They say that travel is an investment into oneself. If that’s the case, then new travel-reality show Shay’iRound proved to be an investment in the country. At a time when international travel is not an option for most South Africans, eyes have turned to local destinations, and the SABC 1 show has spent many of the last 13 weeks showing off some of the country’s most luxurious locations.
In the final week of June, the show ended its first season on a high as hostess, Zola Mhlongo – AKA Zola Zee Lovin’– took one final group of holiday-goers on their dream vacation. The episode proved to be the perfect season-closer as a group of South Africa’s most fabulous influencers joined the bubbly presenter for a high-budget trip to the Drakensberg.
Siyamthanda Ndamase, one of the four finale guests, beamed with excitement as she spoke about her trip to the mountainous region of KZN. She revealed to Moziak Magazine, “Shooting the Season Finale for Shay’iround was amazing, it felt like a piece of home, from the presenter to the behind the scenes team (crew)everyone was just friendly and it felt like we’ve all known each other for a long time, I loved it.”
She, as much as any other guest on the show’s 13 episodes, embodied the true spirit of local travel. Each episode of the show is usually concluded with a cost estimate of the activities which viewers will have just watched – further reminding guests that the vacation of their dreams is closer to their reach than they might imagine.
Siyamthanda continued in this same vein as she opened up about what she hopes Shay’iRound viewers can glean from her experience on the show.
She explained, “More than anything I’d like viewers to learn that Local travel isn’t as expensive as they think it is, there are affordable places where you also get to do activities within the place like Cathedral Peak hotel in Drakensberg (which has amazing staff and food BTW).I want them to know that Charity begins at home and they should start with our country because it is very beautiful…side-note there’s always a new place to discover every time and that is exactly what I’m trying to show them through My YouTube channel.”
The show also proved to be a massive breakthrough for popular radio and television star, Zola Zee Lovin’ who carried every adventure, journey and moment of the show from start to finish.
The gifted broadcaster spoke openly about the multitude of top-class holiday destinations available to local travelers when she said, “South Africa just has so much to offer, there’s a wide variety of different types of holidays. Honestly, any kind of holiday that you are looking for can be found in South Africa and you don’t always have to fly abroad just to be able to enjoy your ideal vacation!”
She ended on an emphatic note as she thanked the show’s producers and SABC1 for the opportunity of a lifetime. “I would love to thank Croc Media and SABC 1 for the opportunity to be the presenter for Shay’iRound, it was a breakthrough opportunity in my career and it was a sheer privilege to be able to take South Africans from destination to destination during these past few weeks.”
When quizzed if a second season of Shay’iRound may be on the cards, she coyly responded with a “Well, there’s so much more of South Africa we have yet to explore… let’s see!”
We’re ready to pack our bags just in case!
