1). The initial cash prize was $100,000.
This amount rose to $200,000 in the 3rd edition and later $300,000 in season 8. MNet and Endemol are the producers of this show. Both houses are known and respected big names in the film and production industry and they have never failed us in terms of quality.
2). The Sesani Studio which is located in Johannesburg, has been housing contestants for 9 straight years.
The hotshot’s house got damaged in a very bizarre incident and was completely wrecked on the 2nd of September 2014. This was just 5 days away from the scheduled opening of the house for BBA Hotshots. The show was set to start on September 7th but it had to be postponed after the tragedy. Because a lot of damages had been done to the house, another location was found and the show was quickly set up as had been planned. Season 1 was definitely the longest running and it lasted 106 days.
3). Every show has 26 housemates all being representatives of at least 14 African countries.
164 contestants have been featured to date plus an extra of 2 international participants who were swapped. Overall, 85 females and 78 males have vied to earn the set cash prize. Out of all the winners only 3 of them were females. It has mostly been a male dominated contest. Three winners were 27 years old at the time of their win making them the most senior winners. The youngest winner was aged 21.
4). Mwisho Mwampamba from Tanzania is the current record holder for spending most days in the house.He spent 197 days in total and was a runner-up in his season.
Ikponmwosa Osakioduwa popularly known as IK is definitely the host who has been on the show longest after having hosted 6 seasons staring from season 4. In all seasons, 7 housemates in total walked out and another 6 were disqualified. Goldie Harvey is the first alumni of Big Brother Africa to unfortunately pass away at age 31. She supposedly had a thing with Prezzo who was a Kenyan contestant and there isn’t much clarity on whether they were an item or not before her untimely death. Goldie who was a Nigerian singer was just gearing up for more success and her musical career was going places.
5). The official Big Brother Africa Facebook account has over 1 million likes.
The likes have been accumulated over the period the show has been running and the number is still growing. Big Brother has produced unions and joined couples. 4 babies have been born as a result of their parents having met and dated during or after BBA.
6). During the show, all doors leading outside are always locked as is the rule.
Housemates who choose to leave can do so whenever they please but they aren’t allowed to return. Doors can also be opened in case of emergencies.
7). 2014’s BBA Hotshots was the shortest ever in the history of BBA.
The show that began on October 5th only ran for 63 days much to the dismay of many ardent viewers who have definitely seen longer seasons. It had only 13 countries represented unlike the normal 14 after Angola pulled out. Rwanda was the new country and was represented by Arthur Nkusi and Frank Rukundo.
8). Among the 26 housemates in the hotshots season, the oldest was Melvin Alusa.
He is Kenyan male aged 33 who unfortunately faced eviction in the early stages. The youngest contestants are 21 year old Tshegofatso Sheilla Molelekwa from Botswana, Zulmira Miguel Andre Ngobo from Mozambique and Idris Sultan from Tanzania.
9). The newest and freshest idea in season 9 has to be The Extravaganza.
It occurred on Saturday nights and housemates were required to form 2 teams as chosen by the weekly Head of House. Each team was given its own specific theme and they must rehearse and perform before Africa to impress their voters. Africa voted for the best performers and the team that won gained the week’s immunity. The team that lost as always, faces nomination. It was a highlight for many viewers as all contestants showed Africa what talents they had.
10). BBA has taken a different title every year since 2009.
Season 9 had been very talent specific from the start. You must have had some talent to bring into the house not just good looks and a bubbly personality. Having those was a plus but it mainly concentrated on talent which I feel is a great thing. Every participant had a title to their name. It was aired on channels 197 and 198 on Dstv.
Credit: Big Brother Africa – Africa Forum