A RECAP OF THE BIG BROTHER AFRICA 4 PREMIERE ON 6 SEPTEMBER 2009
The season began with a twist as the first 12 contestants were revealed to be male.
The show kicked off with a special 2-hour pre-show at 17h00, featuring a set of “Starmates” - celebrity Big Brother contestants who spent the first 24 hours in the house with the 12 housemates.
Nigerian movie star Tuvi James was first in for a chat with IK, followed by VUZU star Nonhle Thema, Tanzanian actor Steven Kanumba and South Africa’s ‘it-girl’ Khanyi Mbau.
They spent 2 hours exploring the house, choosing their beds, sharing some initial thoughts with Big Brother in the diary room before receiving their first task - preparing a welcome feast for the 12 new housemates.
They also noticed that Big Brother’s voice is distinctly female this time around.
Then it was time for the main show 19h00 with host IK jetting in to the new BB studio in a helicopter. 12 helmeted strangers jumped on the back of motorcycles and raced to the Big Brother house.
Meanwhile, in the Somalian musician superstar K’Naan performed his single Wavin Flag.
IK then gave the continent a glimpse of what former Big Brother Africa winners had been up to. First up was BBA2 winner Richard from Tanzania. He had promised to open a film company - and stayed true to his word.
He gave a tour of his new offices and explained how he had gotten married and welcomed his first child into the world. He also said that he hadn’t stayed in touch with any of his housemates, apart from Code.
His advice to the Big Brother: Revolution contestants was “Stop being fake – be yourselves - and let the games begin!”
Next was Angola’s Ricco, last season’s winner. Ricco's been living in Brazil for the last 6 months while he studies a television presenting course. He said that he misses Africa and is currently dating - and promised to introduce his lady to the continent soon. His advice to the new housemates is “Good luck, break a leg, have fun and enjoy it - and don’t forget to entertain the audience!”
Big Brother Africa 1 winner, Zambia’s Cherise, revealed hat she's married and living in London. She also said that she hasn’t forgotten her roots as she continues to run a host of charitable projects back home, including an educational park.
She explained how winning Big Brother Africa changed her life: “When I won I was just a simple girl from a small town in Zambia - I’d never been on a plane before! The day after I won I met Nelson Mandela, then I was hosted by my own President in Zambia,” she says. “I flew around like crazy, living out of a suitcase for months and visited placed I’d never imagined.” Her advice to the housemates was “Good luck! Big Brother changed my life - and just remember, it’s not just Big Brother watching you, the whole world is - so have fun!”
IK then took the continent on a tour of the new Big Brother: Revolution house and then it was time for IK to introduce the first housemate - Zimbabwean Itai. The rest of housemates followed and things ended with the arrival of Edward.
Moments after IK welcomed Edward to the stage, an identical stranger walked onto stage and joined them – Edward’s twin Erastus. It was revealed that Edward and Erastus would take turns to play the game as one contestant.
One would live in seclusion in a secret location while the other played the game, with switches occurring regularly.
They were told that they were allowed to share their secret with 3 housemates, but should a 4th find out, the game was over for both of them. Should they be successful in their ruse, Big Brother could decide to send them both into the game to compete for the USD200 000 prize.
K’Naan closed the show with another number and IK revealed that a group of female housemates would join the house the following week - but not before the boys had to sweat through their first nomination, which will took place on the first Monday night.
For a rundown of all the housemates who moved in first, see:
Meet The Big Brother Africa 4 Housemates.