Michelle Mphowabadimo Vundla the winner of 2022's middling and meddling Big Brother Mzansi season.

by Thinus Ferreira

After 71 days Michelle Mphowabadimo Vundla was announced as the winner on Sunday night of the decidedly lackluster 5th season of the Big Brother Mzansi reality show on DStv.

Previously known as Big Brother South Africa, M-Net revived the Endemol camera-filled house reality format following the success of Big Brother Naija in Nigeria.

Big Brother Mzansi as a Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) production that also ran as a DStv pop-up channel on MultiChoice had mixed success with disappointing results due to various contributing factors.

Mzansi Magic media liaison was below par for the revival with nobody left who worked on previous iterations with the bulk of publicity that happened before for the show - or for Big Brother Naija - absent before and during the season's run in South Africa, in turn leading to little interest and coverage from South African media that would have covered the show.

Interviews with executives and producers didn't materialise and Big Brother Mzansi was hampered by extremely poor production values throughout from Red Pepper Pictures, with bad video and sound, host Lawrence Maleka struggling with the autocue, and an avalanche of in-show branding and product-placement from sponsors Lotto Star and Johnnie Walker that severely detracted from the show and turned large parts into an ongoing TV commercial.

After just 48 hours, contestant Keamogetswe Motlhale from Mahikeng known as "QV" decided to quit and leave the house and Big Brother Mzansi in late January after the housemates were tasked to share their life stories and she spoke about how she was raped multiple times when she was 6 years old. She then left citing personal reasons.

DStv subscribers were also upset and became disinterested in watching, citing diversity issues with the group of chosen contestants who were described as dull and boring, and who were not representative of South Africa's population, with the majority chosen from the Gauteng province and some provinces excluded from what was supposed to be a national, inclusive and representative series.

Big Brother Mzansi TV ratings suffered as MultiChoice and Mzansi Magic did sponsored come-drink-and-watch parties countrywide with influencers that didn't translate into actual media coverage. 

MultiChoice and Mzansi Magic also faced a barrage of criticism from lower-tiered DStv subscribers who were given access to Big Brother Mzansi as an upsell promotion effort that then backfired when DStv subscribers complained that Big Brother Mzansi was taken away from them. 

Following the criticism, MultiChoice and Mzansi Magic then reopened Big Brother Mzansi to these lower DStv bouquets until the end of the season.

During Sunday night's 2-hour finale - with performances by MiCasa, Q-Mark, TpZee, Afriikan Papi and Zakes Bantwini - the tearful 27-year old sangoma from Daveyton who ended up the winner said "Thank you, Mzansi" after she fell to her knees as she was announced as being R2 million richer.

"I'm excited and anxious, but I'm happy to be here," Mphowabadimo, said to Lawrence Maleka earlier in Sunday night's live finale.

"It has changed me a lot. I have grown, I have healed, I'm a bigger person than I was walking into the house. I am grateful for this experience. I will never be the same," she said after her exit.

The Big Brother Mzansi runner-up was the 28-year old entrepreneur and fashion designer Gershwin 'Gash1' Mthombeni from Pretoria.

Earlier in Sunday night's show, he said: "I didn't think I'd make it this far. But through praying every night and every morning, I made it here. I'm proud to be here."

Mphowabadimo also triumphed over Tulani 'Tulz' Madala, Libo Njomba and Themba Mabaso to win the season.

Three of the top 5 were evicted before the winner was announced, with Tulz being the first to leave the house. The 28-year-old radio host and voiceover artist from Tsolo left without ever being nominated for eviction throughout his stay.

The 32-year-old Libo from King William's Town was next on the chopping block. Next to be evicted was tattoo artist Themba, the 30-year-old from Alexandra.

Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director of local entertainment channels, says in a statement "Big Brother Mzansi returned bigger and better after a seven-year hiatus, and we've had a spectacular and very successful season".

"We're proud of the production and how it resonated with our viewers, who loved every minute and kept talking about it from beginning to end".

Editor's note: There was an in-person post-finale press conference for media with Michelle Mphowabadimo Vundla, Shirley Adonisi, and other people, following the conclusion of Big Brother Mzansi.

