Former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter set for 2nd explosive TV tell-all Sunday night on Carte Blanche.

by Thinus Ferreira

Former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter is set for another explosive TV interview, this time on Sunday night with M-Net's Carte Blanche at 19:00 where he will answer questions about using an Apartheid-era spy to investigate corruption at the imploding state-owned power utility.

André de Ruyter made waves and then exited Eskom after a shocking sit-down interview with e.tv's Annika Larsen on 21 February during an edition of My Guest Tonight shown on e.tv, eNCA (DStv 403) and YouTube, with the much-watched interview that had massive ramifications for the South African government and the beleaguered power utility.

André  De Ruyter made multiple, jaw-dropping revelations, including that top-level politicians whom he refused to name, are directly involved in the looting and corruption at Eskom that had plunged South African into ever-worsening stages of electricity blackouts, something that Eskom calls "load-shedding".  

During the same week, e.tv's did a double-whammy, with an episode of the investigative programme CheckPoint exposing the shocking ongoing workings of the coal mafia destroying and milking Eskom of millions of rands per month from the inside.

It has since come to light that André De Ruyter commissioned his own sensational intelligence report to gather evidence and information about the rife and widespread corruption inside Eskom, orchestrated by a politically connected coal mafia operating inside Eskom.

Less than two months later, André de Ruyter has now done a follow-up sit-down TV interview which will be airing this Sunday night on the weekly investigative and current affairs show Carte Blanche on M-Net (DStv 101).

With producer Joy Summers, André de Ruyter, from a secret location - which is likely somewhere in Germany as the ANC political party is trying to serve legal papers on him for alleged defamation - talks to Carte Blanche presenter Bongani Bingwa about what has become known as "The Eskom Files".

From his international hideout André  De Ruyter will talk to Carte Blanche about his three years of trying to root out corruption at Eskom and to try and restore the power grid and alleviate South Africa's crippling blackouts.

Does he regret his tell-all interview with Annika Larsen? What was he thinking using an Apartheid-era spy for an internal investigation? Where exactly is he and why? These are some of the questions Bongani Bingwa puts to André  De Ruyter.

"I did not solve load-shedding. I did not address all of the corruption. But I did make a good start in solving energy security," André  De Ruyter says in a snippet of the upcoming interview released in a new Carte Blanche promo.

BREAKING. Bongani Bingwa gone from SABC News as he exits as Full View anchor 9 months since joining the public broadcaster, SABC says 'there was no dispute over money'.

Bongani Bingwa has been taken off of the SABC's SABC News (DStv 404) TV channel and has left the prime time TV slot he had been anchoring with his exit coming just 9 months after he left M-Net's Carte Blanche for the plum spot on the South African public broadcaster's news channel.

It comes after an apparent falling out over working hours at the SABC's TV news division.

On Twitter Bongani Bingwa on Wednesday said "I am no longer a presenter of the SABC's Full View" but added that "I haven't left the SABC and remain excited about the progress we are making".

He said "I have decided to focus on my radio show but will still do special projects periodically".

Bongani Bingwa is also the presenter of a radio show on Radio 702. When he joined the SABC earlier this year, people wondered how the presenter would be able to juggle a daily weekday radio stint as well as a weekday multi-hour evening anchoring job.

Arabile Gumede is now the new co-anchor next to Francis Herd during SABC News prime time.

Bongani Bingwa joined the SABC in March 2018 when Peter Ndoro was moved to an afternoon timeslot on SABC News following prime time fatigue and on-air mistakes.

According to sources Bongani Bingwa, one of the highest paid on-air talent on SABC News, requested reduced work hours, with the SABC that in turn said it would come with a reduction in remuneration, leading to a stalemate.

Neo Momodu, SABC spokesperson says Bongani Bingwa has parted ways with Full View.

"The SABC can confirm that Bongani Bingwa is no longer scheduled on SABC News due to the parties reaching an amicable agreement to part ways. The SABC would like to put on record that there was no dispute over money. Bongani Bingwa requested to be released from his contract for personal reasons."

Carte Blanche sexism? M-Net's weekly investigative magazine suddenly makes Macfarlane Moleli an anchor after just 5 months with the show, although Claire Mawisa has been there much longer.

