“Mad Mags” settles back in Durban
It’s been three years since we last heard Mags van der Westhuizen’s infectious laugh over the airwaves, but the former radio DJ and reality television star has much to celebrate since her recent move back to the East Coast, writes Penny Fourie.
Boasting a CV that reads like every girl’s fantasy job list, Mags’s recent venture to head up a marketing company and bring new brands and products to the regional marketplace heralds a new career high for the former Big Brother housemate.
“After spending five years co-hosting and producing the Rush Hour Ride with Damon Beard, I moved to Cape Town to join the largest independent radio station in South Africa. However, fate had a different plan for me and I left after a year to continue work in the entertainment industry in Johannesburg only to return to KwaZulu-Natal, my place of origin, two years later.”
When Mags walks into a room, people notice. At 5’10 she doesn’t exactly blend in, but it’s that laugh that draws everyone’s attention. Her quick rise to fame really began in 2001 when she came into the public spotlight on the first season of DStv’s reality television show, Big Brother. The show took the country by storm and earned her the affectionate name of “Mad Mags” .
“The entertainment industry is tough and changes constantly, so it’s important to keep reinventing yourself. That’s my advice to those trying to get into TV or radio. Never get into a venture that doesn’t trigger your passion. Having a dream helps you to move forward. But it’s not only about money and fame.”
Sun-kissed
While her career may seem to be a happy result of timely opportunities, it hasn’t all been sun-kissed and simple. For the girl born in Matatiele, it’s more about drawing on her inner reserves when the going gets tough and never having any regrets.
“Your dreams are your own and no one else can make it happen for you. It gets tough and it’s lonely but as difficult as it may seem, giving up on your dreams is not an option. It’s worth walking through the fear and I believe it’s the hard times that make us stronger. In the end we become better people.”
Not one to shy away from challenges, in 2005 Mags was part of an all women team who climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in a bid to raise R1 million for Highway Hospice. “I’m always up for a challenge and was motivated to be part of that expedition because it was for a cause in which I passionately believe.”
Asked if there were a special man in her life, she teases: “I have one man in my life and that’s my little Dachshund, Roberto Cavalli, a German dog with an Italian name.”
What’s her healthy hobby? Mags snubs the gym in favour of her current craze, learning to surf. “You get to be part of Mother Nature and experience its power. It’s really an amazing experience and I have great respect for the ocean.
I think I really became a lot happier when I realised that, as corny as it sounds, the simplest things in life have made me happy.The relationships you have with family and friends make you happy.”
Never short of madcap humour, the contagious laughter is still as resounding as ever and with a twinkle in her eye it’s hard not to feel pleased that Durban’s prodigal daughter has returned.
“I think my family prayed me back to Durban. I feel blessed to be home.”
2 Comments
I always like ‘Mad Mags’, she seems like such a real person. Who’d want to go to Joburg anyway, Durbs is where it’s happening.
Exactly, Durbs is the growth area, the area with the weather, it’s all happening on the North Coast. Who would want to live anywhere else?