Popular personality in love with Pretoria
Henck Conrey has followed his dreams right to the Capital City, and he has no plans on stopping any time soon.
Actor, producer, director, artist and entrepreneur, Henck Conrey, has found a new home in the heart of Pretoria.
Known for his positive personality and roles in popular shows such as Vat Jou Goed en Trek, Dr Nou, and 7de Laan, Conrey turned his dreams into success through pure perseverance, and, he admits, a bit of naivety.
Conrey was recently nominated for a kykNet Silwerskermfees award for best presenter in Vat Jou Goed en Trek, and is not slowing down with several projects on the cards for the next few months.
Growing up in Port Elizabeth, Conrey (36) studied law, but couldn’t resist the call of the entertainment world.
He recently moved to Pretoria, to be closer to family and work, as his work increasingly drew him to the Capital.
“I moved here because my parents actually stay here,” he told Rekord. “But especially with the scheduling – filming, businesses, meetings – it just felt like I wasn’t getting to them on time travelling to Pretoria every day. I was missing out on a lot and I felt like I needed to make a plan.”
His new hometown has been the perfect fit.
“Pretoria is incredible.
“There are so many beautiful spots in Pretoria; that’s been such a treat to discover. It’s just next-level,” he said.
“My supporter base is largely in Pretoria. When I was in Joburg, no one cared when I went out. But now here in Pretoria, if I step into a mall, it’s a different story.”
Conrey is as engaging and friendly in person as he is on the screen, enjoying the time that he gets to chat with his audiences.
“It’s awesome getting to interact with people who watch the show. You get feedback and I take that into my preparations when planning for the new shows,” he shared.
His connection to the city has grown so strong that he has become “reluctant to go anywhere far” as he has fallen in love with his new surroundings.
Conrey attributes much of his growth to his positive outlook and the “delusion” that comes with it.
“I think I was naive,” he confessed. “I’m a very positive person, and combined with that positivity, it just made me believe that I could achieve my dreams.”
He said that much of his success was because of the support of his family, his business partner Richard Opperman, and his faith.
“To this day, it’s that group of people that support me, my faith, and that special naivety, believing that I could do it.”
Conrey’s career has grown from strength to strength since his modelling gigs in his student days.
“Now I am older and wiser, more realistic, but I still try to keep that naivety and positivity.”
He has successfully hosted 10 seasons of his show Vat jou goed en trek, adapting it to the changing needs and desires of his audience.
The home renovation show aims to breathe new life into old homes to show off to potential home buyers.
“Throughout the 10 seasons, the show has changed into something that is almost completely different from what it started as in the first season,” he explained.
“I am so lucky that kykNet gave me the opportunity to do my thing with that show and to take it in different directions.
“There were a lot of people asking for it, and with so much changing in the property industry with the high inflation rates, I think there was definitely a need and a want for more.”
Conrey said that the newest seasons of the show focus on the little things that can make a big difference without breaking the bank.
“I always have an ear on the ground to hear what the people are saying, what they are thinking, and seeing how I can incorporate that into the show.”
The success doesn’t stop there though, with his health and fitness show Fiks of Niks about to hit screens across the country.
Planning for the show began in 2016, but scheduling conflicts, and then the Covid pandemic, delayed plans until now.
“It wasn’t the right time, but I always believe that everything happens when the time is right. So this year we said, ‘Cool, now we are going for gold’.”
Fiks of Niks is a reality show focusing on contestants, their stories, and their health and fitness goals.
“I wanted to showcase the journey, the lifestyles, the reality of the struggles and successes of these goals.
“We followed each of the six contestants – I’m one of them – as we juggle our lives with this journey to becoming fit for a specific reason.”
South African viewers are increasingly enjoying shows that delve into the stories of others, which Conrey attributes to the relatability of these types of shows.
“You get to live vicariously, you embed yourself so much in their lives. Isn’t it great to escape your life and watch someone doing something crazy, or something incredible? When they cry, you want to cry, it feels like you know them.”
Conrey has new seasons of all his shows already lined up for 2024, and new seasons of SABC1’s Reno Race and VIA’s Dr Nou coming out later this year.
Don’t miss the upcoming season of Fiks of Niks starting on October 8, and the 10th of Vat Jou Goed En Trek, on October 6.
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