African TV winner made 'ambassador'

Cherise Makubale will help promote tourism in Zambia

The Zambian winner of the Big Brother Africa TV show has been made a goodwill ambassador for her country.

Cherise Makubale, 24, has been given a diplomatic passport and had lunch with the president after returning home on Wednesday, three days after winning.

Makubale picked up reality show's $100,000 (£63,000) prize, beating 11 other housemates from different countries.

President Levy Mwanawasa, who gave her a bouquet of flowers, told her: "Your conduct in that house was exemplary.

"An African woman should cook and sweep. Winning is nice and you will enjoy it, for the sky is the limit for you."

Makubale, known as Tumba, was greeted by traditional dancers and hundreds of fans at the airport in the capital, Lusaka.

Peter Mumba, permanent secretary at the interior ministry, said: "We are proud to accord Cherise a diplomatic passport, as she is our ambassador."

She would help promote tourism in the country, he said.

In demand

Football legend Kalusha Bwalya is the only other Zambian citizen to have a diplomatic passport.

Makubale has also met Nelson Mandela since emerging from the Big Brother house after 106 days being filmed day and night.

And her stepfather told the Zambian Daily Mail she has been deluged by marriage proposals from as far away as Canada.

The show proved popular with viewers across the continent, but less so with politicians and religious leaders who criticised it for being "immoral" and too explicit.