Last Sunday evening, M-net revealed 26 exciting new housemates for the sixth season of the hit reality TV series, Big Brother Africa, dubbed ‘Big Brother Amplified’. The opening show which was headlined by international hiphop star, Busta Rhymes, saw the ever-likeable host for the third season running, I.K. Osakioduwa naming the rapper and his sidekick, Spliff Star as Jabu (Jabulani) and Adedunte.

The Big Brother Amplified housemates include: Miss. P (24, Freelance Communicator) and Zues (24, Entrepreneur, Artiste and Marketer) represented Botswana, Zambia: Mumba (24, Radio DJ) and Kim (21, Beautician), Ethiopia: Hanni (22, Singer, Student) and Danny (34, Self Employed), Uganda: Ernest (28, Public Relations Consultant) and Sharon (25, Artiste/Musician), Zimbabwe: Vimbai (26, Model) and Wenball (23, Pilot), Nigeria: Vina (26, Radio Presenter) and Karen (27, Unemployed), Tanzania: Lotus (24, TV Presenter) and Bhoke (26, TV Broadcaster), Kenya: Nico (26, TV Producer) and Millicent (28, Actress), Namibia: Bernadina (21, Construction) and Jossy (28, Recording Artist / Marketing, Sales and Ad Manager), South Africa: Luclay (28, Actor / Acting Coach) and Nkuli (23, Student), Malawi: Felicia (24, Purchaser) and Lomwe (27, Radio and Club DJ), Ghana: Confidence (37, CEO of MultiMedia Company / Owner Aphrodisiac Nightclub) and Alex (31, Fashion Designer), Angola: Weza (26, TV Presenter, Model) and Mozambique: Michael (32, Hairdresser). For detailed bio on the housemates,

log on to www.mnetafrica.com/bigbrother.

Meanwhile things have heated up in the house within the first 48 hours.  The housemates were soon to find out that they aren’t fully fledged housemates yet when big brother announced to them that the first week in the house would be an audition week to determine which of the 26 would make the final cut.  Big Brother caused a bit of a stir in the House when he reemphasized the importance of the Audition Week, telling the Housemates that all aspects of their behaviour would be considered in the selection. This was during the first Nomination Show. Biggie congratulated the Housemates for making it through the first 24 hours. “I trust that you are ready to show the world that you are the freshest, loudest, ‘illest’ and most amplified Housemates of all time… People rarely succeed unless they have fun in what they are doing,” Big Brother added.

Also, the first kiss was registered between Alex and Millicent Kiss, and a series of racial arguments have ensued with Karen calling her fellow Nigerian housemate Vina, fake because she cannot speak pidgin fluently. Karen has also come down hard on Vimbai, charging her for having an “American” accent. The Nigerian Housemate wanted to know why Vimbai speaks the way she does yet she is “just from Zimbabwe”. Karen even got to a point of asking Vimbai if she was certain she’s not American.

Bhoke has also had a private viewing of Ernest’s “jewels” while he was taking a shower. With the shower door closed, the fully-clothed Bhoke stood on one side of the shower while Ernest cleansed his temple. Michael looked a bit disturbed when he found the two together in the shower but he chose not to say much about it. However, Bhoke insisted that he could use the other shower while Ernest was getting ready to get out but he preferred to wait for him. Michael then started singing and dancing just outside the shower while he waited for the Ugandan Housemate to finish.

Certainly things are warming up. Stay tuned!