Shows

Rof of Spog

Share | / All Ages / Friday at 6 p.m.

In the 13 episode SABC 2 property, viewers will be guided through South Africa’s diverse and multicultural travel, food and lifestyle genres by soap stars Paul du Toit and Terence Brigett, in a way that’s never been done before.

The premise is simple. Every destination has its extremes: Dangerous or glamorous, up- market or down-to-earth. Paul’s preference is a backpacker digs and adventure activities whilst Terence’s preference is more genteel and sophisticated. The odd couple will guide audiences to Southern Africa’s most remarkable and varied destinations; Paul dragging a reluctant Terence through the rougher experiences while Terence nudges Paul though the finer options available in the same places. An experience that’s never predictable, but always deeply entertaining; hence the tag line: ‘Rof of Spog – Hoe wil JY dit he?’ (‘Rough or Smooth – How do YOU like it?’)

Du Toit and Bridgett visit the less mainstream points on the map. They spear mullet in the Kosi Bay fish traps, ski in the Maluti Mountains, embark on a quest for Modjadji the rain queen in Limpopo and reveal their personal stories as they sing with Terence’s alma mater, the Drakensberg Boys Choir and Paul paddles the Dusi canoe marathon. Their varied perspectives not only allow viewers to celebrate South Africa’s cultural differences, but highlight the shared humanity of the country.

‘Rof of Spog’ educates and unites South Africans, making the content accessible to the viewer through the presenters’ personalities in a series of destination-based episodes. SABC 2’s motivation behind the project was to cater for its two target audiences who are predominantly Afrikaans and invite their Coloured audiences, who are not exclusively catered for on any television platform. In addition, SABC 2 sees the ‘Rof of Spog’ series, which is first and foremost a documentary, as an educational and entertaining medium focusing on South Africa’s travel and culture-based variety.

Episode Breakdown

1. Of Bushveldt, Beasts and Blondes

Bosveld, Gediertes en Blondes - (Complete)

Our episode opens to reveal our intrepid hosts, a la Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, resplendent in khaki, introducing what is probably the best known game area in the world, the Greater Kruger National Park located in the heart of the Mpumalanga Province.  The camera pulls back to reveal them sitting astride an elephant: ‘this is rough or smooth’. (Title sequence) It is morning and Terence arrives at Paul’s campsite, hopelessly overdressed to find him preparing a ‘Grond-Gat potjie’ (A Southern African outdoor-made stew cooked over a camp fire in a large traditional black iron pot) that will cook while he drags Terence through the bush on a game walk.  Terence’s initial mixture of excitement and raw terror soon turns to boredom. How many species of turd does one need to inspect up close before lunch?  Speaking of which, he has a hippo carpaccio and a chilled chardonnay packed – Jo the game ranger is impressed and quite surprised, and Terence feels much better, but still demands a gin and a ride home.  While Terence pours the obligatory ‘Pink Gins’ at his 5 star lodge, Ezulwini, Paul dives into the pool.  Having selected something refreshing from the extensive wine cellar, Terence, Roberts’ Bird Guide in hand, attempts to spot the ‘Big 7’. He doesn’t, even with Paul’s help and so the boys depart (this time in a 5 star game viewing Land Rover driven by Jo the game ranger - Terence’s ubiquitous blonde for this episode. They are surrounded by a pride of lions before returning to Paul’s camp to eat the slow cooked potjie (Stew).. Warthog features in Paul’s subterranean stew as well, and Terence is duly impressed by the flavours, the fire and the Bushveld night skies. Until, to his horror, Paul informs him that he will not be able to return to his Lodge. No driving at night. Terence has to “rough it” and camp. In the Bush. With The Big 7.  Not a happy camper. So to speak. But he survives, much to Paul’s amusement, and is back in his comfort zone as the boys close the episode sipping bubbly in a hot air balloon as the sun rises over the African savannah.