However, MultiChoice and M-Net didn't bother to alert the majority of media in South Africa that something like that was scheduled and would be taking place. It resulted in basically no comprehensive coverage of what happened there or was said there with major media outlets not attending.

The press conference echoed the bizarre and haphazard publicity strategy that Mzansi Magic had around Big Brother Mzansi where press covering television in South Africa were by and large completely excluded and not communicated with during the course of the season, in sharp contrast with the communication strategy and PR people to when the show was running seven years ago.

Besides unable to tell journalists that a press conference would take place, MultiChoice and M-Net publicists at Mzansi Magic excluded media not in Johannesburg with no virtual link to watch it, and sadly no opportunity to follow the Big Brother Mzansi press conference or to ask questions, with no accessible recording afterwards.

From a sangoma and adult content creator to its first transgender housemate: Here are South Africa's 18 new Big Brother Mzansi contestants.

by Thinus Ferreira

After a 7 year absence, 18 housemates out of 9 000 people who entered for the revived reality show, walked into the camera-house in Johannesburg on Sunday night during a 2-hour premiere for the 5th season of Big Brother Mzansi, including the show's first transgender person, a sangoma and an adult content creator.

The 18 housemates range between 21 and 31 and will compete to be the last one standing over 71 days when the winner is announced on Sunday 3 April at 18:00.

The 5th season of Big Brother Mzansi (previously also branded Big Brother SA) is produced according to the Banijay format, with Amanda van Wyngaardt as art director, Dineo Phantshang as series producer, OJ Meketsi as series director, Gbenga Kayode as consulting series director, Jessica Setati as production manager, and with Cecil Barry and Natalie Bleksley as the co-executive producers.

Lawrence Maleka is the presenter.

Sunday night's 2-hour premiere episode on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) that will run daily and weekly highlight shows, with a 24-hour Big Brother Mzansi channel running on MultiChoice's DStv channel 198, featured performances by Kamo Mphela, Chicco, Mello and Sleezy in front of a limited socially-distanced live audience.

"Congratulations to the new housemates on an experience like no other, and one that will undoubtedly change many of their lives," said says Shirley Adonisi, M-Net director of local entertainment channels.

"We're excited to have the show back on air as it's something viewers have been anticipating, and we have no doubt that they will not be disappointed."

The 18 housemates who entered Big Brother Mzansi on Sunday night are:

Adindu Asuzu aka Zino (21), Johannesburg 

A self-confessed mommy’s boy, this season's youngest housemate describes himself as both bubbly and mellow. He reckons he won't start drama – but will be the one to end it. He says his Nigerian side won't let people take advantage of him.

Gashwan Brandon Mthombeni aka Gash1 (28), Pretoria

Having overcome a troubled past, Gershwin is a deep thinker with varied interests and talents. He's deeply spiritual and enjoys giving people advice and motivation.

Gugu Refiloe Bonga aka Terry (26), Johannesburg

Honest almost to her own detriment, the adult content creator says she has a very big personality and stands for acceptance and non-judgment. She doesn’t like fake people and considers herself to be very open.

Keamogetswe Motlhale aka QV (23), Mahikeng

The easy-going Keamogetswe is a sharp-shooter and straight talker, she has no interest in keeping her annoyance to herself when someone gets on her wrong side. She describes herself as a tomboy.

Libo Njomba aka Libo (32), Johannesburg

Born in Uitenhage, Libo is an avid lover of life who enjoys the outdoors. He says people are his weakness and as a result, he tends to befriend "strange characters" – but also considers himself a loner.

Luthando Mthembu aka B.U (31), Johannesburg

The aspiring musician says one of the highlights of his life was quitting his high-flying corporate job to follow his artistic dreams. A vegan, he is focused on centering himself.

Michelle Dimpho Mvundla aka Mphowabadimo (27), Daveyton

The sangoma describes herself as outgoing and kind, but says she has "zero tolerance for nonsense". A doting mom, she is a nurturer who loves cheering people up when they're not feeling their best.

Mvelo Ntuli aka Mvelo (28), Johannesburg

Describing himself as loud and lovable, Mvelo is a lover of people who is passionate about education. Bubbly and candid, he hides a more complex side behind his infectious humour.

