There is a phrase many South Africans will recognise: “Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie.” It roughly translates to “They don’t know what we know”.
However, the meaning goes beyond the words. It speaks to the things South Africans understand through experience, the resilience, creativity, humour and determination that can be difficult to explain to someone looking in from the outside.
It is also a fitting phrase for "What We Know", a new four-part documentary series from Red Bull in collaboration with South African Tourism.
Launching during Tourism Month, the series asks a simple question: what is it about South Africa that produces people capable of competing and winning on the world stage?
The series brings together an unlikely mix of South Africans, including Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, Proteas stars Kagiso Rabada, Temba Bavuma and Laura Wolvaardt, MotoGP rider Brad Binder, surfer Jordy Smith, mountain-bike champion Greg Minnaar and spinning champion Samkeliso “Sam Sam” Thubane.
It is a question that feels particularly relevant when looking at South Africa’s recent sporting record. The Springboks secured back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories in 2019 and 2023, Dricus du Plessis became the first South African to win a UFC title in 2024, while Chad le Clos has continued to make his mark internationally after winning Olympic and World Championship gold.
The Proteas added another major achievement in 2025 when they won the World Test Championship.
But "What We Know" is less interested in simply celebrating the wins than in asking what sits behind them.
Hosted by comedian, actor, presenter and storyteller Eugene Khoza, the series follows him on a road trip across South Africa as he meets athletes, gamers, musicians, influencers, fans and everyday South Africans.
Across four 24-minute episodes, Khoza travels through different communities and landscapes while looking at the people and experiences that have helped shape some of the country's most successful individuals.
It also gives tourism a slightly different lens.
Rather than relying solely on familiar images of beaches, wildlife and scenic landscapes, "What We Know" puts people at the centre. The places matter, but so do the communities, cultures and everyday experiences behind them.
For South African Tourism, that connection between people and place is an important part of the collaboration.
Chief Marketing Officer at South African Tourism, Sithembile Ndaba said: “Our greatest asset is also our people.”
She said the series creates an opportunity to tell stories of South Africans’ “resilience”, “creativity” and ability to achieve “against the odds”.
That brings the idea of “Hulle weet nie wat ons weet nie” into sharper focus. What may look like success from the outside often has a much longer story behind it – one involving family, community, culture, setbacks and the places where people grew up.
"What We Know" sets out to explore those stories while also showing the South Africa behind them.
The series premieres on SABC 1 and SABC+ on Thursday, September 24, at 10pm.
bernelee.vollmer@nationalmg.co.za