This story was originally shared by Arise Africa Magazine (Special Edition, Issue 73).
History remembers champions, but it reserves a special place for those who turn success into service. More than two decades after becoming the first winner of Big Brother Africa, Cherise Makubale continues to inspire — not because of the spotlight she once occupied, but because of the quiet, enduring impact she continues to make.
In September 2003, millions of viewers watched history unfold as a young woman from Kitwe, Zambia, won the inaugural season of Big Brother Africa. At just 24, Cherise walked away with the US$100,000 grand prize, winning hearts through her humility, authenticity, and compassion. For many, such success would have marked the beginning of a celebrity lifestyle. Cherise chose a different path — turning fame into a platform for service. Her story reminds us that while fame may introduce us to the world, purpose gives life lasting significance.
A Nation Celebrates Its Daughter
Before becoming a continental icon, Cherise was a procurement officer living an ordinary life on Zambia's Copperbelt. Inside the Big Brother house, she stood out not through controversy, but through kindness and authenticity. After 106 days of competition, she became the first-ever Big Brother Africa winner and the first Black contestant to win a Big Brother franchise anywhere in the world. Zambia celebrated her return with immense pride, and her victory became a symbol of hope for young people across the country.
Beyond Fame, Toward Purpose
Success is more than an achievement; it is a responsibility. Through the Cherise Makubale Foundation, she has supported vulnerable children, widows, orphanages, disability centres, schools, and underserved communities. Her humanitarian work has never been driven by publicity, but by genuine compassion. Even after relocating to the United Kingdom, she has remained connected to Zambia, particularly the Copperbelt, demonstrating that influence finds its highest purpose in service.
The Heart Behind the Mission
One lesson from her mother became the foundation of Cherise's mission: "Whilst we may not help everyone, everyone can help someone." Those simple words continue to guide her work. Through education, community projects, and charitable initiatives, she has shown that success is measured not by what we accumulate, but by what we contribute. As one of her favourite sayings captures: "A simple act of kindness creates an endless ripple."
Character Outlives Celebrity
In an age that celebrates visibility, Cherise reminds us that character outlives fame. Although she stepped away from public attention, she never stepped away from serving people. More than twenty years after her victory, she is remembered not simply as a reality television winner, but as a woman who used her influence to uplift others.
A Legacy Bigger Than Television
Today, while living in the United Kingdom, Cherise continues to champion humanitarian causes through her foundation and community initiatives. While winning the Big Brother Africa prize transformed her life, she believes it was discipline and wise stewardship that turned that opportunity into lasting impact. By managing the prize responsibly, she built a successful business that continues to support her community work — particularly where funding is difficult to access.
Lessons from Cherise Makubale
- Success Is a Platform, Not a Destination: Achievements matter most when they create opportunities for others.
- Character Outlasts Popularity: Fame may make people know your name, but character determines how they remember you.
- Never Forget Your Roots: True leaders remain committed to the communities that shaped them.
- Influence Finds Its Highest Purpose in Service: Leadership becomes meaningful when it improves the lives of others.
- Your Greatest Legacy Is Impact: Money fades, titles change, but lives transformed through kindness become an enduring legacy.
Read the full feature at Arise Africa Magazine.
Learn more: www.makubale.foundation