Jano van der Berg, a familiar face on the South African music scene, is also a man with a rather unusual side hustle – he's an undertaker!
Yes, you read that right. This talented musician juggles his passion for music with the solemn responsibility of preparing the deceased for their final farewell.
Van der Berg, who is featured in the new Showmax reality TV show "Die Ondernemers", admits that balancing his two careers isn't always easy, but he makes it work.
"I'm passionate about music and undertaking, so I take turns with each," he explains.
"There are times when undertaking is my sole focus, and there are times when music is what I focus on. They work hand-in-hand because in both I have to read the crowd and know what to do next."
While some might find this combination of careers unusual, van der Berg says he finds both deeply fulfilling. He's quick to dispel the common misconception that undertakers are in it for the money.
"The biggest misconception I have heard about undertakers is that we're in it for the money and that we don't care about the well-being of the people we're assisting. That's not true. We go out of our way to give people excellent service in their time of need."
But his work isn't without its challenges. Van der Berg reveals a chilling experience from five years ago: "The scariest thing I have experienced as an undertaker happened to me while working on a corpse, prepping it for the next day. As I was dressing the corpse, it literally grabbed my hand – twice."
He encourages viewers to watch "Die Ondernemers" to gain a better understanding of the work that undertakers do. "People should watch 'Die Ondernemers' to understand and appreciate what we, as undertakers, go through to make their loved ones' funerals dignified. There's a lot that goes into the job – it's not just physical, it's also mental."
