Big Brother Africa: Winding down and teetotalling

IT was a confusing week for the housemates, what with the moles trying to stir things up at every second turn РRichard, Tatiana and Ofunneka certainly had their work cut out for them just trying to keep up a friendly fa̤ade.

As far as they are concerned, the ‘moles’, Ashanti and Victor, are just as eligible to win the prize money as they are, and while the original housemates have not been openly unfriendly they have treated the moles with suspicion. Commenting to Biggie in their diary room sessions or gossiping amongst themselves, all three original housemates have at one time or another mentioned their doubts about the parallel BB story offered up by the seemingly unprepared moles.Ashanti, for all her beauty, does not seem to have a knack for acting and while Victor has tried to use his good looks and charm to win over Ofunneka and cause friction between Richiana, he is finding the job harder than he probably thought it would be.After a week in the house, the two moles have not managed to brew as much dissent as they boasted they would.But then a week is possibly not long enough.TOURISM TASK Last week’s task was tourism oriented.The housemates along with the moles had to work together to market the BBA house as one of the world’s superior tourist destinations.Filming a promotional video and using the supplied props to turn the BBA house into a resort of sorts, the housemates wagered the full 100 per cent of their weekly shopping budget.Richard was in the director’s chair, while Tatiana played the role of VIP guest in the supposedly swanky resort.Ofunneka played the chef, while Victor was the personal trainer and Ashanti the resident beauty therapist.As is becoming the norm, Biggie awarded them the full 100 per cent wagered.I can’t help thinking that it would have been so much more interesting if Biggie had failed them, causing them to lose their usual shopping budget and forcing them to cope with as little as possible during their last week.Hunger, irritation and frustration would certainly bring out the worst in the remaining housemates and hopefully would have given some room for their competitive spirit to emerge.It’s all good and well, the housemates being so close and loving each other so much, but it would have been more interesting to watch them turn on each other.At the end of the day, the last three housemates are competing with each other – all this friendliness is more than just a little boring.Some juicy fights would have been a lot more interesting.Certainly more interesting than this past weekend.GHOSTS OF KISSES PAST On Friday night, the stone sober housemates played a little bit of Spinmaster.While playing, Richard deemed it fit to refresh Ofunneka’s memory on the goings-on of last Saturday, well, at least some of the goings-on.Perhaps thinking she might find it amusing.That’s Mr Sensitive himself for you! Richard told Ofunneka that she kissed him.This did not go down well with either Ofu or Tati, who were both very upset about it.Richard is in a world of his own, he does not seem to have any idea how degrading and distasteful his behaviour was, he seems to think of it as a joke – or even worse, something to be proud of.Ofunneka pressed him to provide her with details “on when and where”, and he did a bit of a duck and dive.She told him that it was not nice and that he was really going too far.Nekka was so upset that she retreated to the toilet where she cried.Something tells me that his little revelation might just have triggered some of Ofu’s suppressed memories of that infamous Saturday.With only a week to go before Ofu is bound to find out the full extent of what happened on that boozy afternoon, I don’t think their relationship will ever be the same again.Whether or not Ofunneka will decide to take the matter further remains to be seen but one thing is for sure, I don’t think it is something that she will take lightly at all.FUN IN THE SUN After the disgraceful display last weekend, Biggie decided to go non-alcoholic this Saturday, preferring to offer the housemates some wholesome fun in the sun instead of the usual booze orgy.Sending in a huge slip ‘n slide, velcro wall and sticky suits, the housemates spent the afternoon playing water games and basking in the November sunshine.Later, Ashanti managed to involve Ofunneka in a pointless argument after accusing Ofu of mothering the other housemates and of being insecure about Ashanti.I’m sure this had Ashanti feeling smug but I don’t think it really bothered Ofunneka much at all.It blew over almost as soon as it started.ISSUES In its final week, Big Brother Africa has drawn much interest but equally as much criticism.Superior and patronising critics aside – the show has certainly gotten people talking about real issues.While some issues have been more trivial such as who showers in the buff, who snogged who, and who is the biggest backstabber in the house, other issues have been much more serious.Sensitive and controversial issues have elicited some very strong opinions from all sections of society.Whether we like to admit it or not, some of the scandals in the house are a reflection of what goes on all over Africa.Adultery is widespread.HIV-AIDS is no longer a disease but a pandemic.Abuse against women and children is widespread and often condoned.Alcoholism and risky sexual behaviour is something which affects not only young people but members of the upper classes too.These are issues that needed to be brought out in the open.I like to think of it as education disguised as entertainment.Without getting too serious, BBA has been something of a mirror; a mirror which allows us to question certain behaviour and form our own opinions as to what we think is right or wrong.And hopefully, in the end to change – for the better.In the meantime, viewers can look forward to seeing all the housemates reunited this Sunday for a finale which is sure to be explosive, so keep watching and remember to vote for your winner.