Water-shy Buhle in the swim to win ‘Survivor SA’
SHE cannot swim, but that has not stopped Buhle Madlala from shining in this season’s Survivor South Africa challenge.
Viewers first encountered Madlala when she announced “this darkie girl can’t swim” during the first episode of the show filmed on several islands in the South China Sea.
While some may have written her off right there and then, her team leader, soccer veteran Mark Fish, did not.
He simply flipped her on to his back as he swam the 100-odd metres to shore.
It was a hard swim, according to M-Net’s Lani Lombard, because contestants wore water shoes to protect their feet from the coral. It paid off. Madlala, 32, from KwaZulu- Natal, is the only surviving female contestant in the show.
She entered knowing her inability to swim could be a handicap, but Madlala also knew she had other strengths.
“I am an only child, and grew up with my cousins who are mainly boys. It was not a surprise at all to be the only female left in the game.”
Madlala was among 20 castaways selected for this year’s Survivor challenge.
Contestants battle alongside team leaders Fish and former Springbok rugby captain Corné Krige.
For now, Madlala remains on the island alongside wedding planner Zavion Kotze, pilot Altaaf Sheik, financial analyst Graham Jenneker, student Sivu Xabanisa and David de Wet.
“My strategy has always been to stay under the radar,” she said. “I decided from the beginning to be in the shadows, play a game that was a reflection of my character, and prove that you can survive in this game with a clean record.”