FORMER entertaining Zambian housemate in the Airtel-sponsored Big Brother The Chase, Sulu was on Wednesday treated to a thunderous heroe's welcome when he touched down at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.

The South African Airways plane carrying Sulu 'international,' touched down around 12:30 hours and the former Ruby-mate who came with a Mandela portrait and a Zambian flag was stunned upon seeing the huge crowd of fans that came to welcome him.

"What is happening? To be honest, I did not expect this ... I am so overwhelmed... this is really amazing," he said upon seeing the chanting crowd.

The airport security had a tough time in controlling the huge excited crowd that was mainly clad in 'Sulu' branded T-shirts and carrying placards with words such as: "Sulu, you are a winner! Welcome back home, Zambia loves you".

Sulu's welcoming crowd has undoubtedly broken the record as the largest to welcome a non-winning evictee ever in the history of Big Brother.

The moment he showed up at the airport, there were deafening screams and mantras from the crowd. The crowd chanted: "Sulu is a Ruby! Zambia is a Ruby! Ruby, Ruby, Ruby!

Big Brother gave Sulu marching orders out of the house last Sunday together with Kenya's Annabel amid disputes from the Zambian fan base that believed a hidden hand was used to evict Sulu.

Speaking during the Press briefing at Lusaka's Southern Sun Hotel on Wednesday, Sulu thanked Zambians for supporting him whilst in the house and that he still feels Zambia should continue supporting the remaining housemate in the house, Cleo.

This comes at the wake of some supporters that openly protested that they had stopped watching the reality show because of Sulu's eviction.

"You know Cleo is a very smart girl, let us support her... its like in football where you are coming from behind, that is what Cleo is doing.

Cleo is coming from behind," said Sulu.

However, the Zambian celebrity feels Nigeria's Melvin and South Africa's Angelo are a force to reckon with in the house.

"We just need to unite as Zambians because I will be very happy if the money came to Zambia... let us call our friends and relatives from outside Zambia to vote for our housemate... it's possible she can win," Sulu believes.

When asked how he feels about Africa not giving him sufficient votes, Sulu said he was still grateful to Africa for the six country votes, which were equal to Elikem's but that just destiny could not allow him to get the money.

Sulu says the Big Brother experience has made him a better person 'born again' whatever that means, he knows it better himself and that among other things he has learnt to be tolerant.

"Mixing with people from different countries and cultures has taught me a lot... I have learnt to be humble in life the way my mother has always taught me to be.

Sulu also dismissed assertions that the reality show is linked to some evil practice immorality and alcohol abuse stating that what is seen on the screen is a true reflection of one being even outside the Big Brother walls.

"Big Brother is not immoral, Big Brother is not evil, there is nothing like getting peoples blood or big Brother forcing people to be immoral," Sulu told a huge crowd that included his elder brother Dr Canisius Banda.

Now, several Sulu fans who got in touch with Times of Zambia immediately it was announced that Sulu's chase had come to an end, expressed displeasure, saying the whole process that led to the entertaining and loquacious Zambian housemate to make use of the eviction door was not straight.

Moses Mwape of Lusaka could not hide his frustration as he said: "To be honest with you, Big Brother killed the game and the viewership the moment he evicted Sulu out of the house... Sulu was the only housemate that was making sense to Africa... he was educative and entertaining. In short, he was very real unlike others who are just there to play the game in a very common manner," he said.

Like many other Zambian fans, Moses believes Sulu was the viewer puller such that his eviction has made viewership of the game to drastically drop in Zambia and other African countries.

"We don't even know why Big Brother first announced that there would only be one evictee but later decided to change to two on the eviction day ... they ( Big Brother producers) just had something against this guy who has been a big threat to the entire continent from the first day," says Moses.

The Zambian audience is especially questioning the criteria used to break the tie between Elikem and Sulu who had six country votes each.

However, Multichoice Zambia Public Relation manager Marlon Kananda defended the producer's position as he explained and illustrated the tie breaking mechanism used to the attentive and curious audience.

However, Marlon feels Sulu was a winning material and it was unfortunate that he had to exit the game at such a crucial point.

He says Zambians should support Sulu as he comes back home as it is the beginning of stardom for him outside the Big Brother walls.

"Sulu is out yes, but Zambia is still in the game and I would urge all Zambians who supported Sulu to continue giving the same support to the remaining housemate Cleo... she is equally a threat and a potential winner. All she needs is our support and votes as Zambians," said Kananda.

Sulu has undoubtedly become a huge luminary in Zambia and there is a likelihood of the corporate world taking advantage of his fame whilst he is still hot.

According to the programme released by Multichoice Zambia public relations manager, Sulu is expected to go on a country tour.

Zambia's Cleo is safe this Sunday as Bimp, Oneal and his love interest Feza are the ones facing the gallows this Sunday.

Will Bimp survive this storm after being a contributing factor to the eviction of loved Sulu and the much-liked Bassey?

Another interesting question would be; will Big Brother evict two housemates this week; an action that will bring down the number of housemates to seven? If so, Oneal and Feza might just see themselves off the game.

The Game has reached its climax although going a little slow on the Zambian viewership side after the eviction of Sulu.

The Chase is becoming more entertaining now although nail biting moments for the remaining countries and housemates. Who is leaving next?

Get involved through voting. Each week voting opens immediately after Monday night's nomination show and closes at 06:00 CAT on Sunday morning.

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