|
Micheal Bonny Bassey
Known as: Bassey
Age: 22
From: Sierra Leone
Occupation: Student, actor and model
About: Bassey is from Freetown and is single. His favourite foods include rice and cassava leaves and pasta with tomato sauce.
He enjoys book series like Harry Potter and The Hunger Games and his favourite TV shows include Revenge, Game of Thrones, The Vampire Diaries and True Blood.
His favourite musicians include Rihanna, Beyonce, LMFAO and Justin Bieber and his favourite actors include Desmond Finney, Majid Michel, Tom Cruise and Halle Berry.
His favourite spot in Sierra Leone is Freetown, “especially the beach”, and he says the best thing about Africa is the different cultures and “unity among us”. He also cites America as his favourite place in the world, seeing it as “a land of opportunities”.
Bassey’s role model is Michael Jackson, “because of the way he handled his career”. His mom played a major role in his life because despite being a single mom, she took care of him and his siblings and was always there for them.
His two proudest achievements are graduating from university - and becoming the first of his siblings to do so - and also being nominated in the Youth Excellence Awards.
He entered Big Brother for the fame and money, believing that “Biggie changes lives”. He says it’ll be “weird” having so many people watching his every move on TV and says that he will get used to it with time. If he wins, he’ll buy a house for his family, his dream car, invest in business and produce a movie.
|
|
|
Beverly Osu
Age: 21
From: Nigeria
Occupation: Model
About: Beverly is from Lagos. She describes herself as “smart, sexy, humble, loyal and crazy”. One of her favourite qualities is her sense of humour. In other people, she values “maintenance, consistency, cleanliness, truth and humility” and dislikes unkept promises, lies and pretence.
Beverley entered Big Brother because she believes that her every-day life is entertaining, even when she’s sad. She says that viewers can expect “a total packaged African young diva to command the right qualities and characteristics of a blunt, sexy go-getter”. Her mom is so proud of her entering Big Brother that she even drove her to the audition.
She says she doesn’t really have any role models, choosing rather to take unique attributes from different people. If she had to choose, she would name Tyra Banks, her mom and Kelly Rowland as role models.
Asked who has influenced her life most, Beverley says “who I want to influence me all depends on the situation at hand”.
Her favourite film is Pretty Woman, starring one of her favourite actresses, Julia Roberts. Lion’s Heart and Eyewitness are her favourite books, and she enjoys watching CSI Miami, Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Big Brother Africa on TV.
Her favourite musicians include John Legend, Kelly Rowland, Phenom and Rihanna.
|
|
|
Biguesas Piatra
Age: 29
From: Angola
Occupation: Bank worker and student
About: Biguesas is from Luanda, he's single and doesn’t have any children.
He describes himself as “handsome, intelligent, extroverted, always playing and talkative”. He values sincerity in others and says that those close to him at home are very excited to see him on the show.
If he wins the grand prize, he’ll share some of the money with his family, donate some, pay for university and buy a house. He’s also excited by the prospect of fame, as he’s always wanted to be a TV presenter.
He says his favourite actors are Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie and his favourite films are 8 Mile and Salt.
He likes watching Mixed Martial Arts and World Wrestling Entertainment on TV and his favourite foods are ‘pap’, hamburgers and fries. Biguesas says the best thing about Africa is the fauna & flora and that his favourite place outside of Angola is Pretoria in South Africa, where he spent 3 years at high school.
Biguesas says he is proud to be finishing University soon, a first within his family of 9 siblings.
|
|
|
Cleo Mulenga
Age: 23
From: Zambia
Occupation: Artist and musician
About: Cleo is from Lusaka. Single with a daughter, she is currently looking to further her studies beyond her Grade 12 certificate.
She entered Big Brother because it’s something she’s always seen herself doing. “I have been trying to enter Big Brother since I was 21,” she says. “It looks fun, but it’s clear to see that only the strong personalities and characters go far”.
Her role models range from her mother to Mother Theresa, Michelle Obama, Beyonce and Princess Diana. “They are or were all powerful women who are passionate about what they do and never give up, and put God first,” she says.
Her proudest achievement is making it into the Big Brother house, because she has always known it would be the biggest step she would make toward reaching her goals and realising her dreams.
Cleo describes herself as “friendly, loud, caring, blatant and loyal”, citing her favourite qualities as her patience, tact, obedience, domestication, humility and respect. She dislikes backstabbers, liars, immaturity and disrespectfulness and promises viewers “a lot of realness, a bit of comedy, a lot of singing and rapping, a lot of ME to the fullest”.
Her favourite foods are pizza and chicken and her favourite TV shows include Generations, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Suburgatory, 90210, America’s Next Top Model, Gossip Girl and Desperate Housewives.
