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Cape Town - In the latest season of Survivor SA, Survivor South Africa: Champions, international sporting legends Mark Fish and Corne Krige will lead two tribes through the trials and tribulations of a life without luxuries on a deserted island.
But who will their tribe mates be, and where in the world will this epic battle take place?
Two weeks prior to the series' launch on Sunday, 19 January at 17:30 M-Net has revealed the names of the tough, devious and cunning Survivor contestants who're in for the adventure of a lifetime, somewhere in the South China Sea.
The tough guys:
SOLLY MATHIBA (32)
Sports Manager
Solly is a street-smart, athletic sportsman who grew up in Hillbrow, studied at RAU and is now the Sports Manager of a country club in small-town Kathu in the Northern Cape. One of his best-loved playgrounds is the gym. He also managed gym franchises in Johannesburg, and while his imposing rugby body poses a physical threat to men, he loves the company of strong women.
ZAN LANG (24)
Vehicle salesman
This sexy Umtata-born bad boy is not your typical jock, but his tattoo-covered gym-honed body is hard to ignore. Zan is a car sales executive who’s always been obsessed with swimming and the big blue ocean. He represented Eastern Province at the SA Games in swimming in 2005 and is a scuba dive master who also loves fishing. Add to that the ability to speak fluent Xhosa and a chef qualification and the hunky castaway becomes even more intriguing...
ZAVION KOTZE (24)
Wedding Planner
Zavion hits the stereotypical image of an out-and-proud gay wedding planner for six. He has been the SA Student Decathlon Champion for the past four years and trained for the Sharks Rugby Academy under-21 side. But in contrast to ladies’ man Solly and bad boy Zan, Zavion is a go-getter former Kearsney College Head Boy and a people-pleaser with an artistic side. As you would expect from a wedding planner everything must be perfect, maybe too perfect.
The smart ones:
GRAHAM JENNEKER (28)
Financial Manager
Graham is a charming, ambitious all-rounder and analytical thinker who is as comfortable behind the books as he is on the sports field. Newly-promoted at a major bank, Graham already has two degrees and is studying towards a third. At school he played provincial hockey and basketball and loved being on stage, acting in dramas. All moms would love to have him as a son-in-law, but he’s taken - by his girlfriend of ten years.
SIVU XABANISA (23)
Astrophysics Student
If you’re an astrophysics post-graduate student, you have to be smart - very smart. Khayelitsha-born Sivu is indeed the show’s ‘nerd’, believing that education is the key to everything - on the condition that you use that key. He taught himself how to swim and is busy learning the rules of tennis.
The strong ladies:
KILLARNEY JONES (44)
Martial Artist
You don’t want to mess with this strong-minded, focused lady with the body of a twenty year-old. Killarney has been practicing martial arts from a young age, competed internationally, has black belts in various disciplines and has also climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. Yet, she knows how to balance the yin and the yang. Although she’s not married, family is very important to her – and to top it off, she boasts a degree in Fine Arts.
MARSHA WESSELS (40)
Army Sports Officer
Anyone who has completed 10 Iron Man challenges deserves the utmost respect. Military lady Marsha Wessels also boasts Protea Colours in Duathlon and Triathlon and is used to keeping army officers in tip-top shape. She’s been with the SANDF for 22 years. In her line of work, a tough exterior, stability and strong principles are important - but when she goes home, she’s the loving mother of three.
The action freaks:
ALTAAF SHEIK (29)
SAAF Helicopter Pilot
Altaaf, born and bred in Durban, always wanted to be a helicopter pilot and made his big dream come true by joining the SAAF. His other passion is sport - and on that front, became the first Indian person to play rugby for the SAAF. The fast full-back and wing also completed the Air Force’s survival course with flying colours.
PHILIP DICKSON (32)
Fire Fighter
To be a firefighter and paramedic means you have to be tough, fast and fearless. This KZN hero has all of that, plus a beautiful voice. Before graduating in the Top 5 of his class, Philip sang in a church band in the USA. Among his other hobbies, he counts fishing, running and training and to prepare for Survivor SA, he studied game theory.
Not just a pretty face:
STEPHEN WALKER (25)
Business Analyst
Drop-dead gorgeous Stephen belongs on the pages of a fashion magazine. In fact, he’s long-since ticked off that item on his bucket list. Stephen’s been in advertisements for top luxury brands such as Dolce & Gabbana and Armani and has strutted international catwalks. Not satisfied with resting on his chiseled laurels, he’s superseded his modeling career with an impressive CV. The UCT Engineering graduate and current Business Analyst is also a commercial diver and former game ranger with provincial colours in water polo.
