by Thinus Ferreira
With the entirely of Sunday's episode of Carte Blanche on M-Net (DStv 101) at 19:00 which will be dedicated to and be a tribute to Derek Watts who died earlier this week after losing his battle against cancer, the show's executive producer John Webb says Watts' "passion never dimmed".
The entire hour of Sunday's Carte Blanche will be devoted to Derek Watts and to remember and honour the work and legacy of the veteran anchor on the South African current affairs show, with the "gentle giant" who has become one of the longest enduring presenters and faces on South African television.
Diana Lucas is the producer of Sunday's Derek Watts' look-back and tribute Carte Blanche episode done by Combined Artistic Productions.
"Where do you begin to eulogise a man who has meant so
much to so many people?" says John Webb, Carte Blanche executive producer. "This Sunday, the Carte Blanche family stands together
to pay tribute to our beloved colleague and friend, Derek Watts."
"Our superlatives
exhausted, what is left to be said about Derek Watts not already reflected in
the thousands of tributes that followed news of his death? From politicians to
sports stars and fellow hacks, the memories and messages have been
overwhelming."
"Still, I wonder if any of us have done true justice to the legacy
of this remarkable man. How do you capture a life lived as Derek lived his; one
squeezed of every ounce of adventure and possibility and promise yet one so
devoid of selfishness? I have tried - as I’m sure others have, too - but my
words are inadequate."
"No matter which I choose, or how I order them, nothing
that comes from my lips brings to life the images of the man in my head. The
best I can do - we can do - is to live a life that leaves others in a similar
quandary when our time comes."
Webb says "Derek was a remarkable man,
fearless in the pursuit of justice. He was a beacon for the forgotten and
downtrodden, and a steadying hand amid chaos and anxiety. He embodied the
ideal, 'umntu ngumntu, ngabantu' (I am because you are), connecting with people
from all walks of life and treating each with dignity and respect. He dedicated
his life to telling South Africa's story."
Webb explains that in 1988, producer Bill Faure
approached Derek to co-host a new show, Carte Blanche, which would air on M-Net
every Sunday night.
"Forty years old, easy-going, sports mad Derek might not
have been an obvious choice, but his charisma and the chemistry he shared with
co-host Ruda Landman created a dynamic partnership that audiences found
irresistible."
"As Carte Blanche grew and evolved, covering the seminal moments
of South Africa's changing story, Derek too went from strength to strength. The
stories he told reflected this: from reporting on the Boipatong Massacre where
the crew filmed through the night as Derek confronted politicians and gave the
victims and their families a much-needed voice, to traveling to the foot of
Mount Everest and every possible corner of South Africa."
"In the 35 years he
spent with the show, his passion never dimmed and he never lost his unique
ability to connect with people. We will miss him tremendously, but we draw strength and inspiration from
the incredible legacy he leaves behind."
"Our deepest condolences to his beloved
Belinda, Tyrone, Kirsten, and his siblings. Lala ngoxolo Papa D, ugqatso
ulufezile. Umzamo omhle uwuzamile. Rest in perfect peace."
