The ultimate relationship test, Temptation Island South Africa — based on the Banijay-owned hit reality format — follows couples at a crossroads in their relationship, where they must mutually decide if they are ready to commit to one another for the rest of their lives, or go their separate ways.
Together, the couples experience a luxurious holiday in paradise (aka Knysna), where they live separately - with 20 sexy single men and women who are looking for love. This last taste of the single life is meant to help answer their most difficult questions about their relationship, like, “Are we meant to be?” and “Is there someone better out there for me?”
The Temptation Island South Africa trailer gives us a first glimpse of the four South African couples who were brave enough to put their love on trial.
From Cape Town, Precious Khumalo is a 25-year-old call centre agent who arrives with Grant Manuel, a 27-year-old biokineticist. They’ve been together for four years.
The other three couples are all from Johannesburg. Justin Fritz is a 31-year-old close protection officer, who’s been on and off again for 13 years with Estelle Langa, a 30-year-old human resources manager. They’ve recently started seeing each other exclusively.
Musa Qubinkomo, a 26-year-old software developer and actress, and Sifiso Ndlazi, a 27-year-old actor, personal trainer and model, are living together, having been with each other for just over a year. Musa acted in Amazing Grace and was also on Date My Family and One Night With My Ex, while Sifiso acted in Mzansi Magic’s Emlanjeni, among other things.
And Nthabiseng Maphago, a 26-year-old entrepreneur, model and DJ, and MJ Maponya, a 29-year-old fitness trainer and luxury gym designer, have been together for a year-and-a-half. MJ also appeared on the Moja Love reality show The Way Ngingakhona.
Another face South African audiences will recognise from the trailer is host Phat Joe. “Phat Joe is a household name in South Africa and brings two decades of experience, including hosting reunions for both The Real Housewives of Durban and Season 2 of the Johannesburg edition,” says Candice Fangueiro, Showmax’s head of content. “More importantly, he’s experienced the rollercoaster of love in every shape and form, from being a playboy to having high-profile relationships, to being heartbroken by a partner’s untimely death, to marrying the love of his life and starting a family. As someone who knows the games of love and temptation first hand, we believe he’s the perfect host for Temptation Island South Africa.”
Of course, there couldn’t be Temptation Island without temptation, and there’s already lots of it in the first trailer.
For the women, this includes stand-up comedian Tats Nkonzo, former host of Uyang'thanda Na?; sculpted Durban firefighter, entertainer and dancer Calim ‘Muggz’ Mgagula; Pietermaritzburg celebrity coach, business owner and choreographer Kwanele ‘Finch’ Thusi, who’s also in The Art of Survival on Showmax; and Vaal sound engineer Jerry Sereme, who DJs as J-Moscow.
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For the men, this includes Johannesburg actress Eve Rasimeni (Tydelike Terminaal and Hhayi Bo Mnakwethu); The Longest Date’s Angelique Samuels, a group exercise trainer and model; Zinhle Nkosi, an NGO founder; co-business owner, model and interior designer Nicole ‘Coco’ Kaas; and entrepreneur Bontle More, who lives between Johannesburg and Cape Town.
Keep an eye out for even more temptation in the 30-second teaser, which starts flighting this week, including Johannesburg rap queen Gigi Lamayne and, for the women, Durban model and commercials actor Dainamiaro ‘Dain’ Ogulu, who brings a taste of Naija to the show; Johannesburg digital content creator Sethu Colo, who also appeared on Tropika Island of Treasure; and, from Cape Town, personal trainer Uzair ‘Uzzie’ Williams and zone controller Brandon ‘Shabangz’ Tshabangu, self-described as ‘Mr Amapiano Moves'.
All 20 temptations will be revealed soon.
Produced by Afrokaans Film & Television (Survivor SA), Temptation Island South Africa is the first international reality TV series format Showmax has licensed. Distributed by Banijay Rights, the global distribution arm of Banijay, Temptation Island is a Teen Choice-nominated pop culture phenomenon, which has been adapted 25 times and counting.