Johannesburg - Debora Patta has quit 3rd Degree.
The award-winning journalist and host of the tough-talking current affairs programme resigned after a 15-year stint on air.
Patta explained her decision by saying she wanted to “pursue other interests as a freelancer for international news companies”.
Group Head of News for e.tv Patrick Conroy said: “It is simply time for change. After 15 years of service Debora wants to explore other options. We’ve been in discussions about the future of 3rd Degree for several months. In the end, she felt she wanted to try something new working as an independent freelancer. We agreed and will now explore a different on air offering.”
Patta graduated from the University of Cape Town with a Bachelor of Social Sciences in 1984. She then worked as a political activist before freelancing as a reporter for the BBC.
In 1990, she joined Radio 702. She was made news editor in 1994 and special assignments editor in 1997.
She joined e.tv in 1998 as a senior correspondent and then pitched the idea for what would become 3rd Degree.
Patta’s resignation spells the end for 3rd Degree, on which she also played the role of executive producer.
Conroy said that negotiations are still under way in e.tv’s attempt to find a replacement show. In the meantime, Justice Malala’s show, The Justice Factor, will be aired in the 3rd Degree slot in the coming months. – IOL
Additional reporting by Debashine Thangevelo.