Sweet Guluva, the winner of Big Brother Mzansi: Umlilo Season 5, is already setting his sights on his next big move after securing the R2 million grand prize.
During his time in the house, he also won an additional R27,500 through the Lottostar Friday Night Arena Games, adding to his impressive winnings. Now, as he steps into the real world, he is focused on investing wisely and building his future.
Venturing into the Property Market
In an interview following his win, Sweet Guluva, whose real name is Akhonamathemba Mbele, shared his plans to enter the property market.
“Right now, the plan is to multiply. I’ve always wanted to get into property. I will seek information wherever I can find it, but my mother knows a lot about it, so she’s got me covered,” he said.
His mother, whom he describes as prayerful and supportive, played a significant role in his Big Brother journey. In fact, it was she who sent him the audition link, encouraging him to take a chance on the competition.
A Multi-Talented Star on the Rise
At just 23 years old, Sweet Guluva is more than just a reality TV star. He is a student, model, artist, football player, and barber. However, his ultimate dream is to break into the entertainment industry as an actor.
He hopes that winning Big Brother Mzansi will be a stepping stone to launching his acting career.
“I wanted to also grab the opportunity to act. I wanted to showcase my talent. I’ve wanted to get into entertainment but didn’t know where to start or who to go to,” he admitted.
His family has always been his biggest support system, with his mother and loved ones actively cheering him on throughout his journey.
“I knew from the first day that my family were my supporters. They sent me the audition links.”
Winning the show still feels surreal to him.
“I’m very appreciative of everyone who voted. It is all still sinking in that I am the winner. It was like judgment day. It was very emotional. I felt the love from the people in the room when I was on stage. Even if I did not win, I was still going to appreciate everything.”
His Strategy and What He Represents
Going into Big Brother Mzansi, Sweet Guluva had a clear strategy—he aimed to become Head of House every week until the finale. However, he admits that the competition was tough, and he only secured the title once.
“People fell in love with the person who was on screen. My strategy was to be the Head of House until the final day, but unfortunately, there was heavy competition, so my strategy did not work. Only the people got me this far in the competition.”
More than just playing the game, he wanted to change perceptions and show that success is possible for people from all backgrounds.
“I wanted to change perceptions. I wanted people to know that wherever they might be from, with broken English, you can still make it.”
Social Media Fame and His On-Screen Romance
Throughout the show, Sweet Guluva was often a trending topic on social media. Fans adored his personality, while celebrities and viewers alike rallied behind him.
His romance with fellow contestant Ashley Ogle also kept fans intrigued. However, since leaving the house, the two have not yet reconnected. When asked about the possibility of continuing their relationship, he responded:
“We will speak about it.”
What’s Next for Sweet Guluva?
For now, his first priority is to reunite with his family and enjoy the things he missed while in the house.
“The first thing I want to do as I get back into reality is reunite with my family and watch soccer again.”
With a bright future ahead, Sweet Guluva is determined to capitalize on his Big Brother win, build a successful career, and become an inspiration to many.
