Big Brother Africa is Finally Here!

After weeks of waiting, Big Brother Africa is finally here! The live launch of season 9, themed Hotshots, has started! It's all about the glitz and glam, the bold and fabulous, and whatever else Big Brother may have up his sleeve.

For 63 days, Africa is set to experience complete entertainment from 26 housemates who each believe they possess special talent. The representatives are sure to make every effort to outshine each other in the hope that they will be this year's grand prize winner. With the ultimate Hotshot walking away with a cash prize of US$300,000, it comes as little surprise.

Much-loved host IK is also back on Big Brother Africa. He returns this year for the sixth time, bringing his own share of style and swag! IK walked on stage with a new look as his wardrobe has been revamped. His stylist this year is Nigerian designer, Mai Atafo. This African gem will make sure that viewers look forward to seeing IK on eviction shows, adorned in stylish suits with a variety of textures and tastes.

Get ready for a sizzling experience like never before, on Big Brother Hotshots. The housemates are finally on their way into the house and this season promises to be sexy, fun, action-packed and captivating, and everyone's already hooked!

Details About The New Big Brother Hotshot House

"The house is a character - it has quirks and personality which makes it a Big Brother house, so we had to recreate those quirks and personalities in a brand new space." So says Endemol's Angela Law-Boef, Series Director for Big Brother Africa when asked about having to relocate the Big Brother house after the recent fire at Sasani Studios.

The fire made an already mammoth task almost insurmountable; however, Law-Boef says that it is fortunate that Endemol is a "can-do" company which can handle all eventualities. The entire Endemol team set out to make the impossible possible. In three weeks they scoured all available sites and areas to find the right house that could handle all the intricacies of a Big Brother house.

The Big Brother house is a massive technological undertaking to have to find the right property which would allow for a seamless transition to a "Big Brother Proof" house in an extremely short space of time. There is a myriad of things to think of and prepare. The Big Brother house is like no other, a "Big Brother bubble" needs to be created, to give the housemates the universally loved experience of Big Brother thematically and visually.

The Endemol team has come up trumps with the new house which is being primed and prepped for what promises to be the most explosive season yet. Expansions to the bathroom, extra showers, extra toilets, an extra geyser (also a bigger geyser to allow for Shower Hour and housemates to be able to wash dishes at the same time.) Extra security, magstripe- locks, is just some of the extras needed in the house.

The technical team had to rebuild the entire technology framework of the original house to fit into the new house in record time. Three weeks is all it took for the dedicated crew to not only find a suitable house, but also to kit it out with everything to make the world class show Africa has come to expect.

A new house and new systems mean training on all of the new equipment. It is a monumental task to get everything running seamlessly with all of the electrical wiring and lighting having to be changed as well as structural changes to the house. New holes were created in the walls to accommodate one way glass for filming purposes. An industrial sized generator has been installed to make sure that the house maintains electricity 24/7.

All of this and more has been done in record time and the team has been meticulous in its detail to make sure that Big Brother Africa comes to your screens this Sunday, bigger, better and louder than before.

Big Brother Hotshots launches today (Sunday, October 5, 2014) at 19:00 CAT on AfricaMagic DStv Channel 150.

The Amazing Big Brother Hotshots House is Revealed!

 

Big Brother Africa is back for the 9th season and this year the reality show has been dubbed 'Big Brother Hotshots'.

The Hotshots will let nothing stand in the way of their pursuit of fame and fortune. While in the house, they'll party like A-listers, rub shoulders with celebrity guests and face formidable challenges - all while negotiating Biggie's famous curve balls and twists for a grand prize of $300,000.

Big Brother has given us a glimpse of what is in store for the 26 housemates ahead of the launch of the new series this Sunday.

The house features a colorful new design in-line with the theme of the series. Sleek and sophisticated, it's packed with cameras and one-way mirrors with more cameras behind them to follow the housemates' every move.

IK returns as the host of the show which launches with a live show on Sunday, October 5, 2014 at 19:00 CAT on AfricaMagic DStv Channel 150 to welcome the new housemates.

Africa's biggest reality show will be screened live 24/7 on DStv channels 197 and 198 while GOtv audiences will be able to see highlights on AfricaMagic World. Big Brother Africa is produced by Endemol SA for M-Net's AfricaMagic.

