Michelle Mphowabadimo Vundla has been crowned the winner of Big Brother Mzansi Season 3.
Mphowabadimo walks away with a grand prize of R2 million after spending 71 days in the BBMzansi house along with 19 housemates.
Crowned at the end of a dramatic two-hour live show, a tearful Mpho fell to her knees before leaping for joy. “Thank you, Mzansi” were the only words the tearful 27-year-old sangoma from Daveyton could utter after she was named the winner.
“I’m excited and anxious, but I’m happy to be here,” Mphowabadimo, who was dressed in a stunning red dress, had said to host Lawrence Maleka earlier in the show. Reflecting on her journey, she said: “It has changed me a lot. I have grown, I have healed, I’m a bigger person than I was walking into the house. I am grateful for this experience. I will never be the same.”
The runner-up was 28-year-old entrepreneur and fashion designer Gershwin ‘Gash1’ Mthombeni from Pretoria. He told Lawrence earlier: “I didn’t think I’d make it this far. But through praying every night and every morning, I made it here. I’m proud to be here.”
Mphowabadimo also beat out Tulani ‘Tulz’ Madala, Libo Njomba and Themba Mabaso to win the biggest-ever prize money in Big Brother Mzansi history.
Tonight’s emotional, and at times tense. The live show started off with Biggie giving the top 5 words of praise and encouragement to carry them on their post-Big Brother Mzansi journey. “You are now in a new season. Not a Big Brother season, but your season,” Biggie said to the housemates as they barely held back tears.
Three of the top 5 were evicted before the winner was announced, with Tulz being the first to leave the house. The 28-year-old radio host and voiceover artist from Tsolo left without ever being nominated for eviction throughout his stay. He said: “Whether you win, or you don’t win, I kind of feel like you do win.”
The 32-year-old Libo from King William’s Town was next on the chopping block. When asked about his friendship with Themba, the personal trainer said it was a genuine bond and not a strategy. “I got to know him, and one thing led to another… He’s a good brother.”
Next to be evicted was tattoo artist Themba. The 30-year-old from Alexandra said he played a great game. “I was on everybody’s mind, f**king up their minds. They didn’t see me coming.”
“Big Brother Mzansi returned bigger and better after a seven-year hiatus, and we’ve had a spectacular and very successful season. We’re proud of the production and how it resonated with our viewers, who loved every minute and kept talking about it from beginning to end,” says Shirley Adonisi, Director of Local Entertainment Channels at M-Net.
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