The sun-kissed shores of Zanzibar have become the stage for the 11th season of Tropika Island of Treasure and among the contestants vying for the ultimate prize is Dimakatso, a young woman embarking on a transformative journey of self-discovery.
“My experience on the island is so enriching and a journey of self-discovery,” says Dimakatso from team Orange, paired with celebrity contestant Hungani Ndlovu. “I wouldn’t trade this for anything, I feel like I’m standing in front of a mirror and have been asked the question, who are you?’ I’m learning many new things about myself; how I behave when I’m extremely uncomfortable. I have the opportunity to fully immerse myself in one of my favourite languages spoken in Africa, Swahili and I am grateful for such moments.
Dimakatso, a long-time fan of the show, decided to audition for TIOT after years of playing the games from her couch. She wondered how she would perform if she took part in the obstacle courses and challenges and in 2024, decided to stop wondering and put her name in the hat and see what happens. After all, she had nothing to lose and a share of R1 million plus a brand new Suzuki Jimny to gain should she win the competition. Before entering TIOT11,she was busy with work learning new imaging modalities and expanding her fitness into sports like swimming as well as focusing on her physical and mental health.
Her experience on the island has been a game-changer, and she credits her career for helping her stay calm under pressure. “I work with people’s lives, and I don’t have room for panic. They look up to me for strength, being calm gives them assurance that it’s not all that bad. So, here on the island, even when people are screaming and panicking, and things are not going our way, I’m able to stay calm.”
One of her favourite parts of the island is The Rock Restaurant, which she finds mind-blowing. The science behind how that is even possible to have a fully operational restaurant in the sea, how it’s built, and how long it will last for is something she finds most intriguing. One of her highlights on the show is when she let loose and let go of all the emotions that were weighing her down and filling her up with self-doubt.
Dimakatso’s participation on the show has not only been about personal growth but also about giving back, she was part of an annual spelling bee competition for rural primary schools in Lejweleputswa District in Free State, where Tropika donated goodies for the kids. She also gave a motivational talk to matriculants at her former high school and is set to participate in career exhibitions in the district to shine a light on other careers learners might not be aware of. Additionally, she has filled her applications to volunteer at SPCA and is currently collecting donations from her friends for a child in need back home in Free State.
Tropika Island of Treasure Season 11 Zanzibar is a must-watch as we anticipate all the action and drama in the upcoming episodes, and Dimakatso’s journey is a testament to the show’s ability to transform lives.
Don’t miss the action at 7:30pm on Saturday 9 November 2024 on SABC 3 with repeats on SABC 1 at 21:00pm and streaming on SABC+.
Fans at home can also stand a chance to win big by buying a Tropika promo pack and following the entry instructions. There are thousands of smoooth prizes up for grabs like Samsung Freestyle Smart Projectors, a trip for two to Zanzibar and the grand prize – a 5-door Suzuki Jimny!
You can also follow the action on TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, X and Youtube and join the conversation with #Tropika
Repeats are as follows each week:
- Monday 9pm on SABC 1
- Wednesday 2pm on S3
- Friday 6pm on S3
Episodes can be streamed on SABC Plus, too.
