by Jan-Hendrik Botha
Here are the Survivor SA statistics for the five female castaways who will form the Masu tribe in Survivor SA: Return of the Outcasts. Based on these stats, do you think they will be a benefit to their tribe?
Marian:
- Previous season: Survivor SA: Champions S5
- Survivor nickname: Survivor Encyclopedia
- Total days in the game: 19 days
- Total team challenges won: Eight
- Total individual challenges won: None
- Total tribal councils attended: Six
- Total votes received: Ten
- Total idols found: None
- What are you bringing to season 9?
Smarter moves! This is way more important than big, flashy moves.
- Why are you back?
The ninth season is incredibly personal for me, the past few years have, without a doubt, been the hardest and darkest period of my life: being diagnosed with a rare skin condition called vitiligo, fighting a decade-long battle with endometriosis, being diagnosed with anxiety and beating two bouts of depression so if anything this season I’d love to prove to myself that I am a survivor – that nothing I’ve been through in life should define me or hold me back. I want to prove to every part of myself that’s ever been hurt that I can and will survive.
Meryl:
- Survivor nickname: Tarzan’s (aka Danté’s) Jane
- Previous season: Survivor SA: Island of Secrets S7
- Total days in the game: 22 days
- Total team challenges won: Eight
- Total individual challenges won: None
- Total tribal councils attended: Three
- Total votes received: Nine
- Total idols found: One
- What are you bringing to season 9:
In my season, I realised that my intuition and I have more power than I realise. I am coming in with my superior knowledge of the game and the absolute will to win.
- Why are you back?
I’m a mom of three exceptional, yet busy humans; a mom who completely threw herself into the caring of her family – so much so that I had lost parts of myself during early parenthood. I served in church and served my pilates clients to live better lives. Everything in my life was about helping others.
I have always been a massive fan of the show and watched most of the American seasons, but entering the seventh season was an opportunity to discover myself again – away from the things that I found my identity in. I knew I was strong in body and mind but had many doubts about my own abilities.
When I walked away from my season, the experience had unearthed a deep power within and when the show ended, I felt that I finally had what it takes to win the game. I left having this feeling that I would play again and that I would win. I don't feel like I am redeeming anything, but that I am re-writing my Survivor experience, and will this time play the game I have always wanted to – knowing my strengths, embracing my weakness and ultimately, being the sole survivor.
Palesa:
- Survivor nickname: Queen
- Previous season: Survivor South Africa: Philippines S6
- Total days in the game: 29 days
- Total team challenges won: Nine
- Total individual challenges won: One
- Total tribal councils attended: 12
- Total votes received: Eight
- Total idols found: Two
- What are you bringing to season 9:
I will still be a fierce competitor disguised with a friendly face.
- Why are you back?
I want to play a better social game this season. In my previous season, I was a threat from the get-go because I didn't adjust quickly enough to the social game. Therefore, my strategic game-play and competitiveness pulled me through. This time around I will still be the strategic mind hidden under a social game. I want the castaways to think of me as a friend so they can drop their guard around me.
Steffi:
- Survivor nickname: Lara Croft
- Previous season: Survivor South Africa: Island of Secrets
- Total days in the game: 37 days
- Total team challenges won: Eight
- Total individual challenges won: One
- Total tribal councils attended: Ten
- Total votes received: Seven
- Total idols found: None
- What are you bringing to season 9:
I have studied personality traits and will use that to my advantage. My intrapersonal skills have improved and I’ve grown in terms of vulnerability and self-confidence.
- Why are you back?
I have been dubbed as a player who did not open up to the viewers and players. I plan to be as authentic as possible, allowing everyone to experience the good and bad parts of me. I am an emotional person and tend to be very critical of others. I will, however, play a socially strategic game, with “the challenge beast” persona on the back burner.
Toni:
- Survivor nickname: Toni Temper
- Previous season: Survivor South Africa: Philippines S6
- Total days in the game: 30 days
- Total team challenges won: Eight
- Total individual challenges won: Five
- Total tribal councils attended: Nine
- Total votes received: Five
- Total idols found: None
- What are you bringing to season 9:
A positive, ‘never say die’ attitude, a better sense of self-awareness, and less emotion.
- Why are you back?
I want to show that I can make logical decisions – not only based on emotions. I also want to show everyone that I am not negatively affected by emotions. I will never deny my emotions though, as I believe we are all entitled to our emotions and we should show them.
I want to prove to people that I am a positive woman who will always cheer people on and who loves a good laugh, enjoys life to the fullest and can pick myself up after a fall.
This is especially important to me as, since my last season, I have been through a lot – more importantly, a divorce. But I am stronger than ever, I have risen through failure.
It’s also important for me to be seen as a positive person. I want to be a role model for women my age who, in their early fourties, feel like they are 20 and still want to embrace every challenge and adventure life throws at them. But I also want to be a positive role model for my students. I teach students from less privileged backgrounds, and I want them to look up to me and be proud of me.
Images: Charlie Sperring and Peter Russell
Survivor SA: Return of the Outcasts premieres on M-Net on Monday 18 July, with four episodes per week, Mondays to Thursdays. Join the conversation on the Survivor Facebook Page or on Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #SurvivorSA.