Carte Blanche on M-Net (DStv 101) comes across as extremely sexist after suddenly promoting Macfarlane Moleli who has been with the show for just a few months to the anchor chair, instead of Claire Mawisa who has more experience on the show and who has been with the show several years longer than Macfarlane Moleli.

Macfarlane Moleli is replacing another man, Bongani Bingwa in the Carte Blanche anchor chair despite being part of the weekly investigative magazine show for the shortest amount of time - just 5 months - out of all the presenters.

Carte Blanche shocked on Sunday evening when anchor Derek Watts in the closer of Sunday's episode announced that "next Sunday our new anchor Macfarlane Moleli, our new anchor, will be joining us in the hot seat, as we say goodbye to Bongani Bingwa, who's made such a valuable contribution to our show for more than a decade".

Bongani Bingwa dropped Carte Blanche to join the SABC as the new SABC News weekday prime time co-anchor next to Francis Herd on SABC News (DStv 404) and SABC3, with Macfarlane Moleli who will be behind the Carte Blanche anchor desk from 18 March.

For years only Derek Watts and Bongani Bingwa as two men alternated as anchors of Carte Blanche, before Devi Sankaree Govender was finally allowed since the middle of last year to anchor episodes of the Combined Artistic Productions show broadcast on Sunday nights from the Randburg studio.

Despite years of experience as an investigative TV journalist and having also anchored hours and hours of studio coverage during the Oscar Pistorius trial on MultiChoice's Oscar Pistorius Trial channel on DStv - ironically produced by the same production company responsible for Carte Blanche - Devi Sankaree Govender was for some reason not used or seen as a Carte Blanche anchor until mid-2017.

Since Devi Sankaree Govender joined Carte Blanche in 2002, it means it took her - as the first female anchor since Ruda Landman left - 15 years to make it to the show's anchor desk.

Claire Mawisa, with TV presenting and in-studio presenting experience joined Carte Blanche in April 2015 as a field presenter and since then has done dozens of stories. She is a year older than Macfarlane Moleli.

Macfarlane Moleli quietly joined Carte Blanche in September 2017 as a field presenter just 5 months ago.

Interestingly, neither M-Net nor Combined Artistic Productions issued any official statement or press release when Macfarlane Moleli joined Carte Blanche in late-2017, as was the case with Claire Mawisa in 2015 and others previously, with Macfarlane Moleli's addition as a new presenter that came across as decidedly low-key.

Now Macfarlane Moleli has suddenly been appointed as a studio anchor on the show, above Claire Mawisa who has been with the show longer, who has done more stories, and who has more on-the-ground and behind-the-scenes experience with the actual news magazine show.

Carte Blanche was asked why Macfarlane Moleli has suddenly been made an anchor on the show and why he was chosen as a man to replace Bongani Bingwa who also happens to be a man.

With Devi Sankaree Govender who had to wait years before being made an anchor, and with Claire Mawisa who joined Carte Blanche before Macfarlane Moleli, Carte Blanche was also asked why she has not been allowed to anchor or to become an anchor before Macfarlane Moleli who has been with the show for a far shorter time than Claire Mawisa.

M-Net in response to a media enquiry says "why Macfarlane got the anchoring job, it’s quite simple: He comes with a huge amount of live studio anchoring experience under his belt from his time at eNCA and the SABC. Hosting live TV is a very unique skills set that Macfarlane already joins the team with."

"Macfarlane has spent the past two decades honing his presenting and investigative journalism skills on issues around current affairs, politics, economics, business, sports and environmental affairs," says George Mazarakis, Carte Blanche executive producer. "He is a seasoned studio presenter and we're thrilled to welcome someone of his calibre to our team of highly experienced anchors".

Carte Blanche says "Macfarlane Moleli has more than 14 years' work experience as a journalist in the media and entertainment industry under his belt. Most recently he worked at Kaya FM, following a 5-year stink at news channel eNCA."

"Macfarlane was also a former prime time newsreader on SABC3 for the 19:00 news. During this time he hosted 180 Degrees on SABC News International, as well as the drive time news and current affairs anchor on "The Touch Down show on Touch Central."

When Claire Mawisa's name is searched for in online search engines, lurid stories doesn't come up like one last year about Macfarlane Moleli where headlines blare 'Lover' says Macfarlane shattered her heart with things like an alleged girlfriend, Lerato Phakathi, who told The Daily Sun that he allegedly "has a tough time keeping 'it' in his pants".

