by Thinus Ferreira
Entries have opened for DStv and M-Net's revival of Big Brother Mzansi with South Africans who have until 6 November at 17:00 to enter online by uploading a 2-minute video of themselves showing and telling who they are and motivating why they should be one of the contestants.
Last week MultiChoice announced through its Duma Collective PR agency that following the success of Big Brother Naija done from Lagos, M-Net is reviving Big Brother Mzansi after 7 years for another South African season.
"The MultiChoice Group and Banijay are pleased to announce that the much-loved Big Brother Mzansi will be making its highly anticipated return to your screens soon, and it promises to be as exciting, entertaining and action-packed as ever," MultiChoice and M-Net's local entertainment division said in a statement.
Big Brother Mzansi will run as a 24/7 channel on MultiChoice's DStv, with daily highlight shows on M-Net's Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) channel.
Additional programming will likely also be produced for MultiChoice's Showmax video streaming service that ran ancillary programming for the past two seasons of Big Brother Naija.
M-Net and Endemol did the first season of Big Brother South Africa exactly 20 years ago in 2001 with Mark Pilgrim as the host.
South Africans who will be at least 21-years old by January 2022 can enter at https://shortaudition.net/Big-Brother-Mzansi by 6 November.
The Big Brother Mzansi producers say they are looking for "a dynamic group of individuals who are articulate, interesting and exhibit enthusiasm for the project" as well as "a willingness to share their most private thoughts in an open forum of strangers".
Only people who think they can endure approximately 100 days in a camera-filled house "under extraordinary conditions" should apply and videos done on a cellphone must be filmed in landscape mode by holding the phone horizontal and not in portrait (vertical) style.
A video that is a maximum of 2-minutes of length must be uploaded on the website, and very importantly, the video should end with the person saying and completing the sentence: "I would make a perfect housemate because ...".
The 2-minute video must contain a person's name, email and phone number clearly stated, and people should avoid all forms of filters, special video effects, copyrighted music and background music - make the producers see the real, best you.
"When describing yourself, remember to cite real life examples," the producers ask, saying "We love a good story! Making a casting video is not about putting together the best skit or wearing the wackiest costumes. We're looking for real people and we want to see the real you."
"If you come from a unique region or area of the country, talk about where you're from, how it’s a part of your personality, or how it may help you do well on Big Brother Mzansi. If you have an interesting job, talk about your job and how those skills may help you win the show."
Together with uploading the video, contestants must complete an online profile form asking details about hobbies, relationship status, parents details, education and very importantly a person's Covid-19 vaccination status.
Contestants who make it through the first selection round will be contacted by email by no later than 28 November 2021, and must then be available for another audition and a possible video interview.
Contestants who are selected by the production for an interview in the semi-final round, must be willing and able to travel to Johannesburg at a time scheduled by the producers.
People who enter must be willing to live in the Big Brother Mzansi camera-filled house in Johannesburg with about a dozen strangers where there will be little to no privacy.
Contestants must be a South African citizen or permanent resident of South Africa since 1 October 2021 and be in possession of a valid identity document, and the show requires "excellent physical and mental health"
If you are selected to be interviewed, contestants will have to complete psychological and health questionnaires and complete a physical examination in Johannesburg including blood and urine tests and sign a confidentiality agreement (including immediate family members).
Contestants will also have to provide documents like a birth certificate, passport and a medical history form.
