Top 8 housemates ready for the world

They came, they entertained and they conquered – one way or another.

The eight remaining Big Brother housemates are finally roaming the streets, after Tanzania’s Idris made a solo exit with a heavy bank balance.

Nhlahla (South Africa), Sipe (Malawi), Tayo (Nigeria), Macky2 (Zambia), M’am Bea (Ghana) and Zimbabwe’s Butterphly and JJ said they are content with how far their Big Brother journey has led them, although emerging $300 000 richer would’ve been more ideal.

“…Somebody said something very important. In as much as we didn’t win the money, we are all winners. We’ve come out of this different people with fresh opportunities. We get to take something home, it may not be money, but we get to take home a lot of experience,” said Butterphly.

The top eight said on 8 December that they had minimal to zero regrets of their stay in the Linden-based Big Brother house.

More than anything, they have left the house to step into endless possibilities.

“I went into the house as a hairstylist who didn’t believe much in herself at all, but with the tasks that we got… now I can stand up and say I want to be an actress an artist – whatever it is that I want to be right now,” said Sipe.

Leaving reality and entering the confines of the Big Brother house is a big leap. But the top eight housemates conceded that their biggest fear was an early departure.

“The biggest fear is leaving in the first week,” said Nhlanhla. “I didn’t want to be the first one to leave the house. You’re going in to win,” he added.

With a whole lot more to look forward to, M’am Bea has her mind set on advancing her fashion line, Butterphly intends to offer more versatility, runner-up Tayo’s life has reached an all-time high, JJ has rekindled his love for theatre and directing, Nhlanhla is already making business plans, Macky2 is continental and Sipe can smell the endless opportunities that await her.

Winner Idris said he had so much love for his fans, and will give it right back.