BBA uniting Africa

Every year, for 91 days, representatives from 14 countries across Africa live together in closed doors of the Big Brother Africa (BBA) house. Before them is a whopping winner takes all, US$300 000 prize money offered by Endemol, a South African-based business conglomerate.

However, the reality show, it is not just about the money –there is cultural integration. The housemates expose lifestyles and divergent cultures on the continent. As organisers usually say, BBA is an interactive reality show.

The language, dressing and behaviour are all testimonies of the rich African culture which BBA helps in bringing to the fore.

Malawi’s BBA The Chase housemate Natasha Tonthola astounded followers of the reality show on the first day when she stormed the stage clad in traditional attire. It was what she called ‘Malawian dress style’.

She is proud of her time in the house, “I am happy that I represented Malawi and managed to show Malawian culture despite being exposed to different cultures. My dressing and behaviour portrayed what Malawi is known for,” she said.

The behaviour of a contestant also matters a lot to fellow countrymen. What quickly comes to mind is the reaction of many Malawians at the behaviour of BBA Revolution representative Mzamose Chibambo.

With her drinking, smoking and fighting escapades, many Malawians were quick to say she portrayed “unMalawian” behaviour.

This, therefore, points to the fact that there is more at stake than just the money—the country’s reputation.

Survival in the house is the trickiest part for the contestants more especially when it comes to convincing the region to keep them in the house. One’s fate is determined by the continent meaning it goes beyond national expectation as housemates have to be relevant and entertaining to the whole region, thereby influencing the voting pattern.

Apart from the voting pattern, housemates have a chance to share contacts and agree on joint projects outside BBA.

Zimbabwe’s Munyaradzi Chidzonga has worked with several former housemates in his projects and he visited Malawi for a film shooting with former Miss Malawi Faith Chibale.

Shortly, some of The Chase housemates will tour Malawi courtesy of Malawi Government and DStv—fruits of BBA.

Weekly tasks in the house also integrate the region. For instance, during the first week of August which was also BBA’s charity week, housemates worked on a task centering on educating viewers about the most pressing issues facing the continent such as poverty and providing solutions to the problems.

“BBA is primarily about entertainment, but we also take advantage of the show to look for opportunities to use as platform for purposes of viewers education and development,” said M-Net’s head of corporate communications.

MultiChoice Malawi sales and marketing manager Chimwemwe Nyirenda said BBA has helped in integrating participating countries.

“It has integrated Africa in many areas and music is one of them. We have seen different artists performing at the show and this has helped artists to expose their talents and Africa to appreciate talents in the region.

“Living together, interacting and country votes create oneness. We have also seen clothing and we are now able to say this is Nigerian or Malawian dressing,” said Nyirenda.

Psychologist Chiwoza Banda also believes the show has the potential to unite countries that participate in the competition and also give opportunities to housemates to interact and share experiences.

He added that the show also draws the attention of the continent through voting.

However, Bandawe said the show fails to promote African cultures because the lifestyles and the design of the show are not African but portray western culture.