Zululand's Survivor star shares snippets from global showdown

The Citizen

30-04-2025

ZULULAND's Survivor returns and is taking on the world!
But not before he enthrals audiences at Tea on the Terrace 2025, the annual first-class fundraiser for the ZO charity arm Dice (Do I Care Enough?).
Tea on the Terrace raises funds for cancer patients and their families, as well as for ongoing Dice projects.
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Your 007 for the morning at the Bond Spectacular-themed event on Saturday, 31 May at Umfolozi Resorts, Rob epitomises overcoming the ultimate test of body, mind, spirit and emotion – a persevering and overcoming spirit synonymous with cancer survivors.
Since outwitting, outplaying and outlasting his 2019 castaways on season 7 of Survivor SA: Island of Secrets, Rob Bentele, aka Challenge Beast, made a recent return to Samoa to take on international opponents on Australian Survivor: Australia v The World.
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Airing on Sunday, 22 June at 6pm on M-Net (DStv channel 101), the production has upped the ante with an estimated R5m up for grabs.
Fans of the international franchise are in for an absolute showdown as the castaways are some of the most notorious contestants to have ever played the game.
While he cannot divulge any 'island secrets', Rob, who is the only South African contestant, spoke to the ZO on Wednesday for an exciting Q and A session.
Q: What made you say 'yes' to doing Survivor again?
A: After the last performance, I knew I would have to go back in, I have just been putting it off for as long as possible. The call eventually came from the international survivor community, and how could I say no? It is the world cup of Survivor, I was never supposed to play against the Americans or Australians, so to finally get that opportunity was what we all went there for.
Q: As a return castaway, did you change how you prepared for the season?
A: The first time I went, I didn't know what I was getting myself into – I didn't know how real Survivor actually is. This time around, I knew what I needed to do and trained differently. My first time round, I wanted to look lean and good on TV, but that's not practical; you need to have decent reserves!
Q: Going into the season, how do you make the transition from everyday Rob to 'it's game time' and vice versa?
A: There are two sides to our minds; ego and spirit. In day-to-day life, I have learnt to live in spirit as much as possible. But when you put someone on an island and tell them to survive, and they are reduced to survival instinct, you have to allow the ego to come out, to fight your way out. The person I am on the island is very different from who I am in real life.
Q: Being back in Samoa, did you feel like you had a 'home ground' advantage?
A: Definitely, because I knew the island.
Q: Arriving on the beach, did you recognise any of the castaways? If so, did you have a 'fan girl' moment? Did any of them recognise you?
A: Yes, I recognised about 70% of them, whether or not they recognised me, I couldn't tell.
Q: Going up against international contestants, did the competition level up?
A: There is a good difference between the South African players and international because when I played the first time, everyone was a first-time player. This time around, these were all seasoned players, the best of the best in the world, and we all know a bit about each other. On a platform like that, no one can lie about who they are because everyone has seen you play; they know if you are a hero or a villain.
Q: While you were away, who did you miss the most?
A: Obviously Laeeqa [Rob's girlfriend of five years]
Q: Given the opportunity, would you do Survivor again?
A: Yes, of course, I love the game, it's my passion
Planning for the future
In the interim, Bentele is excited to use his platform, status and connections to enrich and empower the city.
'This time, I'm not taking the energy from Survivor back to Johannesburg, I'm pouring it into building our local economy, creating employment and uplifting our people,' he explains.
'As soon as Eyerus App was launched and stable, I immediately left Johannesburg and returned to Zululand.
'I helped my parents transform our family home into The Wood House, which is now one of Empangeni's finest guesthouses.
'It has not only become a sanctuary for travellers, but has enabled my parents to retire.'
Committed to breaking the glass ceiling, he says, 'Driven by a love for challenges, I took on the role of business development manager at Aramex Richards Bay.
Describing Zululand as a hidden gem, Rob is excited and captivated by the richness of the region.
'Where else can you find two untouched, private oceanfront islands just ten minutes from a thriving CBD? My vision is to help position Richards Bay not only as a national treasure, but a global 'must-see' destination.
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