For many South Africans, Brakpan exists somewhere between myth and meme. Yet the documentary gently reminds viewers that for thousands of people, it is simply home.

“It’s the best in the world. I’ve been to Toronto. I’ve been to America — Chicago, Philadelphia, Miami for two days. These boertjies here are the best in the world, friendship-wise… They say once you’ve drunk the dam water here, you’ll never leave Brakpan.”

Johnny the Barber, who has lived in Brakpan for 57 years, puts it plainly:

“I have to admit, despite everything that happened, it was really hard for me to head back to Pretoria,” he says. “Brakpan is definitely one of the most unique, if not the most unique, places in South Africa. The people here, regardless of what anyone says, are real… And these days, you don’t come across that often.”

Van Heerden agrees.

Brakpan Chronicles premieres on Showmax on 20 February 2026, inviting viewers to look beyond the jokes — and step inside a town that refuses to be defined by a meme.