MARIAN DE VOS (25)
Entrepreneur
On the surface she’s a well-groomed, pretty girl with a penchant for fashion – but Marian is the ultimate Survivor fan: a devious manipulator who secretly plots and schemes to get what she wants. Marion studied fashion at the College of Fashion Design in Cape Town and moved to Johannesburg two years ago to start her own business – The Doll Box.
ASHLEIGH BRYANT (22)
High School Teacher
Fresh-faced 22-year old Ashleigh looks as if she could still be in high school herself. Appearances can be deceiving, though - she’s the mother of an 18-month-old son and does podium dancing in her spare time. Ashleigh studied with the help of a bursary and intense tenacity: first a BA in Film, Ballet and Choreography before following up with a teaching diploma. The sexy flirt from Cape Town says she always gets what she wants – either by wrapping people around her little finger, or by plain hard work.
Girls Next Door:
GENA ALKANA (29)
PR Manager
Vivacious Gena is the type of girl you want to be friends with – but would you want to play Survivor with her? She has worked in film and fashion and loves people and the outdoors. If she could ask for one wish from a genie, she would ask to bring love to kids in an orphanage. In fact, she’d love to run an orphanage herself. Gena comes from a close-knit family. Her dad taught her how to tie a variety of complex knots for Survivor.
VEL BODIBA (26)
Actress
Gorgeous and petite, Vel has starred in films on Mzansi Magic and AfricaMagic. But she also has a tomboyish streak and often swaps her stilettos for designer sneakers. She has a Code 14 and bike license and runs her dad’s vehicle testing station in Hammanskraal. Vel was born in Pretoria, went to arts school Pro Arte in Alphen Park and is proud of her Tswana heritage.
People who love People:
BUHLE MADLALA (35)
Entrepreneur
Self-employed events planner and entrepreneur Buhle holds a Social Sciences Degree from the University of Natal. This strong-willed Zulu-speaking mother won’t stand for anything fake, but is always willing to lend a helping hand. She has run a certified Project Management business that was involved in the 2010 Soccer World Cup – she’s a keen soccer player herself! From humble beginnings, Buhle has become a global citizen who now regularly travels to diverse destinations across Europe, China, Canada and the African continent.
MOYRA MAKINA (34)
HR Director
HR Directors are known for their diplomacy, emotional intelligence, mediation and negotiation skills - and Moyra is no exception. Apart from sporting an Honours degree in Industrial Psychology, Moyra is an avid marathon runner who has completed the Two Oceans marathon. Living a healthy, balanced life is a priority for this vegetarian. Her kitchen has been meat-free for the last seventeen years.
Quirky Characters:
DAVID DE WET (53)
Farrier
David, the oldest contestant on Survivor South Africa to date, is not your average ‘old toppie’. He shoes race horses and show horses for a living – a job he’s done since his army days - which were a long time ago. He has never been married, has no kids and has never consumed alcohol or smoked cigarettes. David is a fun-loving motor-mouth with an odd sense of humour. You’d never say so at first glance, but he loves meditation and reading and prefers books about History and Neurology.
SHONA MACDONALD (24)
Accounts Manager
Shona is the quintessential ditzy blonde. She knows people think she’s an airhead and can’t help but meet their expectations. If you’re looking for a class-act class clown, look no further. To prepare for the game she had a gel pedicure and gave herself a fake tan. Shona also read “The Art of War” and packed a wind-up radio, in case the Survivors were allowed to take a luxury item into the game. There’s almost no end to the wacky repertoire of this natural-born cheerleader.
SONETTE MYBURGH (40)
Mortuary Assistant
The last-born of eight kids, animal lover Sonette wanted to be a veterinarian after obtaining two distinctions in Matric. Instead, she had to settle for a job as Mortuary Assistant. She’s been preparing the deceased for their final resting place for the last 23 years, but is adventurous in her spare time. She plays women’s rugby and has tried her luck on TV game show Noot Vir Noot, making it to the final round. She is also an amateur astrologist who knows almost everything about the Zodiac.
Mystery Man:
SHANE HATTINGH (42)
Media Salesman
Who is the real Shane Hattingh? This fascinating media salesman’s CV reads like the biography of a character in a modern television drama. He designed shoes; worked in counter-intelligence in Afghanistan; hiked the Rocky mountains on his own as a youngster; is completely in control of his emotions; loves women; reads people; lost 20 kgs in the last eight months, prefers the battlefield to the concrete jungle; has ADD, and calls himself “a bit of a nutcase”.
