Viewers have been waiting with bated breath to meet the luscious group of Islanders from M-Net’s hot new reality series, Love Island SA. In tonight’s special 90-minute premiere episode, the first set of sizzling hot singletons from across SA have entered the luxurious Villa for a six-week bae-cation.
These ten sexy love hopefuls must couple up and live together all in the name of love and the chance to win R1 million in the process. Throughout the series, the Islanders will be forced to re-couple where they can choose (or be chosen) to remain in their current couple or swap and change, whilst also undergoing several dates, tasks and challenges, in the quest to avoid being dumped from the Villa.
With five boys and five girls in the opening line-up, it’s an even playing field. Unless a surprise twist awaits… Who will couple up with who and which couple will outlast the rest?
Meet the Islanders
[divider]Asad Boomgaard [/divider]
Asad, a 24-year-old Personal Trainer from Johannesburg, says that he’s an old soul and a romantic at heart. He enjoys surprising the people he loves and once flew cupcakes from Cape Town to Johannesburg for a love interest, only to end up friend-zoned. Asad enjoys being active and outdoors and is looking for “…a good woman to keep me grounded,”.
Follow Asad on Instagram: @asado_b
[divider]Durang Atembe [/divider]
A charming 22-year-old, Durang is from the Mother City and a Personal Trainer. He is confident that he’s what the ladies are looking for, “I’ve got swagger, everyone said that I should join the show, I’m going with it and I’m interested. So, it will be a blessing having me on the show.” He values the small things in life and knows that being humble and working hard gets you places. When he’s not in the gym training his ripped body, Durang spends his time taking road trips and listening to good music.
Follow Durang on Instagram: @durangatembe
[divider]Erin Japhta [/divider]
22-year-old Erin, from Cape Town, is a marketing student who studies in Los Angeles. She believes that Love Island is her second chance, “I’ve moved around a lot; I somewhat believe I deserve another chance at love and really hoping this is my opportunity.” Erin has lived in Indonesia, Los Angeles and now Cape Town. She’s a social butterfly and enjoys singing, going to the beach, hiking, hanging with friends, games nights, and fun night clubs.
Follow Erin on Instagram: @erinjaphta
[divider]Ian De Beer [/divider]
Bringing Afrikaans boy charm to the Island is 24-year-old Ian “I’m confident and funny. I love awkwardness.” Ian is a Law Student and as a Bodybuilder, was determined to bring a ripped torso to the Villa, “I will come shredded for the show – I will have the best body,”. He is looking for a mature girl because he has two older sisters and that is what he is used to. He knows his way around the girls and believes he won’t struggle to get them to like him. His hobbies are working out, hiking, running and gaming.
Follow Ian on Instagram: @iandebeer_
[divider]Jay Freemantle[/divider]
Sandton “Social media star”, Jay, is 23 and the Founder & CEO of a Digital Marketing Agency and Fitness Influencer. “I hate the term influencer. An influencer is someone like Gandhi and Mandela, not a social media ‘star’ “. Dark eyebrows are a massive pull for him. His most significant relationship was with his high school sweetheart. Since then, he has not had a significant relationship and is hoping that Love Island SA will change that. Apart from being a fitness fanatic, Jay also spends his time cooking and doing photography.
Follow Jay on Instagram: @livingwithjay_
[divider]Kaige Bertasso [/divider]
Kaige is a feisty 21-year-old from Durban, “People confuse my confidence with arrogance – I love to boast.” In 2017, he experienced a life-altering event when his motorbike accident ended his professional tennis career. The experience taught him to never give up even when his whole world turned upside down. Making lemonade, Kaige became a Professional Tennis Coach. He will be loud and proud in the Villa and believes he has the best banter with looks to match.
Follow Kaige on Instagram: @land_of_kaige
[divider]Millie Terblanche [/divider]
20-year-old Millie is a quirky and outgoing Influencer from Cape Town. She’s here to entertain and bring about loads of banter: “I am funny… but dumb… but not dumb… but funny… but dumb”. At 17 she left her hometown to study in Cape Town, lost lots of weight and began taking care of herself while also creating a life that she loves. Millie entered the show to find love in a new and interesting way. As a creator, she enjoys creating art and watching and creating YouTube content, but also a good party!
Follow Millie on Instagram: @millieterblanche
[divider]Rochelle Van Vuuren[/divider]
Stunning Demi Moore lookalike, Rochelle, is 23 and from Pretoria. She is a Digital Creator, qualified in BCom Strategic Management and also heavily involved in the fitness world. She competed in IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness) in 2019 and won her first competition. She obtained her Gauteng North Colours and went on to compete for South Africa. This has taught her a whole new side to discipline. Her weakness is that she forgives too easily – her ex cheated on her many times, “My ex wasn’t even a trophy, maybe a bronze medal.”
Follow Rochelle on Instagram: @rochelle_vv
[divider]Summer Da Cruz [/divider]
A Hooters girl! Summer (21) hails from Johannesburg. She is a professional dancer and has worked on MSC Cruise liners, where she got to visit several beautiful and exotic countries “I’ve travelled the entire world and still haven’t met someone who sparks something in me, I’m sure he’s in South Africa… somewhere,”. She is funny and clumsy but thinks on her feet. As a Love Islander, she brings her competitive streak and bubbly personality to the table and is looking for the guy with the good teeth…
Follow Summer on Instagram: @summer.dacruz
[divider]Thimna Shooto [/divider]
26-year-old Thimna from Mossel Bay is confident and charismatic. She considers the current dating world very superficial and is looking for a real connection, “I’m tired of these rats, and I want a real man.” She says that her intelligence and independence can be intimidating to some men. In 2018, she was in a long-distance relationship that taught her a lot about knowing her self-worth. She is not jaded and not afraid to express her feelings. Go, Thimna!
Follow Thimna on Instagram: @itsmythimthim
Additional Islanders will be introduced and announced as the season progresses. Further to choosing their partners wisely, Islanders must also win the hearts of viewers who could shape events on screen, by joining in on the voting and poll activities during the show. To participate, viewers can visit the M-Net Website (web/mobile) and the DStv App.
Leandie du Randt serves as the host while witty voice-over artist Warren Robertson navigates viewers through the ultimate journey to finding love. One-hour episodes of this scorching reality TV series will air Mondays-Fridays at 9.30 pm on M-Net Channel 101 and viewers can watch unseen-bits just after the 8 pm movie on Sunday evenings. Love Island SA is produced by Rapid Blue and sponsored by Lotto Star.
Viewers can visit the M-Net Website for exclusive show content and join the conversation on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook using the #LovelslandSA and #mnet101.