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Govan Whittles is a South African journalist who has spent the last 13 years at the cutting edge of South African history, reporting on some of the biggest stories in the country.
Whittles cut his teeth doing mining journalism during the Marikana massacre and the subsequent strikes that hit the platinum mining belt in 2012. He also covered the historic Oscar Pistorious trial on the hugely successful The Oscar Pistorius Trial: A Carte Blanche Channel on DStv. Govan also has a breadth of experience covering South African politics and has been tracking the evolution of the EFF since Julius Malema was first taken to disciplinary hearings in the ANC as the head of its Youth League.
Whittles spent three years as an investigative and feature writer for The Mail & Guardian before spending the next four as a senior politics journalist for eNCA. he then moved to Newzroom Afrika where he tracked the crisis affecting the ANC, DA and EFF.
His former employers include Eyewitness News (EWN), The Mail & Guardian, eNCA, Newzroom Afrika and HYPE Magazine.
He's featured on CNN, RT International, BBC and others.
He is a Walter Sisulu University Journalism graduate, an alumnus of the Sputnik Journalism Exchange Programme based in Moscow, Russia, a 2018 Thomson Foundation Fellow in Agriculture and Climate Journalism, and a recipient of the 2023 Earth Journalism Network's Just Energy Transition Reporting Grant.
Govan is known as an everyman and strives to tell stories that connect and achieve change.
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Ricardo Teixeira: SANDF in the DRCIn late January 2025, 14 South African National Defence Force (SANDF) soldiers were killed in clashes with M23 rebels in Goma in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In March, Defence Minister Angie Motshekga informed Parliament that the deployed SANDF troops possessed sufficient military equipment, ammunition and defensive capabilities during the engagement. She attributed the casualties to the soldiers being attacked and shot at by the enemy. Motshekga also reported that South African forces killed an estimated 800 enemy combatants in self-defense. In response to the escalating conflict and the loss of South African soldiers, South Africa deployed additional troops and military equipment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in early February. Approximately 700 to 800 soldiers were sent to Lubumbashi, along with medicine, ammunition and other supplies to reinforce the beleaguered mission and deter further clashes.
We recently spoke to @defenceWebSA's Ricardo Teixeira about what happened in Goma, the ongoing conflict and whether our troops are capable of fulfilling their so-called peacekeeping mission.
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Grain theftIn Mpumalanga, farmers and transporters are battling what they claim are criminal syndicates hijacking truckloads of grain. It’s an elaborate scam that hinges on a flaw in the way the grain is bought and sold. We travelled to Delmas - arguably the grain hijacking capital - and caught one suspected ringleader red-handed..
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Turmoil at TransnetFor our economy to flourish, it’s vital that Transnet – the parastatal responsible for our rail network and ports – functions properly. But, despite endless promises of a turnaround, it’s an organisation on the skids. Poor management, equipment failures and other issues are causing massive delays at most of our ports, which now ranks among the worst in the world. The impact on our economy has been devastating. So, we headed to Cape Town determined to get some answers.
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Care home of horrorsIt’s a well-known care facility in Gauteng, with a reputation as a sanctuary for the elderly, the homeless and those living with mental and physical disabilities. It’s received generous donations and media coverage, but Uncle Ben’s Den has recently faced shocking allegations of verbal abuse, unhygienic living conditions and the malnutrition of some of its residents. While investigating the claims, we were invited to see the facility first-hand. So, unannounced, we took up the offer. For the full story, get DStv Stream Premium: https://bit.ly/DStv-Stream
SANDF under siegeIt’s a tragedy that’s led to calls for political resignations, a military withdrawal and a diplomatic spat with Rwanda. Fourteen of our soldiers, part of a military intervention force in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, were killed in a vicious firefight for control of the key city of Goma. The deaths were reportedly inflicted by a rebel group called M23, allegedly backed by Rwanda. That country’s president, Paul Kagame, dismissed the claim and scoffed at South Africa’s threat of war. So, should the SANDF be in the DRC in the first place, and how capable is it?
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SA20: For the love of cricketFor years, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has dominated the international cricket calendar. It’s where the best men’s T20 players converge each year in a tournament that is bursting with support and no shortage of cash. As our local cricket scene limped along - not helped by poor performances on the field - some forward thinkers recognised an opportunity to breathe fresh life into a stagnating sport. In 2023, the SA20 league was launched to much fanfare and a healthy dose of scepticism, but it didn’t disappoint.
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Stilftontein: Trapped in the deepDesperate and dying, more than 300 illegal miners spent months trapped in an abandoned mine shaft in Stilfontein in the North West in a prolonged and – for many – fatal standoff with authorities. Desperate families visited the site daily as letters and videos emerged from the depths, claiming that the miners were starving to death after police had stopped food supplies. Last week, the stalemate finally ended as 246 emaciated men and 78 bodies were pulled to the surface. These miners are just some of the thousands of zama zamas digging in and around old mines in Klerksdorp, Stilfontein and Orkney. As illegal mining continues to surge across the country, could more have been done to save the lives lost in this disaster?
