Rianza Snyman on Vaal Riviera and being a stay-at-home mom

Vaal Riviera has been streaming on Showmax for three weeks, and the drama is heating up. The series follows four families from the Vaal Triangle as their lives collide in unexpected ways.

From POP24, the producers of The Mommy Club: Van Die Hoofstad, which became the most-watched Afrikaans show on Showmax, Vaal Riviera brings all the right ingredients for binge-worthy TV. It’s not just entertaining; it’s packed with grit, bold personalities, race cars, family bonds and plenty of twists.

Watch the trailer for Vaal Riviera

The four families at the heart of Vaal Riviera are the Arangies, the Snymans, the Deysels and the Swarts. They are all bold, proudly local Afrikaans families navigating love, loyalty, legacy and loads of drama on the banks of the Vaal River.

We caught up with Rianza, the matriarch of the Snymans, who gave us the inside scoop on the show, her family and more. 

Why did you decide to join the show?

I joined Vaal Riviera because it was an opportunity to step into something new. I mean, why not let the world be part of your everyday chaos? If I’m going to be tripping over toys, refereeing arguments and laughing through the madness, at least now it’s documented. Plus, deep down I knew my story might connect with others.

As a stay-at-home mom, most of my world has revolved around my kids and supporting my husband in his career. This show gave me the chance to show another side of myself and share my journey as a mom and supportive wife.

How has it been watching yourself and your family on television?

It’s been surreal seeing our lives unfold on screen. At first, it felt unusual to watch myself and my family from the outside, but it’s also been special. It’s like watching a home video but with better lighting and more people judging you. Sometimes I cringe, sometimes I laugh and sometimes I’m yelling at the screen like, “Girl, why did you just say that?”. All in all, it’s kind of beautiful in a perfectly imperfect way.

What have you learned about yourself through filming the show?

I’ve learned that I’m stronger than I thought and that it’s okay to be vulnerable. Balancing motherhood, marriage and filming pushed me out of my comfort zone and I discovered that I can handle more than I imagined while staying true to myself. Oh, I also learnt that I make pretty questionable faces when I’m stressed and maybe a little more dramatic than I thought, but hey, that’s good TV, right?

What’s more challenging, being a stay-at-home mom or reality television?

Being a stay-at-home mom wins hands down. Reality TV gives you breaks, like producers saying cut, but there’s no cut button when your toddler is having a meltdown at 6AM. Being a mom is 24/7, no commercials, no snack breaks. Unless you count the ones you hide in the pantry.

What were some of the challenges you faced during filming the show?

My biggest challenge was balancing it all, making sure my kids felt secure, supporting my husband and still allowing myself to open up. There were moments where I had to remind myself that it’s okay not to be perfect and showing the real side of life is what makes the story authentic.

Why should people watch the show?

People should watch the show because it’s real life with a sense of humour. You’ll see love, chaos, laughter and maybe even a few tears. You’ll probably say, “Wow, that’s my family too.“ Plus, if nothing else, you can say, “at least my family isn’t that crazy.“ 

We all have different stories and different backgrounds coming together in one space. It’s entertaining, but it also shows the raw and honest sides of family and friendship.

What are you hoping viewers take from your story?

I want people to see that families don’t have to be perfect to be worth celebrating. Life is messy, loud and unpredictable, but there’s so much love in the middle of all of it. I hope people can see that even as a stay-at-home mom, your story matters. Life doesn’t have to be glamorous to be meaningful and that it’s okay to grow, stumble, and keep moving forward in your own unique way.

Who do you think should watch the show?

Anyone with a family, or anyone who’s ever survived a family dinner. Parents, kids, grandparents, basically anyone who ever thought “my family is nuts”, then this show is for you, which, let’s be honest, is everyone.