Load shedding, Unemployment, A currency that refuses to settle. On paper, South Africa has plenty working against it. Yet somehow, we keep producing world champions. Rugby World Cups, cricket victories, MotoGP podiums, Olympic medals and global titles. So what is it about us?
This Heritage Month, Red Bull’s new four-part documentary series What We Know puts that question to comedian and broadcaster Eugene Khoza. Moving between Joburg and New York, Khoza has seen South Africans compete and win on some of the biggest stages in the world. Now he is travelling across the country to understand what sits behind that success.
The series brings together some unexpected combinations. Springboks with skateboarders. MotoGP racers with hockey players. Proteas stars with esports professionals. Across four episodes, they explore creativity, community, the underdog mentality and diversity, asking whether the very challenges South Africans face might actually be part of what makes our champions different.
The opening episode heads to Johannesburg, where spinning champion SamSam Thubane, Springbok Damian Willemse, b-girl Courtnaé Paul and skateboarder Boipelo Awuah unpack the creative instinct that comes from growing up here. They are joined by comedian Jason Goliath, Lerato Phago and artist Karabo Poppy.
The series also brings together a serious line-up of South African sporting names, including Siya Kolisi, Kagiso Rabada, Temba Bavuma, Laura Wolvaardt, Brad Binder, Greg Minnaar, Jordy Smith, Ryan Sandes, Prudence Sekgodiso, Rayno Nel, Thati Zulu and Themba Zwane.
Behind the cameras are Greg Lomas and Colwyn Thomas, the directors of Chasing the Sun, bringing that same character-driven approach to a much bigger South African story. Rather than focusing only on medals and trophies, What We Know looks at the people, families, communities and experiences behind the champions.
Sixteen champions, five disciplines and one flag. For Heritage Month, What We Know is less about finding one definitive answer and more about celebrating the things that connect us. Because maybe the South African advantage isn’t one thing. Maybe it’s the ability to keep creating, competing and finding a way, no matter what gets thrown at us.
What We Know premiered on SABC1 on Heritage Day, 24 September, with new episodes following weekly through 15 October.