Throwback to Friday, 31 October 2025 – Tour My Province “Riversdale”
The morning buzz was real — that familiar mix of excitement, nerves, and full-blown FOMO kicking in. Bags packed, snacks sorted, playlist ready – and yet, it still didn’t feel real that Tour My Province was finally happening. There’s something electric about the start of a journey – that moment before the first kilometre, when anything feels possible and adventure is calling your name.
There’s something special about starting a road trip just before the chaos of afternoon traffic – that sweet window where excitement outweighs exhaustion. Departing from the AfriKaap Studio in Cape Town, I took up my official role as passenger princess beside our pilot for the trip, Shani Pietersen.
Of course, part of the thrill came from knowing we had a little secret — we were set to arrive +/- two hours earlier than expected. The plan? A surprise entrance that would make the long week’s anticipation totally worth it.
With the playlist playing softly in the background, we barely noticed the songs between bursts of laughter and deep conversation — the kind that makes three hours on the road feel like a casual Sunday drive. Our destination: Riversdale, roughly 305 km away, and home to our weekend adventure with the team.
Along the route, we tuned into Hessequa FM to catch the AKR crew live on air with Oswald Khana. Between bursts of laughter, we tried to “track and trace” their location — a real-life game of follow-the-signal as we got closer to Riversdale.
Rolling into town, we weren’t quite sure of our final turn, so we waved down a SAPS vehicle and asked for directions. The officers, friendly as ever, offered to escort us. But in true comic timing, just as the escort began, we spotted the Afrikaap-branded vehicle ourselves. Cue laughter, quick thank-yous, and us driving off solo, still giggling about our almost-police escort story.
The real reward came a few minutes later — the look on our teammates’ faces when we knocked on the studio door at Hessequa Radio! Surprise, joy, hugs, and pure excitement filled the room. The station team welcomed us with open arms, and the atmosphere was nothing short of contagious.
And as the saying goes: “What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.” Let’s just say, there was plenty of laughter, inside jokes, and unforgettable moments shared that evening.
After the show, we checked into our cozy accommodation at Journey Guesthouse, dropped our bags, and headed straight out again for a well-deserved bite at The Nibbling Squirrel Restaurant. Between the pizza, rooster brood, and waffles, every dish was a winner — the perfect ending to a day filled with laughter, adventure, and good vibes.
Day 1 was everything we hoped it would be — and a reminder that the best journeys always start with a little excitement, a touch of FOMO, and a whole lot of heart.