Archive for the ‘BAYDU’S INTERVIEWS’ Category

The two rugga boys with Richard Holland, the recipient of the Dubai event

Not Jimmy Nevis Heartboxing, no. For real boxing

I caught up with Jantjes in Green Point  hours before he departed for Dubai. Jantjes and Bolla Conradie are representing the South in Dubai while ex Boks 7′s winger Egon Seconds is the organiser. He and Conrad left yesterday while Bolla will join them on Sunday.

Loved this interview

This is an unedited first try at interviewing on camera and it was so much fun! The next ones will be edited etc but you will enjoy this, especially where Eugene teaches me to Gayle
Baydu

I was fortunate enough to be at the return of Braam and Peters arrival after their race down at the South Pole as these two represented our country. Braam is a 50/50 TV presenter, adventurer, endurance athlete, conservationist, honorary ranger, heavily involved with conservation groups like the Endangered Wildlife Trust. He is also a MyPlanet ambassador and raced to raise awareness about climate change and to encourage people to back conservation groups through MyPlanet. My Planet is an organization that gets businesses to donate a percentage of card holding customer spend to the customer’s preferred environmental NGO.

I caught up with Braam and asked him about the race and their experiences in extreme testing conditions.

Baydu: First of all, congratulations on another amazing achievement, how are you feeling at the moment?

Braam: I am well thank you but still trying to get use to city life and it’s like acclimatising after being surrounded by tranquillity and a blanket of white and cold for weeks and now being surrounded by the opposite. It feels as if we’re adapting to a different environment. Imagine being in a place where you experience sensory deprivation, you can’t really taste, see colour or smell and to a large degree we were suffering emotional deprivation too. I have been taking the last few weeks to digest all the happenings and also taken some time to work on our book.

Minus the numb fingers and exhaustion it probably must have taken your breath away to be surrounded by such a painting of beauty and tranquility hey?

Actually, if I can be brutally honest it was cold and bland and dead! There is this glare of white which we looked at through our ski masks and more time is spent on concentrating on yourburning lungs! There is this sastrugi (sastrugi are various surface irregularities resulting from wind erosion, saltation of snow particles and deposition) and these lumps on the ice and someone asked me about the sastrugi and I said even though I hated it, I still respected it. Just so you know Baydu, it takes around 150km to fully acclimatise and then you need to negotiate the terrains and crevasse (a crevasse is a deep crack in an ice sheet or glacier) The average thickness of the ice is about 3km above the mountains! The Antarctic is the highest, coldest, driest (as there’s no precipitation) place to be in.

Obviously mental fitness played a major role in an excercise such as this, how did you manage to hold your wits about you while pushing forward?

Undoubtedly your fitness levels need to be on par but what is way more imperative than the physical fitness is undoubtedly the mental aspect. I think it was way more mental,  and I would even go as far as saying it’s about 80% mental and 20% physical.

You spoke of walking an average of 30 kilometres per day, did either of you or the camera crew pick up injuries?

We were fortunate not to, and the camera crew was not with us all the time. They would meet up with us at certain points in their Toyota’s and in many cases were as far as 6 hours away. At one stage we went 12 days without seeing them.

Surely one runs out of conversation with your partner after a certain amount of time, what does one talk about for hours?

What conversation? There is no time for that! Our primary concern was concentrating on our breathing. You must remember it’s roughly equivalent to being 4000m above sea level so our breathing  was extremely laboured. So no conversaion as you can’t talk when you’re struggling to breath

Being South Africans, skiing must really have been a challenge, more so at times when you were going uphill, how did you manage? 

It was that much of a challenge but we did get into some training. With skiing you tend to have the front parts of your feet strapped in, while your heels are loose, so it’s a sliding action which you need to master. But of course it was easier for teams as the Norwegians who are literally born with skis!

Big up on deciding to help Team Britain Green, was that a joint decision or was it an obvious one?

The first British team suffered a casualty when a contestant suffered from bilateral pneumonia. The second fainted and broke his arm. Technically the British team were unofficial finishers and of the seven teams that started the race only three finished. We were told the British relayed to the press that had it not been for SA they would not have made it all. I thought that was quite a nice thing of them to say.
Being an ambassador for MyPlanet and creating awareness around saving our planet do you think we are doing enough to protect her?

No, not at all! We’re not doing nearly enough. I have a project that says you should “Do one thing” and by each person doing one thing we can slowly make a change to our planet because in all honesty awareness is nothing if it’s not translated into action.
Have you already decided what your next mission would be after your 25 day journey on ice and snow?

Yes, the “Earth challenge”. Our motto is “One earth. One home. One responsibility” We want a billion people to hold their various governments responsible all across the globe.

