Ruda Landman reveals fondest memory of Derek Watts
Breakfast with Martin Bester spoke to the legendary journalist Ruda Landman after Sunday’s tribute to the late Derek Watts.
South African broadcasting icon and presenter on the renowned investigative programme ‘Carte Blanche’, Derek Watts, passed away on Tuesday, 22 August, at the age of 74.
On Sunday, the renowned South African investigative journalism television series held a tribute show dedicated to Watts.
Beautiful💙😭#CarteBlanche pic.twitter.com/TF0mRALhG0
— Mr Wilson 🪬🏇🏌🏻 (@wilsontweets_) August 27, 2023
Breakfast with Martin Bester spoke to Watts’ long-time co-host, journalist Ruda Landman, following the tribute show.
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Landman recalled how she and Derek started out on 'Carte Blanche' together, saying they were the only alternative to the SABC at the time, which greatly helped the show’s popularity.
“We were the only show in town, so we had the audience,” she said.
“And the name [‘Carte Blanche’] really captured what we wanted to do."
Landman also briefly touched on why she decided to leave 'Carte Blanche' all those years ago.
“I’m not really a very actuality-focused person, and I enjoy deep human-related stories more.”
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She also said that it’s not true that Watts took a role in more hard-hitting stories because Landman left, but rather because he was approached.
Martin Bester also asked Landman about one thing she remembers about Watts that people might not know.
Landman then spoke about the legendary broadcaster's “amazing presence”.
“Being next to him in a live studio was the most reassuring thing you could do,” she said.
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“Derek was always prepared, ready for everything, and always had a smile and a joke.
“He could take the tension out of a room,” she continued.
After a brief moment’s pause, Landman also referenced Watts’ physical presence, remembering his “beautiful grass-green eyes”, and how his physical presence always made an impact.
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