But who will their tribe mates be, and where in the world will this epic battle take place?
Two weeks prior to the series' launch on Sunday, 19 January at 17:30 M-Net has revealed the names of the tough, devious and cunning Survivor contestants who're in for the adventure of a lifetime, somewhere in the South China Sea.
The tough guys:
SOLLY MATHIBA (32)
Sports Manager
Solly is a street-smart, athletic sportsman who grew up in Hillbrow, studied at RAU and is now the Sports Manager of a country club in small-town Kathu in the Northern Cape. One of his best-loved playgrounds is the gym. He also managed gym franchises in Johannesburg, and while his imposing rugby body poses a physical threat to men, he loves the company of strong women.
ZAN LANG (24)
Vehicle salesman
This sexy Umtata-born bad boy is not your typical jock, but his tattoo-covered gym-honed body is hard to ignore. Zan is a car sales executive who’s always been obsessed with swimming and the big blue ocean. He represented Eastern Province at the SA Games in swimming in 2005 and is a scuba dive master who also loves fishing. Add to that the ability to speak fluent Xhosa and a chef qualification and the hunky castaway becomes even more intriguing...
ZAVION KOTZE (24)
Wedding Planner
Zavion hits the stereotypical image of an out-and-proud gay wedding planner for six. He has been the SA Student Decathlon Champion for the past four years and trained for the Sharks Rugby Academy under-21 side. But in contrast to ladies’ man Solly and bad boy Zan, Zavion is a go-getter former Kearsney College Head Boy and a people-pleaser with an artistic side. As you would expect from a wedding planner everything must be perfect, maybe too perfect.
The smart ones:
GRAHAM JENNEKER (28)
Financial Manager
Graham is a charming, ambitious all-rounder and analytical thinker who is as comfortable behind the books as he is on the sports field. Newly-promoted at a major bank, Graham already has two degrees and is studying towards a third. At school he played provincial hockey and basketball and loved being on stage, acting in dramas. All moms would love to have him as a son-in-law, but he’s taken - by his girlfriend of ten years.
SIVU XABANISA (23)
Astrophysics Student
If you’re an astrophysics post-graduate student, you have to be smart - very smart. Khayelitsha-born Sivu is indeed the show’s ‘nerd’, believing that education is the key to everything - on the condition that you use that key. He taught himself how to swim and is busy learning the rules of tennis.
The strong ladies:
KILLARNEY JONES (44)
Martial Artist
You don’t want to mess with this strong-minded, focused lady with the body of a twenty year-old. Killarney has been practicing martial arts from a young age, competed internationally, has black belts in various disciplines and has also climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. Yet, she knows how to balance the yin and the yang. Although she’s not married, family is very important to her – and to top it off, she boasts a degree in Fine Arts.
MARSHA WESSELS (40)
Army Sports Officer
Anyone who has completed 10 Iron Man challenges deserves the utmost respect. Military lady Marsha Wessels also boasts Protea Colours in Duathlon and Triathlon and is used to keeping army officers in tip-top shape. She’s been with the SANDF for 22 years. In her line of work, a tough exterior, stability and strong principles are important - but when she goes home, she’s the loving mother of three.
The action freaks:
ALTAAF SHEIK (29)
SAAF Helicopter Pilot
Altaaf, born and bred in Durban, always wanted to be a helicopter pilot and made his big dream come true by joining the SAAF. His other passion is sport - and on that front, became the first Indian person to play rugby for the SAAF. The fast full-back and wing also completed the Air Force’s survival course with flying colours.
PHILIP DICKSON (32)
Fire Fighter
To be a firefighter and paramedic means you have to be tough, fast and fearless. This KZN hero has all of that, plus a beautiful voice. Before graduating in the Top 5 of his class, Philip sang in a church band in the USA. Among his other hobbies, he counts fishing, running and training and to prepare for Survivor SA, he studied game theory.
Not just a pretty face:
STEPHEN WALKER (25)
Business Analyst
Drop-dead gorgeous Stephen belongs on the pages of a fashion magazine. In fact, he’s long-since ticked off that item on his bucket list. Stephen’s been in advertisements for top luxury brands such as Dolce & Gabbana and Armani and has strutted international catwalks. Not satisfied with resting on his chiseled laurels, he’s superseded his modeling career with an impressive CV. The UCT Engineering graduate and current Business Analyst is also a commercial diver and former game ranger with provincial colours in water polo.
