Derek Watts, a famous face on South African TV, was born on November 24, 1948. He lived for 74 years, passing away on August 22, 2023. Watts made his mark as a top reporter and TV host on the show Carte Blanche.
Watts started life in Johannesburg, a big city in South Africa. When he was just five, his family moved to Bulawayo, a city in what we now call Zimbabwe. This is where he grew up and learned about the world around him.
For 35 years, from 1988 to 2023, Watts was a familiar face on Carte Blanche. This TV show aired on M-Net and was known for digging deep into important stories. Watts became famous for his sharp questions and fair reporting.
Watts had a long career in TV that made him a household name in South Africa. He was known for his friendly smile and calm voice as he talked about tough topics on the news.
Sadly, Watts got sick in his later years. In 2022, doctors found he had skin cancer that spread to his lungs. He had to go to the hospital in March 2023 because of a possible stroke and a bad infection. These health problems made Watts decide to stop working on Carte Blanche in July 2023.
Watts left a big mark on South African TV. He helped people understand complex news stories and was respected for his hard work. Even though he’s no longer with us, many South Africans will remember Derek Watts as a trusted voice in their homes for over three decades.