Trust is everything': How Tamica Biggar stands by her man in Big Brother Mzansi

AS ASHAY Sewlall makes history as Big Brother Mzansi's (BBM) first Indian contestant, his girlfriend of six years, Tamica Biggar, shares the emotional journey of supporting him from afar.

From dealing with public scrutiny to celebrating his loyalty on national television, she said trust kept their relationship strong despite the distance.

Social media has been abuzz since Ashay’s introduction as a housemate on Season 6, with many viewers tipping the 24-year-old as an early fan favourite.

Ashay, a TikTok content creator and former professional football player from Richards Bay, is among 20 contestants who entered South Africa’s most-watched reality show when the new season premiered on January 11.

Almost immediately, he captured the attention of viewers across the country with his confidence, charisma and vibrant personality.

However, what particularly stood out to fans was his unwavering loyalty to his long-term girlfriend, Tamica, and the respectful way he conducted himself around the female housemates.

Tamica, 22, of Umhlanga, who works as an executive assistant, has been vocal about her pride for Sewlall and the strength of their relationship.

“Ashay and I have been together for six years now. We celebrated this milestone in December. We met in school through a mutual friend. Honestly, before Ashay’s entry into the show, I did not know anything about it or what it was even about. I had never heard of it before. So he explained it to me, we watched some TikToks and did some research.”

She admitted that agreeing to his participation came with mixed emotions. 

“It has been a mix of excitement and nerves. I was incredibly proud of him for taking such a bold step. However, the reality of being apart for so many months and the thought of being watched by millions of viewers, definitely sank in for me more than him .. I think.”

She described the experience of watching the show as emotionally challenging. 

“It has been an emotional rollercoaster. There are so many moments of pride and joy and other times when I miss him deeply. Watching from the outside made me see how much our connection means to me. The hardest part is the lack of communication. Not being able to check in with him, talk things through, or simply hear his voice has been challenging,” she said.

She added that Ashay’s growing public profile had also brought unwanted attention. 

“His appearance on the show has thrown both of us into the limelight. I have received a lot of hate and negativity on my pages. Sometimes I need reassurance from a specific person, and it is hard when I cannot get it. But as the days go by, I get stronger and train my mind to not listen to the noise because they do not know Ashay like I do.”

Despite the challenges, Biggar believes the experience has strengthened their bond. 

“Even with limited communication, our relationship feels solid. It is built on understanding, trust, and knowing who we are to each other. It is beyond constant contact. This move has definitely strengthened our relationship and shown me that we can overcome a lot as a couple if we work together,” added Tamica.

Reflecting on the early days of the show, she said: “This is not an easy process, and I do not think it would be for any girlfriend. My mind was in a constant battle all in the first week, but I have watched Ashay and I have seen how respectful, loyal and kind he was. I do not have any doubts about him. He is a good man,” she said.

She also shared the personal moments she missed most. 

“I miss the little things - his presence, our conversations, his laughter, and the comfort of having him around. Ashay has always taken care of me since we moved in together. He used to talk to me like a baby, make tea for me, and if I was having a bad day, he would do anything to make me smile, even if it meant driving me to McDonald’s at 3am for ice cream. I miss having my best friend around,” she said.

Addressing public skepticism about sending her boyfriend into the BBM house, Tamica was resolute. 

“I have received this question a lot recently. Everyone panics and says, ‘How can you send your boyfriend there?’ ‘What about the girls?’ I am a very secure woman, both in myself and in my relationship. I pride myself on being a young woman with respect, who works hard and has high morals and values.

“I believe if anyone does something to lose me in their life, it is their loss, never mine. I trust Ashay because I know his character. Our relationship is built on honesty and mutual respect, and that gives me confidence regardless of the environment he is in. Trust is everything right now. In fact, it is the only thing holding things together,” Tamica added.

She said she was overwhelmed with emotion when Ashay publicly professed his love for her on national television and revealed his plans to propose once he returned home. 

“Hearing Ashay say that was incredibly emotional for me. It was not something I thought he would say on live TV, so it really touched my heart,” she said.

She said that that moment reaffirmed his commitment to their relationship. 

“It reminded me how serious he was about us and how deeply he valued what we have. It made me feel loved, chosen, and confident in our future together.” 

Tamica added that while they had only briefly discussed marriage in the past, they always agreed it would come once they were settled. 

“He always said that he could not marry me without being able to provide the best of everything for me. He told me that is why he wanted to participate in the show. If he wins he will use the money to buy a home for us so we can start our life and begin thinking about our adult future together,” she said.

Ashay stands to win R2 million if not evicted. 

She said she hoped Ashay remained true to himself throughout the competition. 

“Every relationship is different. If a relationship is genuine, grounded, and built on trust, it could survive and even grow through experiences like this. Our relationship is not dependent on constant proximity. We are connected on a deeper level, and that is something reality TV cannot shake,” she said.

As Ashay continues his journey in the BBM house, Biggar remains his biggest supporter. 

“I hope he goes as far as possible. More than winning, I want him to walk out knowing he stayed true to himself. But I know he is going to bring it home. We have a whole army behind him. I would tell him that I was incredibly proud of him, that I believed in him, and was cheering him on every step of the way. He must continue to be himself and never change to fit into the house or provide entertainment. The right people will love him for him,” said Biggar.

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