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South Africa’s adopted son, Jason Vanporppal, has returned to the Motherland, and this time he plans to take his time exploring the country, its people and food.
The US skateboarder and internet personality won our hearts when he skateboarded across Africa, starting in Kampala, Uganda, and ending in Cape Town in May. About 6,000km later, he raised funds to build a skatepark for disadvantaged children in Uganda.
But like everyone who visits Cape Town, he promised to return, and that he did. Following a gruelling 30-hour flight from LA with stopovers in Istanbul and Joburg, he finally made it to the Mother City.
His reason was simple. “I’m able to run, to skate, connect with the people who I’ve met before… I’m going to be doing some with organisations,” he quipped in an IG video. And we don’t blame him. Because who can deny the beauty of a Cape Town sunset or the genuine warmth of South Africans?
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Fill it to the top
The last time Jason was in the Mother City, he got around on a skateboard. Now, he’s swapped four small wheels for much larger ones. He didn’t account for the petrol price. Someone should have warned him.
Getting behind the wheel of a car in Cape Town came with a lot of “firsts,” including his first time “filling up on gas.” Like with all his experiences, Jason documented it.
With his pal Mitch, he pulled into the garage. Unsure of what comes next, he tells the petrol attendant, “I need petrol; I just need to fill it up to the top.” When the attendant confirms, “Fill up”, he turns to Mitch and asks, “That’s it? He just does it?” Obviously, mind blown.
An excited Jason tells the attendant that it’s his first time getting petrol, and that he’s making a documentary. Can we take a second to appreciate the lightbulb moment when Yazeed (the attendant) made the connection about why Jason looks familiar? Now that’s Cape Town hospitality at its most wholesome (shout-out to Yazeed for repping).
The awe didn’t stop there. Jason tells another attendant, “It’s my first day getting my window washed.” Shame, and then he got hit with the cost of filling up: R694.90. A visibly shooketh Jason says, “WTF, am I back in the States?” He jokingly asks if he can drive off without paying.
READ: Jason Vanporppal scam drama takes unusual turn
Petrol price relief on the horizon
Yes, Jason, we feel your pain. As South Africans, we’ve been through the most, including the petrol price hikes. The current petrol price for November is R29.37 per litre (unleaded) in coastal regions.
Wait, we haven’t mentioned Gauteng yet. Be prepared to cough up R30.24 per litre once you get to Johannesburg. If we’re lucky, motorists will receive some relief in December. Based on projections by the Central Energy Fund (CEF), the prices of both grades of petrol will decrease by R1.82 per litre.
Driving a diesel vehicle? Sorry for you; it’ll only get worse.
It’s not all doom and gloom. You could always take a taxi or get back on the skateboard, right? P.S. Thanks for the Thirst Trap Thursday Story :)
Follow Jason Vanporppal on Instagram for his latest South African escapades.
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