eNCA and eNuus meteorologists are gone with the wind as eMedia switches to weatherboard graphics without presenters and weather personalities exit with heavy hearts: 'Where the sun sets a more beautiful sunrise awaits'.

by Thinus Ferreira

Weather presenters on eNCA (DStv 403) are gone with the wind, with the eMedia Investments TV news channel that has abruptly axed and done away with its entire remaining weather presenting team including Joel Guy and Annette Botha and with eNCA that will now just be using low-level sliding "weatherboard" graphics for forecasting.

The disappearance of eNCA's weather presenters on-screen in English also impacts the daily Afrikaans TV news bulletin eNuus on kykNET (DStv 144) that is supplied to kykNET by eNCA.

eNCA and eNuus viewers were shocked on Thursday when two of the longtime meteorologists, Joel "Guy" Chabata and Annette Botha, suddenly announced that they're out of jobs and that viewers will no longer see them on-screen bring the weather.

The respected, veteran eNCA weatherman Joel "Guy" Chabata posted a photo on social media showing him leaving eMedia's Cape Town office after 12 years with his few desk belongings packed in a carton box.

The former physics teacher brought viewers the weather on e.tv and eNCA since 2009. "So this is it. End of the road with eNCA," Joel said. "It was good having your support South Africa while giving you the weather on your tellies for the past decade. Looking forward to new chapters and adventures."

So this is it. End of the road with #eNCA.

It was good having your support #SouthAfrica while giving you the weather on your tellies for the past decade.

Looking forward to new chapters and adventures.

ADIOS!@TVwithThinus pic.twitter.com/E0LZkjnSZw

— Weather Master #sangomasezulu (@JoelGuy_) April 15, 2021

eNuus anchors on air called the announcement "unexpected" after a very sad looking Annette Botha, known for her Afrikaans "onweer of mooiweer" sign-off, told viewers on-screen during Thursday night's TV news bulletin that she is gone after almost 7 years as a meteorologist.

Annette Botha stunned kykNET viewers when she said that it's her final weather forecast after almost 7 years and that she's taking DStv subscribers through some of her most favourite weather images that viewers have sent in over the years.

At the end of her last forecast, a clearly distraught Annette who managed to maintain her composure said in Afrikaans that "Tonight I greet you with a heavy heart. But where the sun sets, a more beautiful sunrise awaits. May it rain where your goats are grazing, and onweer of mooiweer, the Lord remains in control". 

eNCA kept the retrenchment of its weather presenting division quiet with neither Norman Munzhelele, eNCA managing director, or John Bailey, eNCA managing editor, who issued a statement or comment and with eNCA that didn't respond to a media enquiry on Thursday afternoon.

According to insiders, eNCA is toning down its TV standard of personalised weather presentations with viewers who will no longer get their weather forecast from an actual on-screen person from now on.

eNCA made the decision to now only use so-called "weatherboard" graphics going forward, filled by forecast data from the South African Weather Service and removing the human element and interaction with viewers.

According to sources the remaining meteorologists were let go Tuesday and told that it's an operational decision, with Thursday that was their final day.

eNCA already retrenched its weather department at the end of November 2019 using the same operational motivation, dismantling the well-respected division that brought DStv subscribers additional inserts and weather-related context to forecasts was built up by Derek van Dam as the channel's chief meteorologist over several years. 

eNCA however kept a few meteorologists on who have now also had their contracts terminated.

Worldwide, weather presenters on TV and as part of a bulletin continue to serve as an indicator of the stature of a channel or a TV news division's operations.

Viewers like to get their forecast about tomorrow's weather from a person on television, as opposed to the internet and smartphone apps where screen-scrolling for weather details suffice within the frame of a reduced and less interpersonal information-sharing experience.

Besides wind and rain projections, as well as minimum and maximum temperatures, TV meteorologists as a specialised skill, colour their presentations with explanations to viewers of various weather phenomena to help educate and inform them about everything from things like an extratropical cyclone to a polar vortex.

In South Africa as elsewhere in the world, weather presenters - who despite their brief on-air appearances at the end of TV news bulletins are in some cases held in even higher regard than news anchors - are beloved by viewers.

