Thendo Beats The Deal or No Deal SA Banker

Writer’s imaginary friend helped him beat the banker on Deal or No Deal South Africa.

“Wiseman” Thendo walked away with a whopping R119,860

Thirty-year-old author and side-hustle livestock farmer Mutshutsu Melton Muvhango, also known as Thendo, entered SABC2’s hugely popular game show Deal or No Deal South Africa with two ambitions: to purchase a laptop and software for writing more stories and to add cows to his herd of farm animals.

Thendo, who grew up in a small village in Venda and now lives in Simon’s Town, has already published two novels, Remember Your Own and The Ride. Both of these narratives feature a fictional character named James. However, this wise older man played a significant role in Thendo’s life long before the scribe devised the intrigue in his books. James has been Thendo’s trusted imaginary friend since primary school. But who would have thought that James’s sound advice would land Thendo R119,860 – the largest amount the banker parted with in 2025 so far?

From the outset, Thendo played an admirable game in the Deal or No Deal South Africa hot seat in the episode screened on Monday, 12 May. The first box he opened knocked off the dreaded R1 from the show’s Money Ladder, and by the time he reached the final round, all the dangerous red amounts had been eliminated. Still, Thendo found himself in a nerve-wracking situation when only two unopened boxes remained – box number 1, which he used to battle the banker, and box number 9, held by fellow contestant Mfuneli. The amounts still on the Money Tree indicated that Thendo’s box would contain either R5,000 or the jackpot prize of R250,000.

Although host Katlego Maboe dubbed Thendo “Wiseman” because of his astute demeanour throughout this Deal or No Deal contestant’s stint on the show, Thendo was stumped – and shaking in his boots. If he declined the banker’s final offer of R119,860 by hitting the Lottostar button, he would forfeit the rare chance of winning R250,000. But, as he mentioned to Katlego, R5,000 is less than the market price for a cow!

Fortunately, James came to the rescue. Thendo told the audience that his fictional friend and mentor cautioned him about box number 9. Like so many times before, James was right. Thendo’s decision to seal the deal on the banker’s offer saved him from going home with R5000 only.

“Ultimately, it was still my call,” Thendo explained his relationship with James and their interaction on the show. “You could say he is the more mature and rational future version of me. We often have an internal struggle, but with his life experience, his advice is usually accurate. It’s like he makes me see my life in perspective and shows me all the possibilities and pitfalls.”

Even before Thendo’s big winnings, he captured the imagination of Deal or No Deal South Africa fans. Besides James, his seamstress mother followed him onto the set, boosting his confidence as Thendo donned some of her beautiful Venda-inspired shirts.

So, what’s up next for Thendo and James? Another book is on its way, and seeing these stories transformed into television series or films will be the ultimate dream come true.

And which actor does Thendo envision playing the role of James?

“My pick would be soulful, versatile thespians like Tshamano Seebe or Lindani Nkosi,” Thendo said.

If you want to join this on-screen Deal or No Deal family, you can apply to be a contestant on the show’s website.

In its new home on SABC 2, the show airs Mondays to Fridays at 18:30, the massively popular Deal or No Deal South Africa will continue to enrich the lives of ordinary South Africans. Deal or No Deal rebroadcasts on the channel the following day at 11h00, and on S3 at 17h30.

The daily and weekly South African standalone Deal or No Deal series is produced by Homebrew Films for Primedia Studios’ spectacular content slate.

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