For years, the location of one of Africa’s most-watched shows Big Brother Africa has been unknown to many. Well, such can no longer hold if the show is happening in your backyard.
Following the fire outbreak that consumed the original house just days prior to the show airing, the Big Brother Africa production team found itself a new home in Linden.
Numerous viewers were ecstatic that the show continued despite the disaster, but this is not the case for some Linden residents.
Resident Paul Vrablic is flabbergasted by the noise coming from Red Pepper Productions which is the company hosting the show.
“I work from home and the noise coming from people hanging around outside Red Pepper has become intolerable lately, with crowds gathered on the sidewalk every day, and them being fed on the corner of 7th Street and 4th Avenue,” he said.
“Unsavoury characters scream at each other all day long, and sometimes well into the night,” complains Vrablic.
According to Vrablic, Red Pepper guests urinate against trees and in the alley, and he has witnessed alcohol being consumed while people sat in cars having a “wild party”.
Ward 99 Councillor Bruce Herbert said there will be a few disruptions till early December.
“We are sorry for the inconvenience that may be caused as a result of this, but this is good for the neighbourhood because a lot of money is being brought in,” he says.
According to Herbert, businesses are booming because of the show.
Herbert adds that there are 250 cameras and they make sure that guests park at a nearby school and swimming pool.
“We cannot stop this kind of production… it brings in a lot,” said Herbert.
Vrablic, however, finds it highly offensive that a “company has the power to totally lower the tone of this whole neighbourhood, disrupt people’s rest and affect their work.
“It’s absolutely disgusting,” he concluded.
Big Brother Africa is a 24-hour reality show that follows housemates form various African counties while they are cramped up in one house, engaging in different activities.
The show airs on DSTV channels 197 and 198.