Survivor South Africa: Panama

Survivor South Africa: Panama starts on Sunday, September 3 at 18:00 in M-Net's Open Time. The following are the contestants... who you can see are hardly the ordinary people on the street fans of the original American series are used to. No wonder my sister didn't get past the first round of interviews.

Brigitte Willers, 24, a sports model who grew up in Ermelo and now lives in Auckland Park, Johannesburg. Brigitte was named the FHM model of the year in 2005 and voted the 56th sexiest woman in the world by readers of the magazine this year;

Danielle Vukic, 35, a photographic producer from Green Point, Cape Town, who admits she's a wild, fun-loving kugel who loves pampering and luxuries;

Don Soper, 54, who is a businessman from Hurlingham Manor, Johannesburg, and who attended the SA Naval Academy. He has taken part in several international yacht races;

Gareth Tjasink, 26, a medical intern at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, who is well known as the Archers Aqua man. He also had a brief acting stint on Egoli. Gareth studied at the University of Cape Town and lives in Sunninghill, Johannesburg;

Jacinda Louw, 25, an entrepreneur from Bedfordview, Johannesburg, with an emerald belt in kickboxing, was a Miss SA finalist and is a professional Latin American dancer, part-time model and professional make-up artist who also runs a finishing school for kids;

Jude Wilken, 39, who is a hostage negotiator and police platoon commander. This body-language expert, who won a gold medal and two silver medals at the World Police and Fire games in Indianapolis, lives in Kempton Park;

Lezel Crook, 28, a tomboy attorney from Cape Town who has represented South Africa at volleyball. She has travelled the world and lived in Sweden, the United Kingdom and the Cayman Islands;

Mzi Tyhokolo, 31, an energy advisor for a big fuel company, grew up in the Free State towns of Bethulie and Welkom and now lives in Honeydew Ridge, Johannesburg. He holds a BSc honours degree and has a vast general knowledge;

Ncumisa Ngcaweni, 30, an NGO skills trainer from Cape Town, who strives to change people's lives for the better. She is involved in a number of projects helping teenagers and young people;

Nico Hinis, 43, who is a chain-smoking restaurateur and first-rate chef from Parkhurst, Johannesburg;

Sam Allerton, 30, who is a sculptor from from Hogsback in the Eastern Cape who now spends most of his time in Cape Town. He won the Men's Health Look competition in 2005.

Sanele Gumede, 27, who is a level-headed brand manager who grew up in Durban but now lives close to work, in Sandton, Johannesburg;

Vanessa Marawa, 27, who is a beautiful estate agent who moved back to Durban after a highly successful modelling stint in Cape Town; and

Zayn Nabbi, 23, who is an outspoken rugby writer working for the Daily News in Durban. He's a devoted Catholic.