Date night, but every night

NOT EVERYONE is brave enough to enter a dating show on national TV, but when the producers throw in R100 000, you may think twice.

This was the case for Ruan Scheepers, the Durban contestant on SABC3’S original format show, The Longest Date.

The show is a combination of high-octane, extreme adventure, drama, friendship and love, all rolled into one, and judging from the 16 contestants on the first episode, it’s definitely one to catch.

Contestants vary from race, size, occupation and even sexual orientation.

In the first episode, the 16 contestants are paired up and they will be together for the remainder of the series, completing challenges and (hopefully) falling in love to give them a chance at winning the cash prize.

“There were a few reasons I entered, one being that there was R100 000 up for grabs. Who wouldn’t want that kind of money just for doing some challenges? I am a 35-year-old man, so this was an amazing opportunity for me to put myself out there,” said Scheepers.

There was no hiding the shock on Scheepers’ face when he was paired with Joedy Ramjith, 32, a cake creator from Johannesburg.

“I was shocked, I think everyone could see the shock on my face – I couldn’t even hide it. But it was only because I’m a tall guy and he is really short, it had nothing to do with race – and as episodes air, viewers will see how our relationship changes and grows. Jody is a really sweet and clever guy,” Scheepers said.

He said he had been single for more or less three years and it was because he is fussy, picky.

While being on the show was challenging for Scheepers, he likes to think of himself as an adrenaline junkie.

“I can do anything except heights – that’s my biggest fear. And one of the challenges was about heights. Luckily Jody helped me or else I would have blacked out,” he said.

Scheepers said being on the show has taught him two important lessons, acceptance and to live life to the fullest.

“Accept any human being for who they are, if you’re at peace with yourself then you will be happy. And secondly, live every day as if it is your last.

Will Scheepers enter again given the chance?

“While I enjoyed the show and the challenges it came with, given the chance again, I will not do it – I would rather do something like The Amazing Race. These challenges where a bit extreme for me – I even ended up with a fractured finger,” said Scheepers.

The Longest Date airs on Mondays at 7.30pm on SABC3.