Due to the high age-restriction of The Revenant, this week’s blockbuster premiere on M-Net 101, Carte Blanche will be on air from 19:00 until 20:30.
Cape Fires
Cape Town firefighters are responding to a staggering 75 fires per day. The flames have wreaked havoc, leaving many no choice but to escape with only the clothes on their backs. The spate of fires has led many to question whether some were started deliberately. Carte Blanche meets the heroes saving lives and the residents who’ve lost everything.
Producer: Michael Duffett
Presenter: John Webb
Aircraft Maintenance Under Fire
It’s fire season in Cape Town and firefighters have been working around the clock to respond to as many as 4500 fires since November last year. But three fatal aircraft accidents in just 7 months have left a barrage of burning questions about the maintenance schedules on aircraft used to fight fires. Carte Blanche investigates.
Producer: Michael Duffett
Presenter: John Webb
Farmers Update
The new year is already delivering good news: rain has fallen in many drought-stricken areas and healthy crops are returning the smiles to the faces of desperate farmers. In 2016 Oom Jim Botha and Michris Janse Van Rensburg’s livelihoods were devastated by the drought. But, it seems things are looking up. Carte Blanche revisits the farmers whose desperate prayers for rain seem to have brought back the water, crops and herds.
Producer: Tarryn Crossman
Presenter: Derek Watts
Taking Guns from Gangs
It’s called the ShotSpotter: an advanced acoustic sensor and app tackling gang violence in a surprising way. Microphones located within a 1 kilometre radius in gang-ridden areas transfer audio from shots fired and trigger a digital cascade of events that dispatch police within minutes. Carte Blanche reports on the remarkable technology that’s snatching guns from the gangs.
Producer: Liz Fish
Presenter: John Webb
Vertical Gardening
How does a unique vertical form of farming in industrial city blocks under LED lights achieve bumper yields without pesticides, soil or sunlight and using minimal water? Carte Blanche explores remarkable new technology taking aeroponic farming to new levels.
Producer: Eugene Botha
Presenter: Claire Mawisa
Sleeping on Her Art
She sleeps on the streets, but aspiring artist Chuma Somdaka doesn’t let that stunt her passion or ambition. This homeless artist, who sleeps on her artwork to keep it safe, has recently become noticed for her unusual blog posts. Chuma Somdaka shares with Carte Blanche what it takes to survive and feed her creativity on the streets.
Producer: Diana Lucas
Presenter: John Webb
Do note: Carte Blanche line-ups are subject to change. Stories can be viewed at www.carteblanche.co.za.