Big Brother Africa: The top 3 comment on THAT Saturday …

NATASHA UYS got the Big Brother Africa housemates’ take on THAT Saturday afternoon and also received comment from M-Net executives on the official steps taken immediately after the incident at a press conference held at the M-Net offices in Johannesburg on Monday morning.

WHILE each of the remaining three housemates couldn’t quite remember exactly what happened, they certainly had an inkling of the huge media outcry and controversy that stemmed from it. However, from their reactions to media questions, it was clear they did not understand the full extent of public outrage that followed questionable sexual interaction between Richard and Ofunneka.Tatiana said that she does not usually drink vodka and that while she usually drinks responsibly, on that day they had all decided to go crazy.”It was at the end of a really difficult week.I was head of house that week and I think we just needed to release some stress and have fun.We ended up hugging each other and crying …lying on the floor and then I don’t remember much until I was woken up by the paramedics.”Richard: “We were just having a good time.You know – things happen.It was just one thing after another.If I offended anyone – I apologise.”Ofunneka appeared almost nonchalant, saying “C’est la vie.We went fishing, it was too much fishing.We ended up getting drunk and passing out.”Her take on the issue may be very different if she decides to view the clip, an opportunity, according to M-Net, which will be made available to each of them, if they choose.M-Net Production Executive Carl Fisher said despite it not being standard procedure, Endemol and Multichoice are willing to show the clip to the housemates.”With some professional counselling before, each of the housemates will have the opportunity – if they so choose, to watch the clip on an individual basis.”he said.From M-Net and Multichoice’s side, Operations Manager Joe Hundah said it was the intention of the show not to interfere with the day-to-day happenings in the house.”We largely leave the housemates to it and prefer not to interrupt their actions or give them any feedback from the outside world.That is the format of the show,” he said.Commenting on legal procedures effected immediately following the incident, Carl Fisher said Multichoice’s legal advisors, members of the Legal Action Group and a group of journalists viewed the clip.”From our side, we decided to seek legal advice before re-broadcasting the clip and it was our professional opinion that it was all down to drinking too much.That is what happens to a person when they drink too much.”A day or two later, Big Brother sternly spoke to each housemate about their abuse of alcohol and offered each of them the opportunity to receive counselling for alcohol abuse.Although it was Big Brother who supplied the housemates with copious amounts of alcohol throughout the show, on that day they were supplied with more than six bottles of vodka, despite the fact that there were only four housemates remaining in the house.Erica Klopper, the Executive Producer of the show, maintains that the housemates were never meant to drink the vodka in shots.”The housemates were supposed to make cocktails and sip from them,” she said.While I have not had the opportunity to view the clip personally, several South African media have watched it again and opinions are divided.It remains to be seen if Ofunneka will decide to take any legal action.While some feel that what went down can be seen as consensual, according to industry insiders, an expert could certainly argue that the sex act was not consensual and that Ofunneka was the victim of sexual abuse.However, from their reactions to media questions, it was clear they did not understand the full extent of public outrage that followed questionable sexual interaction between Richard and Ofunneka.Tatiana said that she does not usually drink vodka and that while she usually drinks responsibly, on that day they had all decided to go crazy.”It was at the end of a really difficult week.I was head of house that week and I think we just needed to release some stress and have fun.We ended up hugging each other and crying …lying on the floor and then I don’t remember much until I was woken up by the paramedics.”Richard: “We were just having a good time.You know – things happen.It was just one thing after another.If I offended anyone – I apologise.”Ofunneka appeared almost nonchalant, saying “C’est la vie.We went fishing, it was too much fishing.We ended up getting drunk and passing out.”Her take on the issue may be very different if she decides to view the clip, an opportunity, according to M-Net, which will be made available to each of them, if they choose.M-Net Production Executive Carl Fisher said despite it not being standard procedure, Endemol and Multichoice are willing to show the clip to the housemates.”With some professional counselling before, each of the housemates will have the opportunity – if they so choose, to watch the clip on an individual basis.”he said.From M-Net and Multichoice’s side, Operations Manager Joe Hundah said it was the intention of the show not to interfere with the day-to-day happenings in the house.”We largely leave the housemates to it and prefer not to interrupt their actions or give them any feedback from the outside world.That is the format of the show,” he said.Commenting on legal procedures effected immediately following the incident, Carl Fisher said Multichoice’s legal advisors, members of the Legal Action Group and a group of journalists viewed the clip.”From our side, we decided to seek legal advice before re-broadcasting the clip and it was our professional opinion that it was all down to drinking too much.That is what happens to a person when they drink too much.”A day or two later, Big Brother sternly spoke to each housemate about their abuse of alcohol and offered each of them the opportunity to receive counselling for alcohol abuse.Although it was Big Brother who supplied the housemates with copious amounts of alcohol throughout the show, on that day they were supplied with more than six bottles of vodka, despite the fact that there were only four housemates remaining in the house.Erica Klopper, the Executive Producer of the show, maintains that the housemates were never meant to drink the vodka in shots.”The housemates were supposed to make cocktails and sip from them,” she said.While I have not had the opportunity to view the clip personally, several South African media have watched it again and opinions are divided.It remains to be seen if Ofunneka will decide to take any legal action.While some feel that what went down can be seen as consensual, according to industry insiders, an expert could certainly argue that the sex act was not consensual and that Ofunneka was the victim of sexual abuse.

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