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A wave of patriotic sentiment swept across the country as Zimbabweans cried foul when the man tipped to walk away with the US$200 000 first prize, Munya, was voted second.
And even people from other parts of Africa felt the sharp injustice of the outcome, as Munya — known as “Son of the Soil” or “The Diamond Boy’’ — was “robbed” at the last hurdle after a 91-day stay in Big Brother’s House during which he made history by surviving eviction a record eight times.

In what was undoubtedly an anti-climax, Munya polled seven country votes compared to the eight garnered by Uti of Nigeria.
Third place went to South Africa’s Lerato, while Tanzania’s Mwisho came in fourth.
Sheila from Kenya clinched fifth place.

The result had people calling the show a “farce” after those already evicted from the house and relegated to the barn were last week allowed to bounce back, a development viewers said resulted in an unfair dilution of Munya’s final vote.
From ardent followers of Big Brother to people who only started following the show’s results because of Munya’s performance, political analysts and Members of Parliament, sympathy for the “Son of the Soil” and outrage poured out in a steady stream last night.

Internet message boards flooded with cries of “We was robbed” and calls for a more representative structure for the reality TV show.
“Munya didn’t lose, he was mugged,” was the reaction on one Facebook page.
Another added: “How does this voting thing work anyway? Is it fair to pit a country with 120 million people against one of 13 million?

“I think the Nigerians sheer numbers and the fact that they are in almost every country, in equally huge numbers, tilts the votes in favour of their contestants. Munya was clearly the strongest and smartest housemate.”
Stung by the injustice, MP Professor Jonathan Moyo perhaps best captured the significance of Munya’s performance.

“During each and all of his 91 days in the All Stars Big Brother Africa House, Munya exuded the kind of riveting nationalism, eloquence, boldness, creativity, energy and intellectual power that has become synonymous with the Zimbabwean personality across the world.

“He conducted himself in a manner that displayed the 30-year success of Zimbabwean educational policies, which today are accentuated by the fact that the country has the highest literacy rate in Africa at 92 percent.
“Although as the runner-up Munya did not win the US$200 000 first prize, he undoubtedly won the most hearts and minds of millions and millions of Africans whose value is far more than money.

“He is a true pop icon whom we should congratulate and celebrate with national pride.”

Prof Moyo added that Munya’s resilience in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles was typical of the national personality and psyche.

“He remained strong right up to the end and he should in no way be dismayed that he was not number one — he is the people’s winner.”

A fan said: “Munya put up a good game and we are proud that he represented his country well.”
Shuvai Maseko wished Munya all the success in his future endeavours.

“The young man showcased Zimbabwean pride. I wish him well,” he said.

Others said Government should find US$200 000 for Munya and present it to him for raising the country’s flag high.

It remains to be seen if his wish of meeting President Mugabe on leaving Big Brother will be granted, and few people would begrudge him the honour.
Almost always draped in the national flag, Munya never missed an opportunity to show how proudly Zimbabwean he is.
So close to landing the big prize, Munya was outdone by Lerato who acted the spoiler by getting the South African vote that had been going to the Zimbabwean since her eviction to the barn.

Lerato came back from the barn last week and had that special return dispensation not been granted, Munya would most likely have tied with Uti on eight votes.
When the show’s host, IK, asked fans who they thought was the winner on the live screening on DStv’s channel 198, the crowd screamed ‘‘Munya’’ en masse.
The shock following Uti’a announcement as the winner was palpable.
Munya took it in his stride and said: “Well, I wanted to do better than I did last time.

“I just shot a movie and I want to get it out, this (film) is where I live.”

The youngest housemate, Munya had no alliances and he drew sympathy from TV audiences across Africa as he was seen as a “victim” of a concerted attempt by other contenders who put him up for eviction almost every week as they saw him as a threat.
Big Brother Africa All Stars, broadcast live on DStv’s M-Net channel, drew participants from 14 countries.