Surviving Survivor: week 8

Aha! My friend Mandla has noticed that our site is running a Survivor column, and has taken to SMSing me during the episodes. I am actually really enjoying it now that we are so clearly little Mandla maniacs, rooting for a specific person. And how fabulous was he in that watery challenge with Grant? We were very proud. He tells me the game becomes interesting for him from now on, so... ja!

Looking forward to snuggling down with the sons for tonight's episode! – Sam

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Sorry Sam...

I'm in a whirlwind of work at the moment and don't have the time to watch Survivor. – Adele

Khuh. Anthea's relaunching our ENTIRE site and she watched. May the weight of your shame cause one of those grooves in your couch that don't bounce back when you get up.


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"I watched it, I promise I did. I saw Irshaad get voted out, and I really can't stand those two chicks in his tribe. They make me sick.

But I don't really have time to go into detail, what with the Women24 redesign happening as we speak. So see you next week. – Anthea

Succinct, distracted... but at least she watched. See? That's commitment. Extra points Anthea! Oh, and double that because I so agree re those whiney women...

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I'm back! I have returned from Dead Man's Island (heck, since the real Survivor ain't using it, we might as well?)

Last week's episode was entertaining to say the least, watching Iban, who won the challenge get a bit tiddled on my dear friend, Hunters Dry. Dyke had probably the best line of the season commenting on his hangover. I'm not going to repeat as I will probably kill it.

Amanda has to be – officially – the most annoying member on this island. I'm trying to think... what does Amanda actually do? Good question you might say but in all honesty she doesn't contribute to finding food and isn't a strong competitor in any of the challenges. Did you see her miss the net about 50 times a few episodes ago. I could have got that in with my eyes closed. I think it's your time to leave Amanda!

The immunity challenge wasn't that exciting as it consisted of two members from each tribe, which was based on strength. Well done to Grant and Mandla who took the immunity idol. This obviously meant that Iban were off to tribal council and the whining girls finally said goodbye to Irshaad.

Can't wait to see who gets the boot with the tribe merge. Bring it on! – Robyn

And a masterful return from Dead Man's Island! Welcome back Robyn. Your porch light is officially back on.

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Day 16 sees the MAN hard at work saving the last of the meat that got a bit of a maggot infestation. Yes that's my Heinie. But I'm sure after last weeks reward challenge the maggots wouldn't have been that hard to cope with.

Over at Iban, Dyke established himself with a beauty of a stingray for them to eat. Is it just me or was he seeking more praise than he was getting because he kept on saying normally they are so hard to catch and you need a proper spear and yap-yap-yap. You caught the fish Dyke, great work, got your praise, get over it.

They do seem to have the islands bugged don't they? As soon as Iban were wishing for alcohol, there comes reward challenge and what is the reward – among other things, alcohol. Nice team work challenge but not the brightest idea that Mandla had going without his goggles but we'll forgive him for that. And Irshaad, copycat that he is, had to go and do the same. Angela did a great job at solving the puzzle, but unfortunately Dyke stole her idea and got it together a bit quicker. Next time Angela.

Unfortunately Hein sprained his ankle and I was terrified that he might end up on the chopping block. At least he doesn't sit around moping over his injuries and his tribe – excluding Grant – supports him whole-heartedly.

Dyke and the girls got drunk around Iban's great braai and unfortunately since Irshaad didn't drink, he got the tail end of the comments. What is Amanda's issue with the whole stepchild thing?

Wasn't very impressed with the concept of only two going to immunity challenge but it was in Hein's favour. No surprise at who was voted in either tribes. Great teamwork from Bajau and they took home the idol again. Thought Mandla saying "Hein die een is vir jou broer" was adorable. Clear disappointment from the Iban girls and wasn't impressed with the boys excuses.

Tribal council and bye-bye Irshaad. He got in one last good knife point with his comments though. Next week the game will definitely be on and I have no idea who will be next to leave the island." – Neldri

Neldri – you aren't MARRIED to Hein or anything are you?
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I'm still watching the show and holding thumbs that you guys at Women24.com won't be falling out due to your work commitments? But, when I win the perfume, I will thank you all for being derailed! I was watching the survivors last week not as entertainers, but as humans acting upon specific stimulations and catalysts. Hein is a proper Boertjie! When they were discussing the coming immunity challenge, he told his tribe that he will tell them if he can't continue so they can vote him out! In the animal kingdom, animals are driven out of the herd when they show any sign of weakness.

What Hein is actually doing is telling them that he is the leader and he will decide when it is time for him to go. A bit arrogant, but only Grant showed contempt at his words. He must know that his injury might cause him to be voted off. Hein might be looking at getting Dyke into his alliance with Angela and Lorette (after the merge). He certainly has Mandla's sympathetic vote.

Mandla and Grant are so alike, they don't even realise it. Grant 'works' with his mouth and Mandla with his muscles, but they are in fact expressing the exact same feelings. Grant is afraid of Hein, as is Mandla.

The Iban members have three very strong individuals in Dyke, Amanda and Angie. Dyke is the obvious leader, provider and winner of the challenges. When the merger happens, he and Hein will team up again. His aloofness when conflicts flare is a good way to become less obvious. The girls adore him and will want to cling to him when they merge. Angie and Grant might rekindle their former alliance and form a new alliance with Amanda and with both Amanda and Angie being outspoken, Hein and Angela might not like it.

Hope you are all still watching!

The girls adore Dyke? Really? That's not how I've been reading it...

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I decided not to rave on and on about what happened in last week's episode, or speculate about tonights, but I wanted to try some thing different...

If you think about it, our Survivor contestants are actually well behaved in their personal and professional lives, or South African journalists who have the resources just aren't doing a very good job.

I'm referring to fact that there has been NO scoop in any magazine/tabloid about any dark secrets about any of the contestants. The only little, possible dark secret was the fact that Irshaad bliksemed a boete Bessie – and that's about it.

If we were in Britain, or maybe even the US, we would have already seen a dozen pages filled with dark secrets on the tabloids! I'm not a journalist, I can't even spell, so I don't have the resources to dig in deep into the history of the contestants, but other publications and journalist do... but they don't seem to use it!

But what would we have read/seen about the contestants in the tabloids if we in the US or Britain?