2. Mayhem in the Malutis

Maluti-malligheid - (Complete)

Having travelled over the scenic Moteng Pass, through the clouds, to the mythical Mahlasela Valley, our hosts find themselves 3222m above sea level at the only ski resort in Southern Africa. It is here where Terence wrapped in furs, rides a Basotho Pony through heavy snow while trying to acclimatize, Paul is clipping into his snowboard at the top of the slope, and they introduce the episode before Paul sweeps past on his snowboard – ‘This is Rough or Smooth’, showering Terence with snow. (Title sequence) Cold and unimpressed, Terence opts for the fireplace of his suite at the Clarens Castle (in South Africa), while Paul adds another jersey at the local backpackers. To warm away the chill from the inside, Terence convinces Clarens Castle's manager to teach him how to whip up an authentic Afro-Germanic Gluwein – Free State style in the castle’s spectacular kitchen. He retires to the fireplace in his room and.  The next morning, he and Paul embark on their snowboarding adventure. Not impressed by the idea of skiing, he finally warms up to it when he realises that there is shopping involved, and gets even more excited when this week’s hunky blonde, Dale offers lessons. After screaming and falling through the short lesson. Terence decides to leave skiing and rather make Dale (the blond ski instructor) pose as he sculpts a snowman in his image. Paul hits the slopes with the pro’s. Then they get to indulge their real skiing aptitude: Après-Ski! After imbibing litres of schnapps in Afriski’s ‘Gondola Cafe’, (even while hanging upside down from their ski’s) they get invited to perform in the resort’s ‘Cabaret’ before watching the nightime ‘Flaming Descent’ and enjoying the tradition of a huge bonfire to thank the snow Gods.

3. Snoek Chic

Snoek Chic - (Complete)

Walking along the harbour pier, Paul carrying fishing gear and Terence a snoek, our hosts introduce Kalk Bay, where Terence grew up, with its history stretching as far back as the Dutch East India Company. This coastal fishing village nestled between the ocean and sharply rising mountainous heights of the False Bay valley is renowned for its antique shops, fine dining and, of course, fish. At the end of the link Terence hands the snoek over to one of fish cleaning ladies. With a toothless grin she intones: ‘this is rough or smooth’. (Title sequence) Paul convinces Terence’s Uncle Ernie to take the two of them snoek fishing on his boat. They depart in pitch darkness, ridiculously early in the morning. When they return the first mate invites them to his house for dinner so that his wife, Suleiga, can show them how to properly cook a snoek, which they feast on till late around her kitchen table. The next morning, just before sunrise, Paul wakes up, pulls on his wetsuit and explains that the best part about staying in this beachfront budget-accommodation is that you only have to cross the street to go surfing at Muizenberg, or take a quick train to Kalk Bay, which he does and surfs Kalk Bay reef, as the sun rises behind him. A little later, Terence drinks in the view from his five star hotel Colona Castle, over False Bay as he relates the maritime history of the area. While Paul surfs, Terence wanders down to the village to reminisce – and learn how to bake bread at one of Cape Town’s most famous bakeries.  Paul joins him still in his wetsuit and drips on the floor. Terence shows off his handy work with an over the top description. Paul wolfs it down: “I’m so hungry anything will taste good.” Determined to show Paul some culture Terence drags Paul along on his tour of the more “genteel” Kalk Bay atmosphere: second hand book stores (one just happens to be manned by a blond who shows Terence the nautical section), vintage clothing antique shops, food markets.  Paul has had his fill of beads, books and beach towels and takes Terence through the urine soaked subway for the definitive Kalk Bay experience: sundowners at the Brass Bell.  Afterwards, Terence announces that they will be attending their friend Gaetan’s show at, now the Kalk Bay Theatre, a beautifully converted old church (Terence accompanied by the nautical blonde). The next morning, Paul takes a breathless Terence for a hike up the mountains to the Kalk Bay Caves from where they deliver the closing links with False Bay behind them in all its majesty.

