With South Africans currently enjoying the fifth season of “Big Brother Mzansi”, lapping up the daily drama of the housemates, let’s look at previous contestants who made an indelible impression.

After all, “Big Brother Mzansi” has given us unforgettable fan favourites. Below are the few that took advantage of the spotlight and built successful careers for themselves.

Sol Phenduka

Season one of “Big Brother Mzansi” was the best. Although there was a lot of nudity, the contestants gave us raw material.

They didn’t care much about social media and what the outside world would think of them. Sol Phenduka didn’t win but after he was fired from “5 FM”, he turned his life around.

He became a famous DJ and is now the co-host of one of South Africa’s biggest podcasts, “Podcast and Chill”, works at “Kaya FM” and his song “Diqabanga” won Song of the Year on “Lesedi FM” for the 2024/2025 crossover.

Besides radio, Sol Phenduka is a successful musician. Picture: Instagram.

Blue Mbombo

The way Blue and K2 were the most loved couples in season two of “Big Brother Mzansi”, many people thought they would be like Mandla and Lexi and get married.

Mandla was the winner of season one and he married Lexi, whom he met on the show.

Blue was a model when she joined the show and, when it ended, she continued doing public appearances.

Her sense of style when spotted at events eventually got her noticed by brands. Since then, she has managed to build a successful career as a lifestyle influencer and has one child.

We don’t know what happened to K2 after they broke up but we are glad Blue blossomed.

Blue Mbombo is an award-winning content creator. Picture: Instagram.

Themba Mabaso

Mabaso was one of the most interesting contestants in season three. His approach to the game was authentic and everyone thought he would win.

When he was announced the second-runner up, he was highly disappointed. However, his fans came through for him and showered him with gifts, including cash prizes and a furnished apartment.

After the show, Mabaso started dating the winner, Mpho Wabadimo, and they had a child together. However, they broke up while she was still pregnant.

Mabaso created a name for himself because he managed to grow his tattoo parlour and bagged his reality TV show, “Themba: My Inked World”.

His show was one of the best because we got to know his family and saw his first baby mama, the drama between his and Wabadimo’s family - everything was real and engaging.

Themba Mabaso had a reality show. Picture: Instagram.

Khosi Twala

The winner of “Big Brother Titans” raised the bar. Khosi Twala was all about the bag and, after winning almost R2 million, she continued to hustle like her life depended on it.

The former journalist has won several awards, including the Top 16 Youth-Owned Brands Awards (YOBA), became the brand ambassador for Omoda, and travelled to some of the most gorgeous cities, including Paris, Bangkok, Accra, and Lagos, to name a few.

We all know her as a fitness bunny who loves showing off her beautiful body, and, as a gym girl, it was befitting for her to launch an active wear apparel line, Active Lifestyle Brands, which also offers lounge wear.

Khosi Twala is an award-winning entrepreneur. Picture: Instagram.

Yolanda Monyai

She had a great chance of winning the show but it was ruined by making sexual remarks to a fellow contestant and, as such, was evicted from the show.

Since the winner of season four disappeared because he just wanted the money and not the fame, fellow contestants are doing the most.

Munyai was already a successful model and now she has a podcast and is loved by Hollywood stars, including Winnie Harlow and Rick Ross, whom she recently interviewed on her show.

Yolanda Monyai is loved by international celebrities, including Winnie Harlow. Picture: Instagram.

In season five, it’s still too early to tell who stands a chance of winning. There have been no evictions yet, and contestants must continue to entertain the viewers and do their best on the weekly challenges to maintain their spot in the house.