Team Red emerges victorious
ISLAND OF TREASURE: BRENDAN PEYPER AND LISANNE LAZARUS WIN R1 MILLION PRIZE
Team Yellow pushed the victors all the way in what was a thrilling finale.
In a nail-biting finale of Tropika Island of Treasure, Brendan Peyper and Lisanne Lazarus from team Red emerged victorious on Monday night. As winners they’ll split the R1 million prize – but above all they have the bragging rights that they can take on and overcome almost anything. In Monday night’s final episode of the series, team Red fought hard to beat Nay Maps and Rudi Witkowsky (Team Yellow) for the title of #TIOT8 champions. Following a series of twists throughout the series, 22-yearold Lazarus was chosen by 21-year-old Peyper to be his teammate in the beginning stages of the competition. It became evident the duo would be a team to watch out for, with many teams noting them as their biggest threat. And they were right. Lazarus and Peyper proved to be a force to be reckoned with, and no one is more thrilled with the outcome than Lazarus. “When I found out I was going to be on the show, I obviously wanted to win but I didn’t expect it – only because I didn’t know who my competition would be and I didn’t know at the time who I’d be paired up with. “In all honesty, I was just excited to go to the Maldives. “After being paired with Brendan and looking at the other teams’ weightings, I felt very confident because I knew Brendan and I would complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses very well,” said Lazarus.
Peyper was just as grateful for the team mate he found in Lazarus.
“I truly had an incredible partner. We remained calm even though things sometimes went south, and we ensured that we kept the faith with God on our side – this was the most important aspect for us.”
Peyper said he never expected to win but always had a vison with what he’d do with the money.
“I told myself that if it’s God’s will for me to win I’d never waste the money, but invest where it is needed.
“When it came to challenges, I always went in feeling confident because from the start I told myself to just enjoy the amazing experience, and even though you didn’t win anything through the initial stages of the competition, it was about how you recover after you gave your best and still lost. It was important going into each challenge, learning from your mistakes.”
Lazarus, (who is graduating with a Cum Laude and Deans Merit in Broadcast Journalism) is currently the digital producer for East Coast Radio’s breakfast show. She will use the majority of her share of the prize money to invest in property – and treat herself to a shopping spree.
Peyper, who was recently revealed as the lead to portray Buddy in the brand-new musical, Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story, will use his share of the prize money to secure some property.
Team Yellow might not have won the prize money, but Maps and Witkowsky made a strong showing in the finale.
“We knew that there was a strong possibility that if we had to make it the finals, we could face team Red because they were very strong in the first few challenges and were really consistent throughout the season,” said Maps.
Witkowsky echoed Maps’ sentiments, adding: “While we expected to compete in the final against team Red, the fact that there were so many twists throughout #TIOT8 meant that the game could turn at any point – making it anyone’s final.
“The season was really full of
I told myself that if it’s God’s will for me to win I’d never waste the money