Hirome Shigeaki bridges the gap: wins 'Die Brug' season 2 and shares the wealth

In an emotionally charged finale of "Die Brug" season 2, Hirome Shigeaki emerged victorious and took home the R720k prize pot.

This series centres on a group of contestants who join forces to construct a bridge.

The finale saw Suidhuis grappling with the emotional weight of deciding who would walk across the bridge. In a nail-biting vote, Hirome triumphed with three votes in his favour.

In a heart-warming twist, the 28-year-old occupational therapist from Worcester decided to share a large sum of his winnings with his Suidhuis teammates, giving away R65 000 each to Melissa and Hanri, R40 000 to Johan and R70 000 to Jaco.

"At first, I thought I’d take it all. I’m young, single and financially, I could use a boost. But then something unexpected happened, I started seeing people’s hearts. I realised money doesn’t last, but values and relationships? They last. I knew I’d share even before I knew I’d win," shared Shigeaki.

He added that when deciding how much to give his team, he kept it "simple and listened to my heart".

"I knew every Suidhuis member deserved to share in the victory. It wasn’t about who contributed more or less. I specifically wanted to honour Johan, not just for his leadership, but because he was the only Noordhuis player who didn’t take the money when he could have.

"To me, that was an act of character."

Hirome’s journey on the popular reality show wasn’t a straight road to success. After facing early elimination in episode two at Noordhuis, he was offered a second chance when he joined Suidhuis. This was when things took a turn. 

"When you enter a competition like this, you never really know how far you’ll go. The truth is, I should’ve gone home on day one. And yet, something in me knew: this isn’t just a game of strength or strategy, it’s a game of people. Relationships. Trust.

"And that’s where I, as a person and as an occupational therapist, excel. So yes, I knew I brought something unique to the table. I wasn’t the strongest physically, but my people skills worked in my favour."

Reflecting on his journey, Hirome opened up about the challenges he faced on the show.

"I entered the game with no idea how to build a bridge. I struggled with the ropes. I think I tied more knots in my head than on the rafts. But the bigger challenge was internal: the voices in my head asking if I was good enough and whether I was contributing enough.

"Some days, your biggest enemy isn’t another player – it’s your own thoughts."

What has this unforgettable experience taught him? "Don’t rely on your own strength, rest in God’s power. Let your light shine, even when you’re afraid ... I’ve learned I am worthy, even when I don’t feel it. And ultimately: 'Die Brug' was unpredictable – just like life.

"But it’s your reaction, your attitude and your choices when things go wrong that make the difference. Be adaptable. Be resilient. And keep moving – keep building."

As for how he has decided to spend his winnings, Hirome said he would like to use it wisely as well as spoil his parents.

"I’m still praying on it. I want to use it responsibly, maybe as a deposit for my own flat or house, something I can manage with my savings. I’d also like to do something for my parents, Caylin and Denver Boks, as a small token of appreciation, but I’m still taking my time to consider everything carefully."

The second season of "Die Brug" is available on DStv Catch Up.