She enjoys listening to Nicki Minaj, Pompeii, Beyonce and Bob Marley and her favourite actor is Michael Ealy because “he’s a good actor and he’s good to look at too!”.
|
|
|
Hakeem Mandaza
Age: 22
From: Zimbabwe
Occupation: Model
About: Hakeem is from Harare. He entered Big Brother because he's a huge fan of the show and passionate about the experience. “I like the idea of taking simple and exceptionally talented people like me and thrusting them into stardom,” he says. “Also, I’m a model and aspiring actor seeking bigger opportunities”.
Hakeem lists his favourite foods as crispy rosemary chicken with fries and macaroni & cheese. His favourite books include The Art of War, It’s Time to Unleash Your Greatness and 50 Shades of Grey and he enjoys watching X-Factor, Two and a Half Men and Chris Angel: Mind Freak.
His favourite musicians are The Game, Drake, Chris Brown and Jay-Z and his favourite actors include Dwayne Johnson, Johnny Depp and Denzel Washington.
He says the best thing about Africa is the people, the culture, resources and history, which is “so rich, authentic and intriguing”. His favourite place in the world outside of his home country is Jamaica, because of the food, drink and climate - “and the parties are out of this world”.
Hakeem’s role model is Tyson Beckford because he was the first black male model to become a supermodel. “He was picked from the streets, yet so humble, ambitious and composed,” says Hakeem.
If Hakeem wins Big Brother, he’ll invest in property, pay tithes, go to college, take care of his son and own the biggest model agency in Africa to help open doors for others.
|
|
|
Koketso Modiba
Age: 26
From: South Africa
Occupation: Entrepeneur
About: Johannesburg-born Koketso is an entrepreneur, currently studying towards a Law degree.
She's also a former Miss South Africa finalist - she reached the Top 12 of the competition in 2012.
She enjoys eating “most African dishes, but to watch my weight I eat Thai for indulgence."
Koketso says the best thing about Africa is its potential - “It’s like a young bright kid with endless possibilities”. Her favourite place in South Africa is Coffee Bay and away from home, Dakar, citing it as the only place outside of South Africa she has felt at home.
Koketso entered Big Brother because of her “new-found fearlessness”. “I am now not afraid to take risks and live my life for me,” she says. “I wanted to see how far I can take this. I needed a new challenge and I wanted something to help me build a brand I can capitalise on”.
She says she’s nervous to have the continent’s eyes on her. If she wins the USD 300 000, she’ll start her foundation for young girls in her township and explore investment opportunities in other African countries.
|
|
|
LK4
Age: 28
From: Uganda
Occupation: Basketball player
About: Towering over the rest of the housemates at 6 feet 5 inches, professional basketball player LK4, is from Kampala. Outside of his achievements on the basketball court, LK4 also has a CPA and a Degree in Marketing.
LK4 was inspired to enter Big Brother by his teammates and friends and says he's excited to have Africa watching him. He says that viewers can expect him to make all the ladies fall in love with him and make viewers laugh. If he wins the grand prize, he’ll start building his basketball academy.
He describes himself as “compassionate, sexy, conscious, comical and athletic” and his favourite personal quality is his confidence, saying that he’s “the direct reflection of God’s creation”. He likes people who are loyal, humble, confident, honest and intelligent, but dislikes “disloyal, jealous, envious individuals”.
His proudest achievements so far are winning the national championship with his team in 2010 and representing his country in Olympic Qualifiers.
|
|
|
Maria Nepembe
Age: 24
From: Namibia
Occupation: Model and radio presenter
About: Maria is single, has a Public Relations Diploma and is from Ondangwa. She lists spaghetti and chicken wings as her favourite foods and 50 Shades of Grey as her favourite book.
Maria entered Big Brother in the hope of getting exposure which will boost her broadcasting career.
She promises viewers “a lot of blonde moments” and also says she’ll “be real”. If she wins the grand prize, she’ll buy a new car and pay off her house - and probably give the rest to charity.
She lists a friend who's currently battling cancer as her role model. The achievements she’s most proud of so far are having her own radio show and being chosen to host the Namibian Music Awards.
Maria says her favourite personal trait is her kind and compassionate heart and she values honesty and respect in others. She hates gossip-mongers and promises viewers: “I am the real deal”.
|
|
|
Melvin Oduah
Age: 27
From: Nigeria
Occupation: Model and actor
About: Melvin is from Delta State with a BSc in Chemistry. He likes spaghetti and his favourite books include The Dark, Iron Bender and Pelican Brief.
His favourite TV shows include Monday Night Football and Happy Family. Melvin enjoys the music of Nicki Minaj, Rick Ross and R.Kelly and lists his favourite actors as Christian Bale and Tom Cruise, because “they are awesome to watch”.
