Trafficked with Mariana Van Zeller

Posted on March 5, 2023 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

Multiple award-winning investigative journalist and correspondent Mariana van Zeller plunges deeper into the illicit shadow economy in the much-anticipated third installment of National Geographic’s Emmy-nominated docu-series TRAFFICKED WITH MARIANA VAN ZELLER, currently broadcasting on Thursdays at 21:00 on National Geographic (DStv 181, Starsat 220).

A recipient of the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award and the duPont Award, Mariana has made it her life mission to explore the inner workings of the global underworld’s most dangerous, illegitimate markets. In each episode, she infiltrates a different trafficking network to investigate the reasons behind the illegal trade of black-market organs, LSD, ghost guns, cyber pirates, MDMA, gangs, terrorist oil, crypto scams, fight clubs and black-market babies. She meets with both the traffickers and the victims to better understand the world’s growing multi trillion-dollar shadow economy.

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What to watch on National Geographic this Summer

Posted on September 7, 2022 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

Cinematographer Tom Fitz stands semi-submerged in the ocean waters of Biscayne National Park, filming the bird life and the surrounding mangrove coastline landscape. (photo credit: National Geographic/Phoebe Fitz)

Do you want to feast your eyes on some of the best programming and content that is due to arrive on screen this summer? I was one of 50 selected media to join a live stream today, to showcase National Geographic’s new slate of programmes in the coming weeks. As a surprise, we were honoured to have none other than Bear Grylls, as a special guest, who answered questions about his National Geographic show called “Running Wild With Bear Grylls: The Challenge.”

The Walt Disney Company Africa announced the upcoming content slate for both National Geographic and National Geographic Wild for Spring/Summer 2022, with channels that now broadcast in high-definition. With a promise to ignite the explorer in all of us, and with a 133-year legacy, viewers across the continent will also be able to immerse themselves in the very latest and ground-breaking storytelling in stunning high definition for the very first time, taking them further than ever before.

Featuring the best and brightest scientists, explorers, photographers and filmmakers in the world, the coming months’ content highlights offer something for everyone, as several new natural history series, feature documentaries, and programming stunts, will showcase the wonder of the natural world, take them on exhilarating adventures and illuminate historical figures who epitomize the strength and triumphs of humankind.

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National Geographic Photo Competition 2022

Posted on August 15, 2022 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

As part of its Planet Possible initiative, which aims to inform, inspire and empower consumers to live more lightly on the planet, National Geographic invites photographers across South Africa to participate in 2022 edition of the National Geographic Photo Competition. Themed #ExploreNaturalAreas, this year’s competition, supported by Sunday Times and TimeLIVE, aims to celebrate South Africa’s natural spaces and highlight the need for their protection.

While the 2021 competition was only open to amateurs, a large number of entries were submitted by professional photographers. This year, both groups of enthusiasts may participate as the competition will feature both an amateur and professional category. Entrants stand in line to win a share of R 100 000 in cash, with each category offering prizes of R 25 000 for first place, R 15 000 for second place and R 5 000 for third place. Additionally, the top 10 images in each category will be published on TimesLIVE on 4 September. The winning shots be showcased in the Sunday Times, on TimesLIVE and on the National Geographic Africa social media platforms on 11 September.

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10th Season of Car S.O.S on National Geographic

Posted on May 16, 2022 by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem

Tim Shaw and Fuzz Townshend next to the Pristine. (National Geographic)

National Geographic’s top-rated car restoration show with a heart, Car S.O.S, has returned to screens for its tenth season and can be seen on Tuesdays at 19:00 (C.A.T.) on DSTV Channel 181 (National Geographic). The series consists of 10 unmissable new episodes including a very special anniversary show, featuring the 100^th car to be made-over on the series and a stack of celebrity faces who will be popping up throughout the run.

Each new episode features a different heart-warming and inspiring story from owners who deserve the chance to have their treasured classic motor car fully restored back to its prime condition, with car enthusiast Tim Shaw and master mechanic Fuzz Townshend, who are joined by special guest stars, including ex-England football legends Bryan Robson and Wes Brown, who are on hand to lend their time, energy and moral support to a very special Car S.O.S reveal at Old Trafford football stadium. Other celebrity Car S.O.S fans who make cameo appearances in the series are David Beckham, Sir Paul McCartney, TV mechanic and motoring specialist Edd China and Emmerdale actress Natalie J. Robb.

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