Sweet Guluva

This article is about the actor and singer. For his self-titled single, see Sweet Guluva (song).

Sweet Guluva
Born	Akhonamathemba Mbele-Zwane (2001-10-22) 22 October 2001 (age 23) Nquthu, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa
Nationality	South African
Education	Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Occupations	Influencer singer television personality
Years active	2025–present
Television	Big Brother Mzansi season 5
Musical career
Genres	Afropop house electronic
Instruments	Vocals

Akhonamathemba Mbele-Zwane (born October 22, 2001) professionally known as Sweet Guluva, is a South African influencer, singer and television personality. ^[1] He gained prominence as the winner of Big Brother Mzansi season 5. ^{[2] [3]} He is currently the brand ambassador of Mzansi Magic 2025. ^{[4] [5]} He made his debut song in 2025 with DJ Zinhle. ^[6] Besides Mzansi Magic ambassadorship, he collaborated with many brands including Dove, Lotto Star, MTN Group. ^{[7] [8] [9]}

Early life

Sweet Guluva was born in 2001, in Nquthu, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa to a Zulu family. He was raised by his mother, but lived a decent life with his late sister. ^[10] He is currently studying at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology. ^[11]

Career

Sweet Guluva was a barber, aspiring actor and singer before he entered the Big Brother house. ^[12] He became a sought-after public figure, where he was named the new brand ambassador for Mzansi Magic alongside his fellow top 5 finalists. ^[13]

He landed new sponsorship deal after partnering up with the local brand Konke Kuhamba Kahle Clothing. ^[14] Following his win, Sweet Guluva became a sought-after public figure. ^{[15] [16]} He collaborated with Dove Men Care where they competing in Clicks BroScape Fives Championship alongside Zamani Mbatha, Arno Greeff, Primo9teen, Juicy Jay, DJ Naives and Zola Mcaciso. ^{[17] [18]} By May 2025, he was named the brand ambassador of All Gold tomato sauce and will be hosting Afrotainment Marquee after 2025 Hollywoodbets Durban July event with DJ Tira, Zee Nxumalo, MaWhoo and etc. ^{[19] [20] [21]}

Music career

He was invited to MC major events, including the Durban Music Fest in May 2025, alongside artists such as Sjava, DJ Sox, and Somizi. ^[22] DJ Zinhle announced that she plans to collaborate with him in a song. ^[23] He made his debut song with famous music producer DJ Zintle, Nokwazi Dlamini and NDLOH JNR "titled Sweet Guluva" that was released on 6 June 2025. ^{[24] [25]} He made his first ever stage performance in MTN Bushfire event alongside Murdah Bongz. ^{[26] [27]}

Big Brother Mzansi

In early 2025, he entered the Big Brother Mzansi house under the nickname Sweet Guluva. ^[28] Throughout the season, he became a fan favorite due to his charisma, humor, and relatability. ^{[29] [30]} On 23 March 2025, he was crowned the winner of Big Brother Mzansi season 5 Umlilo, taking home the grand prize of R2 million. ^{[31] [32]} He is the first Big Brother Mzansi winner with highest of vote percentage at all the time scoring 53.48%. ^[33] He also won R27,500 during his time in the house after playing the Lotto Star Friday Night Arena Games and Robertsons Master Braai challenge. ^{[34] [35] [36]}

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2025	Big Brother Mzansi season 5	Contestant	Won
	Black Gold	Tofflux Mthethwa	Main

Discography

Singles

As featured artist

List of singles as featured artist, with selected chart positions and certifications, showing year released and album name

Title	Year	Peak chart positions	Certifications	Album
		ZA
"Sweet Guluva"(DJ Zinhle, NDLOH JNR featuring Sweet Guluva & Nokwazi Dlamini)	2025	—
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

