We chat to eNCA's chief meteorologist Derek Van Dam about how he balances his job, training, and his charity work.
Derek is from Michigan in the US and was a weather anchor at NBC before relocating to South Africa almost six years ago.
He wanted to be a weatherman since the age of 7, but before that he dreamt of becoming an artist. “I can sketch quite well, I don’t do it on a regular basis, but I’m pretty good with three dimensional designs and abstracts.”
He loves his life in Cape Town and says the lifestyle in the city is probably unmatched anywhere else in the world. “I count my lucky stars every day.”
Derek enjoys running and it’s important for him to balance his work and lifestyle. “I think there is a direct connection between your fitness and your attitude, and basically your happiness.”
Derek, who is also an ambassador for adidas, says his humanitarian work with The Compassionate Life Foundation is what first brought him to Southern Africa. The foundation focuses on vulnerable children and orphans who’ve been affected by HIV/Aids.
This is what a typical day looks like:
6AM – 6.30AM
Wake up
“Set the timer for the coffee depending on how long I want to run.”
10AM
Get to work. First protocol check emails to make sure my world isn’t falling apart.
10.45AM
Hair styled by Verushka at SCAR on Kloof Street.
11:15AM
Vision planning for the day/week
11:30AM
Training with team
12PM
Weather forecasting session
1PM
Blog/graphics creation or catch up on emails
2PM
Lunch time (outside if the weather is nice)
2:45PM
Make-up
3PM
Produce & present evening weather bulletin for eNCA
4PM
Budgets/Managerial admin
5PM
Facebook and Twitter updates
6PM
Produce & Present e.TV Primetime Weather bulletin
7PM
Wrap up the day’s workflow by answering emails from overseas clients.
7.30PM
Home & Dinner
When people meet me for the first time they“see that I’m a fun guy to be around…Hopefully!”
The craziest thing I’ve done… “I ran the Comrades Marathon last year and I’m doing it again this year.”
People always ask me... “What the weather is going to be like tomorrow. Always!”
Derek’s ideal weather is a big snowstorm and the most memorable day of his career was the first day he went on air in South Africa.
Support Derek and The Compassionate Life Foundation and visit his Personal Blog to see how you can get involved. You can also follow Derek on Facebook and Twitter.
