Love Island’s new £1.2M South African villa overlooks prison where Nelson Mandela served a jail term

It has been reported that the new £1.2 million Love Island villa in South Africa overlooks the prison where Nelson Mandela served time.

While the singles in the upcoming winter series hope to find love in the elegant abode, the vibe may die down a bit thanks to the jailhouse hearing, where the former president served the last part of his 27-year sentence, reports . Mirror.

Mandela was held in Drakenstein Prison, formerly known as Victor Verster Prison, for the last 14 months of his sentence. He was jailed for opposing South Africa’s apartheid system.

Drakenstein Prison is located on the outskirts of Cape Town and houses murderers, including serial killers.

The prison has even housed notorious killers, including triple ax murderer Henri van Breda, who was found guilty of murdering his parents and brother in May 2018.

Meanwhile, the prison was raided overnight over the Christmas period in a bid to combat rising crime levels, and police seized illegal assets including cell phones, cash, electrical cords and chargers.

Despite the hapless neighbours, the oversized luxury eco-retreat still boasts stunning mountain views and is located in a ‘protected area’ in the heart of the Franschhoek wine valley on South Africa’s ‘millionaire’s row’ .

MailOnline has contacted Love Island representatives for comment.

The Love Island 2023 winter series will start on Monday 16th January on ITV2.

Ahead of the series, new Love Island host Maya Jama is already offering up some advice to upcoming contestants, as she urges them to “take time out” from social media when it comes to newfound fame.

The presenter, 28, explained that they can “use it for the best parts” to avoid negativity online, as she gave her own tips and tricks.

It comes after dating show ITV2 revealed that they have updated their duty of care policy and put in place a new ban on social media while contestants are inside the villa.

Appearing on This Morning on Friday, Maya chatted with hosts Alison Hammond and Dermot O’Leary about the upcoming series.

And the hosting duo were eager to hear what advice she had in terms of being online in the public eye.

She explained: “If you’re already a social media user, use it for fun, if you don’t want the extra stuff, take some time.” Mute people you don’t want to see.

I have it so I can only see my close friends on Instagram so I live in this happy bubble. If you can use it to get the best bits, it’s a good combo.

The new Love Island rules mean ITV2 will ban the islanders’ social media activity during the show and provide enhanced relationship behavior training after a controversial summer series.

In previous seasons, family and friends have been designated to the islanders’ social media accounts, often posting on their behalf.

But now ITV has said that a comprehensive package of welfare measures for the show’s contributors remains in place to ensure stars receive full support before, during and after the filming period.

As part of extended measures to protect both islanders and their families from ‘the adverse effects of social media’, participants will be asked to stop their handles and accounts on their social media platforms during their time at the Program.