When Heart FM announced the Women at Heart: The Spiced Girls Edition campaign, excitement buzzed across the Western Cape.
Ten lucky listeners, hand-picked for their stories and spirit, were about to embark on a once-in-a-lifetime getaway: the 5-Star Zanzibar Experience. Hosted by popular presenters Suga and Jamie-Lee Domburg (sponsored and effortlessly styled by TFG), this wasn’t just a trip; it was a celebration of women, connection and the magic of island living.
Lucky ladies
The competition winners were:
► Sasha-Lee Sampson (28)
► Chantel August (42)
► Alexis van Reenen (51)
► Janine Schouw (46)
► Lameez Abzal (38)
► Carina Pereira (31)
► Havana Petersen (28)
► Megan Natus (41)
► Nokuthula ‘Thuli’ Sandile (28)
► Zonia Payne (38)
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Spice, sisterhood and sunsets
They headed out to the ‘Spice Island’ at the end of September, with the climate at its peak — perfect for a beach holiday. Met with clear, sunny days and warm temperatures of around 26°C, touching down in Zanzibar felt like stepping into a dream.
The humid air, the scent of spices drifting on the breeze and the impossibly turquoise Indian Ocean welcomed the group at every turn. For many of the ladies, it was their first time leaving South Africa, making every detail — from the palm-lined pool to the soft white sand – all the more surreal.
Sasha-Lee Sampson, a passionate creative and freelancer specialising in digital design and social-media marketing, says travelling overseas had always been a dream of hers, which is why her husband encouraged her to enter the competition.
“What intrigued me most was the chance to step out of my comfort zone and be part of something unforgettable,” she says. “For me, this was so much more than just a competition; it was an opportunity to create lifelong memories and finally explore a destination I’ve always dreamt of visiting.”
True to its name, the Spiced Girls Edition came with education on all the greats: cloves, nutmeg and cinnamon. Each unique aroma filled the air as the women discovered Zanzibar’s centuries-old spice heritage. Between laughter, selfies and wide-eyed wonder, the trip soon became less about the spices and more about the bonds being formed. Conversations flowed, glasses clinked and the sound of Swahili music carried across the waves.
“The Ginger Bar at the Riu Palace Hotel was definitely the place to be,” Sasha-Lee admits. “That’s where all the vibes were. Great coffee, amazing cocktails, good music, live shows and plenty of dancing and socialising.”
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Diversity at play
Lameez Abzal, a secretary at the SAPS Provincial Office, says that she most enjoyed visiting the spice farms and taking a traditional boat cruise to Prison Island.
“The giant tortoises on the island were a highlight! You can feed and interact with them and learn about conservation efforts. This experience has changed my life by broadening my perspective and inspiring me to explore more of Africa’s hidden gems. I’ve learned to appreciate the simple things in life and value cultural diversity,” she says.
“One travel hack I’d share is to pack light, versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched. Additionally, researching local customs and traditions beforehand can greatly enhance your travel experience. And learning key phrases like jambo, that means ‘hello’, asanti (‘thank you’) and my personal favourite, hakuna matata (‘no worries’).”
Stone Town brought history and culture to life. Narrow alleyways, bustling markets and the rhythmic beat of island life unfolded before them. Suga and Jamie-Lee guided the women on excursions as they visited local artisan shops, discovered handcrafted jewellery, colourful kikois and Zanzibar’s iconic wood carvings. Between bargaining at the markets and savouring street food, like Zanzibar pizza (a sort of stuffed pancake), the ladies soaked up every bit of the island’s vibrant energy.
Nifty travel tips
Pack light, breathable fabrics, a chic pair of sunnies, comfortable shoes and flip-flops. But leave space in your bag for Zanzibari treasures like spices, woven baskets and handcrafted jewellery. Keep liquids in a waterproof bag, pack an extra outfit in your hand luggage, and don’t forget a power bank and plasters for emergencies.
“This whole experience inspired me to want to travel more and live my best life,” Chantel August admits. She describes herself as an independent woman and ‘hustler’ who has multiple entrepreneurial pursuits in the Cape. “I had this whole picture in my mind of meeting my Prince Charming on the island, but that didn’t happen… maybe next time!” she laughs.
Chantel was fortunate enough to celebrate turning 42 in Zanzibar — definitely a birthday for the books! While some women chose to go swimming in the sea off the Nakupenda Sandbank, a temporary white-sand islet, others opted for spa treatments overlooking the ocean.
Glowing with gratitude
Janine Schouw, who works in HR, initially thought it would be great to win this prize with her best friend as she would have loved a girls’ getaway on an island – which is what she got in the end.
She says she was most excited about the warm, crystal-clear ocean. “And the Freddie Mercury Museum was on the top of my list. I mean, we even got to see a dolphin swim past our boat!”
The trip provided much-needed relaxation, from ‘floating breakfasts’ in the pool to sun-soaking on the sand. Dressed in breezy island wear and beach-ready looks, Jamie-Lee, Suga and the group embodied holiday style goals, turning every moment into an Instagram-worthy snapshot.
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“The ladies were so beautiful and everyone came fully prepared to change outfits at least four times a day,” says Chantel.
For these winners, the Heart FM Women at Heart: The Spiced Girls Edition was far more than just a holiday. It was an affirmation of the power of women supporting women, of shared experiences becoming lifelong memories, and of stepping out of comfort zones into unforgettable adventures.
“Zanzibar has been on my wish list for years, but family responsibilities came first, so travelling had to take a back seat,” says mom of two and wife Alexis van Reenen.
“Heart FM promised us a dream vacation and we were definitely treated like queens and lived that dream! I’ve always been open to meeting new people, but in meeting the group and the radio personalities, it made me realise and confirm that all of us — no matter how different — have experiences that have shaped us into who we are right now. I am inspired to get my travelling groove on as soon as possible and just explore more!”
As the group boarded their flight home, sun-kissed and smiling, one thing was clear: Zanzibar had worked its magic, spicing up not just their passports but their hearts.
Beauty essentials
Besides sunscreen (of course!), some of the ladies gave us a list of their Zanzibar beauty must-haves:
► Chantel:
A milk facewash, good toner and serums for day and night.
► Janine:
Hydrating facial wipes, dry shampoo, perfume and body mists, repair cream and invisible sunscreen spray.
► Lameez:
A gentle facewash, hydrating moisturiser, a leave-in conditioner for your hair and lip balm with SPF.
► Sasha-Lee:
Simple make-up items to achieve a natural, sun-kissed beach look, and a good hydrating conditioner for moisturising your hair after all the salt water and sun exposure. Aloe gel is an absolute must-have if you burn easily in the sun.
► Alexis:
A good-quality waterproof mascara, skincare serums, peppermint foot spray and a cooling body spritzer.
Words: Courtesy of Heart FM
Photography: Pexels, Unsplash, Supplied
