Montecasino will rock you at the Bohemian Rhapsody Sing-Along Experience

For most of the world, from the first beat of a Queen song nostalgia takes hold, instinct takes over and voices start belting out the lyrics we know and love – ‘We will we will rock you’, ‘We are the champions (no time for losers)’, ‘All we hear is radio ga ga radio goo goo’… and possibly the greatest arena rock song of all time, ‘Is this the real life? Is this just fantasy?’ Bohemian Rhapsody.

These and more ultimate sing-along classics will be taking to the giant screen in the comfort of Montecasino’s Teatro (https://www.tsogosun.com/montecasino/entertainment/theatre/teatro) for a four-show ‘raise the roof’ Bohemian Rhapsody Sing-Along Experience (https://www.tsogosun.com/montecasino/whatson/teatro/bohemian-rhapsody-sing-along) on 28, 29 and 30 June. Based on the life Freddie Mercury, the flamboyant lead singer of British rock band Queen, Bohemian Rhapsody won more awards than any other film in this year’s Academy Awards (including Best Motion Picture of the Year and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role), and the Sing-Along Experience takes this blockbuster experience to the next level, delivering an amazing sing-out-loud experience, with concert quality sound.

Sing-alongers are also encouraged to dress up as their best-loved rock star, squeeze on their tight pants, and be the star of the show, with great prizes and giveaways for the best dressed and favourite audience members. To add to the excitement, a live band will perform on stage before the screening to help warm up your vocal chords and get your best singing voice on.

The Sing-Along Experience is the only movie screening where you are encouraged to make noise, lots of it, even if your family insist you only sing in the shower!

It’s a not-to-be-missed event for all rock fans – and seats are limited and unreserved so book early and then arrive early to secure your seats.

Mike Page, Operations Director and Complex GM of Montecasino (https://www.tsogosun.com/montecasino), says, “Queen, Freddie Mercury, and Bohemian Rhapsody were a world-wide phenomenon and the movie reminded us how big their influence in our lives is still today. We know them and their music and the Montecasino Bohemian Rhapsody Sing-Along Experience will deliver an unforgettable event that’s captured perfectly in Queen’s famous lyrics: ‘So don’t stop me now, don’t stop me, ’cause I’m having a good time, having a good time…’.”

Shows are on Friday 28 June at 8pm, Saturday 29 June at 3pm and 8pm, and Sunday 30 June at 3pm. Limited tickets are available through www.quicket.co.za.

For more information go to www.montecasino.co.za, join us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/montecasino or follow us on Twitter at @MontecasinoZA.

*** GIVEAWAY ***

I have one set of double tickets to give away for the Sunday show at 15h00!!

Just tell me in the comments what your favourite Queen song is to put yourself in line to win! It’s as simple as that. To increase your chances, enter on Twitter and Instagram too! I’ll be announcing the winner on Friday at 12h00 midday.

Sa’ula pulls the ultimate blindside and sends Paul Smulders home

In a game where scheming, manipulation, strategy and devious tactics are often the order of the day, being a genuinely nice guy doesn’t get you far. Paul Smulders discovered this on last week’s episode of Survivor SA when his Tribe, Sa’ula blindsided him at tribal council and voted to send him home.

Sa’ula haven’t been having the best luck in the game so far. They’ve lost three consecutive challenges, with one of their strongest members, Rob being sent to the Island of Secrets by the winners of the reward and immunity challenge. And if that wasn’t bad enough, while he was there he got the pick of three sealed containers and managed to choose the booby prize which meant that he lost his vote at Tribal Council!

I chatted to Paul and asked how he felt about his short time in the game. My first question was obviously whether he would have played things any differently? He tells me that the truth is this is just the way he is and even though he feels that if he’d spent more time in the game he might have had an opportunity to show more aggression, he’s really an all-round nice guy!

From the beginning he felt that he started off at a disadvantage, being immediately singled out as one of the tribe leaders and sent off to the Island of Secrets meant that he missed out on that initial bonding that inevitably happens in those first hours at camp. Alliances are immediately beginning to form and if you aren’t there, you’re not able to suss out everyone’s game plan. He tells me that from the minute you climb onto those boats to travel to your destination, you have no idea who your game companions are. No talking is allowed and you may be wearing the same coloured buffs, but as we all know, Survivor is a game of surprises. There’s no telling what might happen on arrival – you might be told to drop those buffs and swap colours … who knows? So those introductions made when your team first meets at their own campsite are vital, and he missed out on that.