Viewers know their names and tune in especially because they like to hear from a friendly and trusted face about what "tomorrow's weather" might hold.

It remains to be seen whether eNCA's removal of weather presenters might shift some viewers to rivals news channels like SABC News (DStv 404), Newzroom Africa (DStv 405) and other TV news bulletins.

UPDATE Friday 16 April 2021 19:35: The eNCA and eNuus meteorologist Anika de Beer on Friday enveing also said got her chance to say goodbye to viewers, noting that it's "unfortunately my turn to say goodbye" after "I had the chance the past 5 years to life out my passion for the weather".

"Thank you that I could share it with you, and thank you that you opened your living rooms, homes and hearts to me and the rest of our team. It wasn't just my privilege but also my pleasure and that's why I'm so thankful that tonight I can talk to you for the last time about the weather," she said.

"It's with a heavy heart that I'm saying goodbye to you tonight but I'm thankful for the time I was able to be here and I'm excited about what the future holds," Anika de Beer said.

"If there's one thing that the weather has taught me, it's that sometimes storms are unpredictable but then faith and grace showed me that every storm passes. And with that I say, for the last time, 'dit is vir eers die weer en dalk eendag, is daar 'n volgende keer".

BREAKING. CNN International's Robyn Curnow, Kim Norgaard leaving South Africa as Robyn Curnow is set to become a CNN anchor in Atlanta.

Robyn Curnow is leaving South Africa where she was a correspondent for CNN International (DStv 401) to become an anchor on the channel from Atlanta, going with husband Kim Norgaard, who is CNN International's bureau chief in Johannesburg - as the 24-hour TV news channel continues to suck up and extract experienced TV news talent out of South Africa.

Robyn Curnow is relocating to Atlanta with Kim Norgaard CNN International confirms to TV with Thinus.

Robyn Curnow left South Africa earlier this year to visit Atlanta - in hindsight clearly for talks and on-camera testing - but said that she isn't going anywhere and would be back to South Africa. She did return but will now be moving permanently to Atlanta in the United States.

Robyn Curnow has been CNN International's South African based correspondent since 2008 and also did the magazine strand CNN Marketplace Africa talking to business, company and investment leaders on the continent.

It was Robyn Curnow's simply terrific coverage and stellar reporting on both the Oscar Pistorius murder case and the death and funeral of former president Nelson Mandela which elevated her into a whole new bracket of international news reporting status as she showcased her exceptional communication skills on television as well as her immense background knowledge and off-the-cuff insight.

Robyn Curnow and Kim Norgaard's upcoming relocation signals an ongoing, quick and very dramatic gutting of CNN's pool of extremely talented and experienced TV news people in South Africa as an exodus continues of highly qualified, highly experienced and highly trained TV news people moving out of South Africa to CNN in Atlanta, and elsewhere.

Nkepile Mabuse left CNN International last year for eNCA's (DStv 403) new investigative magazine strand Checkpoint, and eNCA's chief meteorologist Derek van Dam resigned and will be leaving South Africa soon to become a meteorologist for CNN International in Atlanta too.

Errol Barnett, who was based in Johannesburg for CNN International and who was the face of Inside Africa, was also extracted and replaced, with no announcement, as Soni Methu suddenly took over as host of the magazine programme, from Kenya.

Errol Barnett has moved in behind the news desk doing anchor duty on CNN.

The exit from Africa of Robyn Curnow and bureau chief Kim Norgaard - who will apparently work at CNN's foreign desk - together with Nkepile Mabuse and Errol Barnett leaves a big hole in terms of recognisable, trusted, and experienced TV news people to cover South Africa and Southern Africa for CNN International on the ground.

Of course Derek van Dam's relocation is also a loss to South Africa's TV industry.

There's been no word to the South African press of the specific moves and changes, nor replacements so far.

"Robyn Curnow is moving to CNN's global headquarters in Atlanta, where she will be starting a new chapter in her CNN career," the South African PR firm representing CNN International, Burson-Marsteller, tells TV with Thinus.

"Kim Norgaard is also moving to CNN's headquarters, where he will be taking on a new role in the network's senior editorial team. CNN will be announcing details of these new roles soon, as well as both Robyn Curnow and Kim Norgaard's replacements in CNN's South Africa bureau".

