A new island, a new set of challenges and R1 million up for grabs Tropika Island of Treasure is back for its 12th season, and this time the competition is heading to Réunion Island.
The new season premieres on Wednesday, 23 September at 21:00 on SABC 1, with a repeat on Thursday, 24 September at 18:00 on S3.
Eight celebrities will team up with eight everyday South Africans as they take on a series of physical and mental challenges in the hope of making it all the way to the treasure.
This year’s celebrity cast brings together familiar faces from sport, entertainment, acting and television, including rapper Nadia Nakai, Olympic athlete Caster Semenya, former Springbok Francois Hougaard, actress Leandie du Randt, actor Sandile Mahlangu, television personality Amanda du-Pont, former Miss South Africa Lalela Mswane and actor Wiseman Mncube.
The celebrities will compete alongside the show’s so-called “Smoooth Fans” everyday South Africans selected through an audition process.
The group includes content creator and athlete Ashay Sewlall, 5FM presenter Jodell Tantij, chartered accountant and endurance athlete Shaun Farrell, entrepreneur and actor Thando Zwane, pharmacist Anke Coetzer, content creator and outdoor enthusiast Iana Strydom, and final-year education student and personal trainer Andile Khuluse.
Award-winning presenter Zanele Potelwa is also returning to lead the adventure, bringing her energy and humour back to the franchise.
But this season comes with a major change of scenery.
For the first time, the competition will take place on Réunion Island, a French island in the Indian Ocean known for its volcanic landscapes, mountains, beaches and distinctive cultural heritage.
While the location may look like paradise, contestants will have little time to enjoy the scenery.
The competition will test their speed, strength, stamina and endurance, while puzzles and mental challenges will put their memory, strategic thinking and ability to perform under pressure to the test.
Working well with their partners will also be crucial.
Contestants will need to communicate, understand each other’s strengths and make decisions under pressure, with unexpected twists meaning that physical strength alone may not be enough to get them to the finish line.
According to Sveti Kovatcheva, Brand Manager: Dairy Fruit Mix at Clover, the new season builds on the elements that have made the franchise popular while taking the adventure somewhere new.
“Tropika Island of Treasure has always been about adventure, connection and creating unforgettable experiences, and Season 12 takes that spirit to an entirely new level,” she said.
“Réunion Island provides an incredible backdrop for this season, but it’s the people, the partnerships and the challenges that will really bring the magic to life.”
The new season will also continue the show’s formula of putting celebrities and everyday South Africans together, creating partnerships between people who might otherwise never have met.
For SABC1, the latest season promises to give viewers a front-row seat to the competition as contestants navigate the island and the pressure that comes with competing for the R1 million prize.
“As SABC1, we are excited to welcome Season 12 to our screens, taking viewers on an exhilarating journey to Réunion Island, where celebrity contestants and everyday South Africans will push their limits, test their strategies and discover what it truly means to work as a team,” said Dichaba Phalatse, SABC Video Entertainment: Marketing Manager.
With the combination of a new destination, a competitive celebrity line-up and challenges designed to test both body and mind, Season 12 is set to take Tropika Island of Treasure into new territory.
Tropika Island of Treasure Season 12 premieres on Wednesday, 23 September at 9pm on SABC 1, with a repeat on Thursday, 24 September at 6pm on S3.
IOL