4. So Where To in Soweto

Straatlangs in Soweto- (Already shot and edited)

No documentary about the diversity of South Africa would be complete without a taste of metropolitan living as experienced in the South Western Township (Soweto). The opening link is delivered with a panoramic view of the township as seen from the top of the Orlando towers and as Paul and Terence plummet towards earthwards in a simultaneous bungee jump they squeal at the top of their voices: ‘this is rough or smooth’. (Title sequence) Terence meets up with the hung over Paul at Lebo’s backpackers, where Paul spent the night. So, in their quest to find Soweto’s imposing Soccer City, both dressed in their old high school attire, they then depart on a tandem cycle tour from Lebo’s Backpacker’s, on the historic 16th of June. They experience Nelson Mandela’s house, the Hector Petersen museum, some classic Soweto ‘Street fare’ for lunch and the desire to choke one another with a bicycle chain. Terence tells Paul to meet him at the Soweto Hotel, and decides to take Paul out for a Black Diamond divas’ night on the town with Soap actresses Amanda Du Pont and Tsolo Monedi (because of his shabby attire, Paul is refused entry to the club, while Terence meets his blonde – the bouncer!) – Once Paul finds some decent clothes in the car and finally gains access, they party the night away before finding Soccer City at sunrise. With champagne in hand from the bonnet of the limo, the boys deliver the closing link. .

5. In the Realm of the Rain Queen

In die Ryk van die Reenkoningin - (Already shot and edited)

Paul takes a rather harrowed Terence tubing the rapids of the Letaba River, as they attempt describe the mystical wonders of the escarpment’s kloofs. They have come to these legend filled valleys to seek out Modjadji, the mysterious Rain Queen. Jan Smuts, PW Botha, Nelson Mandela and the mighty Shaka Zulu, have all paid homage to her. She has even been endorsed by the South African Weather Bureau. Terence tries bravely to quote H Rider Haggard as they careen down a long rapid: “This is rough or smooth” (Title sequence) To be guided on their quest, they consult one of the area’s foremost sangomas, Realising that a culinary feast “fit for a queen”, is required, our intrepid hosts set out to find the region’s finest ingredients: crocodile, trout, organic cheese, mangoes, avocados, macadamias, bananas and marog. Terence wakes up at the beautiful colonial Kings Walden Manor and explores it’s spectacular gardens before encountering his blonde – Belgian chef Steven. Paul heads out to catch a trout in one of the local rivers, to no avail – and ends up buying one to save face. As Paul demonstrates DIY trout smoking, Terence engages the skills of Steven, the Manor’s blonde chef who shows him just what to do with his crocodile. Then the boys join forces with Florina, a lady who grows the medicinal Moringa trees to help curb disease and malnutrition in her community. While showing them how to cook marog and mopane worm, she tells them about Lobedu culture in Modjadji’s Kloof. Finally, gifts in hand, the boys pass, sacred 1000 year old cycads, on the way to the royal kraal, where they are granted an audience, with a royal counsellor, but no matter how much they beg or offer their culinary gifts, no Rain Queen will appear. This is as close as they can get. Our episode ends as the sun sets behind the largest baobab tree on earth. Inside this tree is a bar where we see the boys consider their near brush with royalty. They nip outside to check on the largest reptile in the world braaiing under the branches of the largest tree in the world and as they gaze up at Africa’s night sky, they ponder the mysteries of this ancient continent and clink their glasses to the Rain Queen.

6. The Cederberg: Mountain Muse

Die Sederberge: Muse van 'n Meester- (Already shot and currently being edited)

