UTI WINS

Curtains rolled down yesterday 17/10/2010 at the Big Brother Africa House in Johannesburg after 91 days of tagging and pulling of all sorts at the reality TV show, and the stakes are high as there is quite a lot to lose and win at the same time.
The continent’s epic reality show comes to a close this evening with pundits saying it is too close to call since no one can claim a clear cut victory as the five finalists battle it out for the $200,000 (Over N29 million) cash prize.

The finalists include Tanzania’s flag bearer Mwisho Mwampamba, Nigeria’s Uti, Kenya’s Sheila, South Africa’s Lerato and “bullet proof” Munya from Zimbabwe.
Internet polls by yesterday morning put Nigeria’s Uti at the peak, with Munya following closely, trailed by Mwisho, Sheila and Lerato in descending order.
However, as the polls, most likely influenced by more SMS votes, put Uti ahead the pack, the atmosphere deduced from giant posters decorating shopping malls where the final shows have been held exalts the mood that South Africans believe it is their time to bag the prize home, a feast that has eluded them in the past as hosts of the reality show.

“I think this time around we are taking it, because I believe we have waited for a very long time to get someone into the finals and now that Lerato is there we believe she can make it,” boasted one Mercy Majozi in the leafy and posh Sandton suburb.
However, even as the South Africans seem to be confident on their chances, the strong presence of the Nigerian contingent in Johannesburg believes the bounty is headed to Lagos, the commercial capital of Nigeria.
“Uti has played the game in a very tactical way and I think he is the right man for the money,” said an exuberant Hazeez Balogun.

Tanzanians here, too, are holding their fingers crossed as the country could set a record of some sort were Mwisho to follow in the footsteps of Richard and escape with the booty. If he wins, it would be an interesting finale for the son of the soil who engaged Namibia’s Merlyn on air.

Tanzania has developed its own track-record in almost each of the BBA shows, with last year’s winner Kevin Chuwang from Nigeria engaging Tanzania’s Elizabeth Gupta last August. Ms Gupta was Kevin’s fellow housemate but was evicted and their engagement was done in Nigeria to solidify their warm relationship that started in the house.
Aside Kevin and Tanzania’s Richard, others to have won the big prize were Cherish Makubale from Zambia and Ricco of Angola.
Uti Nwachukwu has won the Big Brother Africa Allstars Contest!

Uti pulled votes from 8 African Countries to beat Zimbabwe's Munya who was closely behind with votes from 7 Countries.
The proud Nigerian walks away with a total of $201,000 US dollars as prize money!
Congratulations!