Tropika Island of Treasure and PEP bring ‘Golden Ticket’ audition experience

The road to Tropika Island of Treasure just got smooother. Tropika, in partnership with PEP, has announced a series of mall activations, a nationwide search to find the boldest personalities for the upcoming 12th season of the hit reality competition. Those who audition at these activations could stand a chance to fast-track their way to the island as the winner of the PEP Golden Ticket.

For many, the dream of competing for a life-changing shared R1 million grand prize starts with a single video, but for those who want to ensure they are seen, the PEP Golden Ticket activations offer a front-row seat to stardom. At each stop, fans can create their entry videos on the spot, engage with the brand, and potentially secure their path to the island.

Rolling out across major retail destinations nationwide, the Golden Ticket experience transforms everyday mall visits into potential launchpads for national fame and a shot at life-changing prize money.

Where to find the PEP Golden Ticket Activations:

  • 10 to 12 April at Tyger Valley Shopping Centre
  • 17 to 19 April at Fourways Mall
  • 24 to 26 April at Gateway Theatre Of Shopping
  • 1 to 3 May at Menlyn Park Shopping Centre

More than just a shot at fame, this is the opportunity for hopefuls to push themselves beyond you’re their comfort zone, both mentally and physically. Contestants on Tropika Island of Treasure are tested through high-pressure challenges and will get a chance to prove their resilience, sharpen their instincts and compete shoulder-to-shoulder with this season’s celebrity contestants.

Sveti Kovatcheva, Brand Manager: Dairy Fruit Mix at Clover, says:

“Tropika Island of Treasure has always been about changing lives and creating icons. By partnering with PEP for the Golden Ticket search, we are making the audition process more accessible than ever before. We are looking for contestants with that unique South African spark. If you’ve ever dreamed of fame and a million Rand, these mall activations are your moment to step into the spotlight and show us why you belong on the island.”

With R1 million on the line and the chance to become a household name, the message to South Africans is clear: Don’t just watch the dream, live it. Show up at your nearest activation or upload your audition tape to social media and you could be the next person boarding a flight to paradise.

Auditions for Tropika Island of Treasure Season 12 close on 5 May 2026

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.

For those who aren’t able to make their way to the activations, auditions remain incredibly simple. If you think you have what it takes to be a contestant this season, 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.

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.

With an incredible line-up of celebrities, the upcoming 12th season of Tropika Island of Treasure promises to be its smooothest, most unforgettable adventure yet.

Connect Tropika with on social media:
Facebook | Twitter (X) | Instagram | TikTok | Hashtag: #Tropika

Connect with S3 (formerly SABC 3) on social media:
Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube

About Tropika Island of Treasure:
Tropika Island of Treasure is a South African reality competition television series that first aired in 2008 features an equal number of South African celebrities and public contestants competing in a variety of challenges on a luxurious paradise-island location for a grand prize of a shared R1 million.

History of Tropika:
Tropika has been bringing smooothness to the world for forty years, having first launched way back in 1984. Made from a combination of fruit juice and dairy, Tropika is still the market-leading dairy fruit mix in South Africa.

In 2008 we launched Tropika Island of Treasure – an exciting reality show that sees celebrities paired up with everyday South Africans to compete to win R1 million. Together, these inspirational teams of two take part in super-cool events to prove their smooothness, and with such an incredible fan reaction, Tropika Island of Treasure is currently gearing up for its impressive eleventh season. From Mauritius to Curacao, Phuket, Mexico, Jamaica, Seychelles, and the Maldives, Tropika Island of Treasure has taken South Africa by storm, and it only promises to get better from here.

In 2016, we won the ‘Product of the Year’ Award in the Dairy Beverages category at the Innovation Awards for Tropika Long Life, showing just how much our customers love the smoooth taste of Tropika, and the convenience of being able to keep it fresh for longer.

Once again proving South Africa’s love for the smooothest drink around, in 2019 Tropika was voted as the country’s Coolest Dairy Product in the Sunday Times Generation Next Awards. An annual survey conducted by HDI Youth Consultancy, the Gen Next awards poll more than seven thousand South African youths between the ages of eight and 23 on what they find on-trend and aspirational, and we’re proud to know that they love the smoooth taste of the Tropika island life as much as we do. In 2023, the campaign also won a coveted SAFTA award for Best Reality Competition TV show in South Africa.

There’s nothing smooother than Tropika!