Carte Blanche will celebrate its 30th anniversary in August. The show's current roster of presenters are Derek Watts, Devi Sankaree Govender, Claire Mawisa, Macfarlane Moleli and John Webb who is apparently relocating overseas and leaving South Africa but who will still be doing inserts for the show.

Investigative news mags - because they value and protect their credibility and integrity in a genre of television where the faces directly represent the credibility and trust of viewers built up over years of doing stories and interviews - usually promote from within.

America's 60 Minutes, the BBC's Panorama and the BBC's interview show HARDTalk only elevate insiders from within the fold to the prestigious rank of anchor presenter, and only after many years of having built up a cache of credibility and having proven their mettle through a vault of stories and interviews.

BREAKING. The SABC signs Bongani Bingwa as the public broadcaster's new SABC News prime time co-anchor as he dumps M-Net's Carte Blanche; Peter Ndoro moved out to anchoring on afternoons.

The SABC has signed up Bongani Bingwa to replace Peter Ndoro as its new prime time news co-anchor on SABC News (DStv 404) and SABC3 next to Francis Herd, with the "ubusuku benzolo" TV anchor that is keeping his Primedia radio presenter gig but awkwardly dropping M-Net's Carte Blanche just months before its big 30th anniversary coming up in August.

Bongani Bingwa who has been with M-Net's (DStv 101) Carte Blanche for 11 years, has finally cut ties with the Combined Artistic Productions show.

He continued making appearances on Carte Blanche the past few months despite joining Primedia's 702 radio station in July 2017 for a regular presenter slot that made him less available to travel and film inserts, but despite joining the SABC he's just dropping Carte Blanche and will continue with his radio show.

The SABC says Bongani Bingwa will co-host the 18:00 to 21:00 timeslot on SABC News next to Francis Herd, starting from Monday 12 March.

This will include doing the SABC's flagship English TV news bulletin at 21:00 that is being simulcast on SABC3 in that channel's new, later news timeslot since the start of February.

"As part of our continued efforts to stay relevant in the highly dynamic and competitive broadcasting space, it is crucial that we recruit the best talent that will deliver cutting-edge news and current affairs programmes which are well researched, balanced and fair," says Phathiswa Magopeni, the SABC's new head of news and current affairs, about Bongani Bingwa's hire.

The SABC says Bongani Bingwa brings to the public broadcaster a wealth of knowledge in journalism for both radio and television news and current affairs.

Bongani Bingwa says "I am excited to be part of the changes at the SABC and to join a team that will be creating a new legacy for the public broadcaster".

Meanwhile Peter Ndoro, fresh back on SABC News after taking time to "rest" following botched news reading attempts in January and February involving new president Cyril Ramaphosa, is gone from the public broadcaster's prime time perch and the SABC's most prestigious news position. He's been moved to anchoring on the SABC News channel in the afternoons between 15:00 and 18:00.

Bongani Bingwa's new anchor job creates some awkwardness for Carte Blanche that's reaching its 30th anniversary in August on M-Net as South Africa's longest running investigative magazine show.

As one of the longest serving Carte Blanche faces, his on-screen absence come August detracts from the collective number of years of on-air experience the existing presenters pool will be able to boast about when celebrating the venerable show's big birthday in a few months' time.

M-Net tells TVwithThinus that "as Bongani will be anchoring news on SABC, he will not be able to stay on as a Carte Blanche presenter".

"Bongani has been a great asset to Carte Blanche since starting his television journalism career with M-Net's multiple award-winning current affairs programme a decade ago. We are proud of his achievements and would like to thank him for his contribution to Carte Blanche over the years."

On Sunday in a longer, 90 minute episode, Carte Blanche on M-Net get to grips with advanced sex dolls.

This coming Sunday in a longer episode of Carte Blanche at 19:00 on M-Net (DStv 101) the weekly investigative magazine show will get to grips with advanced sex dolls.

Sunday's episode of Carte Blanche is again longer at 90 minutes instead of the usual 60 minutes due to the higher age restriction of the Sunday night movie.

In one of the planned inserts, Carte Blanche presenter Bongani Bingwa will look at advances in sex dolls and how virtual reality is being added to simulated sex experiences.

Besides the sex doll insert, Carte Blanche is also investigating the controversial Brian Molefe's return to Eskom, and how Facebook is targeting users with personalised advertising.

