Sandisiwe Mbhele

By Sandisiwe Mbhele

UX Content Writer


Here is what we know about the return of ‘Big Brother Mzansi’

'Big Brother' was initially a Dutch reality TV competition franchise created by John de Mol, with its first episode broadcast in the Netherlands in 1999.


There was huge excitement on social media on Monday with announcement that Big Brother Mzansi was making its return to our screens.

It was widely reported that the local reality show, last seen in 2015, would return with a new cast as audition dates are likely going to be announced soon as well.

Big Brother was initially a Dutch reality TV competition franchise created by John de Mol, with its first episode broadcast in the Netherlands in 1999.

There have been multiple versions internationally since and Big Brother Mzansi aired in South Africa in 2014 hosted by Lungile Radu. The continent’s version, Big Brother Africa,first aired in 2003.

Here is what we know about ‘Big Brother Mzansi’ return

Entertainment commentator Phil Mphela reported that an announcement would likely happen on Tuesday and that MultiChoice would release the statement.

The Citizen has reached out to MultiChoice for comment and in response confirmed the reports.

“Just in time to heat up summer!! MultiChoice Group and Banijay are pleased to announce that the much-loved Big Brother Mzansi will be making its highly anticipated return to your screens soon, and it promises to be as exciting, entertaining, and action-packed as ever.

“Big Brother Mzansi is one of 69 adaptations of the Big Brother format worldwide and this year marks 20 years since the first-ever Big Brother South Africa. More details to follow soon,” the statement read.

Despite not having numerous seasons of Big Brother Mzansi, it left an indelible mark on SA TV as many stars were born out of it.

READ NEXT: Big Brother Mzansi winners: where are they now?

The show is based on “housemates” who live together in a house that isolates them from the rest of the world, including not having communication with friends and family members. The housemates are constantly monitored by Big Brother and the viewers.

Contestants participate in competitions, build alliances and even relationships but the power remains in the hands of the viewers who vote for their favourite housemate – who eventually wins a R1 million grand prize.

The pull of the show is not just the 24-hour cameras but unknown faces who appear as the audiences get to know them on a personal level.

Twitter users want candour and fresh faces for the new season of Big Brother Mzansi and their list of demands includes no celebrities or social media influencers.

People are also excited about the details of the auditions and there was even suggestions to have scandal-hit presenter Katlego Maboe as host.

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Big Brother Mzansi Multichoice

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