I was curious to learn about how Paul prepared for his participation on a show like this. He tells me that from the time you apply, it’s ‘game on’! You have no clue when that notification will arrive that you’ve been accepted, so you’d better be ready! Once you’ve clicked ‘send’ on your application, that adrenaline kicks in and it’s ‘go, go, go!’ Paul upped his cardio training. He changed his eating habits and started eating much less so that he’d be used to a much lower calorie intake. He also watched a lot of previous seasons of the show!

But he tells me that those challenges were tough! Tougher than expected? Yes, it sounds that way. He seemed particularly surprised at how tough that very first challenge was! And they take much longer than the condensed versions we see on TV. With the weather conditions often playing a negative role, it was extremely demanding. The fact that the participants were often cold and working on little or no sleep also didn’t help. And remember – there are no creature comforts whatsoever. Paul reminds me that they take virtually nothing with them!

Despite his tribe, Sa’ula, having such a bad run compared to the other two tribes, he thinks they have a lot going for them. Having only seen the first two episodes, just like all of us viewers out there, Paul’s feeling is the Sa’ula dynamic is completely different to the other two tribes which are quite aggressive and confrontational within their groups. Sa’ula seem a lot calmer and there’s a great deal of camaraderie between the players.

And while many observers bemoaned the fact that Paul was far too considerate and generous with his sharing of the immunity idol – famously stating that it was ‘for the team’ – he wants to make it very clear that when he said this, he never meant that this excluded him from claiming it for himself!

Survivor South Africa: Island of Secrets is screened on M-Net every Thursday at 19:00. It will also be available on DStv CatchUp. Fans can visit www.mnet.tv/survivorsa and follow all the breaking news and conversations around the show on Twitter @Survivor_SA / Instagram @Survivor_sa / Facebook withthe official hashtag #SurvivorSA

 

Lee’s loved ones grill Gina and Jozaan in the penultimate episode of The Bachelor SA

Will their impressions of the ladies influence his final decision?

South Africa’s first Bachelor, Lee Thompson, is about to make the most difficult decision of his life. The final two ladies in M-Net’s smash television hit The Bachelor SA – Gina Meyers and Jozaan Dique – have both admitted during one-on-one dates with him that they had “fallen”  for him, but only one can receive the Final Rose. Will he choose to go on his knees and propose to elegant make-up artist Gina? Or will he slip the gorgeous Jack Friedman engagement ring on the finger of quirky, down-to-earth lawyer Jozaan?

To get to know them a little better, Lee joined them for a home visit in a previous episode, during which the ladies’ family members grilled Lee to see if he is good husband material. Now, in The Bachelor SA’s penultimate episode on Thursday 2 May, the tables are turned when two of the most important people in his life – Uncle Ian and Aunty Anne Curry – join Lee and his ladies in at the LUX* Grand Gaube Hotel in Mauritius. This important meeting could potentially make or break the ladies’ future with their beloved Lee. They will have to answer some difficult questions but can also use this opportunity to find out what Lee was like growing up and in day-to-day life.

Before Lee makes his decision, he also has a chance to take both ladies on a final full-day adventurous date. Expect some deep conversations and plenty of kissing!

So, what will Lee’s loved ones think of his final two ladies? And with them knowing what he wants and what he is looking for, will they be able to assist him in making his final decision? Tune in to find out!

The Bachelor SA is screened on M-Net Channel 101 every Thursday evening at 19:00 and is also available on Catch-Up. Fans can visit www.mnet.tv/thebachelorsa and follow all the breaking news and conversations around the show on Twitter @MNet / #TheBachelorSA and on the official M-Net Facebook page.

The Bachelor SA is produced by Rapid Blue and proudly sponsored by dotsure.co.za , a product of Oakhurst Insurance Company Limited (FSP 39925) and Oakhurst Life (FSP  44793), authorised financial services providers.

Four courageous South African women are preparing to summit Mt. Everest in April and May 2020 as the first all-women team from Africa to complete the climb, with the aim of fulfilling their long-held dreams and inspiring young women entrepreneurs to overcome metaphorical ‘mountains’ in their lives with the ‘courage to start and the strength to endure’ – the motto of the expedition.

The women, who are all both leaders and mountaineers, are Lisa Gering, Alda Waddell, Deshun Deysel, and Tumi Mphahlele, all from Johannesburg, with Ronnie Muhl, avid mountaineer and founder of Cape Town-based Adventures Global, managing the full logistics of the climb. [Bios of each below.]

