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Jase
Full name: Jason Du Plessis
Age: 21
From: Durban
Occupation: Third year university student
About:
A sports fan who plays soccer, cricket and tennis, Jase isn’t averse to taking on more adrenaline fuelled pursuits as he did recently when he jumped the highest swing at Oribi Gorge for a television show called Ride-iculous.
Jase has 3 older sisters and a younger brother who he calls his best friend in the world because, ‘we do everything together and have the same interests.’
A Manchester United supporter who is most happy when he can overcome a challenge, Jase dislikes hypocritical people and people who give up too easily.
He looks up to US President Barack Obama ‘for what he achieved being a person of colour and securing a second term in office’.
Currently single, Jase is a fan of Eminem, Drake and Chris Brown. He enjoys pasta and partying, has a dog named Tess and relaxes in the gym or by watching movies, especially those starring his favourite actors Leonardo di Caprio, Mark Wahlberg, Morgan Freeman and Denzel Washington.
If he could visit one place in the world, the one-time Mr UShaka winner would go to New York because the city is cosmopolitan and so he can see tourist attractions such as the Statue of Liberty and the Empire State Building.
The best advice Jase has ever been given came from his mom who said, ‘Stay true to yourself and lead a good honest life’.
Asked why he wanted to participate in Big Brother Mzansi, he says that the thrill of not knowing whether audiences will keep him in the house or not is part of the attraction.
Jase speaks English and says the best thing about South Africans is that they are friendly, diverse, happy and have their own distinct lingo. Asked about his bad habits, Jase says that he pinches his nose and sticks his hands in his pockets a lot.
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Kat
Full name: Katlego Mohoaduba
Age: 23
From: Johannesburg
Occupation: An assistant
About:
Kat has a twin brother and was named second princess in the Miss Soweto pageant in 2011.
Describing herself as adventurous, witty, a ‘stylista’, friendly and warm hearted, Kat says she admires Bonang Matheba for ‘her hustle and how she’s just changed the industry.’
The Kaizer Chiefs fan who speaks Zulu, English and a little Sotho enjoys the television programs Gossip Girl and Keeping up with the Kardashians as well as Tamar and Vince.
A lover of macaroni and cheese Kat loves to cook, watches cooking channels and identifies Chef Sharon Glass as one of her role models. She goes on to say that, ‘I have a child like nature so just being able to joke around, and play and of course, shopping’ is what makes her happy.
Listing Will Smith, Morris Chestnut, Gabrielle Union and Queen Latifah among her favourite Hollywood stars, Kat thinks that the best holiday destination is Paris in the winter because ‘it’s beautiful and romantic’.
If she could visit one place in the world Kat would head to Milan because of the shopping she could do there. Kat says she looks up to her dad because he was a hard worker and says the best advice she ever got came from her mom who said, ‘People will always talk whether you do good or bad’.
She entered Big Brother Mzansi for the experience of being in the Big Brother house, socialising with different people from different backgrounds and for the opportunity that Big Brother will give her.
Kat relaxes by listening to music, including tracks from Drake, Ciara, Aka, Mi Casa and Lira. Passionate about the work done by POWA, Kat says she absolutely does not tolerate abuse of women.
Annoyed by people who lie, yell or shout at her, Kat says her bad habit is that she tends to correct people whose grammar is bad.
If she wins the grand prize on Big Brother Mzansi, Kat will use the money to renovate her mother’s house and buy herself a car. She says South Africans are warm, friendly people who have great spirits and are very welcoming.
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Lexi
Brumilda Van Niekerk
Age: 25
From: Cape Town
Occupation: Customer care professional
About:
Lexi has a diploma in travel and tourism from Rosebank College and loves listening to music, dancing all night in the club, waking up to live another day and a really delicious home cooked meal.
She also lists dancing, shopping, swimming, learning to cook, sleeping late (sometimes), doing photo shoots, reading and writing as her hobbies.
Lexi says her friends would describe her as ‘crazy, beautiful, kind, mean, volatile, super-sexy, insane, lazy, messy, different, unique, intelligent, dramatic and a diva!’ She openly admits that she is also messy, tends to procrastinate and takes forever to get ready to go out.
