South Africa’s concussion programmes for diagnosing and preventing concussions are world-class and researchers are determined to detect and treat these head injuries effectively.
Producer: Liz Fish
Presenter: Govan Whittles
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Alldays Victory
In March this year, Paulina Manengena and Stephen Serakalala were at their wits’ end. For almost two decades, the twosome had been running the Dirisanang Drop-In Centre in Alldays that looks after vulnerable children. The centre was operating from a corrugated iron shack but in 2013, a Swedish benefactor, Leif Rahmqvist promised to raise funds and build a new facility for the children. The municipality made the land available and the new centre was erected. But Rahmqvist never gave the children access to the building and, for a decade, the Blouberg Municiplaity failed to act against him. After we broadcast this controversy, the Swedish press picked up the story and Rahmqvist fled South Africa. The building has now officially been taken over by the municipality and has finally been handed over to the Drop-In Centre.
Producer: Stenette Grosskopf
Presenter: Masa Kekana
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