Schalk Bezuidenhout stars in SA remake of The Office, now streaming on Showmax

Beloved Ballito stand-up comic Schalk Bezuidenhout is returning to his acting roots in the highly anticipated South African adaptation of The Office.

The Showmax Original, titled Die Kantoor, swaps out a paper company for a meat-processing firm but retains the awkward workplace dynamics that made the British and American versions so popular. Schalk plays Tjaart, the bumbling number two to Flip, portrayed by Albert Pretorius – and also served as a writer on the show.

“Bennie Fourie got the opportunity to develop the show as head writer and called me in to help,” said Schalk, who had previously worked with Fourie on Hotel, among other projects.

“We really leaned into writing quite an outrageous character in Tjaart. I didn’t want ‘Schalk the comedian’ to be recognisable at all.”

While Tjaart loosely mirrors the roles of Gareth and Dwight from previous versions, Schalk says the writing team worked hard to ensure the show stands on its own.

“When people heard we were doing The Office, a lot thought it would be a straight remake, but it’s not like that at all,” he said.

Die Kantoor premiered on kykNET on Sunday and launched on Showmax on Tuesday. New episodes will be released weekly.

Since wrapping up the show, Schalk has returned his focus to stand-up. He is currently workshopping his new comedy special, Hey Hey Divorcé, with a week of sold-out performances at Durban High School. The show – inspired by his 2024 divorce – will tour Europe and Australasia over the coming months.

“It’s quite a funny and complicated story,” he said.

“I moved to Ballito as one half of a couple, and then became single again. Most people thought I’d move back to Joburg or Cape Town, but there’s just something about Ballito. I spend so little time at home anyway, but it’s nice being by the sea when I do.”

For tour details, visit schalkbezuidenhout.com.

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