Riaan Badenhorst (Director)

We first met Riaan in Prince Albert, about two thirds of the way through our shoot. He had been carefully hand picked by Chris to take over his role as Director, as Chris was moving on to another shoot that had already been booked before we started filming. Chris Lotz’s shoes are big shoes to fill, and it can’t be easy to start working on a show this far down the line. Riaan took it all in his stride, and he made the role his own – that’s what I loved, he didn’t try to be Chris, he was perfectly happy and comfortable being Riaan, and he carefully, considerately and cleverly added his own flavour. He is aware of the bigger picture and the minute details all at the same time, he’s passionate about making beautiful TV, and it is all evident in the episodes that he crafted along with us. Thanks Riaan for being that guy, and so much more.

I should also add that Riaan’s generosity and big heartedness stole my heart from as early on as Day 1 of meeting him – we were under crazy time pressure in Prince Albert for various reasons, and I had an evening flight out from George to head back to Joburg and see my family for the weekend. Technically, I should have been flying the next day, it’s only because the crew pulled together magnificently and so so kindly, and because Riaan drove me to George very speedily but very safely in time for me to catch my flight. A thousand thank you’s – I’ll never forget our drive through the beautiful Swartberg mountains, and learning more about your passion for film and TV, and all your colourful stories.

Photo’s from ‘Sarah Graham’s Food Safari’ by Ricardo de Leça.