Tropika Island Search Takes Past Celebrity Contestants On A Global Search for The Next Island Of Treasure

Last week, the highly anticipated 12th season of Tropika Island of Treasure was announced alongside the star-studded cast of Nadia Nakai, Caster Semenya, Francois Hougaard, Leandie du Randt, Sandile Mahlangu, Amanda Du-Pont, Lalela Mswane, and Wiseman Mncube. Now, Clover is excited to reveal an innovative companion series that takes the Tropika Island franchise to new heights: Tropika Island Search.

In this exciting expansion, host Zanele Potelwa will travel to seven stunning international destinations, accompanied by a rotating lineup of former Tropika Island of Treasure contestants who bring their island experience, insider knowledge, and infectious energy to the search. Together, they will evaluate breathtaking locations to determine the perfect tropical paradise for the upcoming 12th season. To help her navigate the world’s most beautiful locales, Zanele has called on an elite group of former contestants who know exactly what it takes to survive and thrive on the island.

The scouting team includes:Hungani Ndlovu (Season 11)Shashi Naidoo (Seasons 2 and 10)Bobby Van Jaarsveld (Season 11)Nay Maps (Seasons 8 and 10)Jonathan Boynton-Lee (Seasons 7 and 10)Nqobile Khwezi (Season 11)Chad Jones (Season 11)

The search will take Zanele and the former contestants to island paradises like Mauritius, Antalya, Turkey, Phuket, Thailand, Bali, Indonesia, Mombasa, Kenya, La Réunion and Vietnam. Every episode, viewers will join Zanele and her celebrity companions as they explore the beautiful beaches, vibrant cultures, luxurious resorts, and hidden gems at each spot, assessing everything from scenic beauty and adventure potential to challenge suitability, most importantly, that all-important smoooth Tropika island magic.

This companion series adds a fresh layer of anticipation, giving fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how the iconic reality adventure show selects its dream location.

"With Tropika Island Search, we are essentially opening the curtains and inviting our viewers into the boardroom and onto the plane with us," says Miantha Roux, Business Unit Head: Beverages at Clover. "This expansion allows us to showcase the sheer scale of the Tropika Island of Treasure property. It’s not just about the final destination; it’s about the journey, the adventure, and the high standards we set to ensure Season 12 is our most visually spectacular yet."

Sveti Kovatcheva, Brand Manager: Dairy Fruit Mix at Clover, adds: "Taking seven of our most beloved past contestants on this global scout is a tribute to the 'Smoooth' family we’ve built over the years. By exploring destinations like Vietnam, Bali, and Antalya, we are bringing a world of inspiration to our audience before the first challenge even begins. We wanted the search for the perfect island to be an event in itself, and Zanele and our former celebrity contestants are the perfect team to lead that charge."

Dichaba Phalatse, Marketing Manager for SABC Video Entertainment comments, “We’re thrilled to launch Tropika Island Search on S3. With the vibrant Zanele Potelwa at the helm, the show takes viewers on an exciting journey across seven tropical destinations alongside some of the most memorable winners from the Tropika Island of Treasure franchise. It’s a fun, feel-good adventure that blends travel, nostalgia and competition, and it perfectly reflects S3’s commitment to being the home of some of South Africa’s best local content.”

Auditions for Tropika Island of Treasure Season 12 Now Open

While the search for the perfect island destination is about to begin, Tropika is also looking for eight smoooth members of the public to join the season 12 celebrities on the island. Think you have what it takes to compete?

Upload your audition tape to either TikTok, Facebook, X or Instagram, tagging @MyTropika and using the hashtag #Tropika. Finalists will compete for the grand prize of a shared R1 million and receive a R10,000 shopping voucher from Pep to ensure they are island-ready in style. Auditions are open until 5 May 2026.

By taking viewers across continents before the main competition even begins, Tropika Island Search raises the stakes and deepens the connection fans have with the franchise. It’s not just about arriving in paradise, it’s about discovering it.

Watch Tropika Island Search every Monday from 16 March at 18:00 on S3 with a repeat every Friday at 17:00 on SABC 1.