Mother won't watch son in Big Brother Africa

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Correspondent | Tuesday August 7, 2007 00:00

 

That is because the Letlhakane born mother does not have the facilities that could enable her to follow what her son is doing in the house. In fact she says she does not even know what Big Brother is all about.

'I do not know what to expect, nobody who comes from Serowe, has told me about it before, my son just said he was leaving for Big Brother, but I have no idea what that means,' said the Ramotswa-based mother. Rapulana was one of the guests who thronged the Gaborone Sun to witness the start of the show on Sunday evening. Her role was not that significant though after her son's aunt was invited by Multichoice Botswana spokesperson to say something about the 24-year-old housemate.

The diminutive Botswana representative, has nicknamed himself 'small dynamite', because of his size. The guests at the Gaborone Sun cheered and some were heard teasing him as Ma-shot (the short one), and legwinya or fat cake (because of his stout frame).

And Multichoice Botswana's Tshepo Maphanyane on Sunday evening advised the media not to interview the mother about the show or her son, saying the media should instead talk to her (the Multichoice spokesperson).

The launch of the Big Brother Africa here saw two cabinet ministers, Kitso Mokaila (Environment, Wildlife and Tourism), and Ramadeluka Seretse (Lands and Housing), among the guests, along with Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) chairperson Dorcas Makgato-Malesu, representatives from the tourism Board, and various stakeholders represented.

Multichoice Botswana staged a mini Big Brother show as people were chosen and then eliminated one by one until three remained to win themselves prizes of DSTV decoders and three months subscription.

The Big Brother Africa show returns for the second time after it was suspended since the inaugural version that saw Warona Setshwaelo, the daughter of prominent Gaborone politician Ephraim Setshwaelo, representing the country.

It remains to be seen what tricks the UB student will pull to prolong his stay in the House. The show runs for 98 days or three months and both mobile phone operators Orange and Mascom, will participate in the voting this time round. The inaugural show saw only Mascom winning the rights.

The last Big Brother Africa, event was won by Zambian girl Cherishe, who pocketed US $ 100, 000. This year's first prize carries the same amount, and 12 countries have been represented in the show.

The show promises to be interesting after the girls from Nigeria, South Africa, Namibia, Angola and Zimbabwe, promised to do anything it takes, including sex, to win the $100, 000 prize money.