Actress, media personality, and lelive skincare founder Amanda du-Pont is getting ready to tackle the high-stakes physical and mental challenges of the upcoming 12th season of Tropika Island of Treasure, set against the scenic backdrop of Réunion Island.
Ahead of the show’s premiere, du-Pont opened up about her balanced approach to preparing for the competition, blending her existing fitness routine with a deep reliance on her spiritual foundation.
Also read: Empact Group crowns its top culinary talent at 2026 Culinary Exchange
A ‘slow-build’ approach to fitness
Rather than completely overhauling her exercise regime, du-Pont opted for a “slow-build approach” to ensure her body could handle the physical demands of the island trials. She incorporated mild cardiovascular work, primarily running and cycling to gradually build up her stamina and endurance.
“I have a strong belief that Christ will carry me when my body fails me, so my faith was a huge part of my preparation,” du-Pont revealed, adding that her Christian faith served as her anchor.
Alongside her spiritual preparation, she sharpened her mental game by working through general knowledge trivia and puzzle challenges in the lead-up to production.
Team dynamics and personal challenges
With Tropika Island of Treasure relying heavily on team mechanics and strategic partnerships, du-Pont shared what she hopes to find in a teammate.
She expressed a desire to be paired with a partner who is “strong in their faith” and physically robust enough to complement her own areas of limitation. She candidly cited her height, long-distance running, and swimming as personal challenges, noting she can handle running and swimming “at a cute level,” but not necessarily at an athletic competition standard.
Beyond the grueling trials, the environmental advocate, who has previously collaborated with Greenpeace on ocean conservation, looks forward to taking in Réunion Island’s pristine coastline.
A packed 2026 for the ‘lelive’ founder
The reality show stint comes during a busy period for the South African star. Du-Pont has recently been in production for a new series and an independent film, while also earning a nomination at the South African Voice Over Awards.
Meanwhile, her local beauty label, lelive, continues its rapid rise as one of South Africa’s fastest-growing skincare brands, recently earning a nomination at the South African Fashion Awards.
Catch Amanda du-Pont on the 12th season of Tropika Island of Treasure, premiering on SABC 1 on Wednesday, 23 September at 21:00, with repeat broadcasts airing Thursdays on S3 at 18:00.