Here's the run-down of this Sunday's Carte Blanche:

Brian Molefe: The Return

Six months ago Brian Molefe announced he was leaving Eskom. Since then, no investigation has been conducted into his friendship with the Guptas. Now he is back at the helm. Can the Eskom board justify this decision under South African law? Carte Blanche investigates his track record at Eskom, the reasons behind his departure and how he managed to return. 

Producer: Anna-Maria van Niekerk and Marzanne van den Berg                                               

Presenter: Bongani Bingwa

Researcher: Laura Bryne

Facebook: Cracking the Code

Facebook is still one of the most popular social media networking sites in the world  By using sophisticated algorithms, it has mastered the ability to track a lot of user browsing history, even when you’re not logged on or a registered member of the platform.

This ensures that Facebook can target you with personalised advertising and news to keep you glued for longer. But this feedback loop is fuelling the rise and power of 'fake news'. So how has this social media site cracked the code of human interaction over the internet?

Producer: ABC Catalyst

Advanced Sex Dolls – The New Evolution [PG 16]

State-of-the-art adult dolls and toys are coming onto the market, using advanced technology and virtual reality to give buyers a more pleasurable and realistic experience. But can human interaction ever be replaced by sex toys and love dolls? Carte Blanche explores these innovative developments.

Producer: Sasha Schwendenwein

Presenter: Bongani Bingwa

Carte Blanche on M-Net apologises for using and including an unrelated aerial shot of a Hindu temple in Jozi in an insert about terrorist groups.

Carte Blanche on M-Net is apologising for including and showing a Hindu temple in Mayfair, Johannesburg in a story during last Sunday's show about terrorism in Africa and terrorist groups using South Africa as an entry point in the rest of the continent.

The Hindu temple has no relation to what the Carte Blanche story was about, but the weekly investigative magazine show on M-Net (DStv 101) produced by Combined Artistic Productions included a visual aerial shot of it in the sensintive story about terrorists operating from South Africa.

A week later Carte Blanche is apologising on the air, when anchor Bongani Bingwa said that the show is apologising "unreservedly" for the incorrect use and inclusion of the Hindu temple into the story.

"The context and accompanying music incorrectly alluded to it being a mosque. At no point in the story did we suggest that this temple or any other place of worship in the area is involved or linked to any terrorist activity of any sort," said Bongani Bingwa, Carte Blanche anchor.

"We apologise unreservedly for the incorrect use of the image of the Hindu temple and any offense it may have caused."

Carte Blanche's 25th anniversary special broadcast on M-Net on 1 September coming from atop Africa's tallest structure, the Hillbrow Tower.

It will literally be breath taking.

A dare not miss South African television event is happening next Sunday when Carte Blanche on M-Net will be celebrating its monumental 25th anniversary with a special episode broadcasting from atop the tallest structure in all of Africa on 1 September at 19:00 from atop the 269 story high Hillbrow Towers.

Carte Blanche, M-Net's acclaimed and longrunning weekly investigative magazine show produced by Combined Artistic Productions is having its silver anniversary this coming Sunday 1 September.

Carte Blanche will then be done from the top of the Telkom Jo'burg Tower which has been closed for the public for the past 30 years since 1981.

Carte Blanche will reveal its brand-new "transparent glass" on-air look in keeping with its motto of "the right to see it all",

Carte Blanche will then also officially unveil the book Carte Blanche 25 Years - The Stories Behind the Stories from the Carte Blanche super producer Jessica Pitchford.

Besides the special and very historic 25th Carte Blanche broadcast during which viewers will meet some of the show's top investigative journalists (Is former co-anchor Ruda Landman set for a surprise appearance? The show is mum.), the show will remember highlights, give away a car, and 25 copies of Carte Blanche 25 Years - The Stories Behind the Stories.

"Many aspects of South African life have come and gone over the past 25 years, but not Carte Blanche" says the show.

Carte Blanche has perennially remained the number one show on M-Net as far as viewership is concerned (sometimes jumping to number two when Franz Marx produced soap Egoli was still on), constantly claiming the top spot week after week on the list of M-Net's top ten most watched TV programmes.

"We have a remarkable team," says longtime Carte Blanche executive producer George Mazarakis. "Together they have won 162 awards, influenced government, changed laws and sparked popular debate. In a fight, these are the people I would want to have on my side."