Naledi Mogadime aka Nale (24), Pretoria

A self-described "fine gyal, not a sad gyal", the model is as much a firecracker as she is calm and zen. Her strength is being able to understand and analyse people. Naledi says she might not be everyone's cup of tea in the beginning.

Norman Nhlapo aka Norman (24), Johannesburg

The daycare worker has an adaptable personality and is a sporty person. Despite a tough upbringing, he says his life has been a "bundle of blessings". He runs a non-profit organisation and daycare with his mother.

Rethabile Potsane aka Dinkybliss (29), Johannesburg

Fashion-loving and bubbly, Rethabile describes herself as "loud and proud" and says she can transform people’s moods and lift spirits when she is around. More of a boys' girl than a girls' girl, she enjoys socialising.

Thando Mcopela aka Acacia  (30), Soweto

Family orientated, Thando describes herself as a free spirit and a risk-taker. She's a foodie who loves community and togetherness. She considers herself relatable and is as comfortable ekasi as she is in upmarket suburbs.

Thato Mokoena aka Thato (28), Vaal

Not one to limit herself, Thato is an accountant and TikToker who describes herself as a "world within worlds". Bubbly and energetic, she's bluntly honest and is comfortable with her transparent nature.

Themba Karabo Mabaso aka Themba (30), Johannesburg

The heavily inked tattoo artist describes himself as "simple", "basic" and "normal", and says despite his attention-grabbing looks, he doesn't actively seek the spotlight.

Thobeka Mtshali aka Venus (25), Richards Bay

In her own words, when it comes to her "you just never know what you're gonna get". She embodies creativity: she writes music, makes beats and plays the piano. She considers herself to be a layered person. 

Tulani Madala aka Tulz (28), Johannesburg

A velvet-voiced straight-shooter, Tulani has a softness beneath his tough exterior. He says he's single because he was badly behaved in the heyday of his radio DJ career.

Ukho Samela aka Sis Tamara (25), Johannesburg

The multifaceted and bubbly Ukho goes by the pronouns he/ him/ she/ her/ they/ them. Known as Sis Tamara, they describe themselves as "a gender non-conforming experience". They are passionate about trans and queer representation.

Yolanda Glover aka Yoli (30), Durban

Outgoing and effervescent, Yolanda describes herself as "Berocca without the medicine". She loves being around people and says they are drawn to her infectious energy. She can sometimes be too honest and upfront and says she’s an open book.

ALSO READ: Big Brother Mzansi: Season 5's 71 days starts Sunday – with a daily Shower Hour.

ALSO READ: Lawrence Maleka the new presenter of Mzansi Magic's revived Big Brother Mzansi starting 23 January 2022.

ALSO READ: Entries open for DStv's Big Brother Mzansi that will run on M-Net's Mzansi Magic channel - this is how to enter and who the producers are looking for.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice and M-Net revive Big Brother Mzansi for South Africa for a 5th season after 7 years. 

Big Brother Mzansi: Season 5's 71 days starts Sunday – with a daily Shower Hour.

by Thinus Ferreira

Voyeur television returns on Sunday night for 71 days when Big Brother Mzansi starts as a 24-hour DStv pop-up channel for a 5th season and on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161), including a titillating Shower Hour.

MultiChoice and M-Net hope that by reviving the South African version of the Endemol reality format, they can capture the same obsessed audience staying glued for the antics of a collection of housemates living together in a camera-filled house that have made the pan-African beamed Big Brother Naija an ongoing pay-TV success in recent years. 

Big Brother Mzansi, returning after 7 years with new host Lawrence Maleka, will kick off this coming Sunday 23 January at 18:00 with a live, 2-hour season premiere episode shown on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and the Big Brother Mzansi channel on MultiChoice's DStv channel 198, introducing the various housemates.

After that, from 20:00, the Big Brother Mzansi channel will run for 24 hours per day for DStv Premium, DStv Compact Plus and DStv Compact subscribers, with a collection of daily shows and weekly highlights on Mzansi Magic.

The 5th season of Big Brother Mzansi is expected to end with another 2-hour, live finale announcing the winner which will be shown on the 24-hour channel and on Mzansi Magic on Sunday 3 April at 18:00.

