Publications
Partners
Johannesburg – 29-year-old financial advisor Graham Jenneker was named South Africa’s Ultimate Survivor during the live finale of M-Net’s Survivor South Africa: Champions.
After surviving 27 days of tough challenges, blindsides and hunger on a remote island in the South Sea, China, Graham picked up the majority of the votes from the Juara Jury.
We spoke to Graham about what it feels like to be a millionaire, the final tribal council and those wedding plans he mentioned.
What does it feel like to be a millionaire?
I don’t think it has hit me yet. I found out I won on live tv and then it was the press conference and I’ve being doing interviews since then.
How confident were you going into the game? Did you at any moment think that you would win?
When I got onto the island I thought I could win the game. I was always good at strategy and reading people and social game. About an hour into the game Shane and Marion had already formed an alliance they didn’t even know which team they were on and by luck they happened to be on the same team. Then I realised this game was crazy and that I’d be lucky to make it far. As the game progressed I built up a good alliance and we were lucky to have the numbers on our side. Walking into tribal council I thought I had a chance but when they started gunning me I thought there was no way I would win. David was the only one who said he thought I planned a good game. That final tribal council really was my lowest point.
How much preparation and thought went into your speech going into tribal council?
I knew we’d be making a speech for the R1m. We had the entire day to prepare, I sat on my own and went through everything from day 1. I put in order the key role I had played and game plays I made. I made sure that I remembered them and it helped me a lot.
You won one of the last immunity challenges. What did it feel like winning that challenge and beating Zavion?
Going up against Hercules was hard. Beating him just for myself was an amazing moment. I was sad that he left because he was my alliance but on the other hand if I had not won I would have been blindsided. I am good at sport, I played provincial hockey and basketball but that never came to the fore because I made stupid errors in the individual challenges that cost me. In hindsight I’m actually glad I didn’t win any challenges before that because I would have been a threat. I know that it’s weird but I think that fate played a huge part in it all and that gives me hope for the future.
What was it like seeing everyone again especially Moyra and Altaaf?
I formed a close relationship with Moyra and I got to know her well. I wasn’t surprised that she didn’t hold anything against me. When you get to know her she’s a lovely person. With regards to Altaaf it was a bit weird cause we guys and we have egos. On Survivor you’re so stressed and hungry and the smallest thing can become the biggest issue. I apologised to Altaaf and I explained my reasoning for voting him off.
Will you stay in contact with anyone?
Yes, definitely especially the Selatin tribe, we formed a very close bond.
Zavion offered to plan your wedding, are you going to take him up on that offer?
You will have to wait and see.
After surviving 27 days of tough challenges, blindsides and hunger on a remote island in the South Sea, China, Graham picked up the majority of the votes from the Juara Jury.
We spoke to Graham about what it feels like to be a millionaire, the final tribal council and those wedding plans he mentioned.
What does it feel like to be a millionaire?
I don’t think it has hit me yet. I found out I won on live tv and then it was the press conference and I’ve being doing interviews since then.
How confident were you going into the game? Did you at any moment think that you would win?
When I got onto the island I thought I could win the game. I was always good at strategy and reading people and social game. About an hour into the game Shane and Marion had already formed an alliance they didn’t even know which team they were on and by luck they happened to be on the same team. Then I realised this game was crazy and that I’d be lucky to make it far. As the game progressed I built up a good alliance and we were lucky to have the numbers on our side. Walking into tribal council I thought I had a chance but when they started gunning me I thought there was no way I would win. David was the only one who said he thought I planned a good game. That final tribal council really was my lowest point.
How much preparation and thought went into your speech going into tribal council?
I knew we’d be making a speech for the R1m. We had the entire day to prepare, I sat on my own and went through everything from day 1. I put in order the key role I had played and game plays I made. I made sure that I remembered them and it helped me a lot.
You won one of the last immunity challenges. What did it feel like winning that challenge and beating Zavion?
Going up against Hercules was hard. Beating him just for myself was an amazing moment. I was sad that he left because he was my alliance but on the other hand if I had not won I would have been blindsided. I am good at sport, I played provincial hockey and basketball but that never came to the fore because I made stupid errors in the individual challenges that cost me. In hindsight I’m actually glad I didn’t win any challenges before that because I would have been a threat. I know that it’s weird but I think that fate played a huge part in it all and that gives me hope for the future.
What was it like seeing everyone again especially Moyra and Altaaf?
I formed a close relationship with Moyra and I got to know her well. I wasn’t surprised that she didn’t hold anything against me. When you get to know her she’s a lovely person. With regards to Altaaf it was a bit weird cause we guys and we have egos. On Survivor you’re so stressed and hungry and the smallest thing can become the biggest issue. I apologised to Altaaf and I explained my reasoning for voting him off.
Will you stay in contact with anyone?
Yes, definitely especially the Selatin tribe, we formed a very close bond.
Zavion offered to plan your wedding, are you going to take him up on that offer?
You will have to wait and see.