Braam, thank you so much for your time and again well done on an unbelievable milestone and thank you for being an ambassador in creating awareness of our beautiful planet. Go well.

Thank you for the chat Baydu and rememeber to do one thing…

I liked the fact that Braam was trying to make a difference and salute the fact that corporates as Woolworths are also getting in on the act, it is afterall everyone’s responsibility right?

Here is some information around MyPlanet:

MyPlanet classifies organisations that focus on the improvement and protection of the environment and animals. Examples of Planets that Woolworths customers support to include SANCCOB, The Society for Animals in Distress, Endangered Wildlife Trust, EWT MyPlanet Rhino Fund, SPCA National Fund, Border Collie Rescue, FreeMe, National Horse Trust, Animal Anti-Cruelty League, WESSA and BirdLife SA. For more information go to http://www.myschool.co.za/schools/myplanet

How you can support the Woolworths MyPlanet causes?

Get your free MyPlanet card (no monthly fees, no costs to you!) from any Woolworths store and nominate the beneficiary you wish to support. Swipe your card at Woolworths or any of the partner stores http://www.myschool.co.za/partners when you shop. They will donate a percentage of your purchases on your behalf.

1) If you don’t have a MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card yet, simply apply for your free card now and select your favourite beneficiary. Once you start swiping your card the charity of your choice will start receiving funds.

2) If you already have a MySchool card, but would like to change your beneficiary or add a charity, simply call our Client Service Centre on 0860 100 445 or email us on cs@myschool.co.za

Hi Michelle, you’re looking good, gannit? 

Hello Baydu. All is good on my side thank you and how are you?

Good good. Are you allowed to eat that burger? There’s not some kind of food police gonna slap it out your hands is there?

Hahaha, yes I am!

So, Miss Atlantico International, am I saying it correctly?

Yes, Miss Atlantico int 2011

Oh, ok, tell me what Miss Atlantico is all about?

Miss Atlántico is a beauty pageant that been held for 25 years, mostly drawing Latin American contestants. It one of the most popular international pageants.

And maybe now is a good time to ask, “Who has been crowned Miss Atlantico International for 2011?”

It still hard to believe but I have been crowned as the new Miss Atlántico international 2011….it was a huge surprise…

Hehehe, congratulations missy! Has South Africans participated in this competition before?

No other South African has ever entered so I was the first and im so happy I brought back the title.

Where was it held by the way?

And it was held in Punta Del Este, Uruguay, the same country South Africa lost to in the world cup, boy I am glad I could even out the playing field a little…:)

And there were 17 contestants all in all? Which countries were represented?

I think there were 17, not really sure. There were representatives from Brazil, Ecuador, pananma, Uruguay, Bolivia, Argentina, Andorra, Columbia, Dominican Republic, Mexico….. And lots more.

Were you the only African contestant?

I was the only African contestant and the only English speaking contestant…. All the contestants spoke Spanish and only 3 of the contestant spoke a little English.

So tell me how did you get to participate in this competition, cos I remember seeing support via sms requested on the social networks.

I was asked by the director of South African Beauties website to represent South Africa and he owns the rights of the pageant in South Africa.  The voting was to assist me to win the internet round of the pageant. Every year they choose someone as Miss Atlántico internet, this year Brazil won. Those votes have nothing to do with over all winners. We still have to go through an interview and then of course get judges the night of the pageant.

Can I ask what the prize was? Or are you going to have to kill me afterward?

Well besides things like beauty products hampers and a huge tiara, I have also won a trip to Mexico and a trip to Spain.

What else is keeping you busy at the moment?

I still own my modelling and etiquette school so I run that and give class. I also model full time for full circle model management.  And I MC, Judge Pageants, Choreograph pageant and shows so that’s keeping me busy.  And of course I organise charity events for various organisations that require my assistance.

 Your favourite rugby team, yes, I know, a question that has buggerall to do with this interview, but this is my interview and I can ask what I want Besides, it’s important for “the Baydu’s favourite people to interview” list

Well im a South African so I will always support the Bokke and of course the STORMERS!!!!!!

I do hope I make the Baydu’s favourite people to interview list that’s a very important list to be on….:)

Sweets, as always, it’s been a pleasure chatting to you and from a personal point of view, you’re one of the most genuine people I’ve ever come across and you shouldn’t ever change that. And tell that sister of yours to stop teasing you so much!

Your favourite rugby team again? … Oh, just double-checking )

STRORMERS!!!!!!!! 

Michelle, congrats again on your title and keep doing the good things you do and we here at baydu.co.za wish you all the best for the future!