References

1. Tlhoaele, Kgalalelo. "BBM: Sweet Guluva's confession!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 30 May 2025.
2. Sithathu, Nomathamsanqa (23 March 2025). "Sweet Guluva wins 'Big Brother Mzansi' S5". IOL. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
3. "Finale: Sweet Guluva wins the Umlilo season – BBMzansi". Finale: Sweet Guluva wins the Umlilo season – BBMzansi. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
4. Tleane, Lebo (3 April 2025). "Meet the New Mzansi Magic Brand Ambassadors". Youth Village. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
5. Maako, Compiled by Keitumetse. "Big Brother Mzansi S5 shatters records as Sweet Guluva and runners-up named ambassadors". Life. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
6. Bona, Staff (26 March 2025). "DJ Zinhle teases collaboration with 'BBM' winner Sweet Guluva". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
7. Hlalane, Reabetswe (23 May 2025). "Sweet Guluva Shines as All Gold Ambassador". OkMzansi. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
8. Bester, Junior (9 April 2025). "Sweet Guluva Scores Major Sponsorship Deal with Popular Local Clothing Brand - Briefly.co.za". briefly.co.za. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
9. Mdaka, Zintle (20 March 2025). "Uyanda and Sweet Guluva campaigns take over social media". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 8 June 2025.
10. Sithathu, Nomathamsanqa (18 March 2025). "Sweet Guluva: Big Brother Mzansi winner gets real on love, money and future plans". Daily News. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
11. Matlala, Keamogetswe. "'I'm so proud of him' – Sweet Guluva's mom bursts into tears of joy". Drum. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
12. Matlala, Keamogetswe. "Sweet Guluva on pursuing acting - 'My intention was to break into the industry'". Drum. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
13. Bester, Junior (3 April 2025). "MultiChoice Names Big Brother Finalists as New Faces of Mzansi Magic - Briefly.co.za". briefly.co.za. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
14. "Sweet Guluva baggs a brand dealship with a clothing brand". www.msn.com. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
15. Maako, Keitumetse. "'Everything has to be calculated': Big Brother Mzansi winner Sweet Guluva on newfound fame". News24. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
16. Tleane, Lebo (27 May 2025). "Sweet Guluva Appreciates This Cool Opportunity That Fans Recently Gave Him". Youth Village. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
17. "Men's Mental Health Month & Modern Masculinity". www.glamour.co.za. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
18. Tleane, Lebo (14 May 2025). "Check Out the Dove Men+Care Team Competing In the Clicks BroScape Fives Championship". Youth Village. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
19. Phande, Joy (23 May 2025). "Sweet Guluva named the latest brand ambassador for All Gold tomato sauce". TimesLive. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
20. Tlhoaele, Kgalalelo. "WATCH: Celebs DJ Tira, Sweet Guluva, Zee Nxumalo, Mawhoo, Ashely Ogle etc, shine at exclusive Durban July shoot!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
21. Phande, Joy (23 May 2025). "WATCH | DJ Tira sets the tone for Durban July with Mzansi's A-listers Sweet Guluva, Zee Nxumalo, Mawhoo and Ashely Ogle etc". TimesLive. Retrieved 24 May 2025.
22. Sithathu, Nomathamsanqa. "Sweet Guluva's controversial request for donations after R2 million 'Big Brother Mzansi' win divides fans". IOL.
23. Bona, Staff (26 March 2025). "DJ Zinhle teases collaboration with 'BBM' winner Sweet Guluva". Bona Magazine. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
24. Sithathu, Nomathamsanqa (23 May 2025). "DJ Zinhle teams up with Sweet Guluva: a collaboration that's sure to make waves in the music scene". Daily News. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
25. "DJ Zinhle to drop a song with Big Brother winner Sweet Guluva". Scrolla.Africa. 26 March 2025. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
26. Tleane, Lebo (3 June 2025). ""Still Soaking It All In," Sweet Guluva On Performing His First Song At A Major Event". Youth Village. Retrieved 3 June 2025.
27. Hlalane, Reabetswe (3 June 2025). "Sweet Guluva Makes His Performance Debut at MTN Bushfire Festival". OkMzansi. Retrieved 7 June 2025.
28. "Meet Sweet Guluva, Big Brother Mzansi season 5 housemate". Meet Sweet Guluva, Big Brother Mzansi season 5 housemate. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
29. Sithathu, Nomathamsanqa (24 April 2025). "WATCH: Sweet Guluva remained authentic throughout Big Brother Mzansi, says best friend". IOL. Retrieved 5 June 2025.
30. Desk E (24 March 2025). "How Sweet Guluva won Big Brother Mzansi viewers' hearts – 3 winning traits unpacked | Entertainment". NOW in SA. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
31. Thango, Lindani L. (24 March 2025). "Sweet Guluva Wins R2 Million Big Brother Mzansi Umlilo" . Retrieved 23 April 2025.
32. Nkonki, Anita (24 March 2025). "Sweet Guluva wins Big Brother Mzansi season 5, claiming R2 million prize". Saturday Star. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
33. Maako, Keitumetse. "'You are annoying': Mzansi fed up over Big Brother Mzansi vote requests ahead of season finale". Life. Retrieved 23 April 2025.
34. Biggie (14 March 2025). "Day 61: Sweet Guluva Wins Week 9 Friday Night Arena Games" . Retrieved 6 May 2025.
35. "Day 5: Sweet Guluva bags his second victory – BBMzansi". Day 5: Sweet Guluva bags his second victory – BBMzansi. Retrieved 6 May 2025.
36. Biggie (6 March 2025). "Day 53: Sweet Guluva Wins the Robertsons Master Braai Challenge" . Retrieved 6 May 2025.

External links

• Sweet Guluva on Instagram

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Siphephelo "McJunior" Zondi	Big Brother Mzansi winner 2025	Succeeded by Incumbent