# Big Brother (South African TV series)

Big Brother Mzansi, formerly known as Big Brother South Africa, is a television series in South Africa produced by M-Net and Endemol. As of 2025, both shows have a total of seven seasons. Big Brother South Africa had two seasons, and a celebrity season in between. The first season aired in 2001 and the second in 2002. The seasons were directed by Leon Coetzer and hosted by Mark Pilgrim.
In 2014, the show was rebooted and rebranded Big Brother Mzansi. This return show brought with it a new host, Lungile Radu, and a new production network, M-Net's Mzansi Magic. The second season was broadcast in 2015.
Following a six-year hiatus, a third season of Big Brother Mzansi was announced, which premiered on 23 January 2022 with a new host, Lawrence Maleka.
In October 2022, a special edition in the Big Brother Africa franchise combining Big Brother Mzansi and Big Brother Naija called Big Brother Titans, where South Africa will face off against Nigeria, was announced, premiering on 15 January 2022.
In 2025, Smash Afrika replaced Lawrence Maleka for the fifth season of Big Brother Mzansi.

## Seasons

| Season | Subtitle | Launch Date | Finale Date | Days | Housemates | Winner | Presenter(s) | Broadcasting |
| Big Brother South Africa Season 1 | None | 26 August 2001 | 9 December 2001 | 106 | 12 | Ferdinand Rabie | Mark Pilgrim Gerry Rantseli | DStv M-Net |
| Celebrity Big Brother | None | 23 June 2002 | 30 June 2002 | 7 | 10 | Bill Flynn | Mark Pilgrim Gerry Rantseli | DStv M-Net |
| Big Brother South Africa Season 2 | None | 28 July 2002 | 13 October 2002 | 79 | 13 | Richard Cawood | Mark Pilgrim Gerry Rantseli | DStv M-Net |
| Big Brother Mzansi 1 | Secrets | 2 February 2014 | 6 April 2014 | 63 | 18 | Mandla Hlatshwayo | Lungile Radu | Mzansi Magic DStv |
| Big Brother Mzansi 2 | Double Trouble | 22 March 2015 | 18 May 2015 | 56 | 20 | Ace Khumalo & Ntombi Tshabalala | Lungile Radu | Mzansi Magic DStv |
| Big Brother Mzansi 3 | Beke Le Beke | 23 January 2022 | 3 April 2022 | 70 | 20 | Michelle Dimpho "Mphowabadimo" Mvundla | Lawrence Maleka | Mzansi Magic DStv |
| Big Brother Mzansi 4 | S'ya Mosha | 21 January 2024 | 31 March 2024 | 70 | 23 | Siphephelo "McJunior" Zondi | Lawrence Maleka | Mzansi Magic DStv |
| Big Brother Mzansi 5 | Umlilo | 12 January 2025 | 23 March 2025 | 70 | 24 | TBA | Smash Afrika | Mzansi Magic Mzansi Wethu DStv |

## Big Brother South Africa
### Season 1

Start Date: 26 August 2001 End Date: 9 December 2001 Duration: 106 days
Nominations Table
| | Week 2 | Week 4 | Week 6 | Week 8 | Week 10 | Week 12 | Week 13 | Week 14 | Week 15 Final | Week 15 Final | Nominations received |
| Ferdi | Steven, Riaad | Steven, Lara | Steven, Margaret | Vuyo, Janine | Steven, Margaret | Leigh, Margaret | Riaad, Vuyo | Riaad, Vuyo | Winner (Day 106) | Winner (Day 106) | 24 |
| Vuyo | Margaret, Steven | Brad, Ferdi | Riaad, Margaret | Ferdi, Leigh | Nobesuthu, Margaret | Leigh, Margaret | Ferdi, Leigh | Riaad, Irvan | Runner-up (Day 106) | Runner-up (Day 106) | 6 |
| Nobesuthu | Lara, Steven | Lara, Steven | Brad, Irvan | Leigh, Ferdi | Ferdi, Leigh | Leigh, Riaad | Ferdi, Vuyo | Irvan, Riaad | Third place (Day 106) | Third place (Day 106) | 10 |
| Riaad | Brad, Nina | Brad, Ferdi | Brad, Ferdi | Ferdi, Janine | Margaret, Steven | Ferdi, Margaret | Ferdi, Vuyo | Ferdi, Nobesuthu | Fourth place (Day 106) | Fourth place (Day 106) | 9 |
| Irvan | Nina, Riaad | Lara, Steven | Margaret, Leigh | Steven, Margaret | Steven, Margaret | Leigh, Margaret | Ferdi, Leigh | Nobesuthu, Ferdi | Evicted (Day 99) | Evicted (Day 99) | 7 |
| Leigh | Nina, Margaret | Margaret, Nobesuthu | Margaret, Nobesuthu | Janine, Nobesuthu | Margaret, Steven | Margaret, Nobesuthu | Nobesuthu, Ferdi | Evicted (Day 92) | Evicted (Day 92) | Evicted (Day 92) | 13 |
| Margaret | Brad, Nobesuthu | Nobesuthu, Steven | