By Stevens Muendo

After becoming Africa’s latest young millionaire by scooping this year’s Big Brother Africa (BBA) The Chase USD300,000 cash prize, Namibia’s Dillish, reflects on rebuilding her self image with her future with her record label boyfriend Steven, now stealing media focus.

There was a calm before the storm and emotions were running high. Dillish and Cleo, the last two BBA housemates held together, and so nervously, as millions across Africa waited with abated breath for the Big Brother buzz for the redefining moment. After 91-days of a grueling battle, this was all that mattered!

Inside the BBA auditorium was this unfamiliar character splitting media attention to the side-show even as seconds clicked to the winner’s announcement. Steven, a wealthy record stable CEO from Windhoek and Dillish’s boyfriend of five years, had his head down as if in prayer. This was his girlfriend on date with destiny, a moment that could mean everything to their much talked about romantic affair and hoped marriage.

To his confession during an exclusive Pulse interview in South Africa where it was all happening, Steven confessed how Dillish meant everything to him, how money could never surpass love, how her new found continental fame could not deter their future plans… Even that, with one nagging worry!

“We have been on for five years and we have always talked about love and money. I have been successful and money does not move me. She is still young and may have her own reservations on marriage, something we discussed before she came into the BBA house. As much as I am ready, I am not sure she might want to settle down now,” Steven had remarked, of Dillish, his heartthrob, a smashing beauty who had, through out her BBA stay, confessed her love for him as she evaded every romantic temptation in a house characterised by cupid rush.

Back in Namibia, many had always judged Dillish, a happy-go-lucky girl in a negative view, and so because of Steven, whose wealth they claimed she rode on to live a life of fantasy complete with showy rides. Wherever she goes in Namibia, heads turn and tongues wag, they said.

It could have been the gold-digger negative assertions coupled with the entire rich men dependency hullabaloo back at home racing through her mind, as she waited to hear Africa’s verdict. Besides, hers had been a humble background and contrary to the negative billing, at the bottom of her heart, passionately, she had confessed how she would use the big cash to build a house for her siblings and take care of her aging grandmother, her very guardian. Her fellow housemates had nominated her for eviction a record five times, but Africa had saved her. She had no real friend in the house dominated by backstabbers. Her best mate was a fish in a glass inside the house. It had been a story of endurance — 91 days! And there, with Cleo, the Zambian girl standing between her and the money, the buzz reverberated. In another second, she was a millionaire — USD300,000 to the bank!

“Dillish, it’s official, you’re rich!” proclaimed Big Brother Africa host IK as fireworks and streamers signaled the end of 91 days of drama and intrigue.

With tears of joy rolling down her chin and still engulfed in disbelief, Dillish strutted her way to the podium where IK, the edition’s host and all the other housemates waited to congratulate her as fireworks and streamers glorified her with the entire auditorium going into a frenzy.

Speechless, she waved at the crowd endlessly with one hand remaining on her chin, fighting the happy tears.

Her boyfriend could not bare the pressure. Boisterously, he stood up and walked towards his love who waited with open arms. It was a breathtaking spectacular interlude as he sprung the surprise, crowning her with a golden tiara before declaring; “Dillish, you are my queen.”

“This is the story of my life. I always dreamed of this moment and this is a dream come true. I thank Africa for believing in me,” Dillish told the media moments after she was crowned the BBA winner, the third woman to win the contest in its eighth edition.

“As I had pledged, I will use the cash to build a house for me and my siblings. This will be our reunion after many years. We will be back together as one happy family,” she said during the media briefing conference attended by Mnet managing director Biola Alabi.

“I am not really keen on my detractors. Right now, I just want to get back home and reunite with my family as I deal with the psychological reality of getting back to my normal life. I will be your girl…And guys can still buy me drinks…,” she joked.