On 1 September 2017 it was announced that the wildly popular campaign and TV show, Tropika Island of Treasure, would be rolling out an eighth season – set in the Maldives and hosted by Katlego Maboe.

A large part of what makes Tropika Island of Treasure as popular as it is, is the celebrity element. When #TIOT8 was announced, no celebrities names were revealed – until now.

Over the past week Tropika has been revealing one celebrity a day, now totalling the seven that will join in on the fun in paradise.

The celebrities for #TIOT8 are:

• Khanya Mkangisa

Khanya Mkangisa is a South African TV presenter and actress best known for her role as Aphiwe on SABC 3’s Isidingo. Having started her television career at the tender age of 15 as a child star on YOTV, she has gone on to bag coveted roles as a lead actress on productions such as Intersexions and Rockville. Khanya currently presents a lifestyle show, Selimathunzi, which boasts over 3 million viewers

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Khanya-Mkangisa-323583621077390/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KhanyaMkangisa

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ilovekhanya/

• Brendan Peyper

Starting from humble beginnings and then going on to become one of the biggest brands in the South African music scene, multi-talented heartthrob, Brendan Peyper, is a true inspiration to many South African youth. Not only is he an incredibly talented musician and songwriter, but he is also a dedicated sports fanatic - promoting a healthy and active lifestyle with his #noexcuses campaign. Brendan touches people with his music, but also inspires people to reach for their dreams and to go for GOLD!  

FB: https://www.facebook.com/BrendanPeyperMusiek/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrendanPeyper

IG: https://www.instagram.com/brendan_peyper/

• Sbahle Mpisane

Sbahle Mpisane, also commonly known to many as “FitnessBunnie,” is a wellness and fitness motivator who was born and raised in Durban, South Africa. Her love for exercise led her to share her journey in the hopes of motivating and inspiring others to adopt a healthier lifestyle beyond the goal of losing weight. Her persistent discipline has been her driving force to dominate the fitness industry, and many describe Sbahle as an ambassador for African curvaceous women.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/sbahlefitnessbunnie/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sbahle_mpisane

IG: https://www.instagram.com/sbahle_mpisane/

• Karabo Mogane

Karabo Mogane is a gifted singer who went on to be crowned winner of Idols season 11. In addition to attracting the attention of fans across South Africa, he has impressed multi-award winning American RnB gospel singer, Bebe Winans, who has promised to collaborate with him on his next show in South Africa. To top it off, Karabo has signed a deal with Disney Africa to record a theme song for their series The Lion Guard, becoming the 1st African to be offered such a deal. 

FB: https://www.facebook.com/IdolsSAKaraboMogane/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MoganeKarabo

IG: https://www.instagram.com/moganekarabo/

• Tumi Voster

Tumi Voster is a multi-dimensional powerhouse and easily one of South Africa’s most cherished media darlings. She warmed her way into millions of hearts and homes across South Africa when she made her TV debut as a YOTV presenter on SABC 1, at the age of 15. She is armed with a Marketing Communications Degree, so when she is not found in the boardroom as a marketing manager, she’s holding down the radio fort at 5FM where she hosts two shows of her own - “5FM Nights” (weekdays 7-10pm) and “The Saturday Situation” (weekends 5-7pm).

FB: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialTumiVoster/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/TumiVoster

IG: https://www.instagram.com/tumivoster/

• Nay Maps

Nay Maps is a force and brand to be reckoned with. Probably best known for his role as Mxolisi Xulu on Uzalo on SABC 1, he has a long history behind him. He started off modelling and appearing in TV commercials, and was a TV presenter for a show called Hashtag. Through his company Map Worx, Nay travels around the country motivating and inspiring the youth and people of all demographics to realise their true potential and what they can achieve in life.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/Nay-Maps-1094794267201018/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NayMaps

IG: https://www.instagram.com/naymaps/

• Melinda Bam

Melinda Bam is a South African director, model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss South Africa 2011, becoming the official representative of her country to Miss Universe 2012.  She has a swimwear line called Bambshell, for which she worked with South African swimwear brand Dax Martin. In June 2013 it was announced that Melinda was appointed as National Executive for the Miss South Africa Pageant and would be in charge of arranging potential sponsors for the pageant, as well as preparing the outgoing queen to both the Miss World and Miss Universe Pageants.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/melindabam.official/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/melindabam

IG: https://www.instagram.com/melindabam/

Miantha Padayachee, Brand Group Manager for Tropika, is looking forward to seeing what this group of celebrities will bring to #TIOT8. “As with all past seasons of Tropika Island of Treasure, the mix of celebs has been incredibly diverse with each person bringing something unique and entertaining to the table – and this season is no different. I’m excited to see how their different personalities and strengths play out on the island. This season we have a few surprises in store – for both the celebs and the consumers who join them in the Maldives,” Padayachy adds.

