GiGi

Izimvo has the pleasure of introducing the winner of South Africa’s first celebrity Survivor; GiGi.

Recently voted as the winner of M-Net’s Survivor South Africa: Santa Caroline, GiGi beat out 14 celebrity contestants to walk away with the show’s first prize of a million Rand. By winning the competition, GiGi earned R500 000 for herself and R500 000 for Hospice, her charity of choice.

GiGi, a trained actress, has appeared in the successful Nipplecaps and G-strings stage production, sun City’s Spellbound and has been seen on the big screen in Poena is Koning. GiGi is also well-known as the owner of The Lollipop Lounge, an exotic dance club in Johannesburg.

Website: http://www.gigi.co.za
Location: Johannesburg

GiGi was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

Q: How would you like to be introduced at a social event?

A: GiGi, winner of Survivor S.A., business women and actress.

Q: Tell us something that not many others know about you. This could be anything from a phobia to your favorite movie.

A: I was born with six fingers, on every hand. My father was a composer of classical music.

Q: What do you enjoy doing when you want to get away from it all?

A: I particularly enjoy going to the Overberg, especially Franskraal.

Q: How would you describe your dream holiday home and where in South Africa would you like it to be?

A: A home away from home with all necessities that prevent you having to pack for a holiday. The Kelders outside Gaansbaai, where the whales gather to breed.

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property – Looking for the ultimate home in the Western Cape? How about this 4 bedroom, 2 bathroom home right on the rocks with views from the lighthouse at Hangklip all the way to the lighthouse at Cape Point.

Winning Survivor South Africa: Santa Carolina

Q: Congratulations on winning Survivor Santa Caroline! Now that you’ve had some time to reflect on the experience, what did you most enjoy about your time on the island and what is the one piece of advice would you offer future contestants?

A: I enjoyed the fact that there were no cell phone calls to answer or emails to write, just the silence was wonderful. The beauty of the location was also spectacular. Be prepared to be REALLY, REALLY, HUNGRY.

Q: Survivor managed to raise R2.27 million for 17 local charities including R530 000 for your charity, Hospice. Tell us about your history with Hospice, why you selected them as your charity on Survivor and what it was like giving them the winning cheque?

A: We, The Lollipop Lounge, have had a long history with them, my business partners wife passed away from cancer and we have since then pledged to help Hospice however we can.

Q: What were the greatest lessons your learnt about yourself during your time on the island and which of your fellow contestants surprised you the most in terms of breaking your initial perceptions of them?

A: I learned that one can do more than one at first perceives, if you apply yourself accordingly. It also taught me never to give up. Proverb surprised me the most as he stuck it out right to the end.

Q: Give us a little insight into daily life on the island?

A: Wake up, realise how hungry you are and try to scavenge for anything that you can possibly eat.

Q: What was the first thing you treated yourself to when you arrived home from the island?

A: A box of Quality Street chocolates and I do mean, the WHOLE BOX.

Q: What is the first thing you bought with your prize money from the show and what can we look forward to from GiGi in 2010 and beyond?

A: I am currently renovating parts of my entertainment venue and the prize money went a long way towards easing that burden, So you can all look forward to a BIGGER and Better Lollipop lounge.

Life in South Africa

Q: Have you or any of your immediate family been affected by crime? If yes, has it changed your perception of the country and the way you and your family live your lives?

A: My sister-in-law was recently, senselessly murdered in Stellenbosch and I and my Business partner and several staff were held up by seven assailants at gun point and robbed. I was also assaulted during this robbery and can truly say that I feared for my life. I think I, my family and all other people in this country tend to admire the beauty from behind trellis fencing and spot lights.

Q: If you were given the opportunity of sitting down with the president. What advice would you offer him?

A: I would advise him to enter for the next celebrity survivor, as I think that he would have a clearer understanding of what it feels like to be so helpless and hungry. Who knows, it may inspire a man with such power to influence change on those to whom helplessness and hunger is not just a competition that will end in a month.

Q: If you were tasked with spending a portion of the Lotto revenues on improving South Africa, where would you start?

A: The Roads.

Q: What are your thoughts on the Soccer World Cup and the impact it will have on the local adult entertainment industry? Is Lollipop Lounge planning anything special for the duration of the tournament?

A: I and all of us in the industry are hoping that it will result in brisk trade and to that end, we at the Lollipop Lounge will be putting on shows that showcase the local flavor.

General

Q: If you could invite any three contestants from Survivor South Africa to Lollipop Lounge, who would your invite and who do you think will have the best time?

A: Ockert Brits, as just to see him blush would be worth it. Sade, as she is a dancer in an M Net presenters body and lastly, Sandi as she is pretty nifty with a hula hoop, shake it girl as you have certainly got it.

Q: One book that you would make required reading for all matric pupils and which book would you say has had the greatest impact on your life?

A: The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera.

Q: If the next Survivor South Africa were to be for South African politicians, which challenge would you start the season with?

A: The hardest tasks would be first to weed out the weak.

Q: If you could go back in time and give your eighteen-year-old self one piece of advice, what would it be?

A: Always do the things you fear most, as the end of fear is a certainty.

Q: Who would you most like to read about on Izimvo and what would you ask them?

A: Mr Nelson Mandela. I would enjoy almost anything he has to talk about and if there were ever a person as well versed in overcoming challenges.

We’d like to thank GiGi for taking the time to answer our questions and wish her and the team at Lollipop Lounge every success for the future.