Also strongly opposed to the abuse of women Lexi, who speaks both English and Afrikaans, likes that South Africans are friendly, helpful and open-minded.
Lexi cites a close friend as a role model and says, ‘She’s the most humble person I know. She’s caring, selfless, kind, always polite, respectful and she loves me so much.’ Not surprisingly it was the same friend who gave Lexi some of the best advice she’s ever received simply saying, ‘Don’t stop dreaming’.
A reality TV fan who rates MasterChef Australia as a great watch, Lexi’s favourite actors are Gerard Butler, Tyler Perry and Idris Elba while her favourite actresses include Charlize Theron and Halle Berry.
On the music front, she’s a fan of Jay Z, Frank Ocean, Mafikizolo, P Square, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Keri Hilson, Davido and Drake.
Expecting to see different personalities and competition on Big Brother Mzansi, Lexi says she wanted to be part of the show because, ‘I think it’s a great platform to be known and recognized by the nation. I also want to entertain people, show my true self and make people fall in love with my personality.’
She encourages audiences to watch her on the show because, ‘I’ll show you the dramatic and diva side, but I’ll be genuine, honest and beautiful.’ And if she wins the big prize, Lexi will invest, pay off her debt and enjoy the money.
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Loko
Full name: Reabetsoe Moloko
Age: 22
From: Kempton Park
Occupation: Artist manager
About:
Describing herself as grounded, experimental, open-minded, analytical, committed and beautiful, Loko loves dancing and previously appeared on TV in Mzansi Magic’s Our Perfect Wedding during her cousin’s wedding.
Loko bites her nails when stressed, dislikes compulsive liars, people giving her advice when she hasn’t asked for it and when people don’t practice what they preach.
She prefers being around positive, like-minded people and says the women in her life are her role models. ‘Perseverance is the one characteristic I absorbed from them. And we all got it from our parents.’ Loko also reveals that her mom is one of her best friends.
Addicted to TV series, especially Modern Family, Loko also tunes in to Tamar and Vince, Trisha and Jerry Springer.
She relaxes by reading ‘power’ literature, walking and listening to music by Jimmy Dludlu, Dave Koz, Jonathan Butler and Die Antwoord among others. On screen she admires Sofia Vergara, Vivica A. Fox and Tyler Perry.
Loko has competed in hip hop dance competitions and performed hip hop professionally. She speaks English, Afrikaans, Setswana, Sepedi, Sesotho and Zulu.
For holidays Loko likes the beautiful blue beaches of Mozambique though she’d love to visit Turkey for the shoes and fashion.
Loko wanted to be on Big Brother Mzansi because, ‘I find it intriguing how one can identify the weaknesses of others and play it up as one’s strength to eliminate the competition. After years of research, I think I can do that effectively to ensure that I win’.
She says that audiences should watch her because, ‘What you see is not what you get with me. I’m smarter than I look so the contestants won’t see what’s coming. And I know how to stir up DRAMA ... people LOVE drama.
I will play the game the way it’s meant to be played. Strategically and excitingly. The audience should know that Loko is here to play the game,’ she says with a wink. ‘It’s nothing personal, it’s just business as Donald Trump would say’.
Loko believes that the best thing about South Africans is that they are a diverse, loving, talented, rainbow nation which is filled with unlimited growth potential in a variety of fields.
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Lola
Full name: Loren Van Der Byl
Age: 23
From: KZN
Occupation: Marketing student at the University of KwaZulu-Natal
About:
Lola describes herself as loud, dramatic and sensitive with a hidden talent for sleeping with her eyes open and a vintage, pin up dress sense.
A rugby fan who supports the Sharks and the Springboks, Lola has two sisters and a brother, two dogs called Ross and Rosscoe and is currently in a romantic relationship which began a year ago.
She lists her hobbies as dancing, interior design and shopping. Irritated by people who touch her things without asking and people who swear at her, Lola is happy around people who are real, honest and have her best interests at heart.
