Ashley Hayden

Izimvo has the honour of introducing Survivor South Africa finalist: Ashley Hayden.

One of South Africa’s most popular celebrities, Ashley has been involved in the entertainment industry for over 15 years. Her career highlights include becoming a house hold name as an MNet continuity presenter, traveling the world  as the anchor for MNet’s travel programme Bon Voyage and hosting both the Miss South Africa and Mr South Africa pageants.

As an actress, Ashley has also been in numerous local and international productions. She has hosted corporate events, gala dinners, conferences, fashion shows, and awards evenings and is much in demand as a voice artist for television and radio.

Lookout for the details on how to win an Survivor South Africa hamper at the end of this interview.

Website: http://www.mnet.co.za/Survivor
Location: Santa Carolina

Ashley was kind enough to answer the following questions:

Personal

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

A: I don’t really like to be introduces as anything – a name is enough! Besides, there are so many things that I do that it would get a bit ridiculous – “I’d like to introduce you to Ashley Hayden, Survivor, motivational speaker, voice artist, actress, television presenter and business woman!” Also I don’t like to be put in a box, so a name suffices!

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

A: I love taking long baths, which have to be accompanied by a cup of tea, the telephone, sudoku puzzle, book, specs and sometimes if I’m in for the long haul, chocolate!

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

A: My home is my sanctuary, and the company of Charlie and the children – we hang out, braai, swim, play – it’s the nicest thing to do – i often feel scrutinised in public so being home is a private, comforting, cocooning space.

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

A: Open plan, relaxed and comfortable, with loads of room for friends to come and stay. Ideally somewhere on the coast – where it doesn’t rain at Christmas!

This question was proudly sponsored by Private Property. Looking for the affordable holiday home along the Dolphin Coast of South Africa? How about his R830k 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom home in the Palm Lake Estate, Ballito?

Survivor South Africa: Santa Carolina

Q: Congratulations on reaching the final two! What was your first reaction when you were first asked to be on Survivor South Africa and how long was it before you agreed to become a contestant?

A: My first reaction was…”are you nuts?!” Charlie was a lot keener on the idea than I was, as he is a huge fan of Survivor, and in the past, when the show has come on, I usually head for the bathroom for some uninterrupted reading in a deep tub. When I said to him ” How can I possibly leave you and the kids for a month” he looked at me and said in a very kind way “Dont worry, you wont be there that long”…! I decided almost immediately that I would prove him wrong!

Q: Your charity, The Homestead, is an organisation that helps South African street children. Tell us about your history with the organisation and what are some of the ways the prize money will benefit the children should you go on and win on Wednesday?

A: I first found out about The Homestead last year when I did the Femina Nearly Nude Calender, and the Homestead were the beneficiaries. I was so taken with what an amazing thing it is that they do that I knew I wanted to help get kids away from the means streets and back into mainstream life, so that they stand a fighting chance for a bright future.

If I win on Wednesday, the R500 000 will go towards a new house that they are building for the kids in Kayelitsha. It’s not nearly enough, but its a great start, and I hope to be able to use my celebrity (or should that be notoriety!) to be able to help raise more.

Q: During your time on the island, what were some of the things that you learnt about yourself and which of your fellow contestants surprised you the most in terms of breaking the perceptions you had of them?

A: I arrived on Santa Carolina quite prepared to heartily dislike Gigi on the basis of her profession, and ended up really liking and respecting her – reinforcing once again that you should always actually meet somebody before you make any kind of decisions about them. Dur! I feel dumb even writing this, but there it is!

I also learned that women are amazing, strong, determined creatures, and that the ability to succeed depends not on the strength of your biceps, but in the strength of your determination.

Ashley and Kaz

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

A: We’d wake up at first light, about 4.15am, and then gradually get going. First priority was to get food, firewood etc before the heat of the day hit us. I’d then go and have my morning “bath”, a dip in the sea, accompanied by vigorous scrubbing with sand to try to get the filth off. I’d also wash my clothes in the sea.

