While contestants in the hit reality television show “Love Island”, will be returning to South Africa for the latest edition of the show, Constantia has been deemed too dangerous a location, with producers instead opting to film the new season in Franschhoek amid safety concerns.
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The show, which sees good-looking contestants locked into a luxury property and competing for R500,000 for each of the “winning” couple, set its “winter” season show in Constantia in 2020, with UK media raving about the stunning surroundings, weather and allure of Cape Town as a holiday destination during the Northern Hemisphere’s cold months.
Unfortunately, South Africa’s high crime rate and the steps taken to secure contestants infiltrated the generally positive reviews, prompting the show’s creators to relocate the show from Constantia to Franschhoek out of fear that participants would fall prey to criminal elements.
British tabloids report that the show is being filmed in Franschhoek because Cape Town itself was deemed too dangerous due to the proximity of the Cape Flats.
However, Franschhoek is also being approached with caution, as producers fear cast or crew could be kidnapped by gangs targeting wealthy visitors.
As a result, the production will be surrounded by security guards, and a hotline has been established for both armed response and the local police so that “the heavy cavalry would be on their way in seconds” if necessary, while contestants will also be briefed on what to do in a worst-case scenario.
At a cost in excess of R450,000 per day for exclusive use by wedding parties in peak season, this month’s filming takes place at the Ludus Magnus Estate.
While it was unclear if this was owing to or in spite of what complainants said was bullying and misogyny by male cast members, ITV recorded five million viewers for the first episode of Love Island last year.
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