Her role model is her mother because, ‘She’s been down and out but has always stood firm in what she believes and what she deserves.’ Her mom is also responsible for giving Lola the best advice she’s ever gotten saying, ‘What people think about you is none of your business. What you think about yourself is.’
English speaking Lola confirms that her bad habit is that she ‘speaks the opinions I have about other people out loud.’ She says she relaxes with a glass of wine and by having a gossip session with her girl-friends.
If her friends or family knew she were going into the Big Brother Mzansi house, ‘they would say it is a perfect fit for me.’
On her list of favourites are: Big Bang Theory, Myth Busters, Top Gear, The Notebook, Hunger Games, Diary of a Mad Black Woman and books The Game, Sense and Sensibility and Fifty Shades of Grey.
Her music tastes include J-Something, Adele, Drake and Bruno Mars and she loves Greek mythology so she’d love to go to Greece.
She says the best thing about South Africans is that ‘we don’t need an excuse to have a good time. We have a party, braai, celebration for any occasion’. In the future she thinks, ‘South Africa is going to compete on a global scale against the leading countries on every level’.
Lola wanted to try Big Brother Mzansi because ‘I don’t want to lead a normal life, I want to try something new. I don’t want to live in a box.’ If she wins the money, she will invest it and finish her degree.
Audiences should watch her because, ‘I’m random, I’m dramatic, I love to have a good time and I’m very free spirited.’
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Mandla
Full name: Mandla Hlatshwayo
Age: 24
From: Sebokeng
Occupation: Spaza shop owner
About:
Mandla describes himself as humorous, intelligent, spontaneous and adventurous. The father of a two-year-old son says he’s most proud of starting his spaza from scratch and seeing it go from strength to strength.
Mandla identifies DJ Sbu as his role model because, ‘He is humble, consistent and a hard worker. These are qualities that any ambitious young person strives to possess.’
Mandla, who says his bad habits include that he talks and eats too much, dislikes ignorant, inconsiderate, selfish people and liars in general.
The Kaizer Chiefs fan who has one brother and seven sisters says his hidden talent is voice impersonations while his hobbies include playing pool, listening to music, reading books, solitaire and arcade games.
If his friends and family had known he was going to participate in Big Brother Mzansi, ‘they would be surprised, but I know they would respect and support my decision.’
Mandla, who believes South Africans have Ubuntu, says the best advice he ever got was from his late accounting teacher who said, ‘Don’t get too excited’.
Currently in a romantic relationship, Mandla speaks Zulu, English, Xhosa and Sotho. His favourite books include Losing My Virginity (R. Branson) and Think and Grow Rich (N. Hill).
His favourite movies are Django, Shawshank Redemption, Purge and World War Z while his favourite stars include Terry Pheto, Pamela Nomvete, Sophie Ndaba, Connie Ferguson, Denzel Washington, Fana Mokoena, Leonardo di Caprio and Sello Maake ka Ncube.
Top of his playlist are the songs S’gelekeqe (DJ Vigilante) and Take Back the Night (Justin Timberlake). And if he could visit one place in the world, he’d visit the Playboy Mansion!
He views Big Brother Mzansi as, ‘an opportunity of a lifetime for me to finally showcase who I am and hopefully wow viewers. This show is a stepping stone for those who do well in it - not necessarily just for the ultimate winner.’
If he wins the money, Mandla, who’s passionate about job creation and youth empowerment, would like to ‘start a lucrative business that can hopefully create employment.’ Audiences should watch him because, ‘I am humorous, naturally. This is one of the most underestimated weapons ever.’
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MK
Full name: Mondli Khanyase
Age: 32
From: Durban
Occupation: Portfolio Manager with a National Diploma in Information Technology
About:
MK's hobbies include watching stand-up comedy DVDs and sitcoms such as Big Bang Theory and My Wife and Kids. He says that if asked, he’s sure his friends would describe him as a funny guy.
Summarizing himself in five words he says, ‘I am tons of fun!” With hobbies that also include indoor soccer and playing board-games MK, who has one brother and a sister, relaxes with friends and family, ‘Sometimes I enjoy going to the beach at night and just sit on the shore and enjoy the sound of the waves.’
