“Big Brother Mzansi” season 6 runner-up Thandeka Tshabalala remains one of the most talked-about housemates even after the first moments of the competition wrapped.
Whether you love her or not, Tshabalala, who was the runner-up to “Big Brother Mzansi S6” winner Liema Pantsi on Sunday night, ensured she was visible, vocal and unforgettable.
From the very first week, the 30-year-old bookkeeper made it clear that she was not going to hold back.
Speaking to “Independent Media Lifestyle”, Tshabalala opened up about her personality and why she’s unapologetically herself.
For Tshabalala, that self-awareness helped her navigate not just the game but life beyond it.
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“It’s my personality. I’ve carried this since I was a child, since you actually develop a sense of character as a person. There was a time when I viewed it as a negative thing
“But I was like, no, I’m me. All I need to do is just channel myself well, be knowledgeable, be an intellectual,” she said.
Inside the house, she spoke her mind, stood firm in her views and became the face of the “Bazozwa” energy that carried through the season.
Her journey in the house was anything but quiet. Whether it was her unfiltered opinions or the moments that sparked debate among viewers, she stayed at the centre of the conversation.
Some of those moments drew criticism, especially around her hygiene habits, which were questioned both inside and outside the house.
While viewers saw her clash with others and often stand alone, Tshabalala says being ostracised was never something that shook her.
“I didn’t want to surround myself with such people. I find them draining. And also, I’m a person who can sit alone.”
She explained that she was intentional about the company she kept, even as friendships in the house shifted.
“I enjoyed my own company because for me, the only company I kept was the real company.”
Fans may recall her washing her face in the kitchen sink or drying her wig near the oven, moments that had viewers talking every week.
But through it all, she remained unapologetic. When confronted, she explained her choices and never backed down, showing the same boldness that defined her entire stay.
Away from the controversy, she also showed resilience and adaptability. Having lived in Italy for years, she leaned into her ability to adjust to different environments, something she had highlighted even before entering the house.
“I am always flexible and adaptable,” she shared, and that mindset carried her through the game.
Despite the challenges, she admits there were moments when she questioned staying.
“Guys, it’s hard in there. People fight for stupid things. People are in people’s business. There’s no TV, there’s no phone. So any type of stimuli will do.”
“But I stayed. I stayed because people were keeping me in there, and they were like, just be you.”
Finishing as the runner-up, Tshabalala says what matters most to her is staying true to herself.
“Guys, I was me. I was me, and you allowed me to be me.”
And in a season built on big personalities and even bigger moments, that is exactly what kept her at the centre of it all.