His favourite place in Nigeria is Lagos and he says the best things about the continent as a whole are the culture and people. Outside of Nigeria, he enjoys spending time in South Africa and the USA because “these are places where you can relax and relate to people conveniently”.
Melvin’s role model is his dad, who taught him never to settle for less. His dad lost his parents at an early age, but didn’t let that stop him becoming the man he is today. Melvin is one of four children – he has a twin sister and, remarkably, a younger brother and younger sister who are also twins.
His friends and family inspired him to enter Big Brother. He says he has always been a fan of the show and has previously come out tops in two other reality shows, he is hoping to use all his experience and charm to go all the way on Big Brother.
If he wins the grand prize, he’ll invest it, but is also hoping make his country proud and use it as a platform to achieve other things in his career.
|
|
|
Natasha Tonthola
Age: 26
From: Malawi
Occupation: Entrepeneur
About: Self employed mom Natasha hails from Lilongwe. She entered Big Brother because she looks at it as being social, educational, entertaining and a platform for fame.
She describes herself as “fun, adventurous, flirtatious, crazy and sweet” and says that the qualities she likes most in herself are her patience, calmness, jokes and tolerance. She values patience, tolerance and kindness in others too, but despises control freaks, liars and unfaithfulness.
Her favourite musicians include Mampi, Zahara, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Kenny Rogers and her favourite actors are Julia Roberts, Richard Gere, Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence.
Her favourite part of Malawi is Livingstonia Beach and she believes the best thing about Africa is its unity, peace and friendliness of its cultures.
|
|
|
O'Neal
Age: 33
From: Botswana
Occupation: Radio and TV personality
About: O'Neal describes himself as “fun, imaginative, entertaining, shocking and unforgettable”. He values consideration in others and thinks his best quality is his imagination. He dislikes dishonesty and declares himself an entertainer at heart.
O'Neal says his favourite place in Botswana is his house - in particular his couch - and says that the best thing about Africa is its people’s emotional strength. He was inspired to enter Big Brother because of “the lack of me in that house” and a need to increase his follower base outside his home country.
O'Neal has a younger brother and says it will be a privilege to have Africa’s eyes on him 24/7, but also acknowledges how tough it will probably be. If he wins the grand prize, he’ll build his mom her dream house.
|
|
|
Pokello Nare
Age: 27
From: Zimbabwe
Occupation: Entrepeneur
About: Harare-born Pokello has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Media and Communications and owns a luxury shoe boutique. She enjoys pasta, spaghetti bolognaise and prawn cocktail.
She describes herself as “dynamic, captivating, intelligent, beautiful & hilarious” and says that the best thing about her is that she’s head-strong and a woman of real substance. “When I speak, I speak with depth and confidence,” she says. She admires people who are selfless and filled with humility and modesty, disliking disloyalty and betrayal.
Asked what viewers can expect from her, she says: “I am beautiful, intelligent, controlling and entertaining. I am funny and witty and I say the most humorous things.
Pokello says if she wins the USD 300 000, she’ll buy a big house for her son and herself, send him to a full-time soccer academy in London and invest in her business.
|
|
|
Selly Galley
Age: 25
From: Ghana
Occupation: Actress
About: Selly is from Tema in Accra. She entered Big Brother because of “the mouth-watering prize package” that she says would change her life, and also because she wants more drama in her life to “spice it up more”.
She enjoys watching Fashion Police, SpongeBob Squarepants and Keeping Up With The Kardashians. Selly says her boyfriend has influenced her life because he is extremely optimistic about life and has taught her to believe in herself.
Describing herself as “spontaneous, kind, sensitive, no-nonsense and adventurous”, Selly dislikes back-biting, fake people and sycophants. She says viewers can expect dancing, cooking and entertainment from her.
If she wins the grand prize, she’ll further her education, buy her mom a car, throw a huge party, start her dream business, renovate her mother’s house and buy herself a car.
|
|
|
Sulu Banda
Age: 31
From: Zambia
Occupation: Businessman
About: Sulu is single and comes from Lusaka. He describes himself as “a guy that loves people” and says his best traits are his character and his enjoyment of the company of others. He values wisdom and intelligence in others, but dislikes negativity, gossip and evil.
He entered Big Brother because “there is a lot to learn about ourselves” and promises viewers lots of fun and life-changing lessons. If he wins, he’ll help young people realise their potential and invest in real estate. Sulu is humbled by the fact that so many people will be watching him on the show, but says that it’s “great” at the same time.
He says the best thing about Africa is its potential for development and says his favourite place in Zambia is Livingstone. Outside of his home country, he says America is his favourite place, because it’s “too much fun”.
|
|