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The new season of Big Brother Africa begins on Sunday May 1, 2011.
Endemol, the producers of the reality series, are calling for entries for the new season, which fans across Africa hope that it would not be as controversial as the previous season where M-Net used it to consolidate its market share in Africa’s most populous country — Nigeria.

It can be argued that in the past two seasons M-Net has continuously used Big Brother Africa as a platform to advance its interests in Nigeria where they are faced with stiff competition from several pay per-view satellite television.

During last season, Munya aka the Diamond Boy almost scuttled M-Net’s plot after he garnered seven country votes against Uti’s eight country votes who was then declared the winner much to the chagrin of the audience.

However, season five, dubbed Big Brother All Stars, was a big disappointment to the people of Southern Africa such that the new season will be met with little or no enthusiasm.
It was clear from the outset that the Diamond Boy was tipped to win having survived evictions a record nine times only to be duped on the finale.
With such talented and articulate housemates like Munya, Zimbabwe continues to churn out brilliant housemates, who if allowed a chance, will beat other housemates to it.
Like the previous season, there is a mouthwatering US$200 000 winner cash prize.
Housemates will be drawn from 14 countries — Angola, Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

According to information on the show website: “If you are 21 years old or older, fluent in English, have a valid passport and a citizen of any one of the 14 participating countries, then you too can enter.
“Simply collect an entry form from the MultiChoice office in your country, complete and return. It’s that easy to enter. Alternatively, you can log on to www.mnetafrica.com/bigbrother and complete your entry form online. Or download an entry form from the website, complete and email it back to [email protected] This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
“The deadline for all entries to be submitted is 27 February 2011 — so don’t delay.”

All entrants must be tolerant of views and lifestyle choices other than their own and must have the social flexibility to live in close proximity with others.
Once all entries have been received, series producers Endemol will begin the process of selection, evaluating entries and shortlisting possible housemates before the audition process proceeds further. If your entry is successful, you will be contacted by the show’s production team who will advise you of the next steps in the audition process.
Biola Alabi, M-Net Africa managing director, said that M-Net is looking forward to the new season of the show.
“Last year’s All Star version was a great success and we were extremely pleased with the show’s performance as some of the continent’s favourite Big Brother Africa housemates from previous years were reunited.

“It was compelling, entertaining and exciting television. This year it’s once again time for fresh faces and new perspectives so we encourage entries from across the 14 countries.
“We are always approached by people who want to enter Big Brother so this is their chance. If you are interested, enter as soon as possible and who knows, you could be the next housemate to enter the Big Brother house!

“As with previous years, we won’t be divulging too many details about the new season as yet.
“Our audiences respond favourably to surprises, they look forward to see what will happen next, what the new twists will be and we aim to please.
“This is a game like no other and with the format remaining highly popular with our audiences, our focus now is on creating something new and innovative while maintaining those aspects, like the strategic nomination sessions and dramatic eviction nights, that are the foundation of this show.”
Sivan Pillay, managing director of Endemol, was also enthusiastic about the new season.

“Big Brother is a television format that continues to enjoy great success around the world, including in countries like Spain and Germany where more than 10 editions of the show have been created. Africa is no exception to this and the format continues to be popular.”
DStv channel 198 will be providing 24/7 live coverage for the 91-day duration of the series.
Since its launch in 2003, five seasons of the show have been created and winners have come from across the continent. In season 1, Zambia’s Cherise Makubale walked off with the big prize, followed in season 2 by Tanzania’s Richard Bezuidenhout.
Angola’s Ricco Venancio was the winner in season 3 with Nigeria’s Kevin Pam Chuwang winning season 4 and Uti Nwachukwu, also from Nigeria, taking home US$200 000 in season 5. Who will be the winner in 2011?