Big Brother Africa: No Place To Hide …

It’s less than a month since Namibia’s Meryl Shikwambane waved goodbye to her second stint on Big Brother Africa, the most popular reality show on the continent.

The outspoken Namibian was the original last woman standing this season, became engaged to hunky Tanzanian Mwisho on the show (a first for BBA), fended off the ‘messianic insurgency’ of Zambia’s Paloma, drew a line in the sand with Munya from Zimbabwe, gave new meaning to the expression ‘to get panned’, loved, laughed and made some good friends. And a whole lot more. In short, Meryl was never far removed from the drama. She shares some thoughts, in her own words, on being locked into reality.• MERYL VUYEYA SHIKWAMBANEYou leave your life! Pack bags that will last you two weeks when you’re used to a closet. You leave behind family and friends. Let me not even get to cellphones, television, Internet!When you get on stage it’s so fun and you feel like a star but … there’s more fun to come. Way more.For someone who comes from a country of about 2 million, you’re not used to staying with 13 other people in one house. Imagine it – six women and eight men, all between the ages of 23-38, and from 14 countries. All stuck in one house with one toilet, two showers, one bedroom (each person with a bed), a lounge, a kitchen and a little bit of garden space! Forget being able to do things in your own time because now you do it when Big Brother says so. Life as you know it changes as soon as you step into the BBA house. You’re filmed 24/7 and the ‘rest of the world’ will be watching you. It’s not easy to agree to be on the show. Before even thinking of saying yes, you need to talk to your friends and family because what you’ll be doing will affect their lives in a very big way. Being in the house is very fun but when you have people watching your every move and judging you on what you do, it’s very scary. Every time you try to make a move, be it when you eat, drink, shower, sleep or even try to use the bathroom there’s a little voice telling you that ‘BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU’. … It’s a bit creepy when you think of it. The most difficult part is when you want to use the bathroom. You know they’re not going to air that footage but the idea of seeing a camera in the bathroom makes you think otherwise.On the Big Brother show a lot of housemates say things that get them into trouble when they leave the house (ask me, I know!). This is all thanks to the ever-present microphones. They can pick up the slightest of sounds, even when a pin drops. It doesn’t make things easier that we all have to wear a personal microphone. All the time.SOUND BITES!There are times when you just feel like having a quiet conversation with someone and hope that no-one’s going to hear it, but the world is eavesdropping. I find it so stupid that housemates think they can gossip about other housemates on the show and that you’ll never find out. HEY!!!!! We’re on a reality show! Everyone will find out as soon as they leave the house. That’s why I say that you need to be real about who you are when you enter the house. This will save you when you say things that may shock viewers, but not your friends and family.Being in the Big Brother Africa house will teach you so many things about other countries, cultures, people and yourself. Other people may not like or approve of the way you live in your country. And this can be the cause of conflicts in the house because there’s bound to be that one person in the house who will not like you and will try to make your life a living hell. This is all because of where you come from, or the kind of beliefs you have. When you’re in your home, the moment you’re uncomfortable about something or mad at someone, you take a drive or just go for a walk. THE BIG EYENow you tell me, what do you do when you’re stuck in a house with 13 other people and the only doors are the eviction doors?!And there’s no way I’ll quit the game because of some random person who I’ve just met. When you sign your contract to be in the game, you should know there’ll be mind games involved, and this includes the weekly tasks you have during your stay in the house. The tasks alone also play a huge part in the game. They help show the audience who you really are. They also involve a lot of aspects that will make people, including your housemates, see you in a different light. Who would not think people are weird if they’re doing tasks like Chicken Dancing, Creating a Garden, Dancing in Cowboy Suits, Eating Goats’ Eyes, Acting to be Mosquitoes. … the list goes on and on. All I’m trying to say is that it’s a mind game, and a difficult one. Very difficult. Big Brother makes you believe in things that don’t even exist and you believe it. You’ll start seeing things, people or just imagine things. Your body will start changing and this is all in the mind. It’s a mind game and your mind will always work overtime when you step into this game. I always say ‘don’t judge a person on the show unless you have the guts to do it, and maybe better than the ones who’ve been on BBA’!!!!! * Meryl was a housemate in BBA2 and was invited back for this year’s BBA All Stars edition.

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