MARIAN DE VOS (25)
Entrepreneur
On the surface she’s a well-groomed, pretty girl with a penchant for fashion – but Marian is the ultimate Survivor fan: a devious manipulator who secretly plots and schemes to get what she wants. Marion studied fashion at the College of Fashion Design in Cape Town and moved to Johannesburg two years ago to start her own business – The Doll Box.
ASHLEIGH BRYANT (22)
High School Teacher
Fresh-faced 22-year old Ashleigh looks as if she could still be in high school herself. Appearances can be deceiving, though - she’s the mother of an 18-month-old son and does podium dancing in her spare time. Ashleigh studied with the help of a bursary and intense tenacity: first a BA in Film, Ballet and Choreography before following up with a teaching diploma. The sexy flirt from Cape Town says she always gets what she wants – either by wrapping people around her little finger, or by plain hard work.
Girls Next Door:
GENA ALKANA (29)
PR Manager
Vivacious Gena is the type of girl you want to be friends with – but would you want to play Survivor with her? She has worked in film and fashion and loves people and the outdoors. If she could ask for one wish from a genie, she would ask to bring love to kids in an orphanage. In fact, she’d love to run an orphanage herself. Gena comes from a close-knit family. Her dad taught her how to tie a variety of complex knots for Survivor.
VEL BODIBA (26)
Actress
Gorgeous and petite, Vel has starred in films on Mzansi Magic and AfricaMagic. But she also has a tomboyish streak and often swaps her stilettos for designer sneakers. She has a Code 14 and bike license and runs her dad’s vehicle testing station in Hammanskraal. Vel was born in Pretoria, went to arts school Pro Arte in Alphen Park and is proud of her Tswana heritage.
People who love People:
BUHLE MADLALA (35)
Entrepreneur
Self-employed events planner and entrepreneur Buhle holds a Social Sciences Degree from the University of Natal. This strong-willed Zulu-speaking mother won’t stand for anything fake, but is always willing to lend a helping hand. She has run a certified Project Management business that was involved in the 2010 Soccer World Cup – she’s a keen soccer player herself! From humble beginnings, Buhle has become a global citizen who now regularly travels to diverse destinations across Europe, China, Canada and the African continent.
MOYRA MAKINA (34)
HR Director
HR Directors are known for their diplomacy, emotional intelligence, mediation and negotiation skills - and Moyra is no exception. Apart from sporting an Honours degree in Industrial Psychology, Moyra is an avid marathon runner who has completed the Two Oceans marathon. Living a healthy, balanced life is a priority for this vegetarian. Her kitchen has been meat-free for the last seventeen years.
Quirky Characters:
DAVID DE WET (53)
Farrier
David, the oldest contestant on Survivor South Africa to date, is not your average ‘old toppie’. He shoes race horses and show horses for a living – a job he’s done since his army days - which were a long time ago. He has never been married, has no kids and has never consumed alcohol or smoked cigarettes. David is a fun-loving motor-mouth with an odd sense of humour. You’d never say so at first glance, but he loves meditation and reading and prefers books about History and Neurology.
SHONA MACDONALD (24)
Accounts Manager
Shona is the quintessential ditzy blonde. She knows people think she’s an airhead and can’t help but meet their expectations. If you’re looking for a class-act class clown, look no further. To prepare for the game she had a gel pedicure and gave herself a fake tan. Shona also read “The Art of War” and packed a wind-up radio, in case the Survivors were allowed to take a luxury item into the game. There’s almost no end to the wacky repertoire of this natural-born cheerleader.
SONETTE MYBURGH (40)
Mortuary Assistant
The last-born of eight kids, animal lover Sonette wanted to be a veterinarian after obtaining two distinctions in Matric. Instead, she had to settle for a job as Mortuary Assistant. She’s been preparing the deceased for their final resting place for the last 23 years, but is adventurous in her spare time. She plays women’s rugby and has tried her luck on TV game show Noot Vir Noot, making it to the final round. She is also an amateur astrologist who knows almost everything about the Zodiac.
Mystery Man:
SHANE HATTINGH (42)
Media Salesman
Who is the real Shane Hattingh? This fascinating media salesman’s CV reads like the biography of a character in a modern television drama. He designed shoes; worked in counter-intelligence in Afghanistan; hiked the Rocky mountains on his own as a youngster; is completely in control of his emotions; loves women; reads people; lost 20 kgs in the last eight months, prefers the battlefield to the concrete jungle; has ADD, and calls himself “a bit of a nutcase”.
