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Mugabe hands $110k to Big Brother participants and Muzhingi

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05 Aug 2011 at 06:06hrs | Views
PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe has congratulated Big Brother Amplified Reality Show winner Wendell Parson, fellow participant Vimbai Mutinhiri and 3-time Comrades Marathon champion, Steven Muzhingi and handed over US$110 000 to the trio for raising the Zimbabwean flag high in their respective fields of competition.

President Mugabe found time from his busy schedule and hosted a special luncheon for Wendell, Steven and Vimbai, as scores of youths, members of the families and top government officials joined them at a colourful ceremony held at State House.

At the luncheon, President Mugabe gave some words of wisdom and commended the three celebrities for not only raising the Zimbabwe flag high, but demonstrating to other youths that through passion and hard work they cannot only excel in life, but can also be rewarded for their endeavours.

President Mugabe described 3-time Comrades Marathon winner, Stephen Muzhingi as a shining example to other youths and urged parents to dedicate themselves to developing talents.

He described Wendell as a blessed and strong person who endured the long stay in the Big Brother house which he equated to a time of incarceration.

President Mugabe noted that Vimbai is not a loser but a victor as she managed to play her part in the face of hardship and other challenges that come with such a confined set up as Big Brother Show.

Of the US$110 000, Wendell received US$50 000 to bring his total earnings to US$250 000.

3-time Comrades Marathon winner, Stephen Muzhingi also received US$50 000, while Vimbai got US$10 000.

Meanwhile, the three celebrities Wendell Parson, Stephen Muzhingi and Vimbai Mutinhiri who were honoured say they are proud to be Zimbabwean and have attributed their outstanding performances on the exemplary and good leadership of President Mugabe.

3-time Comrades Marathon champion, Muzhingi, who dedicated his success which saw him scooping the first prize for three consecutive years to his family and all Zimbabweans, said next year's 88 kilometres Comrades Marathon will be special as he dedicates it to President Mugabe who coincidentally will be turning 88 years.

Vimbai who was evicted in the last stages of the Big Brother Amplified Show saluted her colleague Wendell for coming first in the BBA show and said the show left Africa and Zimbabwe more united than ever.

For the man of the moment Wendell he is just proud to be a Zimbabwean.

"I'm proud to be Zimbabwean," he said.

Muzhingi (with President Mugabe below) has won the 89 kilometres Comrades Marathon for the past three successive years beating over 20 000 contestants from across the globe, while Wendell wrote the country's new chapter of history as he emerged winner of the top prize at the just ended Big Brother Amplified Reality Show held in South Africa and watched by over 50 million viewers from 54 countries.

Wendell becomes the first Zimbabwean to win the Big Brother competition which has been dominated by Nigerians.

Youth Development, Indigenisation and Empowerment Minister, Saviour Kasukuwere, who was also present at the luncheon, urged other youths to emulate the trio.

Source - talkzimbabwe