BREAKING. Derek van Dam at eNCA on his last day, not only will do his last weather forecast - he goes out to report on it too.

How completely uncontrived, and fittingly perfect: that on his very last day on-air at eNCA (DStv 403), that the biggest storm is hitting Cape Town this season and making legitimate news.

The adverse weather system today and the looming terrible winter weekend is causing the intrepid eNCA weather man Derek van Dam to venture outside to report live on it - on his very last day at eNCA.

Nature in sympathy couldn't be scripted more perfectly if anyone tried.

Derek van Dam is set to do his very last weather forecast today, Friday 4 July on eNCA in primetime - but now there's the unexpected, unplanned, bonus: the fantastic  meteorologist gets to do even more on his last day as an additional legitimate bonus, and report on the bad weather too.

As life goes with those few, blessed with more energy forever than the rest of us, Derek van Dam also took his GoPro to work to record a special goodbye video message to South Africa.

Watch and see how his eNCA colleagues and weather friends surprised him with a going-away party and what he did next:



"How do I say goodbye? To everyone who's been so, SO kind to me? It's going to be very difficult. Friday's been a day that I've not really been looking forward to for a very long time," says a clearly emotional Derek van Dam.

"Bitter-sweet. But from the bottom of my heart to everyone in South Africa and abroad who've supported me through this magnificent six and a half years, thank you so much. And I'll see you again soon".

HAVE A GOOD ONE. eNCA weather man Derek van Dam pens a moving open letter: 'Today marks the slow closure of my greatest chapter'.

Derek van Dam, eNCA's (DStv 403) weather man who got engaged on Sunday evening to Tara Hossack and who is now leaving eNCA and South Africa after 6 and a half years, today penned a moving open letter, talking about "the start of a fresh adventure" and "the slow closure of my greatest life chapter thus far".

Here is Derek van Dam's open letter he wrote today, to South Africa, in full:

To the People of South Africa,  

It is with mixed emotions that I write this letter to you this afternoon. Today is the start of a fresh adventure for my new fiancé and I. Today also marks the slow closure of my greatest life chapter thus far. 

You have welcomed me into your homes for nearly 6 ½ years and I will be forever grateful that you entrusted me with that privilege.  

I have accepted a position at CNN International based in the United States and, along with my fiancé, will be making the "big move" to the other side of the pond. 

It breaks my heart to finally have to say those words to you, but I couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds. 

The memories I have made in this country have been endless.

I can't thank you enough for opening your arms and embracing me as one of your own. What an honour! 

Most importantly, thank you for blessing me with the finest woman this country has to offer. I am truly lucky to say that I will marry the woman of my dreams. And to think, I only had to travel across the world to find her!  

I don't intend to turn this memo into a political message, but since I have your attention I want to say a few things. 

I have been in South Africa for 2 general elections. I have seen your democracy flourish and I have witnessed a country bounding with endless opportunities. 

Above all, your strength lies in your unity as a nation and I challenge every one of you to maintain this forward momentum; to see past your difficult history and to focus on building a country free from racism, corruption, crime and hatred.  

It is so difficult for me to leave this country of which I have grown to love. 

But as my mother always taught me, "don't be sad that it's over, be happy that it happened." This is not a "goodbye" South Africa; it's a "see you later.” Oh yeah, and "have a good one!"  

Yours in Good Weather and Bad,

 Derek Van Dam

BREAKING. eNCA's just-engaged Derek van Dam leaving South Africa after 6 years for CNN International.

South Africa is losing its best TV weather guy who ironically also happens to be America: Derek van Dam who just got engaged to his girlfriend Tara Hossack on Sunday evening is leaving eNCA (DStv 403) for CNN International (DStv 401).

It's a massive blow for eNCA where Derek van Dam joined in 2008 to help set up the fledging 24-hour TV news channel's weather service and has gone on to endear himself to South African viewers with his hard work to learn the proper pronunciation of South Africa's varied place names, and working in clever, bite-sized meteorological education in his weather reports.