The Kaizer Chiefs fan, who also supports Real Madrid and Manchester United, says he has two hidden talents- he can juggle a football over 1000 times and he can multiply numbers in his head very quickly.
Among his favourite things is Lake Eland in Port Shepstone because ‘the scenery is beautiful. It is away from everything.’
On the music scene he likes Eminem, Big Nuz and TKZee and he’d like to visit Brazil. ‘It has beautiful beaches, the people are beautiful, and of course, the Maracana Stadium’.
A fan of wrestling’s WWE Raw and Smackdown, MK says his bad habits are that he can be brutal with words and hates being wrong. He dislikes ‘people who mistreat and undermine others.’
Citing his parents as his role models because, ‘they always stay together no matter what,’ he also looks up to his grandmother. ‘She raised seven kids on her own from age 27 and they all turned out successful.” His father gave him the best advice he’s received so far - ‘everyone’s your friend when you are successful, even your enemies.’
MK who speaks Zulu, English and Xhosa is passionate about the standard of education in South Africa and says he wanted to try his luck on South Africa’s first Big Brother in 11 years ‘to create opportunities for myself as I would still like to be a sports presenter on TV, so the exposure I will get from being on Big Brother Mzansi will assist me in achieving that goal.’
If he wins the money, he will treat his family to a week long holiday and says audiences should watch him because, ‘I am controversial and I have a wacky sense of humour. There will be no moment of boredom when I am around.’
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Mzamo
Full name: Mzamo Gcabashe
Age: 27
From: Johannesburg
Occupation: Fashion entrepreneur
About:
Having lived in Joburg for over a year, Durban-born Mzamo says he’s proud of finding his niche in JHB. ‘Even though it’s a far cry from what I really want, it’s a good start. I have a lot of things I’m proud of but I’m too far from my end goal to celebrate.’
Describing himself as ambitious, a realist, strategic, optimistic and industrious, he says he’s always happy though laziness and simple mindedness do upset him. Whilst he never relaxes (‘I’m too far from where I want to be, to relax’), he enjoys TV and his favourite series is Gossip Girl. ‘I really believe I should have been born in a filthy wealthy family LOL. I love the drama and the manipulations.’
Singer Madonna is his role model but he also likes Beyoncé, Rihanna and Christina Aguilera. His favourite songs are Mariah’s Make It Happen and Rihanna’s Mother Mary.
His best books are 48 Laws of Power, The Da Vinci Code plus the Harry Potter series and his top movies include Pretty Woman, The Social Network and Avatar. He’d love to visit New York, ‘the land of opportunity.’
With sky watching and reading as hobbies, the one-time Idols entrant says his bad habit is that he’s opinionated. Fluent in Zulu and English, his hidden talents are that he can cook and sing.
In terms of his work he says, ‘I’m actually more a fan of individual expression through clothes, not fashion in general. But I really despise the hand-me-down vintage look.’
Asked if he’s passionate about a social cause he says, ‘I want to one day, after I’ve gotten to where I want to be, give back by teaching people the honest truth as to how to rise to the top. That’s to say I’d have made it so I’d know.’
With two brothers and two sisters, Mzamo believes his family and friends would find it fitting he’s on the show. ‘They feel I might as well make the money from my crazy ways.’
He says Big Brother ‘is honestly the ONLY show that I believe works for all my talents. It’s the biggest opportunity ever for my ambitions.’ If he wins the money he’d launch his music career, grow his fashion business and ‘build brand Mzamie’.
He’s expecting to ‘absolutely dominate the show. In every way possible. I’m expecting different personalities. A lot of drama, some if not most of it with myself at the heart of it or gossiping about it’.
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Poolie
Full name: Marvin Poole
Age: 29
From: Cape Town
Occupation: Warehouse clerk
About:
Poolie describes himself as “ambitious, driven, social, organized and dedicated’. Divorced and single, Poolie supports soccer teams Liverpool FC and Ajax Cape Town, has a pet dog called Chazz and speaks English, Afrikaans and a little Xhosa.