* Catch BBA2 on Channel 198, DStv.Commenting to Biggie in their diary room sessions or gossiping amongst themselves, all three original housemates have at one time or another mentioned their doubts about the parallel BB story offered up by the seemingly unprepared moles. Ashanti, for all her beauty, does not seem to have a knack for acting and while Victor has tried to use his good looks and charm to win over Ofunneka and cause friction between Richiana, he is finding the job harder than he probably thought it would be.After a week in the house, the two moles have not managed to brew as much dissent as they boasted they would.But then a week is possibly not long enough.TOURISM TASK Last week’s task was tourism oriented.The housemates along with the moles had to work together to market the BBA house as one of the world’s superior tourist destinations.Filming a promotional video and using the supplied props to turn the BBA house into a resort of sorts, the housemates wagered the full 100 per cent of their weekly shopping budget.Richard was in the director’s chair, while Tatiana played the role of VIP guest in the supposedly swanky resort.Ofunneka played the chef, while Victor was the personal trainer and Ashanti the resident beauty therapist.As is becoming the norm, Biggie awarded them the full 100 per cent wagered.I can’t help thinking that it would have been so much more interesting if Biggie had failed them, causing them to lose their usual shopping budget and forcing them to cope with as little as possible during their last week.Hunger, irritation and frustration would certainly bring out the worst in the remaining housemates and hopefully would have given some room for their competitive spirit to emerge.It’s all good and well, the housemates being so close and loving each other so much, but it would have been more interesting to watch them turn on each other.At the end of the day, the last three housemates are competing with each other – all this friendliness is more than just a little boring.Some juicy fights would have been a lot more interesting.Certainly more interesting than this past weekend. GHOSTS OF K
ISSES PAST On Friday night, the stone sober housemates played a little bit of Spinmaster.While playing, Richard deemed it fit to refresh Ofunneka’s memory on the goings-on of last Saturday, well, at least some of the goings-on.Perhaps thinking she might find it amusing.That’s Mr Sensitive himself for you! Richard told Ofunneka that she kissed him.This did not go down well with either Ofu or Tati, who were both very upset about it.Richard is in a world of his own, he does not seem to have any idea how degrading and distasteful his behaviour was, he seems to think of it as a joke – or even worse, something to be proud of.Ofunneka pressed him to provide her with details “on when and where”, and he did a bit of a duck and dive.She told him that it was not nice and that he was really going too far.Nekka was so upset that she retreated to the toilet where she cried.Something tells me that his little revelation might just have triggered some of Ofu’s suppressed memories of that infamous Saturday.With only a week to go before Ofu is bound to find out the full extent of what happened on that boozy afternoon, I don’t think their relationship will ever be the same again.Whether or not Ofunneka will decide to take the matter further remains to be seen but one thing is for sure, I don’t think it is something that she will take lightly at all. FUN IN THE SUN After the disgraceful display last weekend, Biggie decided to go non-alcoholic this Saturday, preferring to offer the housemates some wholesome fun in the sun instead of the usual booze orgy.Sending in a huge slip ‘n slide, velcro wall and sticky suits, the housemates spent the afternoon playing water games and basking in the November sunshine.Later, Ashanti managed to involve Ofunneka in a pointless argument after accusing Ofu of mothering the other housemates and of being insecure about Ashanti.I’m sure this had Ashanti feeling smug but I don’t think it really bothered Ofunneka much at all.It blew over almost as soon as it started.ISSUES In its final week, Big Brother Africa has drawn much interest but equally as much criticism.Superior and patronising critics aside – the show has certainly gotten people talking about real issues.While some issues have been more trivial such as who showers in the buff, who snogged who, and who is the biggest backstabber in the house, other issues have been much more serious.Sensitive and controversial issues have elicited some very strong opinions from all sections of society.Whether we like to admit it or not, some of the scandals in the house are a reflection of what goes on all over Africa.Adultery is widespread.HIV-AIDS is no longer a disease but a pandemic.Abuse against women and children is widespread and often condoned.Alcoholism and risky sexual behaviour is something which affects not only young people but members of the upper classes too.These are issues that needed to be brought out in the open.I like to think of it as education disguised as entertainment.Without getting too serious, BBA has been something of a mirror; a mirror which allows us to question certain behaviour and form our own opinions as to what we think is right or wrong.And hopefully, in the end to change – for the better.In the meantime, viewers can look forward to seeing all the housemates reunited this Sunday for a finale which is sure to be explosive, so keep watching and remember to vote for your winner.* Catch BBA2 on Channel 198, DStv.