Big Brother Mzansi season 3 contestant Themba Mabaso's fan base has grown since he was part of the competition and while he did not win the R2m grand prize, his followers, dubbed “Ghostnation”, proved their loyalty to him with amazing gestures.
On Sunday, May 1, Themba moved into a two-bedroom flat in Johannesburg after some of his fans collected money to help the reality star buy it.
Speaking to TshisaLIVE, Themba said while the paperwork is still being finalised he was speechless and in awe. He said the group of fans preferred to remain anonymous.
“There's a group of people that decided to buy me an apartment in my name.
“For me, this doesn't feel real, it's like a dream. People are doing this stuff for me and they don't know me. People just saw me on TV and they have all these things for me. I am grateful for everything they're doing. I can never thank them enough. I don't know what to say or what to do to show them love, because they are giving me so much love,” he said.
Themba's grandmother Merriam Mabaso was present when his fans handed over the keys to his new flat.
“My mama is always happy for me. She's always been there for me, [she's] my number one fan. Even when I had nothing she would always support me.”
— ThembaBroly (@ThembaBroly) May 1, 2022
— ThembaBroly (@ThembaBroly) May 1, 2022
Themba made it into the top three of the TV show and competition with Gash 1 coming second and Mphowabadimo winning the R2m grand price.
During the show, Themba said joining the competition had brought him hope as he had struggled to kick-start his music career and lost his tattoo parlour called Rough Ink in Alexandra, Johannesburg, to a fire after launching it with his friend Joel Moerane in 2019.
While his “Ghostnation” fanbase bought him a flat, his other fans have been hard at work contributing towards his go-fund-me page — which at the time of publishing this article sits at R271,320 — meant to finance his dreams.
Speaking of how he plans to use the money, Themba said he wanted to expand his tattoo parlour business.
“I want it to be big, I am waiting to get the funds to establish it and as I wait I'm doing what I can. I'm going to continue doing art, the tattoo shop where I'm operating, and hope to build a bigger shop while modelling, and releasing music. I'm all about art, so everything that has to do with art I'm going to do.”
Themba has made Mzansi's trends list on several occasions since his stint on Big Brother Mzansi. His newly acquired fame has also seen him walk red carpet events and rub shoulders with some of the entertainment industry's elites.
The 31-year-old tattoo artist and rapper is in Durban recording music with DJ Tira who has been an inspiration in his life.
Though Themba is not yet signed to the DJ's Afrotainment record label, he was grateful to be able to learn from him at close range.
“I have been gigging with DJ Tira and am recording music with him now. I'm learning from how DJ Tira works hard. He's not just gigging and having fun, he's working hard. I wake up every morning and remind myself of what is happening. I don't know how to feel. I'm just grateful ... It's God, what can I say? I will try to make them proud.”
After leaving the Big Brother Mzansi show, Themba collaborated to launch the 'The Minute Guide' book.
“The book is good for people who are starting a new business, people who are new in that industry. The reason I decided to take that direction of releasing a book ... people look at me and how I look, they wouldn't think that I would sell a book, so that opens people's minds.
“There were a lot of things brewing still in the works. There are so many opportunities after leaving the house.”
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