Big Brother Africa II: Meet the Housemates!

Big Brother Africa II is keeping South African viewers captivated. The show, which launched on 5 August, sees 12 contestants from all over Africa living in a house with strangers who will become friends…or perhaps enemies. Only time will tell. The idea behind Big Brother is that a set of people, the Housemates, are, not only constantly monitored by “Big Brother”, but constantly watched by viewers, who can see every move that the Housemates make, down to taking a shower. After the first two weeks of the show are over, it is hoped that the Housemates have learnt enough about each to either get along or to want one of their neighbours out. From the third week, the Monday show is a nomination show, where the Housemates nominate someone to leave the house. The eviction show takes place the following Sunday. Tensions in the show are created by the personalities of the Housemates, as well as the friendships that are struck and the responsibilities taken up. Thrown in the mix, Big Brother sets the Housemates tasks that are intended to frustrate them and create more anxiety. Viewers will see which of the contestants finally wins the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The Housemates are: Tatiana from Angola Birthday: March 31 Gender: Female Place of Birth: Luanda Height: 1.76m Occupation: Actress/model Tatiana, 26, is a model and actress by profession. She’s won a Best Actress Award in her country twice consecutively for a career that she says she loves and is good at. It’s no wonder then that she would love to visit Hollywood and to meet actress Uma Thurman. She is a fan of Brazilian soapies and her idea of relaxation is going to the beach. Audiences should watch her because she’s fun and entertaining. She does have some bad habits though: she believes she’s never wrong and she sleeps too much. Her favourite memory is her “weekends with [her] late grandmother”. Her favourite food is oysters, her favourite colours are orange, pink and white and her favourite clothing minis and dresses that show her figure. * * * Justice from Botswana Birthday: January 17 Gender: Male Place of Birth: Serowe Height: 1.52m Occupation: Freelance Journalist/Student Justice, 23, would call his book, if he ever wrote one, “An Idiot’s Guide to Harnessing the Marvellous Power of Madness”. He is a debate enthusiast for the art of debate, and he would start a debating organization with USD 100 000. His favourite memory was his presentation of a bid for Botswana to host the World Universities Debating Championships. Of his bad habits, Justice says he’s too controversial and debates anything. He relaxes through reading, is admiring of Richard Branson and his favourite foods are Thai and Chinese. * * * Kwaku from Ghana Birthday: June 1 Gender: Male Place of Birth: Kumawu Height: 1.77m Occupation: Self Employed (Entertainment Consultant, Brand Architect, Artist) Kwaku, 30, says that he wanted to be on Big Brother Africa 2 because he “had the winning qualities required”. He is a fan of Ghana’s Black Stars and self motivating literature. If he could pick one person to spend a day with, it would be Jay Z, as he admires his creativity and believes they are like-minded. The achievement he’s most proud of is performing on BET’s ‘106 and Park’: “In a world full of religious and racial intolerance as Africans we were able to set an example in a foreign country that suggested that an African was equally capable of achieving tremendous heights as anyone else in the world”. He says his bad habits include taking his time to get through things and his logic. * * * Jeff from Kenya Birthday: November 21 Gender: Male Place of Birth: Kisumu Height: 1.85m Occupation: Novelist and Entrepreneur Jeff, 23, has recently published a book, and describes himself as “competitive, confident and courageous”. He has travelled widely over Africa, exploring his home country, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia. He relaxes through meditation, and is a work-out fanatic. He states that he is his own hero, but he would like to meet Nelson Mandela, Wangari Maathai, Oprah Winfrey, Bono, Kalusha Bwalya, Roger Milla, George Weah and former Big Brother Africa winner Cherise. * * * Code from Malawi Birthday: June 2 Gender: Male Place of Birth: Blantyre Height: 