After 26 days Secunda’s Renier is voted out of Survivor SA

“It was the climax of a 20-year dream.”

This is how Mr Renier Louwrens described his time as a contestant on Survivor SA.

He was voted out as the 11th contestant on Survivor SA this season.

Seeing Survivor SA host Mr Nico Panagio made him realise what a huge honour it is for a fan to become a player.

“I had a game plan from the first second. Hide your knowledge of the game from everyone at all costs at all times, but make sure to analyse the game and play every scenario.

“The competitor in me loved the challenges and the life coach and motivator in me loved setting others up to win.

“The combination of these two was an incredible combo which helped me a lot in the game. I always gave my best for my tribe during the challenge, but what happened before and after challenges is what I believe made my tribe so successful.”

His toughest challenge was hanging on to the pole.

“I have seen that challenge in many seasons and always thought it is just a mind-strength thing, but that was a gruelling challenge which I have gotten a lot of respect for recently.”

His most memorable challenge was Pandora’s box and his most memorable reward was the videos from home.

“Man, that was special. I have the most incredible wife who is such a champ at home. She loves and supports me, she is a great mom and runs our household.

“To see her and be encouraged by her whilst being in such a harsh environment is absolutely unexplainable.”

He said being with so many different personalities 24hours a day, made him realised that he is definitely more introverted.

“I needed my time to break away a bit every day to just go and sit and be quiet and pray on the beach.”

He enjoyed the personal chats and connections he had with every castaway in the game.

His last day on Survivor SA was rough.

“We knew that the dynamics and change-ups of the game on that specific day had us with our backs up against the wall. We were scrambling to have chats with everyone, to try and generate options and hopefully convince someone. But the mood was definitely a morbid one and an understanding of ‘we are in trouble and need to do whatever we can to survive.”

Mr Louwrens knew the vote against him was coming.

“The tied destinies twist forced us into a position where we were the only pair up for a vote, so it was really a sad way to exit the game I love,” he said.

Will he play the game again?

“The game is incredibly tough and takes its toll on your body for long after.

“The sacrifice at home and work is really big. But if South Africa would want me back (which I really hope they do) I will be up for the conversation,” said Mr Louwrens.

If he could do anything different in his gameplay, it would have been drawing a different colour rock on day 26.

“I am very happy with how I played. I believe that 24 hours before I was voted out, I was in a great position in the game and have played really well.”

Mr Louwrens had lost 10kg in 26 days and had made a list of 30 things he wanted to eat when he returned back home.

“I smashed through all of it in the first week except for my home-baked biscuits.”

He said Survivor opened his eyes to what suffering really looks like and how many people in South Africa are constantly hungry like he was and who does not have any hope going forward.

“After I came back I began a drive to raise money for the hopeless and those who suffer.

The vehicle which is used to do this is an attempt on the Drakensberg Grand Traverse solo world record.

“This is a 250km single run to raise the money for the charities we have identified. Our country needs people to unite and look after one another and that is exactly what I am kicking off here,” said Mr Louwrens.

Mr Louwrens thanked his wife for her support and for making so many sacrifices on her side to have him live his dream.

“The community who supported her are just as great. My parents, brothers and their wives and girlfriends, together with our local church community Shofar Secunda, were absolutely incredible.”

Even though Mr Louwrens has been voted out of Survivor SA, you can still vote for him as the Survivor SA fan favourite by voting on the link: https://m-net.dstv.com/show/survivor-south-africa/season/8/fan%20favourite?group_id=203