Rowina de Vries

 is a contestant from Australian Survivor: Venezuela - Fates.

Profile

 * Name (Age): Rowina de Vries (43)
 * Tribe Designation: TBD
 * Current Residence: Canberra, ACT
 * Occupation: Consular Officer
 * Season 01 Contestant You Are Most Like: I'm like Hector because I love to stir the pot and have a bit of a bad habbit of looking down my nose at people. Let's hope I can control it better than he did.

Rowina is a dual South African and Australian citizen, born in Australia to an Australian mother and a South African father, her family moved to Johannesburg when Rowina was one year old and she grew up there.

''I was one of those kids that never really fit you know? In SA they all called me an Aussie, bully me whenever South Africa beat Australia in the cricket or in the rugby, or what have you. But when we visit Australia I was "the African", they always ask me about growing up in apartheid, call me a racist, you know, all of these things.''

Rowina lived through one of the most infamous periods in history, South Africa's apartheid. Coming from a wealthy white family, she was better off, but when apartheid was lifted when Rowina was fifteen, her mother made the decision to take Rowina and return to Australia, fearing the repercussions.

I remember being very scared, I had not seen Australia since I was a child, I had no memories of the place, but I knew we had to leave home.

Rowina returned to South Africa ten years later to spend time with her father, she found employment there and began to pursue a career in politics, working behind the scenes. Her extensive experience in politics and diplomacy eventually landed her dream position as an officer at the South African High Commission in Canberra.

''Working at an embassy has been the perfect fit for me because I'm not just Australian, I'm not just South African, I am both. It's allowed me to embrace both sides of my heritage. You know, I've got a bit of a funny accent, and I switch between Afrikaans and Aussie slang, but, you know, that's just who I am. (laughter)''

Rowina is currently single and hasn't ruled out the possibility of a romantic fling on Survivor.

''Why not? If they're into middle-aged, skinny read-heads who like to be in charge, I know somebody. Whatever it takes to win, am I right?''

Trivia

 * Rowina, Celine Abraham and Taki Takalou are the first African-Australian contestants to compete on DuskEars' fanon.
 * Rowina is the first South African-Australian Contestant.