SURVIVING LOCKDOWN

Christi and Nico Panagio talk about family life and the challenges of the pandemic and give us a glimpse behind the scenes of the new season of Survivor SA

- JODY-LYNN

HE’S used to filming in exotic locations with sandy white beaches, palm trees and crystal-clear water. But the best perk of Nico Panagio’s job as host of Survivor South Africa is exploring the tropical islands where the show is filmed with his family in tow.

This time around, however, things were a little different. Two weeks before filming was set to begin for the new season of the show, the country went into lockdown and all travel ground to a halt.

Nico, who’s back on our screens presenting Survivor SA: Immunity Island, says he wasn’t sure the reality show would go ahead because of the pandemic.

But the show’s producers came up with a bright idea when restrictions meant filming had to be kept close to home.

Instead of flying halfway around the world to a tropical destination, they’d film on home soil.

Season 8 of Survivor SA was shot over 39 days last year on the breathtakingly beautiful Eastern Cape Wild Coast. With its lush vegetation and desolate beaches, it’s the perfect environment for contestants to pit their wits and physical strength against each other for the R1 million cash prize.

Nico (47) is used to his wife, Christi (44), and daughters Evah (10) and Shay (8) tagging along when he films the show. In the past, he’d be working while Christi and their daughters scouted their surroundings.

Before filming began last year, however, the family quarantined for eight days in their hotel room on the Wild Coast to comply with Covid-19 protocols.