By now, Big Brother Mzansi fans will have heard that former housemates will be joining the season 6 throng of hopefuls. It’s been some time since they’ve been on our screens, so here’s a quick reminder of who they are and why they might feel the need to redeem themselves.
BRAVO B
A season 4 housemate, Bravo B entered the house at the age of 29 looking for the spotlight and to “push inkabi nation to the next level”. A self-proclaimed teetotaller, he perhaps had less-than-perfect empathy for those who do indulge, leading him to make some very unfortunate comments about having sex with another housemate who was clearly inebriated and unable to give consent.
The punishment was swift and severe: Bravo B was disqualified from the competition and made to leave the Big Brother house. He has since made numerous public appearances expressing regret for his actions and admitting he had a flawed understanding of gender-based violence and its consequences.
Redemption, therefore, will be something he greatly desires.
DUBE
A student when entering the Big Brother house, Dube claimed that he was “the one to watch” due to his confidence, fashion sense, and the fact that he brought “the pickup lines and “goofy messing around”. Unfortunately for his chances, the other housemates didn’t feel like watching very much of him at all.
Mere hours after his entry, the other housemates sent him packing, reportedly due to concerns that he was trading on the name of the legendary musician Lucky Dube and fearful that it would have an outsized impact on his chances in the house. The show’s fans, however, felt he may have been dealt a bad hand, believing he may have brought some excitement to the season.
FAHIMA
Entering the house as one of Biggie’s secret agents – a “Disruptor” – Fahima feels she may have held back in the house, knowing that her time was likely limited. There is no doubt that her secret tasks, which involved upending the plans of other housemates, would put a target on her back. Despite all this, she is remembered for forging connections with the others, and these friendships often got in the way of her living up to her role as saboteur.
Would she fare better if given a chance to enter the house as a real, fully-fledged housemate? There’s one way to find out.
LERATO MODISE
20-year-old Lerato entered the house hoping that her voice would be heard and planning, “post-winning, to create jobs”. When asked to describe herself, she claimed to be “a mixture of the pot-stirrer and the unifier”, which is a tough thing to be when you give it some thought.
Unfortunately for Lerato, her fate in the house came down to the spin of a dial with the two possible outcomes being guaranteed placement in the final or an early – and immediate – exit from the Big Brother house. The Fates were not kind to her. Now she wants payback.
LIEMA
A student holding down two jobs at the time of entering the house, it’s perhaps not surprising that Liema was looking for a chance to “escape reality and have fun”, a position perhaps exemplified by her stated strategy of “just being myself”, which – as strategies go – is probably the most laidback one there is.
In the end, strategy didn’t much matter: a series of chance occurrences resulted in Liema being presented with a choice: stay in the house and stand a chance to win R2 million, or leave then and there with a cheque for R250 000? She chose the money, which is a pretty neat payday for a 22-year-old.
Now she’s hoping for a chance to take it all.
MMELI
Having grown up watching Big Brother, Mmeli always thought it would be nice to spend two or three months in the house with “no family, just strangers”, which might have come as something of a nasty revelation to those closest to him. In all fairness, Mmeli was a laidback, easy-going guy with more than enough Mzansi slang to hold his own in the Big Brother Titans house which was split between South African and Nigerian housemates.
That season also featured housemate pairings – one from each country – who would be nominated (and evicted) as a unit. Mmeli’s partner was the polarising Jenni O, and many felt he would have had a better chance competing solo.
SIPHA LEE
Entering the house as an unemployed actor, Sipha Lee planned to make his mark early. “I’m going to burn everything – the people, the furniture, and the house.” This might sound extreme, but he’s clearly watched the show before. Big personalities often do well – at least in the earlier rounds – so going in with a bold gameplan is usually a pretty savvy one.
Unfortunately for Sipha Lee, being part of the so-called “Bandana Boys” may have left him as the one with scorched fingers. Deemed the villains of the season, the group’s notoriety may have resulted in Sipha Lee getting caught in the crossfire on Day 28.
Would a second chance perhaps change his strategy going into the house?
There you have it – these are the seven housemates hoping to get your vote and be given a chance at Redemption in the Bazozwa house. Why you vote for them is your call. Like their personality? Go for it. Hoping for some fireworks? Stir that pot. It’s your vote.
Big Brother Mzansi season 6 is proudly sponsored by headline partner Lottostar, associate sponsors Chillers Punch and King Pie, and tactical sponsors Robertsons Spices, and welcome Zakhaa Pay and Schweppes.
Remember to vote for your favourite Redemption housemate before voting closes on Thursday 8 January. Download the MyDStv App from the iStore for Apple devices or Play Store for Android devices to vote for your favourite to make it into the Bazozwa house.
Big Brother Mzansi season 6 starts Sunday 11 January at 18:00 on Mzansi Magic and Mzansi Wethu, and 24/7 on DStv channel 198. Join the conversation on social media using #BBMzansiS6 and #Bazozwa on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.