How Kannemeyers turned joke into R100,000
Fun-loving family does Gqeberha proud with ‘Family Feud SA triumph
Just as viewers witnessed them on popular TV game show Family Feud SA, the Kannemeyer family is united by laughter and mischief.
Together, the family, from Parkridge, made Gqeberha proud after winning Sunday’s episode of the popular show.
They walked away with almost R100,000 in cash, sore bellies from laughter and priceless family memories.
The experience, they say, was just an addition to the fun times they usually have together.
The game show has two families competing to name the most popular responses to gathered survey questions to win cash and prizes.
It is hosted by US comedian Steve Harvey.
After spending about seven months without seeing each other due to the lockdown, the Kannemeyer siblings and cousins made the best of their reunion when they got together to shoot their audition video in December. The idea to enter the show came as a joke when Robyn, one of the five team members, sent an application form to the family WhatsApp chat group suggesting that they enter.
In no time, the family had agreed to give it a try.
After discussions, Dexter, 32, his wife Lineque, 33, and his three cousins, Luke, 28, Robyn, 31, and Lisa, 23, formed the team that went on to win.
During one of the family get-togethers in December, they filmed their audition video and were notified of the results in February.
In April, they travelled to Johannesburg to shoot the episode.
A close-knit and fun family whose lives before the Covid19 pandemic were characterised by family braais and games, the show was like an extension of their traditions, they all agreed.
“Before Covid-19 we got together every second month or so to do braais or pizza and games nights to just chill together as cousins.
“During Covid-19, we got ourselves used to constantly checking on each other and each other’s kids via video calls,” Lineque said.
Even as children, the cousins recall days of endless laughter when they met at their grandmother’s home for lunches and family gatherings.
“I was actually Lisa’s favourite cousin when she was a toddler, [she was] always wanting to be around me and loved playing with my ears while drinking her bottle,” Dexter said.
“She would cry when I had to go home.”
“Luke and Robyn were, meanwhile, best friends growing up and used to argue a lot.
“Luke used to get her into trouble deliberately but now he is her protector and a great dad to his daughter and to all his nieces and nephews.”
From their time spent together, the cousins have come to know each other’s traits well.
“The crybaby during games has to be either Luke or Dexter,” Lineque said.
“They’re both the most competitive and absolutely hate losing.
“So, when they do lose, let’s just say we won’t hear the end of it.
“The biggest bully would have to be Lisa.
“Not that she’s a bully, but just because she’s very honest and doesn’t take nonsense.
“Luke is a very close second, though, because he likes to work on everyone’s nerves with all that energy of his.”
Though they now get on like a house on fire, the family has had its own share of troubles, which nearly cost them their special bond.
“Unfortunately, we drifted apart for almost six years without talking to one another because of family issues, but we’ve outgrown that and now we are closer than ever,” Lineque said.
“It’s really true that family can overcome anything and everything as long as the focus is on love, forgiveness, understanding and respect for one another.
“We are truly blessed to be in each other’s lives and have one another to lean on in bad times and to celebrate with in good times.”
The Kannemeyer family went up against the Pienaars from Cape Town in Family Feud SA and later won the Fast Money jackpot at the end of the show.
Besides the victory, Dexter said, the family’s most memorable experience was meeting Harvey and the other families on the show.
The episode was among the show’s top five most viewed across both seasons, attracting more than 1.8m viewers.