#YourStory Viv – Edenvale’s outspoken unicorn

She wants to be the first de-motivational speaker.

February 6, 2016

Sascha-Lee Solomons 3 minutes read

Viv Vermaak, a woman who shares her opinions out loud.

“You can call me a unicorn.”

As a journalist I would have thought I cannot be shocked. I work with different people from all walks of life on a daily basis.

I meet people when they share their most jubilant news, their saddest news, their hardest news and sometimes I have the opportunity to just write about our extraordinary readers who share with readers who they are.

One such a person is Viv Vermaak, but extraordinary simply is not enough to describe this Edenvale Radio DJ who is also known for her YouTube channel Viv Se Stoep.

She is a former journalist, traveller and was a host of the South African travel television series, Going Nowhere Slowly, which according to Wikipedia, attained “cult status as it followed a number of off-beat travellers as they cruise across Southern Africa, in an old American muscle car (usually a 1966 Chevrolet Impala known as the Chilli Pepper). Along the way, the characters share their thoughts and experiences, many times ending up in sticky situations, such as running out of gas, falling out of moving cars and with the occasional injury, they move through the least travelled spots to find the unique and crazy people who bring the magic to those destinations.”

I was left flabbergasted by her appearance and tendency to say whatever she wants without a filter.

She is known at the local radio station for her manic hairstyles and colour (these do not include the conventional blonde and brunette).

In a one-on-one with Viv, I felt somewhat awkward, especially upon being told she wants to be the first de-motivational speaker. Huh?

I asked about her “bubbly” personality and what inspires her.

“My bubbly personality probably comes from a dark side. My mind never stops. I’ve learnt, in life, that thoughts don’t count if you don’t do them. And words don’t count if you don’t say them.

“Because my head is so busy and the madness stays inside, I’ve learnt that if I have something to say, I write it down. My videos come from my thoughts. Thoughts are useless – you must do something. (Just) words are useless – you must say them,” she said.

Viv Se Stoep is to simply share her opinion.

“I really don’t think there is a purpose in life nor a meaning in life. If there is anything it (Viv Se Stoep) can bring, it would be to detect bull and cracking myths,” said Viv.

In addition, she said her mission for this year would be to become South Africa’s first de-motivational speaker, whereby she wants to show that, what other speakers have covered, make individuals believe what is not true.

“Speakers have caused people to be unhappy because they’re telling people they should be happy. Happiness is not a reward and its not a reality, happiness just is.

“Am I going to help other people? I don’t care – I’m not here to address people,” she said.

Viv’s videos are enjoyed by many who feel she is authentic and keeps it real.

“I use to be quite famous on the travel show, Going Nowhere Slowly. The thing people liked the most was that they wanted to be like me because I was being myself. Who else would I be?” she asked.

She also said the “very clever people” enjoy her videos while others feel offended.

“But that is always a good thing.”

Viv, although a complex human being at first, is also a barefoot woman, on a stoep, who has a solid opinion. What you see is what you get.

“It is also important to remember that no matter where you travel, it’s somebody else’s backyard. We have so much in Ekurhuleni, so spend your dollars here and not in Sandton, because travel happens in your head so start with your own backyard.”

Catch Viv on Edenvale’s radio station, EdenRad (AM frequency 1350) on Fridays from 9.30am.

#YourStory

Go to Viv Se Stoep

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