Big Brother is the African version of the international reality television franchise created by producer John de Mol Jr. in 1997. The local rendition Big Brother Mzansi - a rebrand 12 years after the original series Big Brother South Africa - is just as good at keeping viewers glued to their screens at all hours of the day. Here's a look at the history of Big Brother in South Africa.
Country of origin: South Africa
Original language: English
Big Brother Mzansi, formerly known as Big Brother South Africa, is a television series in South Africa produced by M-Net and Endemol.
The Most ICONIC Moments in Big Brother History (part 1)
Early Seasons of Big Brother South Africa
The show was first aired in 2003 for one season on M-Net and broadcast to audiences in 42 African countries. The first season aired in 2001 and the second in 2002. Big Brother South Africa had two seasons, and a celebrity season in between.
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It was the first time in the world that the internationally famous program will be created using participants of different nationalities from one continent. The first season of Big Brother Africa, featuring 12 housemates from 12 African countries, premiered to audiences in 42 African countries on Sunday 25 May 2003, and ended on 7 September of the same year, lasting 106 days, making it the longest running season in Big Brother Africa.
Big Brother Africa: Seasons 2-9
The second season of Big Brother Africa, featuring 12 housemates from 12 African countries, premiered 5 August 2007, and ended on 11 November of the same year, lasting 98 days.
The third season of Big Brother Africa, featured 12 housemates from 12 African countries, premiered 24 August 2008, and ended on 23 November of the same year, lasting 91 days.
The fourth season of Big Brother Africa, featured 25 housemates from 14 African countries. The season premiered 6 September 2009, and ended on 6 December of the same year, lasting 91 days. ikponmwosa "IK" Osakioduwa took over as the new host this year. It was the first season featuring more than 12 contestants.
The fifth season of Big Brother Africa started on 18 July 2010 and ran for 91 days until 17 October 2010. This was an all-star series which featured 14 former Big Brother Africa contestants. The winner was Uti Nwachukwu a. k.
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The sixth season of Big Brother Africa, tagged "Amplified" ran for 91 days from 1 May 2011 to 31 July the same year. Bringing together 26 housemates from 14 African countries, M-Net co-partnered with Coca-Cola for the series. IK returned as host. This season is the first ever series of Big Brother in the world to have 2 winners: Karen Igho from Nigeria and Wendall Robert Parson from Zimbabwe.
The seventh season of Big Brother Africa premiered to viewers in 47 African countries on Sunday 6 May 2012 and ran for 91 days until 5 August 2012. Live performances were made by American rapper J. This season, the cash prize was raised to US$ 300,000. A new rule called Double-Up was introduced to the show. This season featured a record breaker, for the first time ever in the worldwide history of Big Brother, 35 housemates went into the Big Brother house on launch night.
The eighth season of Big Brother Africa aired in 2013 titled The Chase. M-net's Africa Magic confirmed the return of the series on 18 December 2012. Airtel took over the role of headline sponsor becoming the official sponsor of Big Brother the Chase. Once again 2 houses are featured on BBA The Chase, "Diamond" and "Ruby".
M-net's Africa Magic announced the ninth season of Africa's top reality TV series on 26 May 2014. The auditions were held in the same 14 countries as the previous season (The Chase) with the only exception being Angola which replaced by newcomers, Rwanda. Although Angola was the only country left out from the original 12 participating countries, it Dstv premiered a local Angolan Portuguese version, Big Brother Angola.
The African version initially involved 12 countries within Africa (Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia & Zimbabwe) with two countries (Ethiopia and Mozambique) being added in season 4 and two other countries (Liberia and Sierra Leone) being added in season 7 while Rwanda was added in season 9. Each country provides at least one contestant living in an isolated house while trying to avoid being evicted by viewers and ultimately winning a large cash prize at the end of the show.
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Rebranding and Reboot: Big Brother Mzansi
On 12 June 2013, MultiChoice announced that its local brand, M-Net and Mzansi Magic, would produce another South African edition of Big Brother, with the show being rebranded as Big Brother Mzansi, which was set to air in January 2014. It began on 2 February 2014. Lungile Radu was the host.
Due to success of the previous season, Big Brother Mzansi came back in 2015. The theme for this season was "Double Trouble". Housemates entered the house in pairs and were compete against each other for R2 Million. The show lasted for 56 days. Lungile Radu returned as this season's host.
After a six-year hiatus, the third season of Big Brother Mzansi premiered on 23 January 2022 with a new theme "Beke Le Beke". Lawrence Maleka was the host for this season.
The fourth season of Big Brother Mzansi premiered on 21 January 2024 with Lawrence Maleka returning as the host. The theme for this season is "S'ya Mosha".
Big Brother Mzansi Winners: Where Are They Now?
Career-defining (and ending) scandals, allegations and twists and turns are what many in the country feverishly look forward to when a new season is announced, especially when Big Brother Mzansi returned with season three after a six-year hiatus with new host Lawrence Maleka.
Wondering what those past winners are up to now? Let's take a look.
- Big Brother Mzansi: Secrets winner Mandla Hlatshwayo
After being the first-ever winner of Big Brother Mzansi in 2014, Mandla found love in the house with his now-wife and mother to his two boys Lexi Van. The couple got their reality show Mandla and Lexi, the first spinoff for the beloved franchise.
Mandla now runs a business buying, fixing up and selling second-hand cars and is a devoted husband and father.
- Big Brother Mzansi: Double Trouble winners Ntombi Tshabalala and Ace Khumalo
Soweto's sweethearts Ntombi and Ace are as relatable now as they were when they first stole the country's hearts in 2015.
After taking home the R2 million grand prize, the couple bought an apartment in Honeydew and are blessed with three children.
- Big Brother Mzansi: Beke Le Beke winner Michelle Dimpho ‘Mphowabadimo' Mvundla
Mphowabadimo has made a splash in the world of South African entertainment since her Big Brother Mzansi 2022 win after the show's six-year hiatus. From a whirlwind relationship with co-star Themba ‘Broly' Mabaso to connecting with her supporters through her vlogs and journey as a traditional healer, the mom of two boys has ventured into music and has bagged partnerships with big brands like Takealot.
- Big Brother Titans winner Khosi Twala
Big Brother Titans became the first crossover season between Big Brother Mzansi and Big Brother Naija, bringing the fiery personalities of South Africans and Nigerians under one roof.
Khosi won the series in 2023 and in that short space of time has made big moves. She is now regarded as an award-winning entrepreneur with her wellness platform Active Lifestyle Brands, has hosted esteemed events like the DStv Delicious Festival and makes a difference across the continent with her charity foundation Good Deeds.
- Big Brother Mzansi: S'ya Mosha winner Siphephelo ‘McJunior' Zondi
After an intense season of controversy and allegations, McJunior claimed the R2 million grand prize in March 2024.
The 25-year-old took his winnings and has remained relatively out of the spotlight since the finale, barring a few media appearances.
Big Brother Africa: Participating Countries
The African version initially involved 12 countries within Africa. Over the years, additional countries have been added to the roster.
| Original Countries | Added Countries |
|---|---|
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A special edition of the Big Brother Africa franchise called Big Brother Titans was announced and premiered on 15 January 2023.
As of 2025, both shows have a total of seven seasons.
South Africa and the continent are gearing up for the ninth season of Big Brother Naija, premiering on Sunday 28 July 2024, with contestants entering the game as pairs for the first time.
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