Sweet Guluva Crowned Winner of Big Brother Mzansi Umlilo Edition – Mixed Reactions from Fans

The highly anticipated finale of Big Brother Mzansi Season 5, also known as the Umlilo Edition, took place on Sunday, March 23, 2025. In a thrilling conclusion, Sweet Guluva, real name Akhonamathemba Mbele, emerged as the winner, walking away with the grand prize of R2 million.

The 23-year-old student from Cape Town became a trending topic on social media shortly after the announcement. Sweet Guluva’s victory was confirmed in a post shared by the official Big Brother Mzansi page on X (formerly Twitter), congratulating him for enduring the heat of the competition and staying true to himself throughout the show.

“There you have it, Mzansi. uManqoba has emerged victorious. Sweet Guluva is officially the winner of #BBMzansi Umlilo Season 5. Big congrats is’gebengu esingena criminal record! The cash is yours, the heat was real, and now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of all that hard work,” the post read.

Sweet Guluva’s journey in the house earned him massive support from fans and celebrities alike, including DJ Zinhle. His authenticity and calm nature throughout the show resonated with many viewers, giving him the edge over his fellow finalists. Uyanda came in a close second, followed by Nsuku, Nate, and Jojo securing third, fourth, and fifth places respectively.

Despite the celebrations, Sweet Guluva’s victory sparked mixed reactions across social media platforms. While many applauded his consistency and humility, others felt he was an undeserving winner. Some fans voiced their disappointment, believing that Uyanda was more deserving of the title.

One user commented, “Uyanda you did us proud mntana kagogo. You lost against someone who was undeserving, which means you are the real winner in our hearts.” Another user appreciated Guluva’s unchanging character, saying, “People tend to change when they enter the Big Brother house, but I applaud Sweet Guluva for maintaining his character throughout the show.”https://x.com/BBMzansi/status/1903869692273443214?t=hgOz8_ZxsqAbe4lMVPcrZw&s=19

Adding to the excitement, popular media personality Ngizwe Mchunu also publicly supported Sweet Guluva during the competition. Mchunu praised Guluva for promoting and preserving the Bhinca culture during his stay in the house. He even offered advice on how Sweet Guluva should spend his winnings, suggesting that he pay lobola for his love interest, Ashley Ogle, and honor his cultural roots.

Meanwhile, Ashley Ogle, who became a fan favorite on the show, made headlines after moving into her new apartment in Johannesburg. The KwaZulu-Natal-born reality star was previously evicted from the show but has continued to grow her fanbase.

Sweet Guluva’s victory marks the end of a memorable season filled with drama, romance, and cultural celebration. As he begins his new journey with the R2 million prize, fans will be watching closely to see how he embraces his new chapter and fulfills his promises.

The Umlilo Edition of Big Brother Mzansi will be remembered for its surprises, strong personalities, and a finale that sparked national debate on social media