Qiniso’s Diary: “I have to love one”

Where do you begin to eulogise a man who has meant so much to so many people? This Sunday, the Carte Blanche family stands together to pay tribute to our beloved colleague and friend, Derek Watts. 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. 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. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝟯 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. It was once a state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the care of children with disabilities and a beacon of hope in the Eastern Cape. For decades, Ikwezi Lokusa was operated by missionary sisters. But in 2001, government took over and soon afterwards its troubles began. In 2018, Carte Blanche investigated the boarding school and uncovered how the infrastructure had deteriorated, leaving children to sleep on brick beds with only a thin mattress for comfort. A critical shortage of caregivers often left vulnerable special needs children with no one to feed them or change their nappies for hours on end. Back then, the Department of Education made big promises to help the children; but as we return to the school five years later, very little has changed. More caregivers have been employed, but they frequently abandon the children, who continue to suffer hardship and neglect. Carte Blanche investigates. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

On 6 August 2023, we met Dr Keneiloe Molopyane as we headed down the Rising Star Cave in search of pieces of human history. An archaeologist and biological anthropologist, Dr Molopyane has been one of about 48 people to have entered the Dinaledi Chamber – a section of the cave where fossils belonging to at least 15 hominins believed to have been intentionally placed there as part of a ritual. Masa Kekana chatted to “Dr Bones” about paving the way for other aspiring female archaeologists, being an underground astronaut, and making discoveries that could alter the way we view human evolution. Your favourite episodes are now available on Carte Blanche: The Podcast: https://linktr.ee/carteblanchetv

Get ready for all the emotions with the eighth season of Chicago Med. Watch it Tuesdays at 20:00 on M-Net channel 101, starting 5 September.