From the outset, the idea was always to be an all-women team, and the first from Africa to summit the world’s highest mountain – of which only a few South African women have ever achieved that. Gering, spokesperson for the team, explains, “Alda set her heart on climbing Everest and started the ball rolling. She contacted Deshun who said yes, as long as Ronnie Muhl manages the logistics. Ronnie recommended me to join the team, which I was excited and delighted to do. We knew we needed a fourth member and searched until we found Tumi, who is very experienced and perfect for the challenge.”

All the women have extensive mountaineering experience, trekking, hiking, climbing, and summiting the highest mountains in several continents, while Deshun and Tumi are also accomplished athletes in other sports.

The team is also fully committed to the cause behind the climb – inspiring, empowering and supporting women entrepreneurs. Gering says, “The Everest 2020 climb has a strong give-back element, and a percentage of our sponsorship will be going towards inspiring, supporting, and empowering women entrepreneurs – it’s where we all come from and it’s something we’re passionate about. We want them to know that they too can conquer the ‘Everests’ in their lives.”

Deysel adds, “Building up a business is like climbing Mt. Everest – it requires many hours of preparation, endurance, and sacrifice while staying focused on the long-term goal of success. As women entrepreneurs, we get it. We’ve been climbing our business Everests for many years and we understand the pain involved in making a business sustainable. As mountaineers, we have physically walked these journeys as well.

“Our mission is to highlight the plight of the woman entrepreneur in Africa by climbing the world’s highest mountain, and our hope is to inspire entrepreneurs, to relate to their everyday struggles, and create a positive narrative around the possibilities and victories that await those who give it their all.”

As part of their preparation for the expedition, the all-women team will climb Mont Blanc (4,810 metres) in the Alps in Europe in September and Mount Aconcagua (6,959 metres) in the Argentinian Andes in December, as well as intensive individual training by each of the team members, and two-weekly meetings to ensure everything is on track.

Securing sponsorship is a vital element in the plans and preparation for the expedition as the full cost of the preparation climbs and the ultimate expedition up Mt Everest in 2020 for the four-women team is about R5 million. “We are working on sponsorship/partnership options and are open to discussions with corporates who would be interested in seeing their company flag flying at the top of the world,” says Gering.

Media coverage of the Everest 2020 all-women climb will primarily be handled by Tony Lourens, world-renowned mountain journalist and photographer, and editor ofSA Mountain magazine, who will be based permanently at Everest Base Camp for the duration of the expedition to oversee the extensive press, radio, television and digital coverage.

Ronnie Muhl says, “I am very proud and extremely excited to have been asked to look after all of the logistics for this expedition, and I cannot wait to see the women hold the South African flag on the summit.” Earlier in April 2019, Muhl trekked to the Base Camp of Everest. “Part of the reason for this visit to the Himalayas was to prepare for the South African Women’s Everest expedition in 2020.”

Follow the team as they prepare for Everest 2020 on Facebook on Everest2020SA.

BRIEF BIOS ON THE FOUR EVEREST 2020 SOUTH AFRICAN WOMEN

Lisa Gering

Lisa has a personal company called LRM Diamonds but is full time as a shareholder and partner with REAL Entrepreneur.

She holds the position of COO across two of the companies in the REAL Network group, she is the Culture Champion, and also heads up the Coaching Division and helps to run events.

Lisa has trekked or climbed every year, sometimes twice, since 2010 and has stayed fit and strong for the trips. She started mountaineering when she was brought into the Mt. Kilimanjaro expedition in 2010 as a ‘team and client’ trip.

What do you love about mountaineering? “I have never found another environment where one is tested on all levels as much – mental, physical, emotional and spiritual. I love the journey of discovery and growth and the lessons one learns. The person on the other side of each trip is changed forever!”

What strengths do you bring to the team? I play an incredibly strong supportive role as well as being able to get stuff done. I am proactive and a self-starter. I am a good listener and people feel heard and seen when I engage with them.

On being the first all-women team from Africa to conquer the world’s highest mountain? “It’s an absolute honour! I feel incredible blessed and grateful for the opportunity to take this step for not only myself but to inspire and encourage and support others to take their first steps to conquering their ‘Everests’.”

Your message to women entrepreneurs? “Our motto for our trip – ‘Courage to start, strength to endure!’”

