Leandie du Randt is marking her 38th birthday with a three-week filming adventure on Réunion Island for the 12th season of Tropika Island of Treasure.
Key takeaways
- The actor and presenter is competing for a combined R1-million prize.
- Her celebrity competitors include Nadia Nakai, Caster Semenya, Francois Hougaard, Sandile Mahlangu, Amanda du-Pont, Lalela Mswane and Wiseman Mncube.
- Each famous contestant will be partnered with a member of the public.
- Du Randt has been exercising five to seven times per week before filming.
- She hopes the experience will help both her and her teammate discover new opportunities.
More than a competition
Although taking home the prize money would be a major achievement, Du Randt believes the personal rewards could be worth far more. She said one of her goals is to return home feeling more fulfilled and more deeply aware of herself.
At 38, she sees the reality show as a launching pad for the next chapter of her life. The experience, she explained, is intended to help her become more at ease with who she is and move confidently towards the woman she believes she is meant to become.
Du Randt will face the island challenge alongside Nadia Nakai, Caster Semenya, Francois Hougaard, Sandile Mahlangu, Amanda du-Pont, Lalela Mswane and Wiseman Mncube. The celebrities will each team up with an unfamiliar member of the public.
Training for every possible outcome
In preparation, Du Randt has increased both her resistance training and cardiovascular workouts, exercising between five and seven times each week. However, she says the psychological preparation has been even more demanding.
She is picturing herself reaching the final and believes strongly in behaving mentally as though the result she wants has already happened. At the same time, she knows she must accept that the competition could end very quickly. If she is the first person sent home, she says, life will continue and the experience will still offer lessons.
For Du Randt, imagining the worst-case scenario removes some of the fear. By making peace with every possible result, she believes she can compete with greater freedom and perform more effectively.
She expects the biggest challenge to come not from the physical tasks but from managing the rush of nerves. The feeling, she said, reminds her of the adrenaline that came before athletics meets and school sports matches. Turning that nervous energy into concentration will be essential.
Her university studies in Industrial Psychology may also help when she is paired with someone she has never encountered before. Du Randt says adaptability and openness are central parts of her character.
Her BComm in Industrial Psychology gave her insight into human behaviour, personality assessments and how teams function. She plans to use that knowledge to understand her partner quickly and adjust her own style so the pair can make the most of their combined strengths. Whoever she is matched with, she says, she will give the partnership her full commitment.
Learning to adapt
That approach comes from experience. Du Randt says she prepares in great detail because being ready gives her the confidence to change direction when circumstances shift. She typically develops several possible plans rather than relying on just one.
When she entered the entertainment industry nearly 20 years ago, unexpected changes were difficult for her to handle. Over time, however, she learned that flexibility is vital to survival: refusing to adapt, she believes, can ultimately bring an end to progress.
The destination is another reason she is excited about the series. Du Randt and her partner have wanted to visit Réunion Island for years, and she will now experience it through her work while surrounded by what she describes as an impressive group of people.
When asked what she wants to gain from the journey, Du Randt again focused on personal development. Beyond her own transformation, she hopes the adventure will also change her teammate’s life by opening the door to fresh blessings and future opportunities.
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