by Thinus Ferreira
A new reality series, Away For Repair starts on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) on Thursday 7 October at 21:30 in which 4 teams of two people each are whisked away to various South African National Parks to compete in various challenges while they try to mend broken relationships.
With Rami Chuene as the Away For Repair host and Romeo Mabasa as life coach, the programme says that it "will showcase the heartfelt stories of ordinary
people taking much-needed time away to mend broken bonds".
DStv subscribers will follow the 8 people as they travel from the mysteries of Southern Africa's first ancient African Kingdom in the Mapungubwe National Park, to the rugged coastline and deep forested gorges of the Tsitsikamma National Park through to the iconic Kruger National Park.
The series will see the teams compete in various adventures that will challenge them physically and mentally in a bid to repair their broken relationships.
The teams include a pair of varsity friends dealing with a deep betrayal, sisters yearning for acknowledgment of past hurts, a married couple that has lost their foundation of trust, and a mother and daughter in deep need of unlearning their toxic behaviours.
Hapiloe Sello, SANParks managing executive for tourism development and marketing, says "Away For Repair will treat viewers to an emotional roller-coaster as four teams of two
undergo a relationship boot camp against the spectacular backdrops of seven of
South Africa's prime national parks".
"Through this series we
will be showcasing the diversity of our parks to the Mzansi Magic audience as
well as the range of fun and educational activities available in these
destinations."
"We also felt it important to emphasise the value of spending time
in nature on emotional wellbeing – how the national parks are places to escape
to reconnect and revitalise hence the relationship boot camp theme."
The winning team gets an all-expense paid weekend stay at the Skukuza Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park, with the runners-up who get an all-expense
paid weekend getaway to the Golden Gate Highlands National Park.
