| QUICK FACTS | |
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Birth Name:
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Derek Watts |
| Occupation: | TV Presenter |
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Date of Birth:
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1948 (age 75 years) |
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Died
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22 August 2023
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Place of Birth
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Hillbrow, Johannesburg, Gauteng |
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Nationality:
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South African |
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Gender:
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Male
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Who Was Derek Watts
Derek Watts (born Hillbrow, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa) was a televison presenter best known as the long serving host of MNET investigative journalism show Carte Blanche.
He moved to the second largest city in Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, when he was five years old and grew up there.
Schooling was one thing he was not good at and never liked. After graduation, he was not sure of his future.He moved to the second largest city in Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, when he was five years old and grew up there.
Schooling was one thing he was not good at and never liked. After graduation, he was not sure of his future.
Career
In his early twenties, he tried out a few jobs. Derek served in the army, studied computer operations, and worked for a plastic company. He started writing for The Herald in Zimbabwe.
Later he joined television news back at SABC. Two years after the launch of M-Net, they began a new show and invited Ruda and Watts to present it.
Watts has worked in the current affairs program, Carte Blanche, for over thirty-four years. In 1974, he worked as a cub reporter for Rhodesia Herald.
In the Army, Derek was an Adjutant and Company Commander. He worked for SABC TV News as a sub-editor for four years. He also worked as a sports anchor.
Producer extraordinaire Bill Faure called Derek in 1988 about a new show on a new channel. He co-anchors the Carte Blanche on M-Net alongside Ruda Landman.
Carte Blanche is now a multiple-award-winning show with local and international recognitions. The show introduced a new face to investigative journalism in South Africa.
Personal Life
Derek Watts lives with his wife, Belinda, his son, Tyrone, and his teenage daughter Kirstin. He and his partner met at the Benmore-based Pick n Pay in the pet food section.
Belinda wanted food for her cat, and he had picked up a stray dog in the Magaliesburg. The couple has spent twenty-one years in marriage.
They have a pet Gucci – his wife’s miniature Yorky dog and everyone’s favorite. They have another dog, Coco.
Derek loves to go to the Maldives to the Banyan Tree hotel. His most treasured possession is his family photo albums and videos.
In Hospital
On April 2, 2023, Derek Watts made headlines for learning to walk again after collapsing in Hoedspruit in March.
The Carte Blanche presenter informed on Twitter that he was recovering at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg. The incident was first suspected to be a stroke.
The television presenter collapsed with a suspected stroke in Hoedspruit. He was dispatched to the super-pro Milpark Hospital ICU.
According to him, he was diagnosed with severe sepsis and was learning to walk again.
Television Show
- Carte Blanche as Presenter
- Carte Blanche Consumer as Reporter
- Carte Blanche Extra as Presenter
- Carte Blanche Medical as Reporter
- Legacy as Himself
Derek Watts Cause of Death
Derek Watts passed away on Tuesday, 22 August 2023 after battling cancer.