Terence stands below the cliffs of the picturesque Maalgat pool on the Driehoeksrivier and introduces the spectaucular serenity of the Cederberg, the area that has inspired artists for Generations. He also mentions that for this episode the two of them will be treating each other to experiences they believe will be enjoyed respectively. Paul bomb drops off the cliff face “this is Rough or Smooth!” into the pool and splashes him. (Title sequence.) Paul’s ‘treat’ is to take Terence shoe shopping in Wupperthal. Terence is horrified to see the horribly practical ‘vellies’ Paul has selected for him, but eventually finds an appropriately fabulous pair of boots. They make their way to the Cederberg wine estate, passing C Louis Leipoldt’s grave on the way, where they pay their respects to the legendary poet and food guru.  Next with winemaker and landowner David Nieuwoudt at Sanddrif they hit the wine tasting. After selecting their favourites, they are off again. Terence,in his new shoes, to the luxury of Bushmans Kloof, while Paul goes rock climbing. As the sun sets, while Terence drinks wine, he reads Leipoldt poetry to his blonde waiter at Bushman’s Kloof and his voice underscores Paul’s climb of the famous rock formations.  The next day Paul hikes to BK from his cottage in Wuppertal. He comes across the Anatolian Sheepdog, and discusses the groundbreaking success that this particular hound has had in leopard conservation in the area. He picks some buchu for Terence’s hangover. So buchu, lamb and rosemary in hand, he makes raw egg hangover cure for Terence who has just had a massage and lying by the pool. He doesn’t like Paul’s drink. Calls his blonde to make a buchu mojito. Having discovered a Leipoldt recipe for ‘Waterblommetjie Bredie’ Terence takes the meat and rosemary to Floris Smith, Bushman’s Kloof’s Executive Chef while Paul goes to get water blommetjies. Water blommetjie bredie put in picnic basket. Terence’s treat for Paul is a game to see the animals and tour of the San rock art depicting the game they’ve just seen.  They depart in 4x4, and the episode ends with them drinking in the silence, tragedy and peace of the Cederberg, beneath one of the oldest and last surviving Cedar trees in the area, as they sip their Cederberg wine and tuck into the bredie.

7. Sun, Sea and Chenin Blanc

Son, See en Chenin Blanc - (Already shot and edited)

Paul and Terence introduce the Overberg region (historically an area that attracted bandits, runaways and those who generally shunned normal society) standing on Rooi Els beach with False Bay behind them. They walk up the beach, discussing the fynbos that so richly populates the mountains around them and the fantastic seafood to be found in the water behind them, remarking that it is practically obligatory to enjoy it with a good local wine. Waiting for them on the road next to the beach are the ladies of Harley Davidson on their hogs (and Terence’s ubiquitous blond). As they climb onto their lifts we hear the familiar, ‘this is rough or smooth’ as the engines start up and they drive off. (title sequence) The Harley pack arrives at the historical and unapologetically traditional Beaumont wine estate. And as Sebastian Beaumont the winemaker climbs off his hog and removes his helmet, the Harley connection starts to make sense. While Paul tastes his old school buddy’s wines, Terence picks herbs and finds ingredients for their seafood feast with Sebastian’s sister Ariane. Paul tricks Terence into a less than desirable overnight stay at the infamous Hanglip Hotel. The next day he takes a terrified Terence diving for crayfish in Pringle Bay, part of False Bay, the frigid body of water with the highest great white shark density in the world. Terence volunteers to collect mussels on the rocks instead. Paul stuffs half of the dived raw crayfish and shelled mussels into freshly cut kelp (with no help from Terence) and steams them on a beach fire for an early lunch with a crisp Beaumont Chenin Blanc. Terence and Paul “heli flip” into the Arabella Golf Estate, with Terence clutching the other half of the crayfish haul for a master class with the hotel’s Executive chef.  After a massage in the Arabella spa as reward for his diving efforts, the classy crustacean is served to Paul washed down with a precocious but very palatable Beaumont Vitruvian. They end off the episode on top of the Hangklip Dune, and reflect on their experience (Closing Link) before Paul sandboards and Terence bumboards down the dune.