1.74m Occupation: Broadcaster Radio personality and music man Code, 31, wants to visit Paris. He likes weight lifting and enjoys music magazines and nature. He would like to meet Al Gore due to his role in the Global Warming Campaign. He relaxes with his favourite beer and a good movie. Audiences should watch him on Big Brother Africa 2, he says, because he is “the full package”: he is an artist, writes songs, is a great entertainer and is true to himself. *** Meryl from Namibia Birthday: March 8 Gender: Female Place of Birth: RSA Height: 1.65m Occupation: PA / Receptionist Meryl, 21, is the youngest Housemate on Big Brother Africa 2. She says that being on the show means she can now show people who never believed in her what she’s capable of and who she really is. She described her dress style as revealing, sexy and seductive. She would love to visit Hawaii. Her bad habits include laziness. She relaxes listening to her favourite music and enjoys shopping. *** Ofunneka from Nigeria Birthday: August 9 Gender: Female Place of Birth: Jos, Plateau Height: 1.6m Occupation: Personal Assistant to Medical Director Ofunneka, 29, holds a BSC degree in Chemistry. She is straight talking and she would love to visit Rome and the Vatican to see the Pope. Her best achievement was when she was named Staff of the Year just six months into her new job. She entered Big Brother Africa as she wanted to participate “for the exposure, to sell my talents to the whole of Africa, and explore opportunities beyond the shores of my country". She is fond of reading, cooking and listening to music. *** Lerato from South Africa Birthday: October 31 Gender: Female Place of Birth: Soweto Height: 1.75m Occupation: Events co-ordinator Lerato, 24, says she’s full of surprises. Of her entry into the show, she says she wants to see “how far I can push myself”. She collects Converse sneakers, and wants to visit Jamaica and the Caribbean. If she wins the prize at the end of the show, she’ll buy her mom a new car, donate some to charity, invest some and go on holiday. *** Richard from Tanzania Birthday: August 10 Gender: Male Place of Birth: Ilala Height: 1.77m Occupation: Student Richard, 24, says if he wins the USD 100 000, he’d spend it buying film equipment. He is a film student, and is passionate about making movies. He is the only married contestant on Big Brother Africa 2. He describes himself as entertaining, and he doesn’t embarrass easily. his bad habit is that he is very loud in the morning.he is lover of the natural beauty of East Africa. *** Maureen from Uganda Birthday: September 5 Gender: Female Place of Birth: Entebbe Height: 1.65m Occupation: Fashion Designer Maureen, 27, Describing herself as playful, naughty and silly sometimes and says going to India to study changed her life. A fashion designer by trade, she’s coined the term ‘glamassic’ to explain her clothing style which is glamourous and classic. Maureen relaxes by doing yoga. Maureen says of that Ugandans are very welcoming and that the best place to visit in Uganda is Jinja. *** Maxwell from Zambia Date of Birthday: June 27 Gender: Male Place of Birth: Lusaka Height: 1.85m Occupation: Call Centre Operator Zambia’s Maxwell, 26, says that when relaxing he spends most of his time helping the poor. If Maxwell could visit any one place in the world, he’d go to Martin Luther King Square. He has a sense of humor and loves music by Malaika, Mandoza, Bricks, Nathan Nyirenda, K’millian, Koffi Olomide, 2Face, P-Square and the Sakala Brothers. *** Bertha from Zimbabwe Birthday: June 2 Gender: Female Place of Birth: Harare Height: 1.65m Occupation: Lawyer/PR and Communication Consultant Bertha, 28, at 16 spent a year in the USA as an exchange student. She says of the experience: “I was an ambassador, a student, and a teacher. I had to learn about my people and teach others about my heritage. That changed my view of Zimbabwe and of Africa….then began my love affair with my continent”. Her bad habits include being bossy and critical. *** Photos of the Housemates can be seen at www.mnetafrica.com/bigbrother/housemates.asp. Now that you have met the Housemates, watch the show to decide who your favourite is. The first nomination show takes place on Monday, 20 August at 20:00, with the eviction show screening on Sunday, 26 August at 19:00.