"Six years later and we have an entire department of meteorologists and climatologists producing round-the-clock weather updates," says Patrick Conroy, head of news at eNCA.

"Derek has done the job we asked him to do. We are greatly indebted to him and we know South Africa will miss him. He became one of us".

eNCA descibes the loss of Derek van Dam to the TV news channel as "great sadness".

Derek van Dam will be leaving for the United States in July, taking up a post with CNN International in Atlanta. eNCA's climatologist Candice McKechnie will be taking over as the acting head of eNCA weather for the time being.

"Living and working in South Africa has been a tremendous honour for me. I will be forever grateful to my colleagues at eNCA for the experiences and knowledge that we shared together as well as the tremendous support from the countless South Africans who welcomed me into their homes every night on TV," says Derek van Dam in a statement.

"I have also been granted permanent residence, so I plan to spend a lot of time in South Africa in the future".

"I have mixed emotions about leaving the country of which I have grown to love. But as my mother always taught me, 'don't be sad that it's over, be happy that it happened'. This is not goodbye South Africa, rather it is a 'see you later and have a good one!" says Derek van Dam.

BREAKING. eNCA weather guy Derek van Dam gets engaged to girlfriend Tara Hossack after they finish the Comrades Marathon.

You're reading it here first. 

Big congratulations are in order for South Africa's leading TV weatherman, Derek van Dam (31) who just got engaged to his girlfriend, Tara Hossack (29), asking her to marry him after they jointly completed the grueling 89th Comrades Marathon in Durban.

e.tv's hunky chief meteorologist who've become a beloved South African TV personality the past six years with his American accent and dedication to pronounce difficult South African place names during weather forecasts, proposed to his girlfriend after they finished the 90km run.

The couple who've been together for over two years surf and run together and also love to travel. "I'm just looking forward to waking up next to the woman that I love, every day for the rest of my life," says Derek van Dam.

He knew he wanted to pop the big question after the Comrades Marathon and planned to ask Tara to marry him when they've reached the finish line.

"This is the second time we've run this race together. It really defines who we are as a couple; always pushing the boundaries of our lives and what's possible in a relationship".

"Comrades is really the culmination of a year's worth of training for us. The early mornings and the endless weekends dedicated to running, have all come down to this particular day. I chose this day because of its significance for both of us personally and as a couple," says Derek van Dam.

"Tara has boundless energy and charisma. She is unique because her heart truly guides her decisions in life. She's passionate, caring, adventurous and hugely athletic. I love her because of her spirituality, her smile, her love for animals and her never-ending willpower and strength. Did I mention she's an incredible surfer?"

"Living together will be a great new adventure for us," says Derek van Dam. "She's got so many clothes, I have no idea where we are going to put it all! Ha!"

Derek van Dam's wife to be is originally from George but moved to Cape Town when she was 6. She's an independent producer and freelance journalist and is currently considering pursuing her masters in mass communication and journalism.

"We both love to travel. And when I say travel, I mean 'drop us off in the middle of nowhere and see what happens' kind of travel. So yes, you could say we both love adventure too".

In turn, South African TV viewers have come to love Derek van Dam, not just for his weather presenting professionalism but his visits to schools and work in communities across South Africa as well as across borders into Southern Africa.

"I love this place with all my heart," he says about South Africa. "It has defined who I am and who I've become as an individual".

"I cherish the people of South Africa most because of their overwhelming acceptance towards me on their TV screens for the past 6 years. Being welcomed into someone's living room every night, especially as a foreigner, is a massive privilege".

"It also speaks volumes to how far this country has progressed post-apartheid. It has been my greatest honour living and working in this vibrant country, while doing my part - although small - to help it develop and mold into something special".

"South Africa is a place that I will forever call home, regardless of where I am living," says Derek van Dam.

Several runners working in South African television taking part in the 89th Comrades Marathon.

Several runners working in South African television are taking part in the 89th Comrades Marathon taking place today, with long distance athletes running from Pietermaritzburg to Durban.

SABC2 is broadcasting the Comrades Marathon but failed to respond to multiple media enquiries the past week seeking basic information regarding who the presenters, commentators and analysts are, and how SABC2 would be covering this year's ultra marathon race.

e.tv's chief meteorologist Derek van Dam is taking part in the 2014 Comrades Marathon - the second time that the eNCA (DStv 403) weather presenter is running the race.

