The Finale ......
There was much exciting entertainment & fireworks when Richard was announced the winner .......
Richard wins Big Brother Africa 2
November 12, 2007
In 98 incredible days, through the magic of cellphone, TV and computer technology, fans of M-Net’s Big Brother Africa 2 turned the 24/7 daily reality series into a blockbuster bona-fide hit across the continent.
On Sunday November 11, viewer voting propelled 24-year-old film student Richard Bezuidenhout from Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania to the big prize of $100 000 (about R670 000)!
With seven of the 13 voting blocks voting for Richard,
he is the winner of Big Brother Africa 2.
Beating Angola’s Tatiana and Nigeria’s Ofunneka to win the series, Richard was the last person to head out of the now famous Big Brother doors, straight into the spotlight as Africa’s newest reality series winner.
During the two-hour Finale that rocked to Afro-chic fashion, music and dance beats, DStv viewers in over 40 countries watched as the popular series drew to a dramatic end.Reliving the triumphs, tantrums and tears of the past 3 months, viewers were treated to a special packaged insert that recounted the unforgettable moments that characterised the show.
From Bertha’s leg injury, the fake eviction and the inclusion of the “moles” Victor and Ashanti, to the African themed tasks, the eviction shows and the special guests, such as Senegal’s Baaba Maal, the highlights package took viewers down memory lane.
In addition, a second insert shown during the Finale, concentrated on romance and relationships, two themes that have characterized the current season of Big Brother Africa. From Code and Maureen’s close connection to Tatiana and Richard’s relationship, which earned the couple the nickname Richiana, and including the flirtations of housemates Kwaku, Meryl and Bertha, Big Brother Africa 2 was love-struck!
Meanwhile other Finale highlights that had the live audience gathered around the catwalk-styled ramp in high spirits were electrifying performances by South African super-group Bongo Maffin, Kenyan afro-fusion legend Eric Wainaina and award-winning Nigerian hip-hop stars P-Square.
Plus, with the nine previously evicted housemates all in attendance, having already enjoyed ‘heroes’ homecomings in their own countries, it seemed fitting that a duet by Zimbabwe’s Bertha and Malawi’s Code was also on the Finale menu.
The entertainers brought even more energy to the charged atmosphere outside the Big Brother Africa house, where audience excitement was reaching fever pitch after the revelation that Angola’s Tatiana had the least audience votes and was out of the running for the main prize. As she headed through the doors, it was down to two!
With tension growing and the audience ready for the big news, Channel O VJ and series presenter KB Ngakane was handed the results envelope by show auditors Alexander Forbes. He opened it, paused and then made the winner announcement!
Alone in the house for a few moments after the announcement, an emotional Richard headed through the house doors onto the Big Brother stage, where he was met by his brother.
Quizzed by KB about the show, the win and the 98 day experience,
an overwhelmed Richard thanked his supporters and said,
“I’ve done my country proud.”
With the winner now known, Big Brother Africa 2 comes to an end but its success has set new milestones for reality TV in Africa.
Statistics from the series website and SMS strapline prove the point – over 900 000 SMS messages were received for publication on the Big Brother strap-line on DStv Channel 198, more than 14 million page impressions were registered online in a three month period and more than four million video clips viewed online from across Africa, including parts of Europe and the US.
-O-