Listing his favourite screen stars (Johnny Depp, Vin Diesel, Penelope Cruz and Cameron Diaz) and musicians (Ludacris, DJ Kent, Black Coffee, KCee, Lil Wayne, Usher, Drake and Mi Casa), Poolie’s favourite songs include Bob Marley’s One Love, Lauryn Hill’s That Thing and Chris Brown’s Love More.
He sees Rio as a great holiday destination saying, ‘I really want to go visit the Semana Do Monumento, and experience the night life and food.’ He’d also love to visit Holland, tour the country and watch a live soccer game there.
Detailing his bad habits as biting his nails, stubbornness and sleep walking, Poolie relaxes listening to deep house music, reading and swimming.
His hobbies include indoor soccer, cricket and jogging and he really wants to learn how to play the African drum. His hidden talents include opera singing, dancing and sketching.
Poolie says not a lot makes him unhappy, ‘but seeing domestic violence is right up there and poor service delivery at top retail outlets.’
What makes him happy? ‘Helping out street kids, helping my mum with her monthly bills, good food and company.’
Poolie, who has a sister and brother, picks his grandmother as his role model. ‘She taught me how to pray, taught me how to respect myself and others.’ The best advice he ever got was from his uncle who said, “What you think of yourself has a major impact on what you do with your life.”
Having lived in England for 3 years, Poolie says, ‘participating in Big Brother will open up doors for me onto TV adverts and soapies. I also want to be on Big Brother Mzansi to win that money and buy my mom a house’.
His mantra for the show is, ‘Get that Moola!’ He’s expecting ‘to see a bunch of crazy people with different personalities and sexy ladies’ in the house and he wants the audience to know that, “I am not fake. This is who I am. An Entertainer!’
He says his family and friends will be supportive when they discover he’s on Big Brother Mzansi. ‘There will definitely be big parties!’
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Sol
Full name: Solomzi Phenduka
Age: 26
From: Johannesburg
Occupation: DJ
About:
Sol has a B.Com Marketing Management from University of Johannesburg and describes himself as fun, ambitious, creative, charismatic and intelligent.
His hobbies include making music, watching movies and playing sports with buddies including 5 aside soccer and cricket. His coolest holiday destination is Ibiza, which he describes as ‘party heaven’.
Isibaya and Breaking Bad are his favourite TV programs, Rock n’Rolla, Snatch and Usual Suspects are his favourite movies, his favourite book is The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari and his favourite musicians are Quincy Jones and Victor Ntoni.
He likes Samuel L Jackson and Vera Farmiga describing her as ‘super sexy’. He likes being around smiling and laughing people, but dislikes bullies. If he could visit one place in the world Sol would visit the Pyramids. “They are a thing of absolute beauty and artistry.’
One of the achievements he is proud of is, ‘doing what I love for a living.’ His role model is his late mom who achieved a lot with few resources. Her advice to him was the best he’s ever received. ‘Do you. Run your own race.’
Speaking English, Xhosa, Zulu and Sotho, Sol says one of his bad habits is that he sometimes talks too loudly. Sol is currently in a new romantic relationship, has one brother, is a fan of the Amakhosi and says his hidden talent is that he ‘can do the moonwalk. LOL’.
Fiercely opposed to drugs, he says it’s ‘a huge problem for most young people and it increases the crime rate in our country.’ Sol also says South Africa has the best weather in summer, good food and great people.
Sol entered Big Brother Mzansi “to entertain, be myself and get paid for it in the end. Also to meet new people and try something new.’ Asked what his family and friends would say when they find out he’s on the show he says, ‘Bring home that million bucks.’
If he wins the grand prize, he’ll use the money for business investments and to go on holiday. He says audiences should watch him on Big Brother Mzansi because ‘I am a breath of fresh air.’
What does he expect to see and do on the show? ‘I expect to see housemates get evicted one by one ‘til I am the last one standing. I just wanna have fun!’
