Rock star treatment in Newcastle!
And that wasn’t the only surprise. Demure Natarah Nadesan stunned Darren Maule by channelling her inner rock chick. With a thumbs up and broad smile, Natarah zoomed off into the sunset (okay, okay, it was mid-afternoon), on the back of a powerful bike. Who would’ve thought!
Afterwards, still on a buzz, she said, “The ride was absolutely thrilling! Darren thought I’d be too scared to jump on the bike but he was wrong!
"The bright red Honda, nicknamed 'The Beast', was driven by adrenaline junkie Sergio so you can imagine the just how wild that bike ride was! Would I do it again? In a heartbeat, YES!”
East Coast Breakfast crew thrills Newcastle (and vice versa)
Darren got to pack his own brand of wicked and wild too. He treated listeners to a side-splitting comedy evening at the Mid City Grill, Black Rock Casino last night. They came, saw, laughed their “peep” off and took selfies.
This morning, the team broadcast from the Village Mall shopping centre. The people of Newcastle more than made up for the chilly nine degree morning with their love and warmth.
Bundled up to the hilt in scarves, jackets and even blankies, Darren and Natarah soaked up the love and attention as listeners came over to say hello and share a cup of coffee and a muffin. Darren was bundled up underneath too, as these pics reveal!
The mayor of Newcastle, Afzul Rehman, stylish and dapper as usual, came around too, welcoming the team to Newcastle. He revealed he would’ve been a movie star if he wasn’t in politics!
While scores of people turned up at the broadcast, only one walked away with R2 000 in cash – and was just 10 years old! Llewellyn Govender did his Lennoxton Primary School proud, when he nailed the special edition Kids’ Grand Challenge, winning R2 000! What a champ!
Local historian, Louis Eksteen, who’s also the Museum Curator at Fort Amiel, gave Darren a brief history lesson about Newcastle and surrounds. Michelle Apperley got Darren to put on a pink bra as part of her drive to raise awareness for cancer. Local sport, weather, food and of course, people, summed up this fourth stop on the East Coast Radio Breakfast Tour.
Yesterday, they met old friends and made new ones in Nottingham Road and stunt guy K-K-K-Kevin, may’ve made an other-worldly acquaintance, judging from his infrared camera footage from the most haunted room in KZN – No. 10 Notties Hotel.
This afternoon the tour heads to Pietermaritzburg, for a Shisa Nyama experience and party at 033 Lifestyle.
Tomorrow, the live broadcast happens out the PMB City Hall!
For now though, goodbye Newcastle.
“Thank you for your superb hospitality, your love, warmth and genuineness! Love you guys!” says Darren yes-I-wore-long-johns Maule.