'Brakpan Chronicles' captures Rian van Heerden's journey through South Africa's misunderstood town

When Rian van Heerden stumbled across a video by Matthew and Joey Parry - popularly known as The Boys - on YouTube about the eccentricities of Brakpan, he felt like he was onto something.

“I’ve always been a fan of the Brakpan memes,” the renowned television presenter told "Independent Media Lifestyle.”

“But when I saw a YouTube video by The Boys, I thought it was high time I made a documentary about this town.”

One of their viral videos includes a popular street-interview vlog where the brothers interview a local resident known as the "Brakpan Tiger Man."

Joey sadly passed away in September last year, and Van Heerden paid tribute to him: “Thanks for the inspiration, man.”

“Brakpan Chronicles”, a new two-part documentary series which chronicles life in this vibrant area in Gauteng’s West Rand is set to debut on Showmax on February 24.

For decades in South African culture, Brakpan has long been the primary punchline for jokes and has been mocked, memed and misunderstood. 

Van Heerden, who spearheads this project alongside Provoco, the team behind the South African Film and Television Award-winning documentaries, “Sex in Afrikaans” and “Tiek Tok Boem!”

The 2024 Silwerskerm award winner explained that he was cognisant of Brakpan stereotypes and that he was determined to “keep things as real as possible.”

“I wanted to tell the story as it happened during my journey.”

The “Wie Word 'n Miljoenêr?” presenter added that it was important for him to balance humour and respect while working on “Brakpan Chronicles.”

“The last thing I wanted was to come across as condescending, so if there is a joke, I’m part of it. If action happened, I was part of it. But what you will see throughout are my real reactions.”

The story of the mining and industrial town, just 30km east of Johannesburg, began about 137 years ago when a coal seam was discovered on the Eloff family farm in 1888. The coal mine was followed by a railway, and after gold was discovered, Brakpan was briefly home to the highest mine dump in the world at the time.

While the documentary reflects Brakpan’s storied history, it will also take viewers to its iconic landmarks like Carnival City Casino, The Rock Raceway, Maskell’s Hotel, Thirsty Okes, Rosetulee and Ziggy T’s Roadhouse. 

When asked which location he thinks best captures the “real Brakpan”, Van Heerden quipped: “Definitely 'The Rock'. What a place!”

“Brakpan Chronicles” will also feature some acclaimed characters, such as Ratkas, the pawnshop owner who went viral on TikTok for funnelling a one-litre bottle of Richelieu brandy.

“That video made Ratkas very famous, but as always, the action does not necessarily make the man,” Van Heerden said.

“I really liked the person I met. I found him to be a very endearing character.”

He was also thrilled to have met the one-legged slapfighter, Terence “Supra” Labuschagne, who is also featured in the doccie.

“What an incredible story,” he said, adding, “Terence has a very inspirational story - where there is a will, there is a way, indeed.”

 “Brakpan Chronicles” also features female bouncers Hester Croucamp and Lina Stoltz, which flips a lot of stereotypes on their head.

“I loved every moment with Hester and Lina. Luckily, I was never one to buy into stereotypes. I see the person, not whatever people might think of him or her.”

Then there is former cop Jan “Stolla” Stols, who reminisces on the show about the time he had to call in the army to break up a Brakpan brawl.

And while Van Heerden largely lets the residents of Brakpan speak for themselves, he does interview etiquette icon Emsie Schoeman on how easy it is to become seen as “common”, and how hard it is to shake the label afterwards.

He added that after meeting all these interesting individuals and many more from Brakpan, what surprised him the most after spending some time in the community is “how people support one another.” “That was clear from the start.”

“Of course, any show needs to be entertaining as well, but what I aimed for is that people will not see weirdness but uniqueness in people and towns, and that to just be the person you yourself are comfortable with is all you should be striving for.”

* "Brakpan Chronicles" premieres on Showmax on Tuesday, February 24.