Natasha Uys
26 November 2008
interview
ANGOLA'S Ricco has become the newest BBA winner. Narrowly beating Malawi's Hazel, Ricco - one of the most popular housemates from the very start of the show - is taking the US$100 000 home to Angola.
He entertained viewers with his easygoing attitude.
A blend of good looks, that way he had with the ladies, his fun personality and slightly mischievous nature ensured his popularity with thousands of male and female viewers across the continent.
NATASHA UYS chatted to him briefly yesterday.
Why did you decide to enter Big Brother Africa?
I watched some of the previous Big Brothers, especially the ones in Europe, and I would always talk to my mom about the shows.
I told her that I could also do it and she said, then why don't you.
When the ads started running for BBA3 my sister Zelma encouraged me to enter.
So I did.
Did you think that if you were chosen you would have a good chance of winning?
No not really.
In fact I was really overwhelmed when I was told that I was chosen to go into the house.
I just wanted to have fun, it was all about entertainment.
I wanted to know what it would be like to be in the house.
What were you doing before you entered the house?
I was actually studying business administration and working in a bank.
Did you go into the house with a strategy? No, I just went in as myself.
I don't think that going in with a strategy works because most of the time it actually backfires on you.
Was there ever a point in the game when you realised that you had a really good chance at winning?
I never felt confident that I would win.
My goal was just to stay to the final.
Even in the last week when I knew I had a one in three chance.
Even after Munya left, I still kept thinking, well second place is not bad.
What did this experience teach you about yourself?
I learned that I can keep my cool, even in difficult circumstances.
I can be a good friend if they need me.
I also learned a lot about the other housemates and their countries.
What were some of your highlights? When Latoya and I first got involved.
In the beginning I thought everything was just so cool but already by the second week, people started to change.
When Latoya and I first hooked up, I thought to myself, well no matter what happens, I'm still gonna have fun.
This is cool.
And your lowest moment? It was those two weeks when both Lucille and Uti were evicted one after the other.
I was nominated with both of them so it was very stressful.
They were both very close to me.
I almost broke down.
You hooked up with a few of the ladies.
Was being a playboy part of your strategy?
No.
I am always like this.
I am not a playboy, I just like girls.
Hazel came really close to winning.
Will you give her any of the money? Why?
At the end of the day, out of all the girls, who did you really like the most? Latoya, because she was just concentrating on having fun.
She wasn't getting all serious.
For her it was a game and just about hooking up and having fun.
The other two girls were just a bit too emotional.
Some people compare you to BBA2 winner Richard Bezuidenhout ...
I really don't think we have anything in common, except for the dancing around but that is just us being extroverts.
I don't think I'm anything like Richard.
I don't promise people things and then not come through.
You and Munya really played around with Tawana's emotions.
Why? Being inside the house is not a normal circumstance.
You do things there you're really not proud of and end up regretting.
That was one of those things.
It happened but I really don't think it was that major.
She didn't think so, she was really cool with it.
Do you realise the way you treated her almost cost you the money?
Yeah but at the end of the day, even though it is not something I am proud of, I still won.
Not that it is the most important thing.
I still care what people think of me and I don't want people to think badly of me.
Describe what was going through your head when KB announced that you were the winner?
I really don't know.
My brain just stopped and my body took over.
I was jumping all over the place, running around.
Jumping on the table, singing.
I don't even know what I was singing.
I was just so overwhelmed.
Super, super happy.
How does it feel to be rich?
My bank account feels big but I feel the same.
I am just happy to be out, to know that people like me.
I am just happy that I have good friends who support me all the way.
That is what is really important.
What are you going to do with the money?
I'm going to give some to my mother, as promised.
To invest in her business.
I am going to use some of it for fundraising and charity events, mainly in Angola but also across Africa and then I'm going to invest some of the money into my music with Munya.
Tell me about the group you want to start with Munya, A-Z?
We want to create some tracks, you know kizomba, dancehall, hip-hop, R&B, jazz - a bit of everything.
We want to appeal to the entire continent.
It seems like you come from a very close-knit family.
How do they feel about you winning? They're really happy, overwhelmed.
I just said goodbye to my mom a few minutes ago, she is headed back to Angola.
My sister is even happier than I am, she put a lot of work into supporting me.
My dad is super happy too, he's back in Angola.
I can't wait to see him.
What are your plans for the future? I'll be heading back to Angola tomorrow.
I am really excited and happy to be seeing my people again.
I will be there for a bit before heading back to SA to start working with Munya on the tracks.
Do you plan to visit Namibia any time soon?
Yes, I do.
I promised Lucille I would surprise her.
Just pitch up at her house and ring her doorbell, so that is what I am gonna do.
I can't say exactly when but I'll definitely be there really soon.
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