When Bill Faure dreamed up the idea of Carte Blanche in 1988, no one knew that fourteen years on it would be an institution on the South African scene. The anchors were an Afrikaans newsreader called Ruda Landman and a sports reporter called Derek Watts. Nothing indicated that they would become household names.
The programme won awards, the presenters and producers won awards, and they came to realise that they were part of Africa, taking their viewers to the primate hunters in Cameroon, the world-beating distance runners in the highlands of Kenya, the farm grabs and clashes in Zimbabwe and the gorillas in Rwanda.
Then on to Mount Everest, an atomic aircraft carrier in the gulf, the NASA bid to get humans on to Mars and, on a more personal level, a young man's life in the balance as he faces a liver transplant using "knife-edge" bloodless surgery techniques.
And Carte Blanche connected with ordinary people whose life stories gripped everyone. Serious stuff mixed with light-hearted stories, reflecting the mood and changes in society.
Derek Watts is a proficient and sought-after Master of Ceremony for conferences and corporate events, as well as a top speaker.
Highlights of his career include: • From Sports Anchor to top investigative reporter on the most watched show in South African television. • Recipient of People Magazine's Crystal Award for Best Male TV Presenter 2004 and 2005. • SAB Environmental Journalist of the Year. • Best Actuality Reporter - Star Tonight. • Best Sports Presenter - Star Tonight. • Rotary Paul Harris Award
What our clients say ...
"Derek's presentation was highly inspiring and relevant. He was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. Everyone was able to relate to the stories he told and his visual references were incredible." Lerato Ramasodi, Speaker Coordinator, O'Mage
