The Big Brother Mzansi house has many stories to tell. For season 5, the tale doubles as a blaze billowing from the wooden floors to the big leagues. Spending a night in the Big Brother Mzansi house felt nothing short of a rite of passage, a privilege reserved for a select group of journalists, content creators, and industry players, all of whom were lucky enough to experience the immersive art behind the scenes before the season’s splashy premiere, ready for the house to speak to them.
The house, which has seen some of the most iconic moments in African reality television, is a stunning blend of thematic storytelling and modern design. Thanks to the thoughtful artwork that adorns some of the prominent furniture, the theme of Umlilo (fire) demands attention. From raging flames to volcanic sparks, heat waves and crackling embers, the fiery illustrations instantly invite a rush of excitement and fantasy.
From the moment you step inside, the heat beckons. The fridge, an explosion of fiery art, demands your attention. Its striking display of an inferno contrasts the coldness of the ice inside, symbolising fire's relentless power to both consume and shape. The kitchen, sleek and modern with clean lines, is bathed in fiery gradients – orange hues gradually fading into deeper tones – embodying the intensity of fire without ever letting it burn out.
Small ornaments and details add to the theme: figurines and accents that seem to have been scorched by flames, grounding the idea that fire, while fierce, gives life to everything it touches. In this space, it feels as though fire is not just a force to reckon with; it’s a creative spark, feeding the housemates’ journeys as they face trials and tribulations.
The lounge area, however, shifts the narrative, inviting you into a more unexpected yet equally profound interpretation of the elements. When we moved to this area, which is famous for unforgettable blindsides, scorching hot romances and viral chaos, a number of those in this group could not help but notice a smooth visual transition in the story told by the wall displays, the ornaments and the accessories that enhanced the charm of the couches.
In this area, Biggie appears to be weaving a visual story of earth here. Green bushes and towering foliage, displayed on the walls, create a landscape where the housemates might find themselves on a journey into the unknown – akin to a dense forest or jungle. These green accents aren’t simply decorative; they invoke a sense of adventure, pushing each person into the wilderness of self-discovery and the search for survival. It’s as if Umlilo isn’t being extinguished but rather fed by the natural energy of the earth, stirring up new embers that fuel the experience.
The juxtaposition of fire and earth speaks to the delicate balance between destruction and creation, a theme that will no doubt play out in the house as the season progresses. Every phoenix needs the grounding of earth to rise anew, and in Biggie’s house, even the cleverest cat might burn through all nine of its lives
As you move through the house, the décor never loses its sense of depth and meaning. Upstairs, in the bathrooms and bedrooms, the theme transitions into something entirely different – the marine world. The walls hum with the calming yet powerful imagery of the ocean, painted in shades of aqua and adorned with artwork that brings the ocean’s waves to life. It’s a serene space, in sharp contrast to the burning, fiery elements below.
Ornaments like the wooden aquamarine creatures, including a hippo with an octopus’s lower body, add whimsy and mystery to the space, enhancing the idea of a journey through life that constantly evolves. The marine influence suggests a calming balance to the intensity of fire – a reminder that the storm of emotions and competition will eventually find a tranquil ebb.
The house’s layout reflects this interplay of warmth, intimacy, and exploration. Moving up to the bedrooms, you immediately sense a unique cosiness, with beds positioned in ways that create spaces for both connection and quiet moments. The beds, placed to embrace the room’s warmth, mirror the show’s format: a blend of competition and collaboration, where housemates’ bonds are forged in the fire of shared experience.
Together, they will weather the emotional storms and find their place in this newly minted icon of a house. In the garden area, where the pool and jacuzzi await, the housemates will find both solace and celebration. This oasis is the perfect place to reflect on the fires they’ve walked through and the waters they’ve crossed, leaving the audience with a sense of awe and anticipation for what’s to come.
Big Brother Mzansi season 5 exists in something more than just a house – it’s a living, breathing narrative of elemental forces at play. With its stunning, brand-new decor, and iconic design, it’s a visual feast that promises to ignite the imaginations of viewers, leaving them eager to witness how each housemate navigates the intense journey ahead. A story we see unfolding every day.
Big Brother Mzansi season 5 is broadcast live 24/7 on DStv channel 198, which you can stream here. Sunday eviction shows are at 18:00 on Mzansi Magic. To join the conversation on social media platforms, use the hashtag #BBMzansi and connect with us on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok!
Big Brother Mzansi season 5 is proudly sponsored by headline partner LottoStar and tactical partner Robertsons Spices.