In-between there will be daily, half-hour Big Brother Mzansi highlight shows on Mzansi Magic, starting on Tuesday 25, that will be shown at 22:30 from Tuesdays to Fridays, as well as an hour-long weekly Big Brother Mzansi highlights programme on Saturdays at 21:30, starting on 29 January.

Dstv subscribers will be able to watch who is getting nominated to possible get evicted in an upcoming week in live, half-hour Big Brother Mzansi nomination shows which will be shown on Monday nights at 19:30 from 31 January.

Big Brother Mzansi eviction shows will take place on Sunday evenings as live, hour-long episodes on Mzansi Magic, starting on Sunday 30 January.

There will be 4 pre-recorded Big Brother Mzansi Shower Hour episodes per week shown on Mzansi Magic, with the half-hour episodes tucked away as late-night shows from Mondays to Thursdays at 22:00.

Friday Night Games will be shown live as 2-hour shows on the Big Brother Mzansi channel on Friday nights from 19:00, starting 28 January.

Saturday Night Parties will be shown live as 2-hour shows from 21:00 on the Big Brother Mzansi Channel and Channel O (DStv 320), starting 29 January.

ALSO READ: Lawrence Maleka the new presenter of Mzansi Magic's revived Big Brother Mzansi starting 23 January 2022.

ALSO READ: Entries open for DStv's Big Brother Mzansi that will run on M-Net's Mzansi Magic channel - this is how to enter and who the producers are looking for.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice and M-Net revive Big Brother Mzansi for South Africa for a 5th season after 7 years. 

Lawrence Maleka the new presenter of Mzansi Magic's revived Big Brother Mzansi starting 23 January 2022.

by Thinus Ferreira

Actor Lawrence Maleka is the new presenter of Mzansi Magic's revived Big Brother Mzansi that will start on Sunday 23 January 2022 and that will run with highlight shows on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) as well as a 24-hour Big Brother Mzansi pop-up channel on MultiChoice's DStv on channel 198.

Lawrence Maleka is known for his portrayal of Zolani on The River, on M-Net's 1Magic (DStv 103) channel and previously presented StarGist on the Africa Magic Entertainment channel, Clash of the Choirs on Mzansi Mafic, and was a co-host of the 2021 South African Music Awards.

Big Brother Mzansi, revived for a 5th season after 7 years as a Covid-19 safe show and produced inside a so-called "Covid-19 safe production bubble", will run 24-7 on the Big Brother Mzansi channel.

In addition, Big Brother Mzansi will have daily shows and weekly highlights on the channel as well as on Mzansi Magic, and the Big Brother Mzansi channel will also carry the more risque so-called "Shower Hour".

There will also be Friday game nights, Saturday night parties hosted with Channel O featuring DJs, and Sunday night eviction shows.

"I'm excited to be part of this instalment of Big Brother Mzansi. The franchise has become a massive phenomenon in African as well as South African pop culture, and I'm happy to join in the fun as a presenter. The fan base is huge and massively loyal – it's an honour to be part of such a fantastic production," says Lawrence Maleka in a supplied quote.

Shirley Adonisi, recently appointed as the new M-Net director of local entertainment channels, says Lawrence Maleka "has proven to be one of the top young talents on our screens, his vibrant and confident screen as well as stage presence is a perfect fit for Big Brother Mzansi. We can't wait for viewers to tune in to what’s certainly going to be a very exciting season."

ALSO READ: Entries open for DStv's Big Brother Mzansi that will run on M-Net's Mzansi Magic channel - this is how to enter and who the producers are looking for.

ALSO READ: MultiChoice and M-Net revive Big Brother Mzansi for South Africa for a 5th season after 7 years.

Entertainment magazine show, All Access Mzansi, return to Mzansi Magic for a 3rd season; keeps Mbali Nkosi and adds Lawrence Maleka, K Naomi and Dash.

A third season of the rebooted All Access Mzansi starts tonight on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) at 21:30, again with a group of new presenters in the form of Lawrence Maleka, K Naomi and Dash, along with Mbali Nkosi who is the only former presenter to remain.

The entertainment magazine show will continue to do lifestyle and entertainment inserts and interviews and to cover South African showbiz stories.

The current iteration of All Access Mzansi - now entering its third season and the previous two seasons since 2015 - is part of the third overall reset of the show.

