After worldwide guilty pleasure Love Island UK —the melting pot of love and scandals— broke the news that it would be filming another season in South Africa, some Capetonians were disgruntled to find out that Constantia had been deemed “unsafe” by the producers.
The 2020 winter season found its love nest at the Cape’s Eagles Nest in Constantia, where UK media gushed about how gorgeous the setting had been. Hence, many people were confused when the 2023 run opted not to go the Constantia route in light of safety concerns.
Proximity to the Cape Flats was highlighted as a stress factor, as well as concerns over participants and crew being kidnapped by gangs in the area.
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Franschhoek was chosen as the move-worthy location, where the breathtaking Ludus Magnus Villa will set the scene.
However, the villa—which boasts a cost in excess of R450,000 per day for exclusive use by wedding parties in peak season—and its location weren’t enough to make producers feel secure. Beyond its manned “high voltage electric gates”, production crew will reportedly be given security briefings and trained guards will set up camp inside the property for extra safety, per The Sun.
While some have expressed the opinion that the measures might be over-the-top, others have highlighted that SA’s crime rates and rise in kidnappings aren’t exactly greenlights for feeling secure.
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Feature Image: Ludus Magnus
