Ever wondered who’s pulling the strings behind the hilarious and delightful Facebook page Step Out Gauteng? Meet Leon and Lyana Petzer, the dynamic duo whose combined wit and humour could charm the pants off anyone (metaphorically, of course).
By day, they are your average nine-to-fivers. Leon Petzer crunching numbers as an accounts administrator. His wife Lyana an HR manager. But by night, they transform into the masterminds behind Step Out Gauteng … the unfiltered, laugh-out-loud page we’ve come to know and love.
It all started when Leon used to post funny reviews on their local community Facebook group. People didn’t just like his posts … they like-liked them! It made him realise that people wanted – and needed – a little light-heartedness in their day to day. And, what better way to give the people what they want than launching a page dedicated to just general jolliness?
It’s been five years, and the page is thriving. Think more than 50k followers and counting. What keeps the likes streaming in? After all, neither of them are pro-writers … they just say what they think in plain, relatable, funny posts and reviews. But they’ve been doing so well that they’ve expanded their team to eight witty writers.
As for the haters, Leon says; “Facebook has this amazing little button that blocks people who think their opinion is the only one that matters. In my mind, I hear a toilet flush when I block them.”
Leon is the chief clown and wordsmith, while Lyana is the spellchecker and post gatekeeper … often saving her husband from his wildest courtroom-worthy ideas!
“We’ve come to love discovering hidden gems in the area. Despite being a small province, it’s bursting with things to do and see. One could even go on a mini-vacation without leaving the province and feel like you’re a million miles away. Some of our fave adventures include ziplining, white water rafting, clay pigeon shooting, and escape rooms.”
At home, Leon and Lyana admit, they are nothing like their online personas. After work, they’re in PJs faster than you can say Netflix and chill. Leon, a self-proclaimed chef, loves whipping up dinner while Lyana entertains their hyper dachshunds, Moo and Mia.
In their downtime, they like fixing up their home, because new homeowners know the work never ends. And, when Leon isn’t cooking, he gardens. In fact, he’s got the impressive ability to keep plants alive for at least a month after purchase (talk about having green thumbs). Lyana, on the other hand, loves baking and sharing her sweet creations with friends and family. “Oh, and both of us are equally talented in avoiding the gym and blocking spam calls.” Leon laughs.
As for the West Rand … well, they deem it exceptionally diverse. “One could use words like bustling, secluded, vibrant, quaint, lush, exotic, sleek, historic and even mythical and yet your mind will still be able to link it to the West Rand and its people in some way or the other. And that’s what we love about it so much.”
So, there you have it. A regular couple by day, online wits by night, and probably the most relatable couple you’ll ever virtually meet.
Details: Follow Step Out Gauteng on Facebook.
Leon and Lyana’s must-visit list
Silverstar Casino Us West Randers take this venue for granted. They have excellent dining options as well as entertainment. It’s the perfect place for a date night which could include some great food, a show at Barnyard Theatre, arcade games and a movie. Yes, arcade games are even more fun as an adult.
Antique Shack Muldersdrift This is a hidden gem in the West. It features a garden centre, coffee shop, succulent nursery, thrift shop, art exhibitions and even a dam for a quick ‘catch and release’. It’s also great to host a party or a get-together with the family. Just an overall nice place to spend a morning or afternoon.
The Donkey Dairy You get to interact with the cutest of animals … mini goats, mini donkeys, mini cows and basically mini-everything-else which all adds up to big fun. The bottle feedings are an experience you and your kids will not soon forget. Make sure you have space on your phone because you will be snapping away all the time!
Lock, Stock & Beer A new addition to the West Rand. If you are after a vibey, lively atmosphere with plenty of live music and events throughout the week, this is the place to be. Much more than just a watering hole … the food is exceptional, too.
Canopy Tours Magalies Ziplining, yet so much more. Sure, the experience of zipping over a canyon from side to side is exhilarating, but what struck us was the pristine beauty of the area, especially the gorge itself that hosts a stream with water so clear you can hardly see it.
Cradle Gin Garden We are not big drinkers by any stretch of the imagination, but the gin-tasting experience at Cradle Gin in Harties is absolutely worth the drive. Take our suggestion and do the gin tray for two and make sure to not leave with a bottle of the Wild Cucumber Gin. You can thank us later.
