World Famous Namaqualand Daisies Under Threat from Mining

The world famous Namaqualand daisies draw thousands of tourists every year, but they are under threat from phosphate mines in the area…

Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine

In 2016 current affairs programme Carte Blanche showed how the controversial Elandsfontein Phosphate Mine was granted a mining license, even though the Department of Mineral Resources had rejected the application on environmental grounds.

Lying in the sensitive West Coast biosphere, and adjacent to the West Coast National Park, the R1-billion mine was built without a Water Use License or an Air Emissions License.

On Sunday’s episode Carte Blanche returns to Elandsfontein to investigate the impact of phosphate mining. (Available from Tuesday for South African expats living abroad who subscribe to Showmax International.)

The television show asks: “How was a R1-billion phosphate mine built in the sensitive West Coast biosphere, adjacent to the West Coast National Park, without a Water Use or an Air Emissions Licence?” (Producer: Kate Barry, Presenter: John Webb)

Members of West Coast Environmental Protection Alliance, who have been dedicated for years in the fight to “save and protect this Unesco-heritage environment site and the aquifer beneath” have taken to social media this week to implore viewers to watch the segment.

South Africans Abroad can watch from Tuesday: Subscribe here to watch (and get access to thousands of your favourite SA TV shows and movies). 14-Day FREE Trial.

Watch Carte Blanche Trailer: Stephen McGown, Namaqualand Daisies Under Threat and more…

Also on Carte Blanche This Week:

The First In-Depth Interview with Stephen McGown

It was supposed to be the adventure of a lifetime – the ultimate motorcycle ride across Africa. Instead, it turned into almost 6 years of hell at the hands of al-Qaeda. Kidnapped, chained and constantly fearing for his life, McGown clung to the hope of being reunited with his family and was finally released in August. In his first in-depth television interview, he opens up to Carte Blanche about his terrifying ordeal. (Producer: Mart-Marie Faure, Presenter: Devi Sankaree Govender)

South African Expats: Subscribe to Watch the Show

Reshuffling the Cards – President Zuma’s Latest Cabinet Reshuffle

On Tuesday morning, embattled President Jacob Zuma once again reshuffled his cabinet, firing the SACP’s Blade Nzimade. While some analysts say the axing of Nzimande was a foregone conclusion after the SACP openly called for Zuma to resign from office; the appointment of former State Security Minister David Mahlobo to the Energy portfolio has set tongues wagging. A declaration of war against the SACP or a President backed into a corner? Carte Blanche analyses the political fallout. (Producer: Graham Coetzer, Presenter: Devi Sankaree Govender)

South Africans Overseas: Subscribe to Watch the Show

Homeless in Johannesburg – Inspiring a Movie

Madoda ran away from his home in Giyani when he was 20; Anthony has been nursing a drug problem since he was teenager and Tsaba moved to the city to find work. They all have one thing in common – they’ve been homeless on the streets of Johannesburg for years and now their stories have inspired a movie that’s changed their lives. Carte Blanche meets these extraordinary storytellers. (Producer: Nicola de Chaud, Presenter: Nhlanhla Sehume)

South Africans Abroad: Subscribe to Watch the Show

Report Card: Airport Robberies

In June 2017, Carte Blanche exposed an alarming rise in the number of so-called airport followings, in which foreign and local arrivals at OR Tambo were followed home and robbed en route. In July, Police Minister Fikile Mbalula deployed a task team and promised that the police would come down hard on the criminals. Then last month a bus full of Dutch tourists were robbed on the way from the airport and recently, members of an Iraqi delegation were also targeted. Has the minister made any progress in bringing down these syndicates? (Producer: Laura Byrne, Presenter: Macfarlane Moleli)