Big Brother is always watching. Watch the Hotshots get paranoid:

Housemates confess that they’ve searched their rooms for cameras when paranoia took over because, after all, you never know what tricks Biggie hides up his sleeve.

Watch the Hotshots wonder what they'd be up to if they were already in the house

While most would put their ‘social-butterfly’ hat on and work the room, some would sit back and take notes. 

Kacey Moore, on the extreme end of things, confessed he’d pull out a gun on three African men and Alusa fears he may be on this list. 

Welcome Rwanda!

Big Brother Africa is back, and this time there's a new nation in the house. Rwanda, known as the "Land of a Thousand Hills", make their first appearance and we can't wait to see what their representatives, Arthur and Frankie, bring to the Hotshot mix.

With its tropical climate, lush rainforests and a rich tradition of music and dance, there's a lot that makes Rwanda loved and renowned. Will the fresh faces adapt to the pressures of the game and make their country proud?

As a nation distinguished by its friendly people, we're eager to see whether the Rwandese will be the laid-back types who base their strategy on observation, tact and plenty of friends in the house, or whether they'll surprise us by keeping everyone on their toes with wily charm.

Season 9 could be the beginning of something great and produce the next Rwandan hotshot, a star in the making, ready to take their place alongside celebrities such as Tom Close, Jean-Paul Samputu and MC Tino.

Perhaps the other East African nations – Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia, Uganda and Malawi – will take them under their wing, showing them the ropes along the way. West Africa is back in the house with Ghana representing, as well as three-time winner Nigeria, bringing back their celebrated strength and style.

Namibia returns as well, and with Dillish from The Chase's graceful win on the previous season, the pressure is on for the southern African country. Showcasing the rest of the region is South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Do you think Rwanda will leave their mark or do you think another nation will steal the spotlight?

Big Brother Hotshots launches on Sunday, October 5, 2014 at 19:00 CAT on AfricaMagic DStv Channel 150.

What You Need To Know About Big Brother Hotshots

 

It's almost Big Brother time and you don't want to get left out of the action. Here's everything you need to know about the ninth season of Big Brother Africa (Big Brother Hotshots).

When does the show start?

Big Brother Hotshots kicks off on Sunday, October 5, at 19:00 CAT.

Why Hotshots?

The Housemates will let nothing stand in the way of their pursuit of fame and fortune. While in the house, they'll party like A-listers, rub shoulders with celebrity guests and face formidable challenges - all while negotiating Biggie's famous curve balls and twists.

How much is the prize money?

The Housemates are competing for a massive prize pot of $300,000.

Who is the host this year?

It's none other than Nigerian star IK Osakioduwa.

Which are the participating countries in Big Brother Hotshots?

The participating countries this year are: Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Who are Hotshots?

The 26 Housemates are:

1. Botswana - Goitse and Sheilla

2. Ghana - Kacey Moore and Ma'm Bea

3. Kenya - Alusa and Sabina

4. Malawi - Mr. 256 and Sipe

5. Mozambique - Mira and Trezagah

6. Namibia - Luis and Permithias

7. Nigeria - Lilian and Tayo

8. Rwanda - Frankie and Arthur

9. South Africa - Nhlanhla and Samantha

10. Tanzania - Idris and Laveda 

11. Uganda - Ellah and Esther

12. Zambia - Macky2 and Resa

13. Zimbabwe - Butterphly and JJ

Where can I watch the show?

The Big Brother Africa channel (198) will be available to DStv subscribers on the Premium, Extra and Compact bouquets. Contact you local MultiChoice office to get activated.

I don't have Compact, Extra or Premium. What now?

Don't worry. Subscribers without access to the BBA channel can view the daily highlight show on AfricaMagic Showcase (20:00 CAT), Maisha Magic (20:30 CAT), AfricaMagic Family (21:30 CAT), and AfricaMagic World (21:30 CAT).

The live eviction show will not just be aired on the BBA channel, but also on AfricaMagic Showcase, Maisha Magic, AfricaMagic Family, and AfricaMagic World at 20:00 CAT.

Join us this Sunday, October 5, for the launch of Big Brother Hotshots at 19:00 CAT on AfricaMagic Showcase, Maisha Magic, AfricaMagic Family, and AfricaMagic World.