By Walter Wilson Nana
It was an evening of multiplicity of colour and sound in the Randburg Studio, Jo’burg, South Africa that host the Big Brother Africa, BBA House. And after 91 days in the house, South African born housemate, Keagan, took millions, across the continent by surprise to be the winner.
Keagan, 22 and an Intern Manager is the new star of the African continent.
Keagan, 22 and an Intern Manager is the new star of the African continent. In the night of August 5 2012, he smiled home with a mouth watering sum of $300,000 (FCFA 150,000 M). He outplayed the following housemates in the top six finalists; Prezzo from Kenya, second, Lady May, the Namibian, third, Talia from Zambia came at the fourth position, Ugandan Kyle came fifth and at the sixth position was Wati from Malawi.
In Cameroon, the euphoria around the BBA7 Finale was visible as a good chunk of the younger generation glued on to their TV sets to catch every moment of the action-packed reality show. At the close of the three-hour and star-studded event, Keagan made his way to stardom, winning the big prize.
To some Cameroonians, who are aficionados of the show, Keagan deserved the money. This view is shared by Parkis Tangha, a student of the Yaoundé Advanced School of Mass Communication, ASMAC. “It was a good show. I enjoyed it. I’m a buff of Keagan and I’m happy he won,” he noted.
According Tangha, the BBA is intended to reinforce African unity, “So, I’m worried that a housemate like Lady May from Namibia was aloof in a good part of her stay in the house. She did not communicate very much. The BBA house is a unique opportunity for Africans to communicate within themselves. This is an extended message that should cut across the continent,” he added.
He prayed that Cameroon should be involved in the participating countries of BBA, “If Cameroon is part of BBA8, I will be relieved. Participating countries seize the BBA platform to highlight their cultures. Cameroon’s rich cultural patrimony should be given an opportunity. We also wish to learn from others by actively taking part in the house and let the rest of the world know the bicultural nature of Cameroon – English & French as our official languages,” Tangha mentioned.
Yvonne Massa, a varsity student in Buea found the BBA7 finale tension-packed. “All the six finalists were potential winners of the money, as Wati from Malawi said in his last Diary Session with Big Brother,” she said
Massa saw a lively Talia, housemate from Zambia, but will not accept to be auditioned if Cameroon were to be part of the house. “I’m not ready for the Big Brother rules and regulations. You must be mentally and psychologically ready for the show,” she said.
Talking to journalists at the close of the show emceed by the emblematic host, Nigerian IK, Keagan said his favourite place in South Africa is his hometown, Cape Town and that the best thing about the continent is “the amount of cultures we have and the people that make Africa a better place”.
Outside of Cape Town, he said, Miami, USA, where he lived for 5 years, is his favourite place in the world.
His friend and Big Brother Africa StarGame partner Lee, inspired him to enter for the show, along with the money on offer. He partnered with Lee as they are best friends and have known each other for over 18 years. “We know each other’s qualities through and through and will be a vital force in the Big Brother House,” he mentioned.
According to Keagan, he was not worried with the millions of eyes that watched him for 91 days, however, he thanked them for supporting his long sojourn in the house and now he is looking forward to as many invitations as possible to visit other countries in Africa, as he is an enthusiast of travelling.
The South African promised to invest some of the money to help him in the future, give some cash to a charity after some careful research, and help some of his family members.
From day one in the Big Brother Africa House, there were thirty-five housemates from fifteen African countries. These included; Nigeria, 3, Kenya, 3, Angola, 2, Botswana, 2, Ghana, 3, Liberia, 2, Malawi, 2, Namibia, 3, Nigeria, 3, South Africa, 3, Sierra Leone, 2, Tanzania, 2, Uganda, 2, Zambia, 3 and from Zimbabwe 3 housemates.
The colourful opening of the BBA7 finale brought to the fore top African artists who slammed and jammed the dance hall. On the roll call were; Ghanaian rapper and Black Entertainment, BET, Award winner, Sarkodie, Khuli Chana from South Africa, Hip-Hop sensation from Uganda, Navio, the Nigerian international D’banj with his song “Oliver Twist” that has taken ‘hostage’ the African world. Also on the spice list were DJ Champagne and Channel O Video Jockey, VJ, Denrele. These guys rocked the continent thanks to the power of their music and television.
Another ninety-one amazing days have come and gone, so BBA viewers in Cameroon and other parts of the African continent are looking ahead to BBA8. Of course, with many surprises and new twists from the organisers.