Alda Waddell

Alda works for BMW South Africa as a Specialist: Sub Sahara Africa Operations and Special Projects. She has 23 years’ experience in the motor industry and holds an MBA Degree from Rhodes University, BTech Degree in Management, National Dip in Management.

She is mother of 17-year-old twins, Clair and Craig.

Alda has battled personal injuries and embarked on a journey to test her own physical and mental strength by setting goals to climb the highest mountain on each continent.

What do you love about mountaineering? “The entire journey of mountaineering is an adventure, from meeting new people and creating lifelong bonds, to the extraordinary places she has visited and experienced.”

When did your interest in mountaineering start? “In 2008, when I climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. To most, the start of the adventure starts on day on of the summit, but to me it actually starts months prior with a lot of physical and mental preparation, along with lots of research. The seven days summit was physically challenging and I kept asking myself, ‘Why I am I doing this?’ I then remembered that I had something to prove to myself. When I reached the summit I was overwhelmed by a mix of emotions, and the experience was somewhat surreal. Only later did I realise what I had accomplished – I had climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro and overcome my own doubts.”

On the Everest 2020 expedition? “Now, embarking on climbing Mt. Everest, I am a step closer to achieving my dream of climbing the highest mountain.”

Deshun Deysel

Deshun is MD of Deshun Deysel & Associates, which equips clients to transition from Performance Management to Performance Development by using an Agile, Light and Continuous Digital Platform.

Deshun lives in Johannesburg with her husband Charles and their two children, Edward and Judith.

Her sports involvement includes mountaineering, open water swimming, cycling, running, and she played provincial volleyball in high school and college.

Mountaineering was “a childhood dream”, which was realised in 1995. Deshun was a member of the first team of South Africans who placed the new SA democratic flag at the top of Mt. Everest. She was the first Black woman in the world and the youngest South African to set foot on the slopes of Mt. Everest.

Deshun has participated in climbing expeditions to five of the seven summits on five continents: Mt. Mckinley, North America; Mt. Elbrus, Europe; Aconcagua, South America; Mt. Kilimanjaro, Africa; Everest, Asia. She has successfully guided teams up Mt. Kenya, Mt. Kilimanjaro and smaller South African peaks, and summited Mt. Meru (Tanzania), Mt. Kenya (Kenya), Mt. Blanc (France), Mt. Kalapathar (Nepal).

What do you love about mountaineering? “The freedom of climbing and the challenge of pushing beyond my obvious limits.”

What do I bring to the team? “I bring experience of over 20 years as a high-altitude mountaineer. I started with no experience in 1995 and steadily built up a climbing portfolio, which positions me as someone who can assist, guide and advise the team.”

On being the first all-women team from Africa to summit Everest? “It’s so exciting because it’s a first. Also, being entrepreneurs, we want to highlight the real journeys of real entrepreneurs by creating a synchronised narrative for both experiences. I believe that I’m here, right now, at this time in history, to leave a lasting impression and impact on humanity. I aim all my goals to line up with this sense of purpose.”

What other interests do you have? “I love DIY, interior design and architectural content. When I want to relax or de-stress I go to these mediums (magazines/ TV shows/ books and internet).”

Your message to female entrepreneurs? “We were born for this! We have the fortitude, the drive and the endurance to start, build, scale and sustain businesses.” #CourageToStart #StrengthToEndure #JoyInTheVictory

Tumi Mphahlele

Tumi is director and shareholder at IG3N and Amperion Energy – two companies in the renewable energy sector that she co-founded and is leading. Tumi is also experienced in the execution of complex projects and programmes and has served as GM for Corporate Strategy at the SABS and the Development Bank of SA.

Tumi is a recreational endurance athlete with a keen interest in mountain sports. She has successfully climbed three of the seven summits – Mt. Kilimanjaro, Mt. Elbrus and Mt. Aconcagua – and has ambitions to complete the rest of the seven summits over the next few years. She has also summited other mountain peaks of varying altitudes in Africa and South America.

Tumi is also a hiker, a mountain biker, an ultradistance road and trail runner, and has completed seven Comrades Marathons and six Two Oceans Marathons.

She battled ill health with External Iliac Artery Endofibrosis from 2016 to 2018, and after two operations late last year, she summited Aconcagua in December 2018.