8. The Drakensberg Boys Choir: Music, Mountains and Memories

Die Drakensberg Seunskoor: Waar die Kranse Antwoord Gee- (Already shot and currently

being edited)

The world famous Drakensberg, Southern Africa’s highest mountain range is the magnificent backdrop to this alma mater retrospective as the rough/smooth tables are slightly turned. Paul and Terence are amidst a smattering of DBCS boys, who are drilling the harmonies to Nkosi Sikelele, but they just don’t seem to get it right, with Terence and Paul’s nerves kicking in, they dismiss a little Drakensberg boy’s need to get back to class, until they can get their harmonies right. They accept their fate of singing with the boys choir the next day, and nervously say “This is rough or smooth.” The RoS theme plays as usual – but with a descant of the DBC soaring over it.  The Drakensberg Boys Choir School is where Terence spent his younger, thinner, fitter years.  He takes (a rather impressed) Paul on his favourite scenic routes and horse riding trails.  Paul is especially impressed once he sees Leigh Anne the (female!) blonde in charge of the horses. The tables are turned in this episode after all! While Paul enjoys a romantic horse ride, Terence helps the matron and kitchen staff cook and serve lunch for the boys. Paul, having joined the boys for dinner, is suitably unimpressed with the hostel grub and in a complete role reversal takes Terence for dinner at the Drakensberg Sun. Not before a game of bowls with the local ladies at the club of course! The next day, after another harrowing choir practice our hosts perform “Weeping”, in full Drakie uniform, backed by the choir at the weekly Wednesday Concert. Leigh Anne gives Paul a one woman standing ovation.

9. Swakop Odyssey, Desert Oddity

Swakopmund: Vreemde Woestynreis - (Next to be shot)

The episode opens with a dramatic montage of the Namibian landscape finishing with aerial panoramas as our hosts’ voice over underscores the introduction. The opening link is suddenly interrupted as the Rough or Smooth pairing hurtle out of an aeroplane on a tandem sky-dive, giving us a spectacular bird’s eye view of the planet’s oldest desert: ‘this is Rough or Smooth!’ (Title sequence) Back on terra firma, Terence gives Paul an architectural tour of the coastal desert town of Swakopmund with its uniquely German influenced style, including a “cooking lesson” with the hotel’s chef and meal at his historical and opulent Hansa Hotel. Paul shows Terence the smelly madness of the world’s biggest seal colony at Cape Cross, discussing the controversial annual cull that takes place there.. Having gazed at penguins, dolphins, seals and gannets doing their thing, Terence attempts to style the two of them acceptably using only Swakopmund’s seal skin boutiques. He fails. It would appear that seal pelts look better on their original owners. Looking like extras from the movie ‘Deliverance’ they hit the old-world and warm bar at the Hansa Hotel for some German beer and sausage served by Terence’s requisite blond.

10. Cosy in Kosi Bay

Knus in Kosibaai - (Schedule to be shot early 2012)

Paddling a canoe across the Kosi bay estuary Paul, doing his best David Attenborough impression sings the praises of the untouched splendour of the lake, the ancient trees, the exquisite birdlife, the age old fish traps and the tranquillity of the Isimangaliso National Park, a world heritage site. The peace and quiet is shattered by the loud popping of a champagne cork into Paul’s eye resulting in a surprisingly high pitched scream, sending flock of roosting green backed heron into the sky in panicked flight.  Terence, overflowing bottle in hand, enlightens us apologetically from the bow of the boat: ‘this is rough or smooth’. (Title sequence) Terence sets out from Kosi Forest Lodge, with a thermos of doctored hot chocolate and blankie in hand and joins Paul (who checks that he is not carrying anything that pops) for a night-time beach safari to watch loggerhead and leatherback turtles laying eggs. The next day after a restorative spa treatment, Terence is shown by the chef how to perfectly spice and wrap a Springer fish in a banana leaf to steam on the coals (made by a shirtless sweaty blond). Paul stays in a Zulu kraal near Kosi bay and goes spearing Springers with the locals in their traditional fish traps. The fish are then cooked back at the kraal in the customary manner. Paul says he likes it, but he doesn’t really. Luckily Terence joins the Kraal festivities with the inspired creation he made earlier accompanied by an avo and madumbe gremolata – and another bottle of gin.

