Survivor SA interview: Seipei Mashugane

It’s not a secret that we are sold on many television shows, one of these goes back quite a while and is familiar to many, Survivor. It’s also common knowledge (we assume) that many are aware that there’s now a local version of the show and like it’s original counterpart, in the game of Survivor South Africa (SA) anything can happen with no-one being safe…not even those who are ruling the roost and calling the shots!

In this week’s stormy episode of Survivor SA: Island of Secrets strong-a-steel Jozi Biker Chick Seipei Mashugane (40), who was confidently gearing up for a spot in the show’s Final Three, exited the game in a shocking, slam-bang blindside. This effectively meant that Seipei will join fellow ousted players Meryl and Geoff as the third member of the jury who will choose this season’s winner. We were lucky to catch up with Seipei to get her overall thoughts following the dramatic turn of events:

First of all we are not sure if you have had time to recover from it all, but can you tell us how you are feeling right now after all that drama?

I’m in a good place – really am feeling very blessed and happy to have been blind-sided out the game. It was an honourable exit.

What has the whole Survivor SA experience meant to you? What will you take out from it?

The entire journey has been about self-discovery and it has given me my purpose and light back. Being part of this experience has re-enforced my inclination to empower people. Going forward I would like to impart the knowledge and experiences to help others to take those opportunities to reach full potential.

With this being one of the biggest shocks in Survivor SA history, where do you think it all went wrong for you?

I wouldn’t say it went wrong for me. It feels that I was voted out at the right time. Looking back, I think that I stifled the other castaways by being a “mother hen” and taking on a leadership role and initiating strategies. Now that I’m out it will be interesting to see how the others pick up their game.

Being an official member of the jury now what are you going to be looking for when making your pick?

I am looking for someone who has played the game; someone who doesn’t rely on one skill only, e.g. not only physical, but fulfilled “outwit, outplay, outlast” and definitely not someone who has coasted along.

Only a few people would dare to do this type of thing, you did and can you tell us what drove you to be part of this whole experience?

My 16 year old son entered me because he believed in my abilities and strength – this was my motivation to make him proud.

Are there any valuable insights and/or lessons gained as a result of this whole experience?

The valuable insight that I gained was the fact that not everyone takes well to hard truth. I’ve learnt that my directness can be handled with kid gloves to achieve the intended advice or outcome.

Outside of Survivor, we hear you are a Soweto born and bred individual (like us) whose apparently into biking? Can you tell us more about that especially since it’s quite rare…

In my teens I was a pro-cyclist and then life happened. I gave birth to a lovely daughter so motherhood took over. When she was older I needed to fill the gap of the freedom I found in cycling. I tried to get back into cycling, but the mindset was no longer there and motorcycling piqued my interest. Being one to always challenge myself, Seipei Biker Queen is the result, the title earned from riding through nine provinces in nine days.

Where to from here for you after this whole experience?

I’ve always been inclined to motivate people, especially women, to reach their full potential. I would like to continue doing this in a bigger way. Watch this space!

Well watch this space we certainly will! The Survivor SA drama continues every Thursday at 19:00, only on M-Net Channel 101.

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Thabiso Moloi

With many, many years of PR, digital & influencer marketing work under his belt, Thabiso has worked on a great number of technology, business and consumer brands. In addition, he has become obsessed with most things under the sun including music, series, sports, movies etc which he now regularly writes about. You can find him on Twitter: @Thabz_14