Derek Watts (Journalist) Age, Wiki, Death Cause, Wife, Kids, Net Worth, Family, BIO & More

Derek Watts was a South African journalist, television presenter, and podcaster who was best known for his role as the anchor of Carte Blanche, a popular current affairs program on M-Net. He passed away on 22 August 2023, his 75th birthday, after a battle with cancer. He is survived by his wife Belinda and his two children, Tyrone and Kirstin.

Watts was a household name in South Africa and beyond, as he covered a wide range of topics with professionalism, integrity, and compassion. He was a fearless reporter who exposed corruption, injustice, and human rights violations. He was also a gifted storyteller who captivated audiences with his engaging and insightful interviews. He was an inspiration to many aspiring journalists and a respected colleague to his peers.

In this article, we will pay tribute to Derek Watts by looking at his life, career, achievements, and legacy. We will also share some of the tributes that poured in from his fans, friends, and fellow journalists.

Early Life and Education

Derek Watts was born on 22 August 1948 in Hillbrow, a city residential neighborhood in Johannesburg, Transvaal. He later moved to the second largest city in Zimbabwe, Bulawayo (then Southern Rhodesia), when he was five years old and grew up there.

He developed a passion for journalism early on and pursued his studies at Rhodes University, where he earned a degree in journalism. This academic foundation laid the groundwork for a remarkable career ahead.

Career Highlights

Derek’s journey in journalism began in the early 1980s when he joined the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). He quickly made a name for himself as a talented reporter, covering critical events during a tumultuous period in South African history. His fearless reporting during the apartheid era earned him respect and recognition.

However, it was his role as the host of the long-running investigative television program Carte Blanche that catapulted Derek Watts to national and international prominence. For over three decades, he used his platform to uncover corruption, expose injustices, and give a voice to those who often went unheard.

Carte Blanche is a current affairs television program that has been a beacon of investigative journalism since its inception in 1988. It has won numerous awards for its quality and impact, both locally and internationally. Derek was one of the original presenters of the show, along with Ruda Landman. He co-anchored the show with various colleagues over the years, including Devi Sankaree Govender, John Webb, Claire Mawisa, Macfarlane Moleli, Masa Kekana, and Derek van Dam.

Some of the memorable stories that Derek covered on Carte Blanche include:

• The land grabs and clashes in Zimbabwe
• The primate hunters in Cameroon
• The gorillas in Rwanda
• The Steinhoff scandal
• The COVID-19 pandemic
• The gambling sponsorships in cricket
• The nuclear fusion experiment in South Korea

Derek’s journalistic style was characterized by meticulous research, insightful interviews, and a commitment to uncovering the truth. He had a knack for making complex stories accessible and engaging to the public. He also had a sense of humor and warmth that endeared him to his viewers and interviewees.

Aside from his work on Carte Blanche, Derek also delved into various other domains, including MC work, motoring journalism, sports journalism, and podcasting. He was a versatile and passionate journalist who loved storytelling and exploring new topics.

Awards and Honors

Derek Watts was widely acclaimed for his work as a journalist and received many awards and honors throughout his career. Some of them include:

• Vodacom Journalist of the Year awards (multiple times)
• SAFTA (South African Film and Television Awards) for Best Current Affairs Program (as part of the Carte Blanche team)
• Genesis Awards (as part of the Carte Blanche team)
• Honorary Doctorate from Rhodes University
• Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Press Club

Derek Watts was also nominated for several other awards, such as the International Emmy Awards and the Peabody Awards (as part of the Carte Blanche team).

Derek Watts’ Parents & Siblings

According to the web search results, there is not much information available about Derek Watts’ parents and siblings. However, based on the Wikipedia article, he was born in Hillbrow, Johannesburg, Transvaal, and moved to Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, when he was five years old. He grew up there and later studied journalism at Rhodes University.

Marriage, Wife & Kids

Derek Watts lived with his wife Belinda, his son Tyrone, and his daughter Kirstin. He met his wife at a Pick n Pay store in Benmore Gardens in the pet food section. They had been married for 21 years at the time of his death.

Derek Watts loved his family dearly and treasured their photo albums and videos. He also loved his pets: Gucci, his wife’s miniature Yorky dog; Coco, another dog; and two cats.

Derek was an avid traveler and enjoyed visiting exotic destinations such as the Maldives, where he stayed at the Banyan Tree Hotel. He was also a car enthusiast and a fan of Formula One racing. He hosted a podcast called Watts Involved, where he interviewed various guests about their passions and interests.

Death and Tributes

Derek Watts passed away on 22 August 2023, his 75th birthday, after a battle with cancer. He had been diagnosed with skin cancer in 2020, which later spread to his lungs. He also suffered from severe sepsis and a suspected stroke earlier in 2021. He was admitted to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg, where he received treatment and care.

In June 2021, he announced his retirement from Carte Blanche after 35 years, saying that he needed to focus on his health and recovery. He thanked his viewers and colleagues for their support and love over the years.

His death was confirmed by his daughter Kirstin, who said that he passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. She said that he was the most wonderful person they knew and that he always thought of others. She also said that he wanted to thank all his viewers and that he appreciated them and loved his job.

His death was met with widespread sadness and grief by his fans, friends, and fellow journalists. Many tributes poured in on social media and other platforms, honoring his life and legacy.

Wiki/BIO

Name	Derek Watts
Date of birth	22 August 1948
Place of birth	Hillbrow, Johannesburg, Transvaal, Union of South Africa
Date of death	22 August 2023
Place of death	Johannesburg, South Africa
Cause of death	Cancer
Age at death	75 years old
Occupation	Journalist, television presenter, podcaster
Employer	Carte Blanche on M-Net
Spouse	Belinda
Children	Tyrone and Kirstin
Education	Rhodes University (degree in journalism)
Awards	Vodacom Journalist of the Year awards (multiple times),
Instagram	derekwatts1
Twitter	DerekWatts
Wikipedia	Derek_Watts
Website	derekwatts.co.za
Homepage	Dreshare.com

Facts About Derek Watts

• Watts moved to Zimbabwe when he was five years old because his father was a railway engineer who worked there.
• Derek studied journalism and English at Rhodes University in Grahamstown, South Africa.
• Watts started his career as a radio journalist for the SABC in the 1970s and covered various topics, including politics, sports, entertainment, and human interest stories.
• Derek Watts joined Carte Blanche in 1988 as one of the original presenters and became the face of the show for over three decades.

• Derek Watts exposed corruption, injustice, fraud, and other social issues in Carte Blanche. He also interviewed many prominent figures, such as Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, Oprah Winfrey, Charlize Theron, and Elon Musk.
• Derek Watts won several awards for his work, including the Vodacom Journalist of the Year Award in 2006 and the Nat Nakasa Award for Courageous Journalism in 2014. He was also nominated for the International Emmy Awards twice.
• Derek was also an executive producer of Carte Blanche and mentored many young journalists who joined the show. He was known for his professionalism, integrity, compassion, and sense of humor.
• Derek hosted a podcast called Watts Involved, where he shared his insights and opinions on various topics. He was passionate about sports, especially cricket and rugby. He supported the Proteas and the Springboks teams.

• Derek Watts was diagnosed with skin cancer in 2022 which later spread to his lungs. He underwent chemotherapy and immunotherapy treatments to fight the disease. He continued to work for Carte Blanche until July 2023, when he announced his retirement to focus on his health.
• Derek was admitted to the hospital in March 2023 after suffering a suspected stroke and was subsequently diagnosed with severe sepsis. He recovered from the infection but remained in a frail condition.