11. Doing the Dusi

Om die Dusi te doen - (Already shot and edited)

The Kingdom of the Zulu annually hosts one of the toughest canoe races in the world, the Dusi, which started way back in 1951 and offers paddlers, whose numbers run into the thousands, a supremely unique challenge against not only fellow competitors, but the extremely turbulent rapids and harsh Zululand bush.  Viewers meet up with Paul, who cries and (probably) vomits his way along the course of the three-day marathon from Pietermaritzburg down the Umsindusi and Umgeni rivers to Durban, while Terence lends a hand to second him. Unfortunately, most of the time that hand is holding a gin and tonic. While Paul camps in the muggy valley where it’s 45 degrees in the shade (and there is no shade!) Terence lavishes in olde world luxury at the historic Audacia Manor. Terence really doesn’t prove to be the best second in the Valley, but puts this down to time spent educating the locals about Ghandi’s time in South Africa fighting the racist ruling powers. It just so happens that this particular local has a sixpack, a mop of blond hair and no shirt. But somehow after countless cuts, bruises, blisters and falls out of his boat, Paul makes it to the end of the race. At the finish line, a famished Paul pulls Terence away from a host of blond water boys and demands one Durban’s culinary specialities: a mince kebab roti. And it doesn’t disappoint. As an apology for missing three water points due to blond distraction, Terence treats Paul to a pedicure and a five star dinner on the balcony of Audacia with a spectacular view of the night time skyline of Durban. In the middle of this view is the Moses Mabida Stadium newly built for the 2010 soccer world cup and it is from the very top of its arch that our hosts wrap up their episode with a panoramic view stretching from Durban all the way up the Valley of a Thousand Hills.

12. Peri-Peri Paradise

Peri-peri Paradys - (Schedule to be shot early 2012)

As Paul and Terence sail around Inhaca Island on a 40-foot yacht they remark that after being ravaged by a brutal civil war for 22 years, Mozambique, with its tropical climate, unspoilt beaches and warm people (not to mention it’s fabulous seafood!) is now once again a Mecca for tourists. Paul, in scuba gear, shouts: ‘This is rough’, as he enters the water off the back of the yacht. ‘Or smooth’ retorts Terence popping another crispy Mozambican prawn into his mouth.  While Paul scuba dives on Inhaca’s coral reefs, Terence sails into Maputo harbour, Pimms in hand, (served by a blond) to bask in Mozambican colonial luxury. Paul camps uncomfortably in a monsoon drenched Maputo Elephant reserve where he tries to catch the elusive kingfish with fly tackle. After an epic surf on Indian ocean storm swells, he flees to the comfort of peri peri chicken at a local shebeen and drinks enough of the local Tipo Tintho rum to be late for high tea with Terence at the Polana Hotel.

13. Elephants, Oysters and Oceans

Olifante, Oesters en die groot Oseaan - (Shot, pick-up required, edit started)

As Terence, at the helm of a speedboat introduces the episode before Paul cuts through the air behind him on a wakeboard and interrupts with: ‘this is rough or smooth’. (Title sequence). Our season finale plays out in the seaside forest town of Knysna and near by Plettenberg Bay: the boys have found their happy places – Paul has discovered the Rastas, the hippies, and their Djembe drums and is spending his days on a stand up paddle board and his nights on his house boat. Terence on the other hand is elated to be surrounded by old school luxury at the exclusive Kurland Polo Estate.. Watching polo matches, dressing oysters, and sharing Daleen Matthee’s Knysna Forest classics with a blond, he has little to complain about. Terence collects Paul from his houseboat in a vintage MG to take him to Kurland (for more oysters and champagne) to show him how the other half lives, before Paul takes him on a vertigo inducing zip line tour of the forest canopy. The next day, Paul tracks the mythical forest elephants while Terence savours more oysters and Matthee at Jubilee Creek picnic site. Our hosts close the season (with more oysters, served by Terence’s blonde) on a sunset cruise aboard a yacht on the Knysna Lagoon.