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To Ukraine and backLast year, our team visited Ukraine as the country continued its seemingly endless war with invading Russian forces. We spent time in Kyiv and surrounds and travelled to the now-defunct Chornobyl nuclear power plant, the scene of a devastating explosion in 1986. And amid the chaos, we met interesting people with fascinating - often tragic - stories to tell.
Taken for a rideThere’s a little-known municipality in the Free State infamous for alleged mismanagement, questionable tender practices and unapproved expenditure. But even measured against that low bar, the alleged wild spending of the area’s mayor has raised eyebrows. It’s claimed she spent close to R100 000 on a rented vehicle and fuel – in just one month. The municipality may be small, but this story demonstrates how some public servants continue to thumb their noses at law-abiding, taxpayers.
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The stories behind the stories"Good evening. This is Carte Blanche." You’ve heard the words a hundred times in your sitting room on a Sunday night, but have you ever wondered what happens when the cameras aren’t rolling? Well, you’re in luck! Because we’re about to give you a sneak peek into the story behind the stories. From the tension of investigating organised crime to the fluffed lines, or the high of being on a new adventure to making a plan when everything goes wrong. Meet the team that makes the Carte Blanche machine run and go off-script with us on some of 2024’s most iconic stories.
The Historian𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟴 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.
On any given afternoon in the Botanical Gardens, visitors may spot one of Johannesburg’s rare sights. Sometimes it’s an Inca warrior or an Ottoman trader. But on really good days, it's a Crusader patrolling the forests. Gareth Sephton is a unique character with a passion for history, and he’s decided to literally put himself in the shoes of those who lived before us to experience what life was like in a bygone era. Gareth believes history is more than just memorising a string of facts: it’s a sensory experience, and he’s not afraid to immerse himself in the textures and tastes of any era. Dog walkers may be confused by his attire, but for children at a local primary school and the elderly at a nearby retirement home, Gareth teaches and entertains in equal measure. A delightful story about what might happen when you let your imagination run free.
Kidnapping crisis𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.
Since 2022, foreign nationals - especially Ethiopian businessmen - have been targeted by kidnappers in the Eastern Cape. Now it’s become an all-out war. In Qonce (formerly King William's Town), the community says at least two people are taken every week, with the kidnappers demanding ransom from their families. On the ground, informants and security experts say they’ve narrowed down the location of the kidnapping kingpins. They say that organised crime syndicates have taken root in the province and allege that police are involved. According to some insiders, these small-scale kidnappings provide much-needed capital for the syndicates to operate on a larger, more lucrative scale; targeting wealthy South African business owners. Carte Blanche investigates.
Mathews Phosa: Witness to power𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟬 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.
Mathews Phosa has been at the forefront of South Africa’s political landscape for decades. In 1985, as a young activist and ANC comrade, Phosa fled the apartheid regime and went into exile where he would become one of the commanders in umKhonto weSizwe. Later, he trained in counterintelligence and weapons handling in East Germany. He was one of the first ANC members to return to South Africa to prepare the way for negotiations. He became the first premier of Mpumalanga during the presidency of Nelson Mandela. A close ally to Madiba, under Thabo Mbeki, Phosa was pushed to the sidelines, falsely accused of being involved in a ‘plot’ to overthrow President Mbeki. Phosa would later become the Treasurer-General of the ANC during Jacob Zuma’s turbulent administration. In his new book, Witness to Power, Phosa pulls back the veil on some of the most crucial political moments in South Africa’s history. Carte Blanche sits down with the veteran politician who still seems reluctant to reveal the true extent of everything he knows.
Budget cuts: Canary in the coal mine𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟳 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.
Last year, national government signed off on a public servants wage agreement that the country simply couldn’t afford. Under pressure from trade unions, government increased its already overburdened wage bill, pushing the cost of the shortfall onto provincial budgets. Now provinces have been forced to cut their budgets, slashing personnel numbers and plunging service delivery further into crisis. Already overstretched, the public health and education sectors in the Western Cape have been dealt a devastating blow, and they’re not afraid to say it. Carte Blanche examines the developing crisis and asks: is the Western Cape the canary in the coal mine?
People vs primates𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟵 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.
In Simon’s Town and Kommetjie in the Western Cape, residents are facing off against a familiar opponent: baboons. For years, both communities have tolerated the growing numbers of baboons moving around the villages in search of food. But, over time, tensions between people and these primates have reached boiling point. The baboons have become so habituated to living in town that they no longer fear people. Several homeowners have reported baboons breaking into their houses, looking for food. Some parents say their children are too afraid to play outside in their gardens. This is a crisis that’s been decades in the making and it’s pitting neighbour against neighbour as frustrated residents turn on each other.
Isabella's dream𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟬 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.
On 28 September, South Africans cheered as our nation’s heroes took to the field to face Argentina in the Rugby Championship final. But the pluckiest person on the field was fighting not for a trophy, but for her life. Ten-year-old Isabella Esterhuyse is undergoing intense chemotherapy to combat the cancer invading her body. But her spirit remains undaunted. An avid rugby fan, her dream was to meet the Springboks... But, as she walked into the stadium holding Siya Kolisi’s hand, it was Isabella who captured the nation’s hearts.
