Liema Pantsi opens up about winning 'Big Brother Mzansi: Bazozwa' and reflects on her journey.
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Liema Pantsi, the official winner of “Big Brother Mzansi: Bazozwa”, walking away with the R2 million grand prize after a full-circle moment that has been years in the making.
The 24-year-old from Qonce, Eastern Cape returned to the house with unfinished business, and this time, she made sure to see it through.
Speaking to “Independent Media Lifestyle” after her win, Pantsi described the moment as overwhelming but one she fully embraces.
“I’m feeling really excited. I’m overwhelmed. I am joyful. I’m good. I’m excited for life in general,” she said.
Her journey back to the “Bazozwa” house comes after her previous appearance in the S’ya Mosha season (season 6), where she made the bold decision to take R250,000 and exit early, a decision that sparked mixed reactions at the time.
Now, having gone all the way to the end, she says this win feels deserved.
“I’m feeling good. I feel deserving and I’m just taking it in.”
This time around, Pantsi made it clear that she approached the game differently, both in mindset and execution.
“I came with the mindset of doing everything differently from the last time. Walking the road I didn’t walk before… and basically just having fun,” she explained.
Looking back at her first run, she admits it lacked the moments she wanted, something she was intentional about changing this season.
“In S’ya Mosha season, I don’t think I had a lot of highlights… so coming into the Bazozwa season, I really just aimed to enjoy myself and I did exactly that.”
This season was all about growth and redemption. For the singer, this was more than just a game. It was a chance to rewrite her story.
“It was the season of redemption and I wanted to come and finish my story.”
A big part of that reset was her decision to stay away from “ships” (romantic relationships) in the house, something that often becomes a distraction for many contestants.
“I just stood on business. I didn’t want to do anything that was close to what I did before,” she said.
“It was also influenced by the fact that I have a person outside. I have my partner, which I’m not willing to jeopardise for anybody in the house.”
Despite her confidence and determination, Pantsi admitted the journey was not without moments of doubt.
“I doubted myself a lot in that house. Everyone had big personalities. Everyone was bold… when I got in there, I was like, wow, what a selection of people.”
However, as the game progressed, she found her rhythm again and began to believe in her chances.
This moment came when a wheel was spun for a chance to head straight to the finale and it landed on her name.
What started as uncertainty turned into confidence, hope and ultimately, a win that now defines her journey.
Reflecting on what the win means to her, Pantsi says it goes beyond just the title.
“It means that everyone deserves a second chance. It means that the world is really ready for the frequency I can only provide.
“I don’t have time to play. I’m taking my second chance and I’m running with it. Every mistake that I made in the beginning is a lesson I’m taking into my life as well. Redemption,” she said.
And if you’re wondering what she plans to do with her winnings?
She revealed that she will be renovating her grandmother’s home, a very meaningful decision since she lost her grandmother in 2024 while she was still in the Big Brother house during the S’ya Mosha season.