Derek Watts Memorial: ‘I had the GREATEST father in the world’

Amidst a gathering of cherished friends, family, and admirers, the morning’s memorial for the iconic TV host, Derek Watts, echoed with a daughter Kirsty’s heartfelt words.

DEREK WATTS MEMORIAL: ‘I HAD THE GREATEST FATHER IN THE WORLD’

His beloved daughter stepped forward, her voice steady yet brimming with emotion.

In that poignant moment, amidst the shared stories and bittersweet laughter, Kristy paid a heartfelt tribute that resonated far beyond the venue’s walls.

Her words encapsulated the profound impact of a father who was not just an acclaimed TV personality but also a hero in his daughter’s eyes.

AN EMOTIONAL KIRSTY SHARED STORIES OF HER FATHER

“Dad, I hope that you are watching this so that you can acknowledge what a remarkable human we all knew that you were.

“There are not enough words for me to express the gratitude that I have for all that you did for me or the eternal love that I have for you. There were so many things in life that I still wanted to experience with you and I know that nobody will ever be able to make me feel as special and as loved as you did.

“Although for now it is difficult to see beyond the sorrow, I can find peace in the fact that my dad lived a full life and this is encapsulated by the words of Nelson Mandela, who once said: What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived, it is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lived.

“Dad, I know that you will be remembered forever because you truly made this world a better place. And it is impossible for me to say goodbye to you, so for now, all I can say is cheers for now Papsi.”

Kirsty Watts

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HE DIED LAST WEEK AFTER BATTLING CANCER

“It is the wishes of the family for a private in-person gathering for family and close family friends. However, a live stream link will be made available to media upon request,”

read the statement from M-Net.

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STREAM THE MEMORIAL LIVE HERE:

His memorial is a private event for family and close family friends only, but the service are NOW being live-streamed, on this LINK.

Thousands of viewers have come to love Watts’ probing style of interviewing and his unmistakable voice over the years. 

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WATTS WAS A FORMIDABLE JOURNALIST WITH A STRONG SCREEN PRESENCE

He was a formidable investigative journalist with a strong screen presence – a magic formula that made Carte Blanche a must-see broadcast every Sunday evening.

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Watts was admired by many for his humility, his charm, and his larger-than-life personality.

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“Derek Watts has been a long-standing and iconic presence on M-Net, and his time on Carte Blanche is deeply woven into our tapestry,” said Nomsa Philiso, MultiChoice’s general entertainment executive.

“Celebrating his legacy is not only a way to show our deep gratitude for his many years of contribution to the channel, but to inspire us all to live according to his values ​​- kindness, integrity and commitment to the truth.” Carte Blanche also confirmed that Sunday’s episode will be in honor of Watts.

“Derek was a remarkable man, fearless in his pursuit of justice. He was a beacon for the downtrodden and a steady hand in the midst of chaos and anxiety.”

said John Webb, Carte Blanche‘s executive producer.

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He embodied the ideal ‘umntu ngungmu, ngabantu’ (I am because you are) by building bonds with people from all walks of life and treating everyone with dignity and respect.

“Derek dedicated his life to telling South Africa‘s story.”

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ALSO READ: Special documentary TODAY in honor of Derek Watts