Big Brother Africa 3: time to ditch Hazel

One of the best cures for the xenophobia haunting South Africa has to be Big Brother Africa. Twelve housemates, from as many African countries, locked in a house from August to November and forced to get along as best they can while trying to be the last man or woman standing.

Viewers are able to see that the rest of Africa is not peopled by Klingons or mutants but rather individuals who are pretty much the same as those you will find anywhere in the world, save Finland. Helsinki, having seen their Big Brother House, appears to have the largest collection of Klingons this side of Qo’noS and will be in desperate trouble if they are ever visited by the United Federation of Planets.

“It’s life but not as we know it Jim”.

Twelve strangers from different countries, cultures and traditions form a unit in which it becomes very difficult to tell who is from where unless you have been following it all along. They take on their own personalities and are no longer the man from Kenya, Uganda or some other African country. Hatred against Munya is a far harder concept than disliking Zimbabwean exiles who flood across our borders. It is no longer an abstract but rather something very personal, which mitigates strongly against the unreasonable hatred we witnessed just a few months ago.

In seeing Africans up close and personal South Africans are quickly able to learn that they are neither superior nor inferior to the rest of Africa and that their brothers and sisters up north are just like them. People who share the same hopes and fears and are certainly not deserving of the disgusting conduct that disgraced this country earlier this year.

Let us hope that this exercise is repeated every year because, through their programme, M-Net have achieved far more than any documentary or educational film ever will, in building bridges between the people of this continent.

Anyhow, as I have indicated previously, the Government (Mrs Traps) has her Protea colours for BBA3 and with the television in the bedroom I have two choices: watch or read a book. Of course I am allowed to talk as long as nothing important is taking place like nominations for evictions (which she attends – I shit you not), results of house tasks and the like. It’s pretty much down to during the adverts – this is also used for trips to the bathroom or to throw something onto a plate and pass it off as supper. Last night we had “Veal Substitute” – cheese.

Regardless, it turns out that this week we are down to the last five housemates with Hazel from Malawi and Thami from South Africa as the two nominees up for eviction. While I have to admit that Thami is definitely no favourite of mine, Hazel is a big thorn and simply has to leave the house. She’s one of those holier-than- thou’s; you know the ones, always seem to have a bad smell under their nose. The Government, who was devastated to see Morris turfed out last week, is adamant that Hazel is a must go for this week.

I trust Africa is listening!

The remaining three are Munya from Zimbabwe, Ricco from Angola and Tawana from Botswana who will be joined by the survivor of Thami and Hazel in the race to be the winner at the end of November.

Overall I believe that African relations is the winner, whether you’re a fan of the programme or not.