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Meet the Survivors...
21/08/2006 07:50 - (SA)
Johannesburg - The 14 people chosen to take part in Survivor South Africa: Panama are back - all with alibis to cover why they dropped out of their normal lives.
The 14 contestants - chosen from 18 000 who applied to take part in one of the toughest reality shows yet - left for Panama at the beginning of June under a veil of secrecy.
They returned to South Africa a couple of weeks ago, with only close family and friends knowing what was going on.
The 14 prepared alibis to avert the suspicion of people who noticed their sudden disappearance, weight loss and tell-tale insect-bite blemishes.
The alibis ranged from exotic holidays to overseas yoga camps and business trips.
After concealing their identities for many months, M-Net has released their names. They are:
Brigitte Willers, 24, a sports model who grew up in Ermelo and now lives in Auckland Park, Johannesburg. Brigitte was named the FHM model of the year in 2005 and voted the 56th sexiest woman in the world by readers of the magazine this year;
Danielle Vukic, 35, a photographic producer from Green Point, Cape Town, who admits she's a wild, fun-loving kugel who loves pampering and luxuries;
Don Soper, 54, who is a businessman from Hurlingham Manor, Johannesburg, and who attended the SA Naval Academy. He has taken part in several international yacht races;
Gareth Tjasink, 26, a medical intern at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, who is well known as the Archers Aqua man. He also had a brief acting stint on Egoli. Gareth studied at the University of Cape Town and lives in Sunninghill, Johannesburg;
Jacinda Louw, 25, an entrepreneur from Bedfordview, Johannesburg, with an emerald belt in kickboxing, was a Miss SA finalist and is a professional Latin American dancer, part-time model and professional make-up artist who also runs a finishing school for kids;
Jude Wilken, 39, who is a hostage negotiator and police platoon commander. This body-language expert, who won a gold medal and two silver medals at the World Police and Fire games in Indianapolis, lives in Kempton Park;
Lezel Crook, 28, a tomboy attorney from Cape Town who has represented South Africa at volleyball. She has travelled the world and lived in Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Cayman Islands;
Mzi Tyhokolo, 31, an energy advisor for a big fuel company, grew up in the Free State towns of Bethulie and Welkom and now lives in Honeydew Ridge, Johannesburg. He holds a BSc honours degree and has a vast general knowledge;
Ncumisa Ngcaweni, 30, an NGO skills trainer from Cape Town, who strives to change people's lives for the better. She is involved in a number of projects helping teenagers and young people;
Nico Hinis, 43, who is a chain-smoking restaurateur and first-rate chef from Parkhurst, Johannesburg;
Sam Allerton, 30, who is a sculptor from from Hogsback in the Eastern Cape who now spends most of his time in Cape Town. He won the Men's Health Look competition in 2005.
Sanele Gumede, 27, who is a level-headed brand manager who grew up in Durban but now lives close to work, in Sandton, Johannesburg;
Vanessa Marawa, 27, who is a beautiful estate agent who moved back to Durban after a highly successful modelling stint in Cape Town; and
Zayn Nabbi, 23, who is an outspoken rugby writer working for the Daily News in Durban. He's a devoted Catholic.
Carl Fischer, M-Net's head of original productions, says the contestants were hand-picked to turn the country's first Survivor series into an unforgettable television experience.
"They are attractive, strong characters from different walks of life who will each bring interesting dynamics to the show.
"As in every Survivor series, the mix of personality types in an unfamiliar environment is the fuse that ignites the explosions."
The intense Survivor South Africa selection process included on-camera interviews, medical check-ups and various psychometric and physical tests.
Starts on September 3
The series was shot on the Pearl Islands and is a co-production between Endemol South Africa and the Swedish company, Strix, which has been involved in many of the international versions of the programme.
To date, more than 100 series of Survivor have been produced by 35 countries.
Survivor South Africa: Panama starts on Sunday, September 3 at 18:00 on M-Net's Open Time.
- News24
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South Africa
