Durban estate agent Vanessa Marawa was voted the winner of South Africa's first Survivor reality television show, winning R1 million in the final episode, which was screened on M-Net last night.
Marawa, of Umhlanga, won by one vote from Johannesburg's Jacinda Louw. Independent Newspapers' Zayn Nabbi held the swing vote and, despite being in the same tribe as Louw for most of the show, voted for his fellow Durbanite.
Marawa, the sister of television personality Robert Marawa, said she hoped her win would focus more attention on the city, but has not yet decided on whether Durban will continue to be her home.
"I would like to stay in Durban . . . Survivor has brought a whole new element to my life," she said.
Overwhelmed by the win, Marawa was tight-lipped on how she would spend the R1 million.
"I think I will invest a bit in myself and take it from there," she said.
Louw said she was already holding classes for girls between the ages of four and 12 on public speaking and other aspects.
Marawa was not the only Durban resident who walked way with a prize yesterday.
Mzi Tyhokolo, who is originally from the Free State but now lives in Westville, was awarded a holiday getaway to Sabi Sabi Game Reserve for being voted the most popular survivor by viewers.
- This article was originally published on page 1 of The Mercury on November 27, 2006