Will Rian van Heerden really be running for Parliament?

TV personality and radio presenter, Rian van Heerden, has a way of surprising South African citizens with fun facts and interesting news on a regular basis, but no one saw his Tweet about running for Parliament coming. In fact, many initially thought it was a joke.

In a recent interview with Huisgenoot, Van Heerden quickly set things straight, though: He will be running for office in South Africa’s national elections in 2024.

“I am serious about this,” he says. “I am tired to have to moan about the same thing over and over. It’s pointless. And the same excuse you hear from most people, is that it’s not their job – and, therefore also not their problem. Now I am making it my problem.”

The go-getter says he is going to give it a try and see what happens.

After having been hospitalised for Covid-19, hiatal hernia and kidney stones, Van Heerden says life is there for us to live.

“And that’s what I am doing now – every day to the full, and without anything holding me back.”

He says these struggles taught him to take more chances.

Van Heerden says there is no official plan yet. For now, things will go on as normal. But, he also says “if – and that is a very big if – something really comes of it, he will focus on the politics and retire” from his role as radio presenter.

“It will be sad, because the listeners are like family,” he says.

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Van Heerden is currently the presenter of the popular game show, Wie word ’n Miljoenêr? and he can also be seen on the series, Wat is die Waarheid? and Ons koop ’n kar. He will also be in the Showmax series, Seks in Afrikaans next year, while many know him from the Scenic Drive on Jacaranda FM.