PS: If there are any telephone numbers of those contestants that you think you would like to pass on to me, I’m just a phone call away

Are you gonna eat those chips? I’m still kinda hungry…

So here it is mense! My eerste interview! Today I speak to Egon Seconds, Cape Town’s very own . Ex WP, Stormers and Springbok 7’s winger and holder of the record for most tries for WP in a Currie Cup. I wanted to get his take on the Boks and get to know what this Cape Flats lytie is all about. I found out a few things about him which I put at the end of this interview and trust me this is one of the coolest interviews I’ve done and it includes my 14 year radio career. We sat and chatted over a cup of coffee :) Sit back and enjoy and learn things that you’ve never known about Egon Seconds.

Hi Egon, you not getting cold in that t-shirt? Yassis. Ok, let’s start with the Springboks. If you were one of the Boks who lost 2 games in a row away against the All Blacks, how do your mentally lift yourself from that?  

No, I’m not getting cold Baydu. After 2 losses like that, I would really go back and ask myself why are we world champions? You have to be able to overcome lessons like this, learn from it and move forward. I would psych myself up so much now to make things right, that I would feel sorry for the Australian team and take out the frustration on them.

Do you think that our guys are just tired and fatigued cos they play too much rugby?

This fatigue story and overplaying gets thrown around all the time when we’re not performing, so let’s not even bring that up. So much money gets paid to players, management and medical team, so that’s no excuse, come on now…

What’s your take on Bakkies (Botha)?

Bakkies? Well, I think he is world class, and a team needs a rough neck like that to just fire things up but I’m not saying that when you fire things up you must burn your own team too, cause that’s what yellow cards do. And it’s just about controlling those outbursts he has. Other than that, gooi mielies Bakkies!

Lol at Gooi Mielies  If you were Peter deVillers right now, what would you do differently this weekend against the Ozzies?

If I was Div I wouldn’t do anything drastically different. Why would I? The All Blacks just played really well, give it to them, we just gotta be more ruthless now and remember that this is the last Tri Nations before the World Cup in 2011. We have been in worse situations before, so let’s make sure we stick to our structures, and start playing like the world champions that we are.

As a player, what goes through your mind when you run out onto the field with thousands of supporters cheering and waving flags?

When I use to run out with a packed stadium, my first thought was always, “Jirre Eeg’s moet net nie kak aanvang vandag nie”

It’s an adrenalin rush of note and if you know there are so many people screaming for you and your team, it brings out the best in you. Well not always, cause sometimes the nerves get the better of you but as soon as you get into the game, and start focussing, you tend to just block out that crowd and do what you do best …entertain them.

What if you wanna pee while you’re on the field?

Well, if you wanna pee while on the field, then you definitely not concentrating nor focussed… cause your bladder and bowl should shut down when you in a game. In the odd occasion that you may just have a bladder and bowl problem, there are alternatives. Why do you think sometimes the ref stops the game and the team makes a huddle? To have a “team talk”?

What have you been up to since the last time you pulled a WP jersey over your head?

I have been working, doing charity events for my foundation, coaching and helping out schools that invite me to lend a hand. Been really doing alot of things that I never had the opportunity or time to do while I was playing. I still miss the game but we all have to move on sometimes and evolve. Even though I don’t play professionally anymore, I’m still very involved in the game. And I’m at the stadium when the boys play, doing my part where the support is concerned.

And did you enjoy playing for the Griquas? Wildeklawer is their sponsor, did you bring home any onions?

Playing for Griquas was a different experience. Apart from the fact that Kimberley is a kak place, no use in me trying to be nice and say it’s not bad. I got to play in a team that was playing for their lives. Not literally, but a bunch of okes that stuck together no matter what, on and off the field and on the day, could beat any team that came to visit Kimberley. So I learnt alot over there, but could only stand so much bonding, and so much of that place.

Luckily, Wilderklawer was replaced with GWK, so I didn’t have too much of that onion experience either.

I see you’ve done some tv work too, tell me about that and does the camera really add 10kilo’s?

I am currently the rugby expert on Sportsnite (SABC2 Friday nights) It has been really awesome, cause I went from doing a radio gig on a Saturday morning to this, so from here I will hopefully be on Generations or Backstage… cause I have been really accurate with predictions and analysis.

Does charity play a role in your life?

Charity plays a very big role. I use to have the Egon Seconds Foundation, which catered more for rugby, but have now started Rego’s Foundation, to give myself a wider outreach than just rugby. It’s been fantastic so far, being able to create a vehicle which can really change people’s lives. I built up a broad network over my rugby career, and now is the time to tap into it for a good cause.

/Continued…

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