Abongile "Abobo" Salli from Big Brother Mzansi is exploring new opportunities

Abongile “Abobo” Salli is no stranger to the big screen. He made his TV debut as Buhle on Inkululeko, Mzansi Magic’s hit drama, and has also starred in several commercials.

After spending nine weeks in the Big Brother Mzansi house, Abobo was eventually evicted, just shy of the R2 million grand prize. But he’s not dwelling on what could have been—he’s excited about what’s next.

The 30-year-old teacher from Cape Town is already exploring new acting opportunities and hopes his BBM experience will open doors for brand collaborations and more screen time.

GQ had a chat with Salli to chat about his time in the BBM house and what’s next on his journey.

GQ: How did it feel to be out of the Big Brother Mzansi house after nine weeks?

Abongile Salli: It was refreshing to see my family, friends, and simply be around other people—it honestly felt great.

GQ: What was the first thing you did when you reunited with your girlfriend and daughter?

Abongile Salli: I showered them with kisses and hugs, and we cherished our time together.

GQ: How did being away from your family for so long affect you emotionally?

Abongile Salli: I was overwhelmed by a wave of emotion—I had never been away from my daughter for this long, let alone my partner. I missed them deeply, to the point where I had no choice but to surrender to my feelings. I couldn’t change the fact that I was in the house, nor could I control the situation, leaving me with nothing else but to cry. What frustrated me most was knowing they could see me, yet I couldn’t see them.

GQ: What was the most challenging moment for you in the house?

Abongile Salli: The most challenging part was having no communication with the outside world—knowing that your loved ones could see you, but you couldn’t see or hear from them. The uncertainty about their well-being was stressful. Another challenge was living in a house with people who had different values and morals. At times, I found myself frustrated by the smallest things, and it was even more difficult having to work with someone after an altercation, especially when teamwork was necessary.

GQ: How did you manage to stay mentally strong despite missing your loved ones?

Abongile Salli: I needed to find someone who could truly understand and listen to me, someone I could confide in about how I was feeling. I also had to make friends quickly—otherwise, I would have ended up feeling lonely.

GQ: Can you tell us more about your friendships with Uyanda and Melino?

Abongile Salli: Uyanda and I shared a unique bond in the Big Brother house. We had some incredible moments, supported each other through the challenges, and, of course, had our fair share of differences. That environment truly tested relationships, but overall, I value the connection we built. I respect Uyanda and the journey we both experienced in the game—he’s like a younger brother to me, and I believe he has a bright future ahead.

Melino, on the other hand, is like an older brother. There’s so much I can learn from him. He was one of the few people who truly understood me and offered unwavering support in the house. He’s a great guy!

GQ: What surprised you the most about the Big Brother experience?

Abongile Salli:It's not as easy as it seems. When you're watching, it might not look that stressful, but once you're in the house, it can be overwhelming. You need to be mentally prepared.

GQ: Were there any moments in the house where you felt like giving up?

Abongile Salli: There were moments when I felt like giving up, but with friends like Melino, Uyanda, and Mendy, always there to support me and remind me why I walked into the house, I kept pushing forward.

GQ: How did you handle the pressure of being watched 24/7?

Abongile Salli: I tried running away from the cameras, but trust me, that house had cameras everywhere. It could get stressful and overwhelming at times. However, I knew that if the right people were watching, this could really catalyse my acting career.

GQ: Now that you’re out, do you have any regrets about how you played the game?

Abongile Salli: Not really, I'm happy with how I played the game. I just came out a better man in every way.

GQ: How has being on Big Brother Mzansi changed your perspective on life and relationships?

Abongile Salli: I now see people in a new light and have developed a deep respect for things I once took for granted. They have become my priority.

GQ: What are your plans now that the show is over?

Abongile Salli: I'm looking to collaborate with brands and my goal is for them to reach out to me, as I’m actively working on similar initiatives on my end. I'm keen to tap into the influencer space, as well as acting, MCing, and making appearances.

GQ: You landed your first major TV role on Inkululeko—do you plan to focus more on acting going forward?

Abongile Salli: Yes, acting is my passion, and I’m eager to pursue more opportunities. I hope to connect with a producer, writer, or casting director who would be interested in collaborating with me.

GQ: If given the chance, would you ever do reality TV again?

Abongile Salli: It depends on which one it is, but most likely, yes.