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Thando
Full name: Thando Hlwatika
Age: 23
From: Cape Town
Occupation: Diploma in Marketing Management from the University of Cape Town
About: Thando describes herself as an extrovert, impassioned, funny, crazy and dramatic. She enjoys going out with friends, shopping, listening to music, relaxing with great company and ‘sipping on some bubbles.’
She says her bad habit is that, ‘I am messy (I am very hygienic) but I tend to believe in organized chaos’. Happiest when the people that she loves are happy and when ‘I feel a sense of holistic progression in my life in the direction of my dreams’, she dislikes condescending people who look down on others.
She has three sisters, loves rich and spicy food, has two dogs named Dina and Gucci, and speaks English, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Zulu, Sotho and Tswana.
One of her favourite books is Awakening the Giant Within by Anthony Robbins. A ‘hopeless romantic’, her favourite movies are The Vow and The Notebook.
She also enjoys the TV series 2 Broke Girls, Keeping up with the Kardashians, America’s Next Top Model, The New Normal, Modern Family and Family Guy.
One of her favourite actors is Taye Diggs (‘I love me some hot chocolate’) and for music, she switches on to Josh Groban, John Legend, Adele and Nicky Minaj.
Thando’s role models include Oprah Winfrey, Khanyi Dlomo and Basetsana Khumalo. ‘They inspire me because they are strong black women who have harnessed the power of marrying their dreams and talents to be icons and create a legacy in their respective fields.’
The best advice she get got was from her mom. ‘Never settle for mediocrity, aim to be the best and among the best.’ Thando’s passionate about empowering bright minds from disadvantaged backgrounds. ‘I was a volunteer tutor for Shawco, an NGO that used to go to schools in disadvantaged areas.’
About South Africa, Thando says, ‘We are a nation that has a hard past but have refused to be hardened in nature by it.’ On Big Brother Mzansi she is expecting ‘a lot of drama and suspense, and to see lots of hot guys.’
She says her friends would be shocked she kept her Big Brother Mzansi participation a secret but they would be supportive. ‘I know they know I got that million rand entertainment vibe about me!’
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Vanessa
Full name: Vanessa Dos Reis
Age: 23
From: Johannesburg
Occupation: Account executive
About:
Vanessa was born in Ermelo and has lived in Johannesburg for the past 4 years. She has a Media Studies Diploma from Boston Media House and has also worked in promotions, appearing in a 2010 World Cup TV advert.
Describing herself as pure hearted, ambitious, bold, social and an extrovert, Vanessa dislikes judgemental and dishonest people.
Her hobbies are shopping, tanning, exercising, dancing and partying. Her hidden talent is that she thinks she is a dog-whisperer. ‘Or at least my dogs Coco and Roxy pretend to understand me.’
Proud of everything she has achieved in her life so far Vanessa says her role model is her brother. ‘He has a pure heart and is a blessing to everyone who knows him.’
A Sharks rugby supporter, who also enjoys Formula 1 and MotoGP, her favourite soccer teams are Pirates and Manchester United. Vanessa speaks Afrikaans, English and some Zulu.
Among her favourite moves, Vanessa enjoyed Man on Fire (Denzel Washington) and Unthinkable (Samuel L Jackson). She says her favourite actresses are Rachel McAdams, Julia Roberts and Jennifer Garner
Her favourite musicians are Lil Wayne, Mafikizolo and Michael Buble, her favourite books are Freakanomics and Dis Ek Anna, and her favourite songs include Some Type of Way (Rich Homie Quan) and Naughty Boy (La La).
A sushi-lover, she switches on to the TV programs Cheaters, Grey’s Anatomy, Say Yes to the Dress, Idols, America’s Got Talent and SA’s Got Talent.
Calling the South Coast ‘a great getaway’, Vanessa says the best thing about South Africans is their different cultures and the respect for each of them. If travelling overseas, she’d love to visit Spain. ‘I hear the men there are out of this world!’
On why audiences should watch her on Big Brother Mzansi, Vanessa says, ‘I’ll let my personality prove why.’ While she’s never watched a Big Brother before, she’s heard a lot about it and is clear on what she expects to do. ‘Challenge myself while being myself and have fun with my mind set on the goal, bringing home the money.’
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