Fellow eNCA'er Yusuf Omar who ran the 2013 Comrades Marathon is also back this year.

The SABC's reporters from KwaZulu-Natal, Renee Heine and Vusi Khumalo - who's run it three times already - are also running the race.

Mutsitsielwa Mureri, a current affairs producer and presenter of the SABC in Polokwane is also running today, the second time that she is attempting the Comrades.

e.tv Winter Upfront 2013: Derek Van Dam, e.tv's chief meteorologist keeps going (and going and going) whatever the weather.

Derek Van Dam, e.tv and the eNCA's chief meteorologist probably doesn't own a chair. Why would you, if you never sit still?

Derek Van Dam attended e.tv's Winter Upfront 2013 as one of the South African broadcaster's telegenic stars and he graciously slowed down for just a nano-moment to talk to me about running the Comrades, and - of course - the weather.

You just finished running the 2013 Comrades marathon. Why did you do it and how was the experience for you?
Derek Van Dam: Yeah. Wow.It was hands down the most difficult thing I've ever done. Come on, they call it the "Comrades" for a reason! Ha ha. It was insane. It was really like - you test your body's ability to stretch it to extreme limits. I saw so many people collpase. I saw so many people being treated by medics. I'm not trying to blown my own horn or anything but I'm happy I finished it.

And why did you do it?
Derek: Okay, I ran the Comrades in support of a charity, Compassionate Life Foundation, or CLF which we refer to it as. CLF actually originally brought me to South Africa and Swazilandseven years ago. Without this organisation I would literally not live or work here in this country. I hold CLF really close to my heart because without it I wouldn't be here.

With the eNCA website which has gone live, there is much more weather on there of the day's weather report on there, and what is shown on television on the eNCA is loaded on there. 
How do you think the online expansion has helped to grow the eNCA weather brand and to keep people more informed 24 hours a day about the weather?
Derek: Our weather page - enca.com/weather has a really unique aspect to it which you can't get anywhere else on the internet and that is an actual personalised weather forecast from an actual human being.
Now you've got to understand the difference, okay.
You can go to any weather website and receive and fullfill your need for weather information, but is that information correct and is there human interaction with "Hey, I live in Rondebosch and it will rain on this side of the mountain but on the other side in the city bowl it won't rain?"
That's the beauty of our eNCA website, we allow that type of human interactions with our weather forecast. It's actually a human driving that information to you.
Not only that, there's also a lot of interactivity to it. People who like a user experience will enjoy it for that.
You can also catch the latest weather bulletin and we're also sharing a lot of our weather tips and secrets and that type of stuff which I think people appreciate because it brings a human side to the weather reporting as well.
We've got our blog that where my team and I cover everything from the meteor shower which came through Cape Town to why did it hail over the weekend in Cape Town, why did we get the tornado in Bloemfontein and why is it so hot in Johannesburg? We answer and try to explain just anything.

I actually wanted to touch on the eNCA weather blog. How difficult is it or challenging? What changes did it necessitate to now also not just focus on doing an actual up to the minute weather forecast but to also have an ongoing conversation during the day online?
Derek: Actually it was quite a natural transition for me and my department because I've been prepping them for a long time. From day one since I started working in this company I said we need a web, and we need a web presence and we need to be there big time. There was a lot of hesitation for various reasons - that's not important - but the point is that when it finally went live we were ready for it. And now eNCA weather is playing in the social media space and very active on blogs and our eNCA weather website is extremely informative and user friendly as well.

If people have questions about the weather, what is the best or the easiest or the most functional way for them to make contact with you guys?
Derek: Just follow me on Twitter. I respond to people all the time. It's @WXmanVanDam. Then there's also my Facebook page - just go to Facebook and search "Derek Van Dam". You can go to our eNCA weather website which is www.enca.com/weather and you can submit a question directly to us - there's a cool submit function. Or send an email to info@enca.com


Editor's note: Derek Van Dam just jetted off to Europe and will be back in a few weeks on the eNCA.

e.tv Winter Upfront 2013: Khanyi! Derek! Only one Twala! No Nicky! e.tv's Winter programming upfront lures some e.tv stars.

e.tv's Winter Upfront 2013 in Cape Town where the free-to-air commercial TV channel unveiled its upcoming shows and programming plans to South Africa's TV critics, editors and writers covering television, and spoke to the press about it lured some of the channel's TV talent as well.