Why climb Mt. Everest? “It represents an opportunity to break one of the major barriers that seems to be largely out of reach for women, especially African women. Being part of the team that will make history is a fantastic opportunity because I believe in the process. We will also practically demonstrate to many young women that they too, in their many areas of life, can reach for the sky and achieve whatever they set their minds to.”

The strengths I bring to the team? “I have the mental and the physical strength and the fighting spirit and temperament to attempt such a feat and stay the course. I have a strong work ethic and an ability to practice objectivity, even under intense pressure. I get fulfilment from achieving the goals that I set for myself.”

On being the first all-women team from Africa to summit Everest? “The thought of summiting Mount Everest as a group of women gives me goose bumps and it will be a dream come true. While I respect the mountains and recognise the risk and dangers associated with climbing Mount Everest, I do think that the success for the team and for the continent is worth the risk.”

Logistics partner

Ronnie Muhl

In 2009 Ronnie Muhl founded Adventures Global, “which helps people to take on life’s great adventures, of which climbing Everest is one of them”.

He has been passionate about mountains all of his life. In 1979, he read a book that inspired him to climb Everest and 28 years later he finally stood on the summit, becoming the seventh South African to summit Everest via the North-east Ridge. He subsequently authored a book, Everest: Surviving The Death Zone, on the experience. He says fulfilling this dream has motivated him to help others do the same.

Ronnie has been the leader of more international expeditions on Everest than any other South African and his experience on the mountain is unsurpassed.

In April 2019 he trekked to the Base Camp of Everest to prepare for the South African Women’s Everest expedition in 2020. He is proud and excited to have been asked to look after all the logistics for this expedition and cannot wait to see the women hold the South African flag on the summit.

Having not even had a single one-on-one date with Bachelor SA’s Lee Thompson, Jacqueline Ramos-Pinto clearly had something about her that kept her in the running for his heart, right down to Episode 10, the final four and those all-important family visits.

Could it have been her genuine, open, unwavering authenticity that she maintained throughout the show?

Unfortunately, I didn’t get the chance to chat with Jacquie, but I did send her some questions, and unsurprisingly got some blatantly honest responses …

What were your first impressions on arriving at mansion?

After what felt like an eternity between opening the limo door, meeting with Lee, and trying not to fall over as I made my way into the mansion, my first impression was “wow”. It was all beautiful: Lee, the mansion, the ladies, the artwork and again, Lee! It was undeniably the most surreal experience of my life. I’ve watched the Bachelor US for years and as a viewer you always wonder just how nervous the ladies must have been, you try to put yourself in those ladies heels, what would you do? How would you feel? It was the most exciting experience of my life.  And about getting out of that limo, jumping out of a plane was easier. I promise.

Did you go in with any type of strategy? If so, did you adapt that strategy at any point? Did you think you’d make a mistake at any point?

I went in there with only one strategy and that was to remain as authentic and true to myself as possible. I know that some of the ladies went in with there own strategies and there were times where I wish I could have been a little more graceful and “put together”, it’s hard when you’ve been so vulnerable, when you’ve allowed yourself to be seen, deeply seen. The criticism hurts when true and honest sides to you are being attached. But at the same time, the love and support means that much more when you realize that people have seen and loved you just as you are.

Why did you enter The Bachelor SA – being a beautiful, strong woman, putting yourself in direct competition with other gorgeous, independent women? Your friend Kiki put this to Lee (brilliantly) when he claimed that you were all unique (he said it more than once, and she jumped on him for that!) – but seriously, it does take a while for each of you to get the chance to show Lee that unique-ness.

You know, I never looked at it as a competition, all the ladies were so beautiful, accomplished and unique. I often compared it to attending an event/bar/club etc. Based on first impressions, there are just some people you’ll connect with from the get-go and it has nothing to do with anyone competing. I’m of the belief that what is for you will never pass you by, I would often remind myself of this while in the mansion. It was never really a competition, Lee was either for me, or he wasn’t. With regard to Kiki and Lee’s (brilliant) conversation, it was incredibly difficult to show Lee that unique-ness, I wanted to show Lee every side to me, we’re all so multi-faceted so it was difficult to do this at times, and often frustrating with the time constraints. I believe that I showed Lee my Jax-ness as best I could.

Does your self-confidence take a bit of a knock?

At times your self-confidence definitely does take a little bit of a knock. But one thing I realized while living with the ladies was that what one lady did not like about herself or felt self-conscious about, another lady admired. It taught me 2 things, that we all have our moments of self-doubt and insecurities and that sometimes the parts of ourselves that we feel are hard to love are in fact our most beautiful parts.

