Big Brother Mzansi Umlilo and what to expect
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- Big Brother Mzansi Umlilo and what to expect
On Thursday, MultiChoice and M-Net’s Mzansi Magic channel (DStv 161) hosted a media launch event at the MultiChoice City headquarters in Randburg, Johannesburg. The event, which was only open to a select group of media representatives and influencers, was not announced to the wider media audience.
During the event, Shirley Adonisi, M-Net’s director of local entertainment channels, addressed attendees in MultiChoice City’s cinema venue, stating, “We’re going to make the housemates very uncomfortable.” She added, “We’re exploring concepts never tried before. Our aim is to push boundaries and test how much the housemates can endure without violating legal limits. The team has devised some truly mischievous plans.”
The new season of Big Brother Mzansi carries the theme “Umlilo,” meaning “fire” in isiZulu. It marks the fifth season under this title and the 11th South African edition of Big Brother, based on the Banijay format. Once again, the season will be produced by Red Pepper Pictures.
In addition to its broadcast on Mzansi Magic (DStv 161) and MultiChoice’s streaming platform Showmax, Big Brother Mzansi Umlilo will also be available as a 24-hour channel on DStv channel 198 until the finale on 23 March 2025.
Lawrence Maleka will not return as host, with Afrika Mdutyulwa, also known as Smash Afrika, stepping in to lead the fifth season. However, details of his remarks at the media launch remain unclear, as Mzansi Magic did not provide a press release or quotes from the event.
Christinah Mazibuko, M-Net’s head of marketing and publicity, expressed excitement in a press statement, saying, “We’re thrilled to bring back Big Brother Mzansi for its fifth season. This season is about breaking boundaries, and with the ‘Umlilo’ theme, we’re ready to deliver a fiery, must-watch experience. Having Smash Afrika as the host adds an electrifying energy, and we’re confident he’ll bring even more sparks to the show. It’s going to be an unforgettable journey.”
Past seasons of Big Brother Mzansi have been rife with controversy, with contestants previously evicted for inappropriate behavior and remarks, which tarnished the reputations of M-Net, Mzansi Magic, and sponsor LottoStar. Despite the backlash, M-Net has since hired some of these former contestants as Mzansi Magic brand ambassadors.