Liyema "Liema" Pantsi (born 25 October 2001) is a South African singer-songwriter, influencer and television personality. She rose to prominence after being bribed a cash prize on Big Brother Mzansi season 4 and was crowned the winner of Big Brother Mzansi season 6.
Pantsi made her first television performance in Idols South Africa season 16 in 2020 where she won Golden Ticket and released her debut song in 2022 "Ain't Worth It". In 2024, she released her debut studio album Bells N Whistles and won 2 Basadi in Music Awards in 2025 for Songwriter of the Year and Best Collaboration of the Year for "Impumelelo" song with Cici.
Pantsi made her first television debut on Idols South Africa season 16 in 2020 where won Golden Ticket on the first week Wooden Mic and released her debut single "Ain't Worth It" in 2022. In January 2024, she joined Big Brother Mzansi season 4 (S'ya Mosha) as a housemate and bribed a cash prize of R250 000 on the 9th week. The same year after the show, she released three hit single "Let Me Be", "Amahloni" and "Impumelelo" with Cici and went viral on social media platforms. In late 2024, she released her debut album Bells N Whistles and won two awards at the South African Social Media Awards in terms of recognition for being the most influential television personality and content creator in South Africa.
In 2025, Pantsi made her first performance in her music career where she performed at Big Brother Mzansi season 5. She won 2 awards at the 2025 Basadi in Music Awards for Collaboration of the Year with Cici for "Impumelelo" single and Songwriter of the Year for "Let Me Be" single in August, and also performed that night at the awards ceremony. She has been announced as part of the panel of judges for the 2025 South African Social Media Awards. In late 2025, she joined Cici on her Love Tour in Eastern Cape.
In January 2026, Pantsi returned as one of the four "redemption housemates" includes Bravo B, Mmeli and Dube in the Big Brother Mzansi season 6 (Bazozwa). She was voted back into the house by the public for a second chance for the grand prize. On week 9, she was inducted in the finale with Thandeka and Trixie where they became the first 3 housemates to be inducted to the final. On 22 March 2026, she was crowned the winner of the Big Brother Mzansi season 6 with 33,84%, while Thandeka ended up as the Runner Up.
In late 2025, Pantsi was announced as a brand ambassador for the Honor X7d smartphone brand with DJ Tira, Naledi Aphiwe and other influencers.
In October 2025, she appeared in a Netflix popular television series Bad Influencer as a recurring cast.
Liema Pantsi is a musical artist whose public image is defined by her "main character" presence from reality television to award winning musician and social media influencer. She is known as a star girl to her dedicated fanbase "Lilies", she is perceived as a strategic and resilient figure, notably for her exit from Big Brother Mzansi season 4 in 2024 with a cash prize and her 2026 return to the franchise in the Big Brother Mzansi season 6. Her reputation is further upgraded by professional accolades, including Songwriter of the Year at the 2025 Basadi in Music Awards and recognition as a one of the Best Social Media Influencer in South Africa.
The controversy centers on a popular reality television personality Somizi Mhlongo high profile support for Pantsi during the 2026 season of Big Brother Mzansi, which reached a point when he publicly pledged to give her R2 million if she is not winning the Big Brother Mzansi season 6 television show. This move sparked backlash on social media, where critics labeled him a "deadbeat father" and accused him not supporting his only daughter Bahumi Madisakwane, reportedly struggles financially. The situation became more complex when the day Pantsi chose to exit the competition early for a guaranteed R250 000 "Fate Room" cash prize during Big Brother Mzansi season 4 in 2024.