After an emotional fifth leg where our seven remaining teams raced around Soweto in South Africa, Beau surprised the celebs and their loved ones with a Virtual Pit Stop. The good news was that there was no elimination, the bad news was that our teams had to continue racing without much of a break.
Heading straight into the next leg, our teams made their way to Magaliesburg, where they found their first clue and a Detour, or a choice between two challenges; High Kick or Paint Slick.
In Pain Slick, teams tested their memory by attempting to replicate an intricate pattern of painted colours, lines, and dots on a vessel.
In High Kick, teams had to learn a Zulu tribal dance and perform it flawlessly. While many teams struggled with the intensity and flexibility required to kick and jump their way through the challenge, Havana and Steph sailed through, successfully completing it on their first attempt.
Teams then made their way to a local wilderness reserve where they spent the night and, in the morning, got up close to help serve breakfast to some of the wild residents of the park.
After a song around the fire and a much-needed BBQ break, teams set off again facing a Road Block, a challenge only one team member can complete, where they had to dig for a full set of human teeth at an archaeological dig site.
Unfortunately, Steph struggled to find the very last tooth and, despite their lead earlier in the leg, the duo was the last team to arrive at the Pit Stop where they were eliminated from the race.
“It felt a bit hopeless,” Steph added, “but once you make peace with that, we were still there together and still having an amazing time… Everything happens for a reason and, when it was our time, it just meant we finished on a high, had a great experience and were doing well!”
“I’ve never been afraid of going to the dentist,” Steph continued, “but I feel like my next dental appointment I’ll probably have nightmares.”
Havana and Steph were competing on behalf of Salvation Army Melbourne 614, whose team offers help and support for those dealing with homelessness or risks related to homelessness, mental health issues, addiction or social poverty.
Steph said, “With all the cost-of-living pressures that are going on, people have an idea of someone who is ‘down and out’ and what they’re like or what they’ve been through, but it can really be anyone. Anyone can find themselves on the street at any point in their lives and I think people forget that, and that’s why Melbourne 614 is about treating people with dignity and respect, giving them hope and community.”
Havana said, “A lot of people who are experiencing homelessness feel isolated and this is a place where they can feel like they’re part of a community, have people to speak to and be respected, not feel invisible. This is an organisation where you are seen and you are part of a community, they’re there to listen to you and help you in any way they can.”
