The all-singing, all-dancing 9th edition of Big Brother Africa kicked off on DStv on Sunday, 5 October as the 26 housemates showed off their talents to the continent – giving millions of viewers a glimpse into what makes them Hotshots.
Viewers met the housemates who will be competing for the USD300 000 prize over the next 63 days, one-by-one, as they showcased their talents, live on stage, in one-minute slots. The studio audience scored each performance with a mark out of 100, and right at the end of the show, Big Brother called the excited housemates together and revealed the reason – the housemate who scored the highest would be named as Head of House and would be the only housemate not up for eviction next Sunday. Tanzania’s Laveda led a Top 6 that included Sabina, M’am Bea, Lilian, Arthur and JJ, meaning she is the only one not in danger of going home next week.
The house seems to be full of musicians and singers, with Kenya’s Sabina and Rwanda’s Arthur breaking the mould with comedy routines, Ghana’s M’am Bea showcasing her fashion design talents and Laveda picking up top marks with her saxophone solo. Not to be outdone by the housemates, presenter IK kicked things off with a cabaret-style singing performance of his own – and the show only got hotter from there.
The housemates’ performances showed their talent– and some other continental superstars also got to showcase their own swagger. Keeping the musical theme going were Emmy Gee, AB Crazy & DJ Dimplez with their smash hit Rands and Nairas, South African hip-hop sensation Cassper Nyovest with Doc Shebeleza and Nigeria’s own BET Award winnerDavido with Skelewu.
IK promised viewers a host of twists and turns in true Big Brother style, revealing one up-front: during a new Saturday night task, viewers will get the chance to vote to award one housemate with immunity from being nominated each week!
With the news sinking in that all but one of their number are in danger of heading home next week, the housemates set about getting to know each other over snacks and drinks laid on by Biggie – and with a first dip in the jacuzzi.
Daily Highlights Shows are broadcast Monday-Friday on AfricaMagic Showcase at 20:00 CAT, on Maisha Magic at 20:30 CAT and on AfricaMagic Family and AfricaMagic Worldon GOtv at 21:30 CAT. The Saturday Highlights Show, which showcases all the best moments from the entire week, is broadcast at 21:00 CAT on AfricaMagic Showcase in South Africa, 20:00 CAT on AfricaMagic Showcase for the rest of the continent, at 19:30 CAT onMaisha Magic, at 21:00 on AfricaMagic Family and 21:30 on AfricaMagic World & GOtv.
If 24/7 TV isn’t enough for you, stay in touch with Big Brother Hotshots on social media. Follow Big Brother Hotshots on Twitter @bigbroafrica, on Instagram @bigbro_africa and on facebook.com/bigbrotherafrica.
Big Brother Hotshots is produced by Endemol South Africa.
Voting information
Voting opened immediately after the launch show and runs until next Sunday morning. The more you vote for your favourite nominated housemate, the better their chance of staying in the house and being named as the winner. There are four ways to vote for your favouritehousemate each week:
1.
Via SMS
2.
Via WeChat
4.
Via the mobisite on your mobile phone
SMS Voting
To vote via SMS: Text the keyword ‘Vote’, followed by the name of the housemate to the short code number for your country. For example SMS “Vote Uti” to 22626. SMS's are charged as applicable per specific network tariff. VAS rates apply. Free minutes do not apply. Please note that you can vote 100 times by SMS per mobile number during each voting period.
The SMS numbers for each country are:
Botswana
OperatorTariffShort Code
Mascom P 2.50 16626
Orange P 2.50 16626
BE MOBILE P 2.50 16626
Ghana
OperatorTariff Short Code
MTN GHS 0.60 1474
Vodafone GHS 0.60 1474
GLO GHS 0.60 1474
Tigo GHS 0.60 1474
Airtel GHS 0.60 1474
Kenya
OperatorTariff Short Code
Malawi
OperatorTariff Short Code
TNM MK 60.00 15626
Airtel MK 60.00 15626
Mozambique
OperatorTariff Short Code
mcel 20MT 99026
Vodacom 20MT 99026
Namibia
OperatorTariff Short Code
MTC N$ 2.50 15626
TN Mobile N$ 2.50 15626
Nigeria
OperatorTariff Short Code
MTN N75 34350
Rest Of Africa
Tariff Short Code
Int’nl Rates +2783142100414
Rwanda
OperatorTariff Short Code
Tigo RWF 50 1616
MTN RWF 50 1616
Airtel RWF 50 1616
South Africa
OperatorTariff Short Code
Vodacom R 1.50 34624
MTN R 1.50 34624
CellC R 1.50 34624
8TA R 1.50 34624
Virgin R 1.50 34624
Tanzania, United Republic of
OperatorTariff Short Code
Uganda
OperatorTariff Short Code
UTL 500 UGX 8884
Warid 500 UGX 8884
MTN 500 UGX 8884
Airtel 500 UGX 8884
Orange 500 UGX 8884
Zambia
OperatorTariff Short Code
MTN Kwacha 2.50 3003
Zamtel Kwacha 2.50 3003
Airtel Kwacha 2.50 3003
Zimbabwe
OperatorTariff Short Code
Econet US $0.50 15626
Netone US $0.50 15626
Telecel US $0.5015626
WeChat Voting
Voting on WeChat is free. To vote via WeChat on your mobile phone, go to your app storeand download the WeChat app. Create your profile, then search for BigBrotherAfrica and add the account. You can then start voting on WeChat, up to 100 times per mobile phone number during a valid voting period.
Website and mobile site voting
Voting on the website and on the mobile site is free and you are allowed to vote 100 times percellphone number on the website and again 100 times per cellphone number on the mobile site during a valid voting period.
Visit www.bigbrotherafrica.com for more information and for the terms and conditions.