Mornings were usually taken up with preparing to go to the challenge, which was often around mid-day (hectic, because the sun is about 42 deg C then). We’d go to challenge, and then in the intense heat of early afternoon, try to rest in a shady spot if possible.

After the challenge, we’d all head off in search of food again, and then at about 5ish we’d start the walk to tribal council. From there it was back to camp, sleep and when the sun came up the next day, we’d start all over again.

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

A: The day after I arrived back I went down to the Fruit and veg store in our neighbourhood and bought cherries, apricots, grapes, strawberries, apples and pears. It seemed like unimaginable luxury to eat such delicious amazing fruit after a month with only boiled ground cover!

Tribal Council

Q: What are your plans for your share of the prize money should you go on to win and what can we look forward to from Ashley Hayden in 2010 and beyond?

A: Alas, the first thing I will have to do is probably give the taxman 40% of it, which frankly is a bit galling, but there it is! Then I want to take the family on a holiday – the furore surrounding the show means that I have been working quite hard, and would really love for us all to spend some fun time together.

I’m putting the finishing touches on my new Corporate Survivor presentation, which extrapolates lessons learned on the island into the business world, and examines leadership, teamwork and strategy. This will run alongside my seminars that I give on the role of women in the corporate sector.

I will also continue with what I usually do – broadcasting, MCing, Conference facilitation, voice work, and various other bits and pieces. So that’s the immediate future – from there – who knows – the Universe is wonderfully random, and presents you with opportunities that you never dreamed of (like Survivor) – I look forward to seeing what else is coming my way that I don’t yet know about!

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: Fortunately, we ourselves have never been victims of crime. Friends have had break-ins and being held up by weapons, but we have not, and I think it certainly colours the way you view things – we still feel optimistic and blessed to live in this country. That is of course until certain politicians stand up and make idiots of themselves, and then I think “Oh Hell! We’re heading down the same road as Zimbabwe”

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

A: I’d tell him to stop spending money on wasted things like armaments, weapons and the army, and to focus all his energies on educating the youth. Without a strong moral and fiscally sound generation of youngsters growing up right now, we will doom ourselves to more of the crime and violence we are experiencing now. I’d also tell him to give back the R200 000 from the Survivor prize money that will go off in tax, and give it to The Homestead!

Q: If you were tasked with commissioning a postal stamp depicting the beauty of South Africa and it’s people, which image would you select?

A: The faces of children of different skin colours.

Q: With less than 60 days to the first African Soccer World Cup, what advice would you offer to first-time visitors looking for the ultimate South African experience?

A: Get to know the locals! they know the good spots, and we are the friendliest bunch on the planet – we will ensure you have a great time!

General

Q: If you could invite any three contestants from Survivor South Africa to a dinner party, who would they be and what would you serve?

A: Sandi Schultz, Louw Venter, and Kas Pillay, because I really got on well with all of them, prior to my voting them off! I would make roasted cherry tomato pasta with fresh herbs and garlic, followed by a cold lemon soufflé and freshly ground coffee and cream and a large box of the ultra dark Lindor chocolate balls.

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: Possibly The Road Less Travelled by Scott Peck, which starts “Life is difficult..” It certainly is but once you acknowledge that it is, you go about making a plan to deal with the challenges, and then you can move forward.

Q: If the next Survivor South Africa were to be for South African politicians, which challenge from your show would you start the season with and who would you have your money on for being voted out first?

A: We’d play truth or dare. Malema would be voted out first.

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

A: Pro – and how come he got to be such a cool cat?

We’d like to thank Ashley for taking the time to answer our questions.

Reminder to support Ashley during the 90 minute season finale on MNet tomorrow night at 19:30. The winner will walk away with the R500 000 for themselves and their chosen charity.

Win a Survivor South Africa Santa Carolina Hamper
Your chance to win an amazing Survivor South Africa: Santa Carolina hamper consisting of Signed autograph card, a branded lip ice, branded match box and a stylish Survivor hat. All you have to do to win is one of the following:

• Simply tweet the following hashtag: #izimvo_survivor_sa
• Leave a comment on this interview
• or leave a comment on our Facebook page.

Good Luck! The winner will be drawn at 9pm after the season finale.