Bobby van Jaarsveld swaps the stage for small-town adventures in Dorpie-doenlys

Bobby van Jaarsveld swaps the stage for small-town adventures in Dorpie-doenlys

Bobby van Jaarsveld is as much of a household name as Mrs Ball’s chutney and rooibos tea.

For years, he has charmed fans from the stage, as comfortable showing off his muscles during photo shoots as he is these days reeling in a big catch. That cheeky smile and those blue eyes certainly made hearts beat a little faster, too…

Now VIA has roped Bobby in for a different kind of adventure, and the self-confessed thrill-seeker is ready and eager to tackle this challenge with great enthusiasm.

It’s a travel show, but one with its own unique twist.

Taking over the Dorpie-doenlys reins from Sean van Noordwyk, Bobby will be popping into small towns, some well-known, others less so, guiding viewers on a voyage of discovery to uncover hidden gems that few people knew existed.

Sometimes historical in nature, other times packed with thrilling adventures, it is all mixed with plenty of good old-fashioned road-trip chats.

Bobby van Jaarsveld talks Dorpie-doenlys

Bobby, viewers know you mainly as a singer and actor. What got you excited about exploring the country as the host of Dorpie-doenlys?

This is my first time doing a TV series with a script or screenplay, so it’s more professional. I’m not used to being a host, even though I’ve hosted a live TV broadcast before. But no, I haven’t interviewed people for TV yet. Doing Dorpie-doenlys definitely excited me because I’m always open to something new.

The series takes you from Gansbaai and Stanford to St Lucia, Clarens, Hoedspruit, and the Limpopo Bushveld. Which destination surprised you the most, and why?

I’d say St Lucia and Clarens.

I know St Lucia well, but not that well. It was incredible to see the hippos, the fishing and the ocean. I’ll always choose the sea. The town itself is small, but there are so many activities on offer. The way the community works together and supports one another really surprised me.

Clarens is just as beautiful to me, even though I’d only ever driven through and never stopped to stay over. I was amazed by how beautiful it actually is. The place where we stayed, Il Castello Boutique Hotel, made me feel like I was in Italy, even though I’ve never been there. I was pleasantly surprised.

You tackled everything from deep-sea fishing and whale watching to a pottery class and encounters with hippos and crocodiles. Which experience pushed you furthest out of your comfort zone?

That’s a tough one, because I can’t think of anything that truly pushed me out of my comfort zone. I’m really game for anything; I’ll try or do whatever, and that includes all things adventurous.

Oh, wait. The pottery class was definitely outside my comfort zone, because the shape that came out was anything but a pot…

Dorpie-doenlys isn’t just about places, but also about the people and stories that make each town special. Which encounters or people touched you the most?

The Abraham Kriel Children’s Home in Nylstroom (Modimolle), because it’s the one I know best and I was a patron there for many years. I’ve been to that children’s home so many times, so I know the place and many of the people there. But it’s as if your heart never gets used to it, because the circumstances that bring those children there never feel right.

I think anyone would want, from the bottom of their heart, to give them a better life. So when you visit, you feel like you just want to do more. Visiting them is very special to me. The day after we filmed there for Dorpie-doenlys, I went back and took my own kids to their bazaar.

The other special encounter was with a caracal at the Sondela Nature Reserve in Bela-Bela.

What do you discover about South Africa when you step off the beaten track and spend time in smaller towns and communities?

I’ve been so used to travelling through South Africa since I was 17, but there are still places I’ve driven past or somehow overlooked over the last 22 years. It’s incredible what hidden gems you find when you tour the country like this.

You realise you haven’t been everywhere yet, and you start to appreciate what makes these places so special. What truly makes them special is the people.

It’s the communities supporting one another because living in small towns makes them realise they need each other. It’s truly wonderful to see how kindly people treat one another and how they support local businesses.

You’ve already achieved so many highlights in music, television and acting. What still challenges you creatively at this stage of your career?

Well, trying new things. Just when I think I’ve done it all in the industry, something else pops up and a new opportunity comes along. I like pushing myself with new challenges and opportunities.

I’m not a guy who can sit still and do nothing. The moment I get bored or have an open day, it gets on my nerves a bit. Even though I want to rest, and a beach holiday sounds great, I wouldn’t be able to just relax. I’ll always look for something to do. New challenges, new things… you’re never too old to learn.

Beyond the hits, the roles and the glamour, what do you hope people remember about you one day?

I hope the people who got to know me remember that I’m a guy who doesn’t take everything too seriously, and that they remember me as a real person. Yeah, I hope they remember the real me.

When to watch Dorpie-doenlys

The 13-episode series starts on 10 September and airs Thursdays at 20:30.

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