BBA 3 WEEK 1...

I wasn't very excited about the start of another Big Brother Africa show. Maybe 'cos it came too soon seeing that a lot of us hadn't still recovered from the shock and drama that was BBA 2 last year but then, I wasn't ready to miss it for anything especially since there was going to be a Nigerian and I might as well keep myself busy watching people become the next set of guinea pigs. Besides, there's a little devil in all of us that just likes to be in everyone else's business.

So I set out to see the opening ceremony at a DSTV organised launch party. Everyone was expectant and only hoped that Nigeria would get a fitting rep this time. Then the show started...

I loved Kabelo's hosting last year but if the opening show on sunday was anything to judge him by, then we might be in for a sad and boring 3 months. He seemed flat and tried too hard to connect with the viewers. The ceremony itself did not help matters. It was flat, dull, not colourful at all and everything looked unprepared. Those dancers on the stage, were to the stage what John McCain would be to a race with Usain Bolt! They sucked and I did not see the point of them ushering the housemates into the house. Everything was just wrong but they would be forgiven if their next live show makes better sense. But until then, i'm sorry but they have failed badly!

It was time to welcome the housemates and these are my thoughts as at day one...

BOTSWANA'S TAWANA came in first and her bald head was the first thing I noticed. Most people didn't like that but I did and still do. She is very opinionated and had the first argument in the house already when she refused to have Christianity and the bible shoved down her throat by the Nigerian. She's a drinker, a smoker and says she hates girls and her neighbours. Definitely controversial and that works for me. But would it work for other housemates and the viewers? (think BBN's Joan)

I would let her be in the house for at least 2 months to stir up a lot of sh*t but I doubt that she'll last that long.

GHANA'S MIMI followed and the first things I saw were her dark skin and tummy which she tried to hide behind her belt. She looked like she came in to have fun and by their first couple of hours in the house, she wanted to be the life of the party so badly. She used the 'F' word every 3 seconds and drank the alcohol in the fridge out. She slured and cussed and just wasn't coherrent. She ended up doing herself some good healthwise but definitely some bad, ratings-wise by throwing up. On the first night? That's mental!

Her diary session on Day 1 was surely the most interesting though. She's looking like the diary session tell all! (think BBN's Sandra)

I would love to see her in the house for a couple of weeks just to see how many more times she'll throw up and reveal all at the diary room but I know the viewers want her out already!

KENYA'S SHEILA is hoooooooot!!! I started rooting for her even before I cared that there would be a Nigerian. She also looks very flirty and would be causing some problems romance wise with the other housemates. She comes across as smart but a bit talkative tho, drinks and smokes quite a bit but hey who cares? She's hot. She will get in people's faces a lot though. (think BBA 2's Lerato)

I'd like to see her till the end mostly for the eye candy she offers and nothing else. I think viewers will be divided on her but the housemates might grow to dislike her!

MALAWI'S HAZEL came in next and has been so undercover ever since. So much so that I don't have an impression of her yet. She's pretty tho and her hair is loooooong and gorgeous. I'm hoping she'll start talking soon though. (think BBA 2's Bertha meets Maureen)

If nothing else, i'd like to see her a bit longer in the house just so that I can have an impression because something tells me she really is a freak but I doubt that viewers wil be that patient as she's already being compared to BBA 2's Maureen (or Boreen like she was called).

NAMIBIA'S LUCILLE followed and isn't bad looking at all. She smiled a lot and has been doing more that than talking ever since. She's young and looks innocent but we know that no one who decides to go on BBA after seeing last year's edition, can't be innocent. She looks like one of those under the rader people who might do a lot of cooking and cleaning till the last day. (think BBA 1's Cherise, BBN's Helen and BBA 2's Ofunneka).

Not sure I really care that much about how long she stays as day 1 or 91 is just fine by me but I think she'll be there for a while tho cos the housemates and viewers may not even remember that she's there!

