All Eyes on La Réunion: What to Know Before Tropika Island of Treasure Premieres This Week

The wait is almost over!

Tropika Island Of Treasure is back for its 12th season, and this time the iconic reality competition is taking contestants to the spectacular Réunion Island for an adventure filled with physical challenges, mental battles, strategy, teamwork and plenty of unexpected twists.

Premiering on Wednesday, 23 September at 21:00 on SABC 1, with a repeat on Thursday, 24 September at 18:00 on S3, the new season brings together some of South Africa’s biggest names alongside eight everyday South Africans, all competing for their share of the ultimate R1 million prize.

The celebrity cast is ready for action

The celebrity line-up brings together a beautiful mix of sporting champions, entertainers, actors and personalities, each bringing their own strengths and, no doubt, their own competitive spirit to the island. This season’s celebrity contestants are Nadia Nakai (Team Apple), Caster Semenya (Team Orange), Francois Hougaard (Team Tropical), Leandie du Randt (Team Blueberry Cheesecake), Sandile Mahlangu (Team Mango Peach), Amanda du-Pont (Team Peach), Lalela Mswane (Team Litchi) and Wiseman Mncube (Team Pineapple).

Returning to lead the adventure is award-winning presenter Zanele Potelwa, who brings her trademark energy, warmth and sense of fun back to the franchise. But while celebrity status might bring familiarity, Tropika Island Of Treasure has always been about what happens when famous faces are paired with everyday South Africans — and this season is no different.

Meet the faces completing the teams

Paired with the celebrities are eight everyday South Africans who earned their place through a competitive audition process. This year’s 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.

Welcome to Réunion Island

This season also introduces viewers to a brand-new destination for the franchise: Réunion Island. Located in the Indian Ocean, Réunion is known for its dramatic volcanic landscapes, lush mountains, turquoise waters and vibrant cultural heritage, making it the perfect backdrop for an adventure that promises to be as visually spectacular as it is demanding.

For the contestants, however, the island is more than a postcard-perfect destination. They will need to navigate an environment that will test them physically and mentally, while also relying on their partners and teammates to make it through the competition. With the island’s unique landscape providing the backdrop, viewers can expect plenty of adventure, beautiful scenery and a few surprises along the way.

It’s going to take more than muscle to win

This season, Tropika Island Of Treasure turns up the heat with a series of epic challenges designed to test far more than physical strength. Contestants will need to dig deep during demanding tests of speed, strength, stamina and endurance, while a new selection of puzzles and mental challenges will put their problem-solving skills, memory, strategy and ability to think under pressure to the test. From high-energy physical challenges that will have teams racing against the clock to brain-teasing puzzles where one wrong move could make all the difference, the competition will require celebrities and their partners to work together, communicate and play to each other’s strengths.

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