Big Brother Africa Entries Open

M-Net and Endemol, producers of Africa’s biggest reality television show, Big Brother Africa, have opened nominations for contestants for the eighth season of the show.

This year’s show starts Sunday May 26 and is scheduled to run for 91 days.

Entry for the eighth edition is open between now and Valentine’s Day, February 14 to the same 14 countries as last year's with the only exception being Liberia which will be replaced by Ethiopia for this year. 

The replacement comes as AfricaMagic and series producers Endemol SA rotate certain countries into and out of the format. The reason for this is to ensure that other countries can be included in different editions of the series. 

Participating countries this year are: Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Entry is open to persons over the age of 21, who are citizens of one of the participating countries and who either have a valid passport or will be able to obtain one by the end of March. 

Producers say they are looking for persons who are fluent in English, entertaining and passionate about the Big Brother experience. Of particular importance to the selection team are the qualities of tolerance, determination and enthusiasm. 

M-Net Africa Managing Director Biola Alabi, said in a statement that this year’s show holds bigger surprises for viewers. 

She said, “As always, we won’t say much about the new season but I can confirm that we’ve added a new element that I think will get the hearts of viewers racing. The fact that the fans truly adore the show is all the motivation we need to keep it fresh and fun!”

Endemol MD Sivan Pillay also said in the statement that, “Our long-term association with M-Net is very much a partnership, a marriage of sorts. We understand what they desire for their audiences, and they trust us enough to let us develop innovative twists and surprises. 

“So the process is quite harmonious and very exciting, as all good relationships should be. I am hopeful that this year we are creating a red-hot show that will include familiar trademarks like nominations and evictions alongside a very special new development,” he added.

Previous editions of Big Brother Africa have boasted huge cash prizes for winners and this year the winner will walk away with USD 300,000.