Khanyi Mbau who will soon be seen on the new e.tv reality show Reality Check dazzled and delighted. Khanyi Mbau remains extremely open and forthcoming and wonderful and remains a darling of the press behind-the-scenes for always being willing to talk and pose for a photo, and answer questions.

Derek van Dam, e.tv and the eNCA's main weather man also pitched. Just like Khanyi Mbau, he also knows and has a fundamentally solid understanding of the media - specifically the press - and is always willing to talk, willing to mingle and socialize and answer questions and be what a media and television personality should be: accessible and "present" at events.

Also spotted: the hilarious Shado Twala, judge of SA's Got Talent, the next new season which will get underway on e.tv soon as well.

Notably absent was Nicky Greenwall although a new season of her profile interview show The Close Up is starting on e.tv.

Also absent was Monde Twala, e.tv's head of channels who really should have been at the channel's Winter Upfront, although he did appear and spoke in e.tv's video sizzle reel showcasing upcoming programming slate, scheduling changes and talking about e.tv's local programming expansion.

e.tv's publicity division did apologise for Monde Twala's absence saying he's busy and can't make it but will try again next time.

Derek van Dam, e.tv's chief meteorologist to run the Comrades for charity; 'every day represents a new opportunity to touch someone's life'.

Derek van Dam, e.tv's chief meteorologist and weather guy who's veritably omnipresent and third in line just after God and then Oprah when it comes to being everywhere and doing everything, is taking part in Durban's Comrades Marathon this Sunday, running 89km for charity.

Yes. He doesn't just sail, and travel the world, and attend events early in the morning, and attend events late at night, and travel through South Africa ans strike fear into even the Energiser bunny (why haven't an energy drink place approached him yet as a sponsor!?), he also runs people.

The Type A, Bob-the-Builder, Roadrunner "meep-meep" guy who is a sports fanatic will run the Comrades Marathon with the aim to raise money for The Compassion Life Foundation. Oh, Derek van Dam sits on the board of this foundation too. (He's also helped with their Feed-a-Family project for 7 years.)

"I have run several races before but this one will be a very rewarding one, so I plan to give it my best shot," says Derek van Dam who is not perfect I must add. He for instance only completed his first ultra-marathon this year doing the Old Mutual Two Oceans in Cape Town. (Also as of yet, not able to talk to puppies.)

"It will be a great honour to be able to fuse two of the things I am most passionate about, my love for extreme sports and giving back to the community."

Derek van Dam started running long distances in his twenties and has since participated in various races throughout the world.

"There are many ways to make a contribution in our society. Every step counts, every day represents a new opportunity to touch someone's life," says Derek van Dam.

PUBLICITÉ. eNCA and e.tv stars come out for a stylish 5 star press dinner at The Shimmy Club in Cape Town on Friday night.

The casts of e.tv's soaps Rhythm City and Scandal! who jetted into Cape Town for a three day marketing meet-and-greet with fans, sat down with the press for a 5 star dinner on Friday night at the new The Shimmy Beach Club.

Several TV newsers from e.tv's 24-hour news channel, eNCA (DStv 403) were in attendance as well.

I spotted and talked to the always-delightful eNCA tele-nalities like weather guy Derek van Dam (just back from a holiday to India), and reporters Tanya Nedft and Leigh-Ann Jansen.

Pam Andrews didn't bite anyone and community newspaper journalists listened inquisitively to Clint Brink talking about his character's bad boy image while much better than usual red wine for this type of shindig flowed.

The elegant e.tv dinner lasted until midnight when the e.tv faces all went outside to the beach and took a big group photo with the press.

NOT A CLOSE SHAVE. Derek van Dam of the eNews Channel now has more than just rough weather to show you.

