Derek Watts

Derek Neil Watts was a South African investigative reporter and television presenter who worked for Carte Blanche, on M-Net for 35 years from 1988 until 2023.

Early life and education

Watts was born on 24 November 1948 in Hillbrow, in the heart of Johannesburg, Transvaal. He later moved to the second largest city in Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, when he was five years old and grew up there.

Illness and death

In 2022, Watts was diagnosed with skin cancer that later spread to his lungs. He was admitted to hospital in March 2023 after suffering a suspected stroke and was subsequently diagnosed with severe sepsis. In July, he announced his retirement from Carte Blanche after 35 years. Watts died on 22 August 2023 at age 74.