You told your dad the experience was life-changing. In what way?

The experience was one of which I will never forget. I often compared the experience as looking into a mirror, sometimes even into a magnifying glass. You’re faced with yourself through the journey, often with parts of yourself that make you uncomfortable or vulnerable. At times you feel insecure, jealous, scared and then at other times brave, unique, and strong. Facing and learning to love each facet of myself was truly the most tough, amazing and rewarding experience of my life to date. I came to realize how important it is to Self-love. I went on this journey to find love, I found it in more ways than one.

Did this experience change your perception in any way of what you’re looking for in a partner, or of how you see yourself interacting with the people in your life in future?

I think it really just reinforced in me the importance of being open and vulnerable. I put shame and fear aside throughout this journey, which is why I was so forthcoming with my inner workings throughout the show. It’s the fear and shame of being judged or not loved for all that we are that prevents us from forming true connections. I was vulnerable and emotionally honest throughout, and I’m proud of that. I’m definitely now (more than ever) looking for a partner that can recognize this vulnerability as a strength and that accept and love me for all that I am.

All of the ladies have chatted at length about the friendships that they’ve created with each other. In fact, this was spoken about more than anyone even spoke about Lee!! But as was pointed out – you all spent a lot more time together than you did with him!! Do you agree? Do you think you’re all going to remain close friends?

It’s strange, it’s not that you expect to form friendships with the ladies when entering into an environment that is focused on vying for the same man’s attention, but somehow you do. The production team cast such phenomenal women and from the get-go bonding with these ladies was inevitable. I think the fact that we were all so isolated from the outside world and were sharing an experience that no one else in the country had experienced really bonded us. I know that I’ve definitely made friends for life with some of the ladies, we were each other’s strength throughout this journey, and I know that I’ve definitely made some forever friends.

I hope to have some parting words from Michelle Reddy for you before this week’s penultimate episode of The Bachelor SA, so watch this space! Yes, that’s right, just 2 episodes left!

The Bachelor SA is screened on M-Net Channel 101 every Thursday evening at 19:00 and is also available on Catch-Up.

Fans can visit www.mnet.tv/thebachelorsa and follow all the breaking news and conversations around the show on Twitter @MNet  #TheBachelorSA and on the official M-Net Facebook page.

It’s so hard to believe that we’re 9 weeks into the journey with The Bachelor SA and that there are just 4 ladies left! This past week the tension was evident at that final, awkward cocktail party. Lee had shared a fun day out with everyone on a group date at Gold Reef City but early on in the day, people were already feeling the pressure, and feeling excluded. One on one time followed, first with Gina and then with Michelle R, who arrived back at the mansion with a rose!!

And talking about ‘excluded’ … let’s get to the social media reaction surrounding Lee inviting Jozaan AND Nontombi for a chat, and then proceeding to chat exclusively to Jozaan! Talk about causing a Twitter storm!!

You could have cut the tension with a knife. When that final rose ceremony began it felt like everyone was holding their breath. Lee himself needed a moment to compose himself before presenting that very last rose, and when he did, it was Jenna and Nontombi who were empty-handed. I chatted to the two of them last Friday.

I didn’t want to beat about the bush, so the very first thing I mentioned when I spoke to Nontombi, was to ask her how she’d felt about the whole incident and the audience reaction, general consensus being that she had been disrespected and that she should have walked out of that mansion immediately and not even have waited for the rose ceremony! Well, she didn’t do that, and in true Nontombi style, when she didn’t receive a rose, she said goodbye – when it was time – and walked out with her head held high, like the lady she is, and has been throughout the show!

Nontombi says that while she doesn’t really know what Lee was thinking by wanting to chat to her and Jozaan together, she thought that maybe he felt that as the two girls were so close, maybe they’d feel more comfortable – the atmosphere in the mansion was incredibly tense by then. Regarding audience reaction, she’s extremely relaxed about it, saying that people respond from their own personal perspectives – they see what they want to see – and this is a theme that prevails throughout my conversation with both her and Jenna: the fact that the audience doesn’t really get the entire picture, only parts of it, and that’s what they’re basing their opinions on.

Jenna tells me that from the minute she stepped out of the limo, the impression she got of Lee was that he made every one of the ladies feel like she was in a safe space. But walking into the mansion, she never expected that she was walking into a situation where she’d be meeting people who just a few weeks later she’d be absolutely heartbroken to leave!

