For the first time in a decade of Big Brother Africa – the show first aired in May 2003 – the winner this year is from perennial underdogs Namibia.
BBA 2013, codenamed The Chase, crowned 22-year-old Dillish Mathews queen of the reality show at the weekend, although the prize was not easily earned. Speaking to The Namibian on Sunday night she said she was going ‘cuckoo’ in the house, “even starting to talk to the fish” and was “happy to be out.”
No doubt, one of the reasons Dillish warmed her way into the hearts of millions of fans across the continent was her steadfast commitment to her boyfriend.
“Of course there were times when I saw some guys with their six packs and thought, wow! But I didn’t want to be the reason for a break up with my boyfriend. If anything should happen, it should be from his side, so I know my conscience is clear”, said Dillish of her fidelity. Boyfriend Steven Gaeseb, who became well known to viewers of the show, was understandably beside himself after his girl was announced the winner. Getting on to the live show stage, he crowned his princess with a tiara. “I am 101 percent happy that Dillish won. When she first went into the house, I knew that she would make it far but I never knew it would be this far. I still had faith in her and that she will do us proud,” he later told The Namibian.
Gaeseb is one of many Namibians who are in celebratory mood about the win. The country has reason to be happy, not only for the US$300 000 that will make its way into the economy, but also for the conduct of Dillish during her 91 days in the house.
The winner said she would party for now until everything sinks in but is planning to buy a house for herself and her siblings.
“From the beginning, I always said I would buy a house for me and my siblings and I told them before they turned 18 we would all be living in the same house. I am happy for it,” said the beaming beauty.
Dillish was only the third woman to win the Big Brother Africa grand prize since the programme started. It is thought males enjoy an advantage, since most of the voters are female. Nominated for eviction five times (more than any other housemate this season), Dillish’s game was flawless. She avoided romance, traditionally the harbinger of the sounding of the death knell for female contestants. She did nothing remotely scandalous, as many before her have done in an ill-considered tilt at celebrity (Nigeria’s Beverly take note!).
Dillish got along with most of her fellow ‘Chase’ mates and, although she wasn’t the zaniest of a typically rowdy bunch, she carried enough entertainment value and charmed viewers across Africa into keeping her in the house every time she was up for eviction.
She has proved that the game can indeed be a clean one and happened to do so in a month during which women are being celebrated.