On a wingsuit and a prayer𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟯 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.
South African Jean Jacques Wallis is a brave man. With nothing more than a webbing-sleeved jumpsuit, gravity and the wind for support, Jean Jacques is the second-fastest wingsuit flyer in the world. In wingsuit flying, the pilot freefalls and can reach speeds up to 400 km per hour, getting meters off the ground before soaring up to eject a parachute. It’s a sport that’s regarded as extremely dangerous, only attempted by the most experienced skydivers and thrill seekers. Carte Blanche meets this extraordinary athlete.
Living on the dead𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟯 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.
At TB Lujiza Cemetery in East London in the Eastern Cape, Mbewukazi Ntungwa searches for her grandmother's grave. Years of municipal mismanagement have violated the dignity of the dead and their relatives; overgrown vegetation and piles of rubbish make it difficult for families to find the tombstones of their departed loved ones. But even more shocking are the shacks and informal dwellings that have been built inside the cemetery, some of them directly above the remnants of headstones which mark the final resting place of the deceased. People living on the dead... In Buffalo City Municipality, derelict cemeteries are common. A few kilometres away, the lone headstone of political stalwart Alcott Skweyi Gwentshe lies in dense undergrowth, a startling monument to neglect. Carte Blanche investigates.
Ghost Squad: Illegal street racing𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟮 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.
On a well-known highway in Cape Town, under the cover of darkness, several vehicles speed down the road at over 200 km an hour. In an instant, one vehicle swerves out of control, flips into the air, and crashes. It's a scene that’s becoming all too familiar as illegal street racers take to the city’s highways. It’s a dangerous pastime that has led to several accidents and fatalities. But the Cape Town Metro Police is pushing back with the Ghost Squad, an elite unit of officers with exceptional driving skills, which was formed to combat this threat. Operating with unmarked vehicles and covert tactics, the squad has become the frontline in a battle against street racers who show little regard for the law or human life.
Find more exclusive content on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv
Botmaskop: Scar on the mountain𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟲 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.
A half-hour walk up the mountain above Unie Park in Stellenbosch takes you to a huge construction site where ground has been broken for what is meant to be one of the Cape's new exclusive lifestyle estates. Roads have been laid on the steep slope and reinforced to prevent erosion, alien plants have been cleared, and the entire area enclosed with a fence which snakes down the mountainside. Luxury houses will go up here, commanding breathtaking views. The developers are selling plots for millions, attracting both local and international buyers who want a taste of the high-end Winelands lifestyle. But, for Stellenbosch residents concerned with urban heritage, this development feels very different from the small mountain resort they approved in a 2003 public participation process. And people living in neighbouring Ida’s Valley are chafing at a controversial land swap which they allege favours the developers with a sliver of municipal land in exchange for steep ground on which the developer cannot build. This at a time when plans for social housing on an adjacent piece of land seem to have fallen off the table. Carte Blanche examines the paper trail which throws light and shade on the convoluted process of environmental authorisation for an exclusive housing estate.
Listeriosis lawsuit𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟴 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.
In 2017, South Africa was faced with the largest listeriosis outbreak in world history. By September 2018, this foodborne disease had killed more than two hundred people and left hundreds more in serious condition. The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) investigated and traced the source of the outbreak to Enterprise polony, a popular ready-to-eat processed meat produced by Tiger Brands. The deadly listeriosis strain that caused the outbreak, ST6, was not found at any location or facility during the outbreak period except Tiger Brands’ Polokwane meat processing facility. A class action lawsuit saw listeriosis survivors demanding compensation from the consumer goods giant. But six years later, they have received nothing.
Cash for days𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟮𝟱 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.
On a long-distance bus from Pretoria to the Beitbridge border post, the conductor makes his passengers an irresistible offer: he can help them extend their stay in South Africa beyond the 90-day legal limit – for a small fee. Many of his passengers are undocumented foreign nationals who should be on their way back to Zimbabwe. Instead, they’ll pay the fee to obtain a new 90-day stamp and “legally” remain in the country. Many of them won't even stand face to face with the customs official who stamps their passports. On these long-distance buses, this practice – called buying days – is common, as bus drivers and Home Affairs officials line their pockets at the expense of those desperate to remain in South Africa. Carte Blanche investigates.
Find more exclusive content on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv
Counterfeit city𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟭𝟴 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰.
It’s early morning in downtown Johannesburg and, as small-business owners open shop for the day, an elite team from the SAPS’ anti-counterfeit unit descends on the inner city. Here the sale of counterfeit goods – popular luxury clothing brands, sneakers and even pharmaceuticals – has exploded. Cheap knockoffs are easy to come by and, because of its shipping routes, South Africa is one of the biggest markets for fake goods on the continent - large counterfeit consignments often move through the country undetected. As this illicit market continues to grow, fuelling other major criminal networks, Carte Blanche joins one anti-counterfeit unit's operation on the streets of Johannesburg.
Find more exclusive content on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv
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