She’d entered The Bachelor SA because having always been so focused on her career, she’d never made time for relationships. But she admits to being old-fashioned and quite early on had realised that maybe he wasn’t the right guy for her. However, being a determined and resolute soul, Jenna continued to reason with things and gave it a full chance. She’s most proud of the fact that she remained 100% true to her character and I’m sure everyone will agree that from start to finish she never diverted from being truly authentic.

Jenna acknowledged that on that last group date she knew that the whole situation just wasn’t right for her. She was emotional and teary and was feeling that enough was enough. In fact she says the entire series has been an emotional journey … however it’s taught her so much about herself and it’s been more positive than negative. She knows that Lee would have liked to see the fight in her, but it’s just not who she is, and as we’ve already said, she stayed true to herself. She also correctly points out that the right guy will love you for who you are and that we’re all different – that’s what makes us unique!

When it came to strategy, Nontombi laughingly (and repeatedly) tells me that maybe she should have watched at least one episode (or maybe a season) of one of the overseas versions of The Bachelor before going on the show! That’s right people, she’d never watched a single one. She didn’t know about home visits, didn’t know about the proposal at the end, which she philosophically says would mean that it would make sense that he’d need to meet your family and friends beforehand right?!

With regards to why she entered, she says it’s not entirely about the end goal: the man. One needs to bear in mind – and keep in mind – that the bachelor is not a prize, he’s a person! Being a part of the show doesn’t mean that Lee gets to sit back and have 24 women fight over him, which is often the perception, he’s also part of the process. Jenna describes how difficult it is for him to allocate time for each of the ladies at the cocktail parties, which leads to strain and friction amongst everyone – for example, he might have had a one on one date with one of them, but then inadvertently wouldn’t immediately greet her at the next cocktail party, greeting someone else first. This would lead to huge disappointment and anxiety.

Nontombi resolutely reminds us that what you see on TV might be reality TV but “it’s not real! It’s like commenting on social media … so easy, but if you wouldn’t say it in real life, don’t say it online!” While you’re on the show, if you wouldn’t do something in real life, don’t do it here either!

And is there anything they would have changed, or done differently? Well, Nontombi would have watched the show previously!! But then she thinks about it and says that she thinks that this may have changed her authenticity, so she’s actually happy she didn’t. Jenna too, says she wouldn’t change anything and adds (reflectively) that when you look back on aspects of your life you shouldn’t be too hard on yourself and you should be kind to the you that you were in whatever situation you were in.

Does being on The Bachelor SA change peoples’ perceptions of you … do your family and friends see you in a different light? Jenna tells me that her family and friends were immensely supportive and that that the feedback that’s made her the happiest is that they’ve told her how happy they were to see she came across exactly as she truly is!

Nontombi describes the experience as both overwhelming and refreshing. Due to her mom having a pre-existing health condition, she wasn’t able to tell her that she’d be on the show, which was difficult as she would have loved to be able to share the news with her. However, her other family members and friends were supportive.

We’re wrapping things up, and inevitably we get to discussing the bonds that have been formed with the other ladies in the mansion. It tell them that it’s funny that in all of my previous chats with the other participants, we talk more about this than we actually talk about Lee! He doesn’t seem to come up in conversation much! The truth is, they remind me, that everyone spends very little time with Lee, but a lot of time together, so it’s understandable that such strong friendships are created. Take that, together with the fact that you have no connection to your usual support networks, you’re bound to form strong ties in a short space of time.

It’s Jenna who tells me that it was certainly not her intention to go in and create friendships – in fact, if she had a strategy, she’d say that was it! The biggest and most unexpected shock for her was to absolutely love these girls and to make such close friends, and then have to leave them! “I never prepared my heart for that!”

And Nontombi pipes up: “Babe! They’re not dying!”

Banter like this only exists where true warmth and friendship live! I guess some things on reality TV are real after all!

The Bachelor SA is screened on M-Net Channel 101 every Thursday evening at 19:00 and is also available on Catch-Up. Fans can visit www.mnet.tv/thebachelorsa and follow all the breaking news and conversations around the show on Twitter @MNet  #TheBachelorSA and on the official M-Net Facebook page.

The Bachelor SA is produced by Rapid Blue and proudly sponsored by dotsure.co.za, a product of Oakhurst Insurance Company Limited (FSP 39925) and Oakhurst Life (FSP  44793), authorised financial services providers.