‘Just Travel SA’: how far can R1,050 a day get you in Mzansi?

Just Travel SA is coming to SABC1, and it’s asking a question many South Africans have wondered about.

How much of your own country can you really see on a budget?

To find out, two well-known faces travelled to all nine provinces.

And according to them, the answer might surprise you.

The new series is hosted by Pearl Thusi and Lungile Radu.

It premieres on SABC1 on Monday, 26 October, at 18:00.

WHAT IS ‘JUST TRAVEL SA’?

Just Travel SA is a nine-part domestic travel series, produced by Black Brain Pictures.

In each 24-minute episode, the hosts explore a different province alongside a local insider.

Along the way, they visit destinations, local experiences and lesser-known attractions.

HOW FAR CAN R1,050 A DAY GO?

Every episode shows the same destination at three different budgets:

• Smart Budget: up to R1,050 a day.
• Flexi Budget: up to R1,250 a day.
• Luxury Budget: more than R1,250 a day.

As a result, viewers can see what’s possible whether they’re saving every rand or ready to splurge.

FAMILIAR FACES AS LOCAL GUIDES

The hosts won’t be travelling alone.

In the Free State, they’re joined by Mapaseka Koetle. In Limpopo, Clement Maosa shows them around.

Meanwhile, in KwaZulu-Natal, they explore with Sweet Guluva.

‘WE UNDERESTIMATE WHAT WE HAVE’

For Thusi, the show changed the way she thinks about travelling at home.

“I think we underestimate what we have in South Africa. What surprised me was just how much you can experience locally, and how affordable it can be,” she said.

Radu, on the other hand, was struck by the people he met.

“You’re not just paying for a bed, a meal or an activity. You’re meeting people, hearing their stories and experiencing a place through the people who actually live there,” he said.

WHY LOCAL TRAVEL MATTERS

The series is part of a wider push to get more South Africans travelling at home.

The Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA) is bringing the show to viewers, in partnership with Tourism Marketing South Africa.

“Domestic travellers are the bedrock of South Africa’s tourism industry,” said TBCSA chief executive officer Tshifhiwa Tshivhengwa.

He added that every trip taken at home also supports local businesses, communities and jobs.

WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH ‘JUST TRAVEL SA‘

Just Travel SA premieres on SABC1 on Monday, 26 October, at 18:00.

After that, you can catch the repeat on SABC2 on Thursdays at 21:30.

The series will also be available on SABC Plus.

WHICH SOUTH AFRICAN PROVINCE WOULD YOU LOVE TO EXPLORE ON A BUDGET?