Randfontein braai’s with Jacaranda
On Friday late afternoon, Jakaranda 94.2's team with famous Rian van Heerden, visited his former hometown, Randfontein to host what was the third #Straatbraai.
The smell of braaivleis and fires was in the air on Mimosa Avenue and Lourie Road in Greenhills for the first ever, much anticipated Randfontein #Straatbraai with Jacaranda FM on Friday, 6 April.
Late on Friday afternoon, Jacaranda’s team, headed up by the famous Rian van Heerden, visited his former hometown, Randfontein to host the third #Straatbraai in the series.
The event was initially scheduled to take place on 23 March but due to bad weather, it had to be postponed. However, on the afternoon of 6 April, Greenhills suddenly came to life.
The Herald was introduced to a very friendly Altus Venables, who is the marketing representative for Jacaranda FM, and Morné JK, who does the gossip and entertainment radio broadcast, was also very pleasant, posing for some pictures. The Herald also met Danny Painter from Jacaranda FM, who was there with her husband, Philip.
Ithongo Security ensured that everything went smoothly, and Sylvester Ngwepe, also from Jacaranda FM, helped residents with questions and oversaw the taking of pictures of Rian with numerous proud residents. Rian was surprised to see one of his former schoolteachers, 83-year-old Phlippie Kotze, who taught him in 1985 and 1986, at the braai.
The official broadcast started at 4pm, from the third town the station visited. The first Straatbraai was held in Boksburg, with the second one taking place in Pretoria.
At about 5pm, more and more residents began arriving, and soon cooler boxes and camping chairs were everywhere. Even though some residents could not make it, many vehicles drove past and hooted.
Marthie and Manie Kriel said the braai was an awesome idea, and that they are both a ‘Bok vir sports’. The Venterjies, a local music group, performed at the braai, singing country, Afrikaans music and boeremusiek, and Candice Cloete was lucky enough to get Rian to sign her copy of his new book, called 16 Dinge wat ek nie moes gesê het nie.
Ward councillors Ellik de Lange en Eddie Krog also enjoyed the braai, along with their families, and a number of Mapogo Security employees also attended, although they were relaxing for a change.
The Herald was privileged to interview Rian, who said the house he grew up in was just a few streets away. He came up with the #Straatbraai idea after remembering how street braais happened regularly when he was a child, bringing neighbours together to get to know each other, and have a good time around the fires.
“We do not know our neighbours any more, by contrast to the days of my childhood, when your neighbours became your friends. We need to bring that sense of community back,” said Rian.
He also said he loves the fact that the community of Randfontein has no airs and graces. He mentioned Jenny from Old Vans (whom the Herald interviewed recently) and told us about some of his fondest memories.
The folks of Randfontein had an absolute ball at the braai, echoing what Rian had said, namely that everybody should start socialising like this again.
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