#TIOT8 will once again air on SABC 3, from 5 February 2018. "SABC3 is excited to have Tropika Island of Treasure back for another season. This campaign gives our viewers an opportunity to become stars and a stage to shine on national TV. We look forward to finding strong hidden talent during the upcoming auditions," says Aisha Mohamed, SABC 3 Head of Bouquet.

South Africans dreaming of joining their favourite celebs in the Maldives need to buy any Tropika product and join the Tropika team at the #TIOT8 auditions*:

• Saturday 30 September 2017 – Cavendish Square, Cape Town
• Saturday 7 October 2017 – Gateway, Durban
• Saturday 14 October – The Zone, Johannesburg

Consumers who join at the auditions should keep an eye out for their favourite celebs, who’ll be making appearances when least expected. Competition for those seven coveted spots to join the celebs competing for that smoooth R1 million will be fierce, so consumers must bring their A-game to the auditions.

South Africans who don’t make it to the Maldives still stand to win* awesome daily prizes when they buy Tropika product (from September onwards), including:

• A trip for two to the Maldives (to experience the very island that #TIOT8 will take place on, staying at http://www.adaaran.com/)
• A share of R500 000 airtime
• 15 Instax cameras and film
• 5 x R10 000 Travelstart vouchers (valid until Feb 2018)        

The more Tropika bought, the more chances to win.

Connect with Tropika and follow the latest #TIOT8 news online:

Facebook:           https://www.facebook.com/tropikaisland

Twitter:                https://twitter.com/mytropika

Instagram:          https://www.instagram.com/mytropika/

YouTube:            https://www.youtube.com/user/TropikaIsland

Website:             https://www.tropika.co.za/

*Full Ts and Cs can be found on: https://www.tropika.co.za/

                                                                                                -ends-

ADDITIONAL INFO

THE HOST

Katlego Maboe

Katlego Maboe is probably best known as a host of the SABC3 show, Expresso. He also hosted two seasons of Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 and 2015, and has been awarded the title of Presenter of the Year at the 2015 & 2016 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs). Year-on-year, Katlego has grown into a well-known TV presenter, singer, voice-over artist, MC, model and actor.

His charismatic nature has gained him many fans, and his inquisitive nature and zest for life (and travel) will stand him in good stead as he takes the reins and hosts #TIOT8. In addition to hosting the show, Katlego will also be performing the theme tune for #TIOT8 which will be launched to Tropika fans, soon.

FB: https://www.facebook.com/katlego.maboe.page/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KatlegoMaboe

IG: https://www.instagram.com/katlegomaboe/

THE DESTINATION

The Maldives

Perhaps best known for its idyllic white beaches and crystal clear turquoise sea, the Republic of the Maldives is situated in the Indian Ocean. This tropical nation is composed of 26 ring-shaped atolls, which are made up of more than 1 000 coral islands – many still uninhabited. Over 99% of the Maldives is sea, home to one of the most diverse marine treasures of the world. Surrounded by a reef structure, the Maldives houses one of the most exclusive and spectacular underwater life ecosystems. The 1% land is a masterpiece in natural landscaping, divine white beaches and gorgeous villas sitting amidst island flora. With celebs and consumers competing in fun and challenging games to get to that smoooth R1 million - against the breath taking Maldivian backdrop - viewers are in for a real treat!

For any Tropika Island of Treasure media requests or interviews, please contact:

Gabriella Brondani Rego, urban espresso

Email:    gabbi@urbanespresso.co.za

Cell:       +27 79 696 1800

Doulha Domingo

Publicity Coordinator: SABC 3

Tel. (011) 714 6269

Email: domingod@sabc.co.za