Carte Blanche on M-Net on Sunday returns to the studio and inside for the first time in two years.

Carte Blanche on M-Net on Sunday night returned to a studio and an anchor desk for the first time in exactly two years since the longrunning weekly South African investigative news magazine show ditched its studio presentation format in July 2011 and went outside and roofside in Johannesburg.

Carte Blanche presenter Bongani Bingwa presented Carte Blanche from the SuperSport studios in Randburg where M-Net's All Access was housed before SuperSport moved into the floorspace.

It's not clear whether this is a new permanent change for the Combined Artistic Productions show, whether inclement weather forced the show inside, whether it was just a once-off experiment, or whether it was a once-off late week decision.

Carte Blanche will be celebrating its 25th anniversary within months since the show started back in 1989.

BREAKING. Carte Blanche on M-Net enhances its on-screen logo with 'You have the right to see it all'; again speaks out against Secrecy Bill.

You're reading it here first.

South Africa's foremost weekly investigative magazine show Carte Blanche Sundays at 19:00 on M-Net adapted its on-screen logo, adding its slogan of ''You have the right to see it all'' to its intertiles - whilst vigilantly keeping up the pressure and once again referencing and speaking out against the South African government's misguided Protection of Information Bill.

Carte Blanche on Sunday on M-Net had an adapted logo, now containing ''You have the right to see it all'' - the show's longtime logo - now strongly, vibrantly and visually added underneath the Carte Blanche African continent iconography.

Carte Blanche presenter Bongani Bingwa once again - just like Derek Watts did last week - made reference to the draconian Protection of State Information Bill bill the South African government wants to force through to limit the freedom of the press and to prevent journalists from telling readers and viewers all the news that is in the public interest.

''Lawmakers protectiong themselves,'' said Bongani Bingwa in Sunday night's Carte Blanche. ''... which is what the Protection of State Information Bill seems to be all about.''

''More than 400 civic organisations with Cosatu leading the fray, have spoken out about the so-called Secrecy Bill passed by the National Assembly last week and soon to go before the Council of Provinces - which hopefully will give it careful scrutiny,'' Bongani Bingwa said.

INTERVIEW. Bongani Bingwa on Carte Blanche Medical.

Carte Blanche Medical starts tonight at 19:00 on M-Net, hosted by Bongani Bingwa, as a brand-new weekly Carte Blanche addition to the Sunday night show, that will be focusing on telling all kinds of medical stories.

I asked him a few questions on what viewers will get to see on Carte Blanche Medical, what he aims to achieve and - since Carte Blanche serves as a lead-in to Grey's Anatomy on M-Net - whether he's familiar with the goings-on at the Seattle Grace Hospital.

Click on READ MORE below to access the full interesting interview!

FIRST LOOK! Carte Blanche Medical

You're seeing it here first.

I was first on 10 December to to break the news RIGHT HERE that the weekly investigative magazine show Carte Blanche, is getting a spin-off this year, entitled Carte Blanche Medical. Later that same day I also broke the news to tell you that the host will be longtime Carte Blanche presenter Bongani Binga.

Now I can be first to show you the brand-new Carte Blanche Medical logo which looks beautiful.

Carte Blanche Medical will start on Monday, 18 January at 19:00 on M-Net as a lead-in to the new season of Grey's Anatomy, also on M-Net. Carte Blanche Medical will look at medical breakthroughs, the health care sector and investigate malpractice cases as part of the focus of the spin-off show. The normal Carte Blanche remains on Sundays at 19:00 on M-Net.

BREAKING. Bongani Bingwa the anchor of the brand new Carte Blanche Medical.

You're reading it here first. Carte Blanche presenter Bongani Bingwa will become the new anchor of the brand-new weekly half hour Carte Blanche spin-off Carte Blanche Medical that will start on Monday, 18 January at 19:00 on M-Net.

M-Net tells me the show will look at ''medical breakthroughs'' as well as ''medical miracle stories'', will ''expose medical malpractice cases'' (although this first of two spin-offs won't be that extremely focused on investigative TV journalism), as well as ''health advice and medical schemes'' and ''the latest on medical advances in the world of medicine from a patient perspective''.

''There is so much medical news and information out there and Carte Blanche Medical will help viewers make sense of it all with trusted advice, news on new medical technology and exposing dodgy medical practices,'' M-Net tells me.