Derek van Dam, the chief meteorologist of the eNews Channel (DStv 403) is done with a close shave - he now sports a beard.

Maybe Derek van Dam had one to many close shaves in 2012 already, which might be the reason for the the five o' clock shadow sitting on the sides of the weather man. In March he was involved in a very scary yachting accident which kept him off the air for days. (He then talked about it.)

Then in July Derek van Dam had his second serious accident during a soccer game injuring his left hand and finger. He took medical leave, had a hand operation and was back at the beginning of this month on 2 August.

Now, besides reporting on some rough weather, Derek van Dam is sporting some rough growth on 'em chinny-chin-chins.

eNews Channel chief meteorologist Derek van Dam on medical leave following hand surgery; will be back on 2 August.

You're reading it here first. 

Derek van Dam, the chief meteorologist of the eNews Channel and eNews will be back on TV on Thursday 2 August.

Last week I've been the only journalist covering television to report that Derek van Dam has had successful surgery in hospital on his left hand, following a second physical injury this year - this time playing soccer during which he seriously injured his finger a few weeks ago.

Derek van Dam is currently on medical leave following last week's operation, if all goes well he should be back at work in Cape Town in about a week and a half's time.

BREAKING. Derek van Dam, chief meteorologist for the eNews Channel fine after surgery to his left hand due to a soccer related injury.

You're reading it here first. 


Derek van Dam, e.tv and the eNews Channel's (DStv 403) chief meteorologist (did you notice he's missing?) is fine after surgery to his finger and his left hand after a serious soccer accident a few weeks ago.

I don't comment or report on TV talent or executives' personal lives as long as it doesn't impact their professional work, but of course Derek van Dam went off the air for a second time this year due to a medical injury related accident. He of course had a black and blue eye in March after a serious yachting accident.

Viewers who knew what to look for. would have seen his left hand and the stiff finger on his left hand. According to sources he underwent an operation this week and is now fine. No word yet from the eNews Channel on when Derek van Dam will be back on the air.

BREAKING. Derek van Dam on his scary yaching accident and 'bleeding quite badly': 'Never let danger get in the way of something you love.'

You're reading it here first.

Despite bleeding badly at the time, a blue eye that kept him from appearing on South African television for about a week, and several stitches after a serious and scary yachting accident last week, Derek van Dam, the chief meteorologist of the eNews Channel (DStv 403) and all-round great (weather) guy says he won't let danger keep him from something he truly loves.

On Thursday, on the day that Derek van Dam returned to television  after about a week's absence, I broke the news RIGHT HERE about why he's not on TV and his scary yachting accident that could have been even worse.

Now Derek van Dam is sharing with me the details of what actually happened in Cape Town's often treacherous waters last week and which kept him off television until this past Thursday.

''I was racing in the Wednesday night Twilight Series races held by the Royal Cape Yacht Club in Cape Town,'' Derek van Dam tells me. ''We were rounding a mark after a downwin beat, when a few crew members and I were dropping the spinnaker and I caught an elbow in all the madness.''

''The result was 6 stitches and a black and blue eye that prevented me from appearing on TV for about a week,'' the weather guy says.

''I kept sailing untilI realized I was bleeding quite badly. At that stage, I thought it would be best to have it looked at by a doctor.''

The telegenic weather guy who gives attention to little places on South Africa's weather map and explains to viewers why isobars are bringing wind in easy to understand language tells me he is ''ecstatic'' to be back on the telly after a week that unexpectedly kept him out of action.

I asked Derek van Dam what he learnt from his yachting-yo! experience and if it scared him.

''Sailing can be dangerous, he says, ''but never let a little danger get in the way of something that you love.''

BREAKING. Derek van Dam is back on the air as the eNews Channel's weather guy after days off due to a scary yachting accident.

You're reading it here first.

It happens to the best of us (or maybe only the best of us): Derek van Dam, the chief meteorologist of the eNews Channel (DStv 403) was back on television today for the first time in about a week since a scary seaside incident.

Sources tell me Derek van Dam who lives in Cape Town was involved in a yachting incident last week which was so serious that it took e.tv's weather guy days to recover. He was back on air again today.

Of course not as much as a word from e.tv about the whole sailing accident business.

