Winning the Prize vs Winning Hearts: Big Brother Mzansi Outcome Is In the Hands of the People
It’s been almost a week since Liema Pantsi was declared the winner of Big Brother Mzansi Bazozwa, with the returning housemate making it to the finale and besting runner-up and fan-favourite Thandeka Tshabalala to win the R2 million cash prize. With the drama, the games, and the sauce that took place in Biggie’s humble abode, many hand-picked their horses in the race, with Thandeka being one who seemed to lead the charge, though she fell short in the end. With the aftermath of Liema being the winner and the supportive financial response Thandeka’s fans continue to give her, was there an actual winner and a clear-cut loser on the night?
The Big Brother show is a spectacle that always draws out strong parasocial connections from viewers who either see themselves in the housemates or simply awestruck by their charm, charisma, or for whatever other reason. The Mzansi edition is no different. From the Mandlas of the game to the Sweet Guluvas of the world, each season has a beloved winner, and in every installment, there are runners-up fans feel were cheated one way or another.
Thandeka Tshabalala | SUPPLIED
Controversial and mercurial Thandeka was one of the housemates who constantly found herself trending. If not for explosive fall outs with her housemates, then it was for her questionable hygiene conduct, which revolved around washing her face in a kitchen sink already full of unwashed utensils and plates and pots. While others found her behaviour abominable and inconsiderate, her core fans continued rallying behind her, with the “Italians” backing her and even going as far as making videos of themselves emulating her notorious doings.
The greatest show of loyalty that Thandeka’s fans displayed was through a Go Fund Me set up for the express reason of raising funds to award to Tshabalala as a fan-sponsored consolation prize.
The fundraiser, aimed at raising a little over a million rands has already racked up R280 000 in donations.
Liema on stage after winning the grand prize | SUPPLIED
The same thing happened last year on Big Brother Umlilo, with runner-up Uyanda Hlangabezo being blessed with a fan-given bounty after a fundraiser was set up for him as a winner of the people’s hearts.
With all this said, it does beg the question: is there ever truly a winner and a loser in the Big Brother game?
While many disagreed with Thandeka’s way, and the debate is still piping hot after her heated interview on Podcast and Chill with Mac G, it is evident that her cult following is still behind her and altogether convinced that she is the true winner of the game. Because at the end of the day, Mzansi voted Liema… but Mzansi is also continuing to vote for Thandeka with each and every cent thrown into the fundraiser. And with the funds raised, the case of Tshabalala also being a winner is stronger than ever, and it could even be argued, based on the support and the love and the willingness of fans pooling their money for her sake, that she also won—albeit not canonically.