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I can bring you the VERY FIRST independent exit interview with Survivor SA Santa Carolina celebitant ProVerb who became the 3rd last overall (and second contestant in the same episode!) to get the goodbye, after he fell off his ocean platform in the penultimate episode of the reality show.
I talked to ProVerb just a little while ago today who told me that he believed he ''had a chance to win this game all the way until the very last minute''. See what he says about his fears and insecurities, what he found very difficult to do, what he wants to do when he sees everyone at next week's live finale, and what his strategy was. ProVerb tells me what surprised him watching the show, what he learnt and about ''unpleasantries'' that were exchanged on the island when things changed.
For my full interview with ProVerb, click on READ MORE below!
How did you feel in that moment in the last challenge when you fell off the platform?
You know what? That was really, really, honestly frustrating. I had every intention of doing well and of giving it my all. I called my body to it all, but honestly it had no more to give. You can imagine . . . Also that was the game to win. You know what I mean? That was the challenge to win. Argh. In retrospect I'm happy with the way I played the game. Obviously I would have loved it better had it turned another way, but it went the way it did.
When Sade Giliberti got voted out and you were still there, did you think ''what is now going on?'' and that maybe the gender alliance wasn't so solid? Did you think you actually do have a chance?
Basically I believed that I had a chance to win this game all the way until the very last minute. When Sade Giliberti was voted out I just thought of it as myself being closer to the finish line and I certainly had all intentions of still doing well and winning the game.
Did you have a strategy and did it change?
My strategy was in all honesty to remain genuine. I wanted to keep being myself and play the game as honestly as I can, to try and build genuine relationships with people. I believe I succeeded in doing that.
Who did you like the most?
I liked different people at different stages in the game. For instance, in the beginning I liked Cindy Nell a lot because we spent some time together on the island. Then I became very fond of Sandi Schultz. Later in the game when it started to become every man for himself I think I grew fond of Kaseran Pillay. I thought he was a genuine, honest guy and I was really drawn to him. He struck me as a genuine, honest kind of guy.
Who did you like the least?
There was no-one in particular that I liked the least. From watching Survivor SA Santa Carolina and listening to some of the diary moments the contestants have been making, you do sortof, start thinking ''Oh my, I can't believe this person said this!'' Meanwhile while we were on the island we got along fine. For instance, I thought Gys de Villiers made a couple of nasty comments which I was actually quite surprised by. You know what? No love lost, it was all in the name of the game.
Especially at the beginning of the show viewers saw you freaking out and being scared at a lot of stuff. You had freak-out moments with some of the shells and things like that. How much of a departure was it to go and do this and being on the island?
Thinus, you know what, this was actually one of, if not the main reason that I actually decided to participate in Survivor SA Santa Carolina, because I have so many fears, I have so many insecurities, I'm not accustomed to being out in the wild and fending for myself. Part of the reason I participated was to conquer some of these fears, to try and face some of the demons and to come out having learnt a lot about myself and being a bit more resourceful and to ultimately learn how to survive. I believe I sortof made strides towards those. I can't say I can fully survive on my own on an island, but I definitely faced a lot of my fears and insecurities.
What did you learn about people?
I learnt that people deal with pressures and stress and stressful environments all in different ways. A lot of people started off being funny and humorous but as soon as things changed, the personalities changed and became more serious and all that. During hardships, for instance during the storms and many times when we didn't have food, unpleasantries were exchanged from people who initially came across as nice people. Then you realize it's because we deal with things differently in different environments. I also learned a lot about myself in relationships with people.
What went into your thought process once you became a part of the tribal jury, who you wanted to vote for to win?
The thought process behind the voting, to be completely honest with you, was very difficult. Personally I thought both the ladies played an incredibly strong game. For both of them I can list plenty of reasons why they should win. I can also list reason why they should not win. Ultimately I made a decision, but it was with great difficulty.
Did you focus more on the emotions of what just happened, or did you take a broader perspective and keep in mind what both of them did from right at the beginning?
Thinus, when making my decision I took into account all the factors, including the emotions, including the experiences right from the beginning and closer to the end. I did a whole thorough recon of the entire experience and calculated it into one decision which I ultimately made when I cast my vote.
Obviously you've seen each other and have been hanging out a few times, but at this coming Wednesday's live finale is there maybe something that you want to say, or something you would want to ask a fellow contestant?
Well, I am going to try and make sure . . . especially with some of the remarks that were thrown my way, I want to just make sure they were all in the context of the game and that all is good. From my side it was just a game. It was good fun. I will congratulate all those who well. I just want to make sure that I'm cool with the people who – watching some of the episode – made particular remarks that's of concern. I just want to make sure that we're all good.
Survivor SA Santa Carolina live finale of 90 minutes, Wednesday, 21 April, M-Net, 19:30
