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Uti

Jonathan Mbiriyamveka Entertainment Reporter
Former Big Brother Africa winner Uti Nwachwuku feels he is not welcome in Zimbabwe since the 2010 debacle in which he narrowly beat Zimbabwean housemate Munya Chidzonga in the finals of the reality show by one country vote.
Both the Nigerian model and Munya were firm favourites in the Big Brother Africa All Stars season but Zimbabweans rooted their support for the “Diamond Boy” who survived eviction a record nine times.

“At first I took it personal, maybe it was because of immaturity but now I realise that it was just a game. Munya is my man and when I think of coming to Zimbabwe I feel like I’m not wanted there. I think most people are still after my head,” Uti said.

Uti who is now co-presenting a television lifestyle magazine called “Jara” that airs every Wednesday on Africa Magic said there was a time he felt he was the most hated person in Africa following his win.

“Well, I know other people wanted Munya to win because he was a strong character in the house and that made me feel like I spoiled everything for him,” he said.

He, however, said there was no beef between him and Munya.

“In fact, because of Big Brother names like Munya are now popular in Nigeria.

“So I look forward to coming to Zimbabwe and do something towards charity work. That will be great to contribute to the less privileged,” he said.

Munya quashed any doubts that Uti was not welcome in Zimbabwe. He said contrary to Uti’s assertion, Zimbabweans were curious to know what he’s been up to.

“That’s a great idea if he (Uti) comes to Zimbabwe. I think he’s got a lot of support in Zimbabwe and he shouldn’t worry too much over what happened in the past,” Munya said.

Uti and Munya first came face to face during the Big Brother Africa season 3 in 2008.

The two then had a second chance at the grand prize when they faced-off in Big Brother All Stars whose housemates were taken from previous seasons.

Munya impressed Africa and made the mind game interesting when he was put up for eviction a record nine times and survived until the finals.

Sadly, he lost to Uti by single country vote raising the ire of viewers across the continent.

A group of Zimbabwean businesspeople came together and rewarded Munya with US$300 000 which he invested into his film project.

Uti who won US$300 000 from the reality show also invested a huge chunk of the money before he started a career in Nollywood as an actor.

He has featured in several Nigerian movies as well as music videos.

Over and above, he landed a role as a co-presenter of the show “Jara” together with the lovely Eku Ekwedor.