Get ready to fall head over heels in love with the Overberg

Forget everything you thought you knew about the Overberg, the scenic and soul-stirring region that lies just over the berg from Cape Town.

It’s not just whales and wine farms and winding coastal roads.

It’s more than wheat fields and rapids and mountain crags carpeted with fynbos.

The real attraction of the region is its towns and villages, and the real soul of the Overberg is its people.

The Overbergbewoners.

In the new KykNET series of that name, brought to you by BrightRock, you’ll meet some fascinating Overbergbewoners, learn their stories, and share their thoughts on what makes life in this Western Cape heartland so meaningful and magical.

Ahead of the series premiere of the 13-episode series on January 6, 2026, here’s a sneak-preview road-trip of some of stops and stories along the way.

The untamed coast: Adrenaline and conservation

Start your journey where the air smells of salt and kelp, at Stony Point Nature Reserve in Betty’s Bay.

Here you’ll find Gavin Petersen, whose title tells you everything you need to know about his lifelong passion. He’s a Penguin Ranger.

Gavin’s love for the ocean and its creatures started in nearby Kleinmond. Now he’s on the frontline of marine conservation, caring for and protecting this endangered African species.

His proudest moment: saving 69 chicks and 36 eggs during severe flooding, earning him the prestigious BirdLife South Africa Owl Award.

Further down the coast in Hermanus, you find a different kind of ocean legend.

Brian McFarlane, founder of Great White Shark Tours, is a diver, fisherman, and adventurer whose life has always been defined by the sea.

Brian says he has always been “on, in, or under” the ocean. And he’s loved every moment of his colourful life, with his wife Sandy by his side.

Complementing his passion is world champion bodyboarder Tristan Roberts, who grew up following his older brother’s moves on the water.

Tristan’s philosophy, to learn from mistakes and keep rolling, is the perfect motto for any challenge, whether you’re facing a massive wave or a life hurdle.

Heritage and healing: Harts of a community

In Genadendal, Judith Balie manages the Mission Museum, keeping the history of this little community alive.

With deep family roots here, Judith is focused on making the past accessible, and reviving home industries through the Museum Craft Project, an inspiring example of heritage preservation and economic empowerment.

Just as committed to the future is Monique Cananie, a youth administrator at the VPUU Youth Café in Villiersdorp.

Herself a beneficiary of the programme, Monique now acts as a mentor, overseeing essential training in financial literacy and computer skills.

Her mantra is simple: “I will go miles, I will move mountains, to help a child.”

The art of the land: Taste and craft

The Overberg is a paradise for foodies and lovers of artisanal craft.

Clement October is the Head Cheesemaker at Klein River Cheese, near Stanford. Clement sees artisanal cheesemaking as an art form, crafting such award-winning delights as their famous Gruyère-style “Gruberg”.

In Hemel-en-Aarde Ridge, on the edge of heaven and earth, Berene Sauls is making waves with Tesselaarsdal Wines.

Her expressive Chardonnay and slightly salty Pinot Noir are a testament to her journey. She started as an au pair and became a successful producer, putting the name of her community on the global wine map.

For a taste of pure nostalgia, visit Ounooi van Straaten’s pop-up restaurant near Caledon. Her recipes honour her late mother and are cooked with intuition and flair.

For those seeking floral beauty, Tannie Mary Spies’s hydrangea farm in Stormsvlei is a breathtaking feast for the senses.

This hairdresser-turned-flower farmer has mastered the art of cultivation, bringing an eye for aesthetics and an unstoppable drive to everything she grows.

She reminds us that if you’re facing a challenge, “go and do something, and don’t take no for an answer.”

Making a difference, from Napier to Suurbraak

The small towns of the Overberg hold creativity like a secret handshake.

In Napier, ceramicist Nelis Singels moulds clay into mythic forms, each piece shaped and inspired by the land’s ancient stories.

Across the valley in Bredasdorp, animal rescuer Elmae van As channels kindness into action, as she leads her “Maak ’n Verskil” team through dusty streets, with an entourage of wagging tails and laughing children.

Further along, the mission village of Suurbraak glows with a quiet radiance.

Guided by community leader Maggy Jantjies, it remains one of the Western Cape’s most enchanting places, a patchwork of history, hope, and hand-built homes.

Wild hearts, deep passions

The Overberg attracts and nurtures adventurers with big hearts and unconventional dreams.

Near Papiesvlei, Lizaene Cornwall is the co-founder of Panthera Africa Big Cat Sanctuary, a haven she calls a “retirement village for big cats.”

Lizaene is dedicated to ethical animal welfare and education, providing a holistic and safe environment for rescued lions, tigers, and leopards.

In Onrus, you might bump into Neil Sandilands, the versatile South African character actor known internationally for his roles in The Flash and Sweet Tooth.

He splits his time between Los Angeles and his home here, calling himself a "Shakespearean jester and a good neighbour”.

In Elim, history sings from the rooftops. The village is home to Warnick October, a ninth-generation traditional thatcher whose craftsmanship is renowned worldwide.

Open your eyes, heart, and mind to the wonders of the Overberg with Overbergbewoners, on KykNET from January 6, 2026.

It's the perfect way to kick off the new year with a fresh burst of South African inspiration!