Programming note: eNews Channel has staff of 25 covering COP17 from next week in Durban; pre-packaged 60 special inserts.

The eNews Channel (DStv 403) will have a team of about 25 people covering the United Nations Climate Change conference (known as COP17) from Monday in Durban, including News Night co-anchor Jeremy Maggs.

As TV with Thinus scooped weeks ago, and now confirmed by e.tv, eNews Channel weather guy Derek van Dam will be seen during the week doing a series of pre-recorded weather and environment related inserts on the news channel.

Five eNews Channel reporters will be seen doing stories, including Paula Chowles, Serusha Govender, Belinda Moses, Vanessa Govender and Dasen Thathiah. They'll be reporting from all of South Africa's provinces, as well as from America, China, Kenya, Rwanda, Nigeria and Mozambique.

The eNews Channel now confirms that 60 inserts has been pre-recorded, with 3 that will be shown per day. A special line-up of guests (no names announced) have been invited to Morning News Today, News Day and News Night.

BREAKING. e.tv silent on special on-location weather series coming to the eNews Channel with Derek van Dam explaining climate change.

You're reading it here first.

I can exclusively reveal that a series of special weather and climate reports are coming to the eNews Channel (DStv 403) and will start as soon as next week on the 24 hour news channel, filmed by the eNews Channel's chief meteorologist Derek van Dam and a camera team in October.

e.tv didn't respond with information to media enquiries made by TV with Thinus on Tuesday, but sources have revealed to me that Derek van Dam is set to appear on the eNews Channel in more than just the weather reports very soon.

In October I noted RIGHT HERE that Derek van Dam has been spotted outside with a film crew and that a separate TV series for him would be a good idea - it turns out that is exactly what was going on.

My understanding is that this is a set of special reports, according to sources, filmed on location in several places stretching across the Western Cape from Cape Point to Carnavon. Derek van Dam looks at, and explains, climate change.

This series of reports should however not be confused with the eNews Channel's upcoming coverage on climate change that will co-incide with the Durban climate conference and is also something new that is being planned by the eNews Channel.

The eNews Channel is now running on-air promos that the channel will be covering that event, but again e.tv is not responded to media enquiries that was made about what this coverage will entail. Media enquiries about this were first made on Tuesday but e.tv didn't respond on what the Durban coverage will be or what is being planned around it.

Sources are telling me that a set of journalists will be covering the climate conference in Durban for the eNews Channel and that some reporters have already started working on special reports and stories for this as well.

FIRST LOOK! Derek van Dam filming a new weather promo for the eNews Channel.

Spotted: Not on the Upper East Side but down the Lower South Side, the best weather dude in the biz, Derek van Dam of the eNews Channel (DStv 403) busy filming a new, weather-related something-something along the Cape Town coast.

Here's an idea eNews Channel: Why not commission a limited-run half hour series, called something like Whatever the Weather with Derek van Dam and have him explore in an edu-tainment kinda way some weather phenomena and things outside. Cape Town is perfect for that - weather system wise as well as scenery. A quick 13 episodes is a wonderful way to teach and tell people more about weather systems and its effects and what it all means - all those weather things you can't really pop into a weather update or have time to explain in much detail.

And Derek van Dam's presenting skills are anyway under-utilised, he'd easily be able to fit in some limited series in the same way the weather promos are being filmed.

BREAKING. e.tv's weather anchor Derek van Dam heading to South America for the Christmas holiday.

You're reading it here first.

Where will the best-dressed dude on South African television be spending Christmas? Try South America. I ran into e.tv's Derek van Dam earlier this evening in the Cape Town production offices of e.tv just as he was finishing up and as I was ready to talk about TV and the year in review with Jeremy Maggs of News Night on the eNews Channel (DStv 403).

Derek van Dam told me he's getting to jet off to South America for a holiday. Of course he's been to Swaziland and other parts of Africa, Europe and Asia the last few years.

What I can tell you is that Derek van Dam will be visiting numerous South American countries and cities, from Rio de Janeiro, Santiago, Buenos Aires and even go as far down as Patagonia. I asked him what country's stamp he doesn't yet have in his passport. He just smiled.