Music icon Busiswa Gqulu On Deal or No Deal Celebrity

Busiswa Gqulu is now the big-name star winning the most money for charity on Deal or No Deal Celebrity Season 2

Music icon Busiswa Gqulu, known for collaborating with Beyoncé on the album The Lion King: The Gift Album, firmly believes that “all good things come in threes.” That is precisely why she chose briefcase number 3 to take on the banker in SABC 1’s Deal or No Deal Celebrity, the show where A-listers play an exhilarating game of chance to raise funds for a worthy cause.

In the previous Deal or No Deal Celebrity episode, Busiswa’s penchant for this “lucky number” resulted in several magical moments. First, in the initial rounds of the game in which contestants can ultimately land anything between R1 and R250,000, she eliminated low numbers only, increasing her chance of winning big. Then, she accomplished what only one previous player had achieved on the show. Like Rorisang Thandekiso, the last remaining amounts on Busiswa’s Deal or No Deal Money Tree were the “big three” – R100,000. R150,000. And R250,000.

Thirdly, after it was evident that the jackpot prize of R250,000 was not in her briefcase, the multiple-award-winning muso and poet struck a lucrative deal with the banker. Busiswa’s prize money of R134,431 now makes her the big-name star who has won the most money in the second season of Deal or No Deal Celebrity.

While Busiswa’s winnings will contribute to the newly-established Deal or No Deal Celebrity money pot for the non-profit organisation U-Turn, which gives the homeless second chances, the first thirteen celebrities facing the banker in Season 2 accumulated an incredible total of R464,677 for Jumping Kids Prosthetic Fund.

These A-listers included Lerato Kganyago Ndlala, Boity Thulo, Tol Ass Mo, MasterChef judge Katlego Mlambo, Sha Sha, L-Tido, DJ Loyd, Zee Nxumalo, Anele Zondo, Zakwe and Uzalo stars Thuthuka Mthembu, Noxolo Mathula and Lindah Majola.

LottoStar’s CSI arm, Star Foundation and Deal or No Deal host Katlego Maboe handed over the donation of almost half a million rand to Jumping Kids during a fun-filled yet heartfelt event at the Hope School in Johannesburg.

At this meaningful gathering, attended by some of the children who will benefit from the donation, Michael Stevens, Director of Jumping Kids, expressed his profound gratitude to all the stars and behind-the-scenes role players whose support will transform lives.

“The Deal or No Deal Celebrity contribution breathes life into Jumping Kids’ mission to give kids with lower-limb amputations, who often experience extraordinary challenges, the opportunity to reach their full potential. It will allow these children to be mobile – to run around, play with their friends, and participate in sports at their schools just like other kids do.”

Sixteen or more children will benefit from the R464,677, which will be used to provide new prosthetic and assistive devices or maintain their much-needed blades.

“Maybe the blade has broken, or they’ve outgrown their prosthetics or need a new socket,” Michael explained the potential upgrades to the equipment. “Best of all, we can do this at the drop of a hat. No more waiting time for their worried parents or guardians – everything will be in place, which is fantastic.”

For Katlego, handing over the celebs’ prize money at the event was a “full circle experience“.

“For the first time, I met the children that Jumping Kids assists to thrive. I will take this humbling experience back with me to the Deal or No Deal Celebrity studio when we continue to support numerous charities through LottoStar and its Star Foundation. When you see these kids, you realise how the DNA of the show really makes a difference and has a significant impact on our society.”

Deal or No Deal Celebrity produced by Homebrew Films for Primedia Studios, premieres on SABC1 on Saturdays at 18:00, with rebroadcast on S3 on Sundays at 16:30 and SABC 1 on Tuesdays at 22:00. You can also watch the latest episodes on SABC+.

Want to be a contestant on Deal or No Deal South Africa? Visit the contestant application page here to apply.

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