"We look forward to switching things up with this new season of All Access Mzansi," says Reneilwe Sema, M-Net's director of local entertainment channels.

"We're not only introducing new hosts but viewers can also expect world class entertainment news and coverage, profiles of the hottest local spots in Mzansi and the recognition of excellence in the entertainment industry."

The new season of All Access Mzansi will include an "Event of the Week" insert, behind-the-scenes set visits of local South African shows across M-Net's range of TV channels on DStv, and some live performances from South African artists.

Lawrence Maleka was the presenter of the third season of Clash of The Choirs on Mzansi Magic.

K Naomi is a model and was a former Channel O presenter.

Dash is a former presenter on VUZU AMP's V-Entertainment.

Mbali Nkosi who had no experience when she started with All Access Mzansi (she was a former contestant in Big Brother Mzansi: Double Trouble) has grown and acquired TV presenting experience.

Lawrence Maleka the latest 'pop-out, pop-in peg' presenter for e.tv's revolving door Club 808 Friday evening music show.

The revolving door at e.tv's Club 808 that has become a Red Pepper Productions joke-show keeps spinning faster than a fan in summer with Lawrence Maleka that's the latest new-new newly added presenter replacing the new-new-gone Cyprian Ndlovu.

While even insiders struggle to keep up - let alone viewers who've long ago abandoned the show given its low ratings after disastrous timeslot, date and channel changes from which it's never recovered - the latest two presenters are now Lawrence Maleka and Boity Thulo ... for now.

In response to a media enquiry about the ever-ongoing revolving-door show, e.tv says Cyprian Ndlovu "left Club 808 at the end of July to pursue other opportunities in the entertainment industry and continue his studies".

Earlier this year Lawrence Maleka replaced Bonang Matheba as the presenter of Mzansi Magic's (DStv 161) Clash of the Choirs and will now do the weekly Club 808 for the Red Pepper produced show on e.tv until at least March next year.

The 27-year old will make his first on-screen appearance on Club 808 this Friday, 9 September at 18:00.

In a e.tv statement - devoid of any mention of Cyprian Ndlovu as if he never existed as a part of the e.tv show - Lawrence Maleka says "I'm very excited about joining the e.tv and Club 808 teams. One of my first gigs in the industry was hosting a music show where Boity was a frequent guests, so we go way back."

"Viewers can expect me to do what I always strive to do; the best I can. I hope to use my knowledge of the local music industry to give Club 808 fans the inside track".

Marlon Davids, managing director of e.tv channels division says "Lawrence Maleka has loads of charisma and a very special charm that we, as a channel, are always looking for. We are confident that Lawrence and Boity will work brilliantly together and we are excited to see what they bring to Club 808 as a team."

BREAKING. Star Gist is the new showbiz entertainment magazine show starting on AfricaMagic Entertainment from Monday night.

Star Gist is a brand-new daily showbiz entertainment magazine show starting on the AfricaMagic Entertainment channel on MultiChoice's DStv tomorrow, Monday 11 June at 19:30 in the rest of Africa.

Although the one presenter is South African, Star Gist won't be seen in South Africa when it starts tomorrow with presenters Vimbai Muthinhiri (25) from Zimbabwe (also known as "Miss Vee") and Lawrence Maleka (22) from South Africa, a pick up from the community TV station Soweto TV.

Whether Star Gist is going to replace the entertainment shows Studio 53 and Studio 53 Extra is the first high profile new TV show following the major restructuring of M-Net Africa's AfricaMagic TV channels isn't clear (and for quite a while now Africa now longer has 53 countries anyway).

The new Star Gist which will be a weekday show with 5 new episodes per week will do red carpet coverage and star profiles and will focus on daily African entertainment and fashion news, do profile segments with personalities, attend glamour events, visit behind-the-scenes of music video shoots, TV shows and movies and profile the unbelievable lifestyles of Africa's über rich who want to flaunt their wealth and conspicuous consumption.

"We're happy to be able to provide the continent with first class entertainment and up-to-the-minute industry news. The show is well-placed to take the newly rebranded AfricaMagic Entertainment to the next level," says Biola Alabi, the managing director of M-Net Africa.