True North Podcast - Discovering the KZN North Coast

Tim and Mike go down Memory Lane and chat to the legendary North Coast figure Bruce Hulett about his deep-rooted family connection to the area and pick his brain about the way things were and the changes he has seen as a life-long resident of the local farming community.

North Coast beach legends Bongani Xulu and Steve Honneysett join Mike and Tim for a special double-bill podcast episode to give their unique perspectives on the growth and development of surf and lifesaving culture on the coastline.

Bongz tells about his incredible journey from unlikely grom to Vice-President of Surfing South Africa and internationally renowned surfing judge, while "Seaweed" Steve explains how he went from being Salt Rock's first official lifeguard to being municipal beach manager and the local voice of surfing.

PLUS: Bongani reveals Steve's "other" nickname, and Steve tells a real Baywatch story!

Tim and Mike sit down for a revealing chat with Bok Van Blerk - celebrity, musician, entertainer and new Ballito local.

In a freewheeling conversation, Bok talks about making the move from a career in construction to music; about the media attention that followed his record-breaking first album; and his more recent adventures on TV with his popular fishing show Land en Strand.

Bok also talks openly about his family life, about moving to Ballito from Gauteng with his children and wife Hannah, and about the amazing work of Hannah's non-profit organisation: Hannah Charity and Empowerment Foundation (https://hannacharity.org/).

What did it take for Bok to call Ballito home? Hit "play" and find out...

Mike and Tim call in a family connection and sit down for a chat with Tim's aunt: celebrated journalist, author, and foodie Erica Platter. In a bumper podcast episode, Erica takes the boys from the coastal Umhlali farm of her youth, up through the Sahara Desert, down to the Cape Winelands, and back to the KZN North Coast to celebrate the curry flavours that bring people together (as chronicled in her latest phenomenal food storybook, "Durban Curry Up 2 Date").

Mike and Tim sit down for an enlightening chat with Bruce Rencken - entrepreneur, shopkeeper, developer, restaurateur and born-and-bred North Coast local.

Bruce's influence in shaping the face of Ballito with the development (and re-development) of the iconic Lifestyle Centre as a first-rate retail/food/entertainment destination has not been without its challenges...

Here, in his own words, Bruce tells the story of the ups and downs of his journey and paints an exciting picture of where the KZN North Coast's future growth and development is heading.

Hosts Mike Charles and Tim Johnson introduce their brand new podcast series "True North" and explain where they're heading as they chronicle the people and stories shaping the KZN North Coast.