TANZANIA'S LATOYA followed and the first thing I saw was her make up and hair! She was the type who wanted to be noticed and would definitely be hooking up with a guy in the house. She got into the house and the first question she asked after saying hi, was whether anyone would be having sex in the house? I don't know if anyone would but I sure know she'll be willing to, seeing that she's already getting cosy with a certain Angolan (Angola (Tatiana)-Tanzania (Richard) again?!). I think her make up bag might be heavier than her entire luggage tho (think BBN's Ify and BBA 2's Tatiana).

ANGOLA'S RICCO came in next and his entire attitude screamed "I'm a teenager and I need attention." He's young, very hip, has piercings and sags his jeans way below his butt! He talks a whole lot, loves himself even more and could not wait to take a 'naked shower' immediately he got in; at least so he said. He spent the night on the same bed with Latoya already and might be the first to get laid amongst the guys. He is very likeable tho but might end up over doing things. (think BBA 2's Richard)

I like him but he looks like the sort I might get tired of seeing soon so 3 weeks to a month is just fine but the housemates and viewers might leave him for longer mostly for his looks and possible romp with the chics!

NIGERIA'S UTI followed and I was in total shock! I had met Uti at my eviction party in 2006 and he told me then, about how he had laid a number of chics while I was in the house, simply 'cos they had thot that we were brothers and he played along. We kept in touch ever since and I even chatted with the mo-fo last week. He was on another reality show last year in Nigeria (The Next Movie Star) and placed second so it's even more shocking that he got into the house. The Uti I know is a player, loves himself, loves the camera, loves to be the centre of attention and is very opinionated (as we saw in his bible argument with Botsawna's Tawana). Will he be different from what I already know? He already looks like one of the favourites with the ladies and guys alike both in and outside the house. I just hope he slows down on his pidgin English soon. But I am soooooo rooting for him and he has to win the money o! (think BBA 1's Gaetano but more as the winner this time)

SOUTH AFRICA'S THAMI was next and it was a downward slide from the loads of eye candy we had been offered. He seems like a nice guy tho who does not hold back on having fun. He was drunk beyond anyone else on the first night and shared a quick kiss with Botswana's Tawana. He talked and slured and talked and slured until he slept off on someone else's bed and the boys had to throw him out. He seems very smart tho but also very sensitive. (think BBA 2's Justice)

I like this guy and I'd love to see him for a while in the house. He seems the most real of the guys so far and that works for me. The viewers especially SAans don't love him that much tho so we'd have to wait and see!

UGANDA'S MORRIS was next and he tried to look calm while going in even though it was obvious that he was overwhelmed by the occassion. He hasn't talked much so far and has been trying to appear as the listening calm guy. But his first diary session gave that away as he was very opinionated and is already hating on some of the girls. Botswana's Tawana seems to be loving him already but he might not play ball; at least not for the first couple of days. I feel like we'll be seeing a new side to him as soon as this week or next. (think BBA 2's Code)

He could leave tomorrow and that would be fine by me. I think viewers love him tho so whatever!

ZAMBIA'S TAKONDWA or TK or Taekwando like Nigeria's Uti prefers to call him is the chubby teddy bear! I liked him immediately I saw him cos he was different. He wasn't a pretty boy and yet wasn't bad to look at. He raps but then hasn't had a lot to say in the house. He seems to be on the low, watching everyone in the house for now. He seems smart tho and could be one of those late favourites (think BBN's Joseph)

I like him and wouldn't mind him being there till the end. But if he doesn't talk anytime soon, then it should be over. Not sure the viewers will agree though seeing that everyone's excited by all the other eye candies!

ZIMBABWE'S MUNYA was last in and for many ladies, they had saved the best for last. He is good looking and so far, he's been the perfect guy. He talks only when he should and is not in anyone's space. Totally cool and seems to be the hot favourite already on Day 1. But then seeing that Day 1 counts for nothing with 91 days in mind, it might be too early to get excited. (think BBN's Gideon)

He's everyone's darling so far both viewers and housemates (except SA's Thami who already had issues with him on the first night over some bed space) but I'm not sure I want him in there for that long 'cos I always root for the underdog!

That's it and i'll be watching to see who suddenly turns into something else and pulls a Bertha on us. See you next week...