AFRICA’S MOST popular reality TV show Big Brother is back.  This year, Rwanda will participate in the show which will have representatives from 14 countries eyeing $300,000 (Rwf 210 million) up for grabs. Rwanda will take the place of Angola in the 9th season which starts on September 7, 2014. 

Social critics say Rwanda’s strict culture might clash with the values depicted in Big Brother Africa, which moralists across the continent have openly castigated. 

The strict adherence to Rwanda’s cultural norms has seen many social events not in tandem with the country’s values and dignity, such as Halloween -prohibited much to the chagrin of a section of elite Rwandans. 

Even during the Miss Supranational contest in Belarus last year, Rwanda’s representative Aurore Kayibanda Umutesi declined to hit the stage in a bikini, citing her strong Rwandan cultural norms as the reason. 

Early this month, billboards advertising Airtel Rwanda’s services were pulled down after the illustration on the boards sparked controversy among a section of the public who felt it was "indecent and objectifying women.”

The visuals featured artiste James Ruhumuriza, popularly known as King James, former Miss Rwanda Aurore Kayibanda and reigning beauty queen Colombe Akiwacu. 

The two women were captured standing on each side pecking King James on the cheeks.

This illustration, however, did not go well with a section of the public, with claims that it portrayed the female models to have a character that the Rwandan culture frowns upon. 

This culture track record has left many people wondering if Rwanda’s participation in Big Brother Africa will come to pass or how much self censorship the Rwandan representatives will apply while in the house. 

This paper sought people’s views on what they think about Rwanda’s participation in Big Brother.

Musician Senderi International Hit says the show is unethical and demeans culture.

 "From the few times I have watched the show, only 20% of it is okay. Having people walk around nude, getting drunk and some engaging in sex is not a cultural revolution but rather cultural "death,” Senderi says.

BBA will not suffer the fate of other events that have been banned over cultural values and dignity issues. Atleast if we are to go with the reaction of the Ministry of Sports and Culture.  Ministry officials have indicated that the Ministry will support any representative of Rwanda in Big Brother Africa. 

"As a country and as a ministry, any person who will represent our country has our blessing. We only ask them to raise the Rwandan flag by being responsible, well behaved and always remember their country first. We look forward to having a representative with a good personality,” says Lauren Makuza, Director of Culture Promotion and Unity in the Ministry of Sports and Culture. 

Celebrated events host Lion Manzi echoes a similar message.  He says that the person to represent Rwanda should fly the country’s flag high.

"It is very good for the country and should apply to any event that requires carrying the Rwandan flag.”

He adds that although people might get shocked at the x-rated nature of the show, it is a show that will put Rwanda’s entertainment industry on the map. 

"Rwanda’s participation is testament to how far we have come. Being the lucky country picked among many other countries says a lot about what has been achieved in the entertainment industry so far and I’m confident that whoever is representing Rwanda will give other contestants a run for their money,” Manzi says. 

Musician Khizz says that natural Rwandan qualities will go a long way in helping anyone who will represent the country. "Rwandans are talented people and naturally have good qualities which I think will favour our representative in the house.”

Church speaks out 

Pastor Jerry Rawlings of Mavuno Churchsays religious leaders have always emphasised living a morally upright life.  "Based on what you have told me, I would say that anything that has the capacity to undermine the moral fiber of the society is not something that people should look forward to,” Rawlings said after I had briefed him on what BBA is all about. 

"It shouldn’t matter that people feel they have the freedom to watch what they want, this should not be done at the expense of our moral standards. It might be permissible but not beneficial and I think I would want to lean towards something that is beneficial. I would suggest the need for parameters for the contestants on how far they can go so as to keep good morals.” 

Life after leaving big brother house

If you’re the lucky winner of the $300,000, life will never be the same. With that amount of cash, you can establish multi million business entities on top of getting endorsements from corporate organizations.  

Even for those who don’t win, they go on to become big personalities in their respective countries. 

Many have ended up as Radio personalities, Television show hosts and good will ambassadors for charity 

Controversies

When Big Brother first graced our continent, the show sent many tongues wagging because of the nature in which the show is set. Big Brother has hidden cameras and microphones that broadcast all activities taking place in the house. 

In last year’s show, the indecency was toned down especially on low-premium channels.  However on high-premium channels; viewers can catch a good glimpse of some of the censored scenes. 

Nonetheless, on the regular low-premium channels, the show still airs scenes of nudity, sexual scenes and drunken stupors of the housemates. 

Some Rwandan celebrities have already shown interest in auditioning for Big Bother with Mc Tino and Anita Pendo being the first to publicly talk about their interest. 

How to participate? 

Entries are only open to persons over the age of 21, who are citizens of one of the participating countries and must have a valid passport. Producers are looking for persons who are entertaining and passionate about the Big Brother experience; and a good command of the English language is a must. Audition dates will be finalised in June.  

Advent of Big Brother 

The idea for Big Brother is said to have come during a brainstorming session at the Dutch-based international Italian television production firm Endemol on 10 March 1997. The first version of Big Brother was broadcast in 1999 on Veronica in the Netherlands. Since then the format has become a worldwide TV franchise, airing in many countries in a number of versions.

 The premise of the show is that there is a group of people, dubbed as "housemates” living together in a specially constructed large house. During their time in the house they are isolated from the outside world and are not commonly aware of outside events. Contestants are continuously monitored by in-house television cameras as well as personal audio microphones during their stay. 

Each series lasts for more than three months, with at least ten contestants although in recent times, that number has increased depending on the set up of the show. 

Big Brother Africa

The African version the show initially involved 12 countries within Africa (Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia & Zimbabwe) with two countries (Ethiopia and Mozambique) being added in season 4 and two other countries (Liberia and Sierra Leone) being added in season 7. Each country provides a contestant living in an isolated house while trying to avoid being evicted by viewers and ultimately winning a large cash prize at the end of the show. 

BBA winners

•Season 1 - Cherise Makubale (Zambia)

•Season 2 - Richard Dyle Bezuidenhout (Tanzania)

•Season 3 - Ricardo Venancio (Angola)

•Season 4- Kevin Chuwang (Nigeria)

•Season 5 - Uti Nwachukwu (Nigeria) 

•Season 6 - Karen Igho & Wendall Parsons (Nigeria & Zimbabwe)

•Season 7 - Keagan Petersen (South Africa)

•Season 8 - Dillish Mathews (Namibia)

Your Views

That is a hard call because at the end of the day, I don’t see how my country will profit from my participation other than taxing my money. I love my country but it should be looked at as something that has a lot to offer the country. I think anyone who will be going for Big Brother should try to promote our culture and bring sanity back in the house. It’s a tall order but the world needs to know that there are countries that still have their norms and values intact. The world has appreciated our development process and now we want them to appreciate our culture too. 

 Chantal Mbabazi

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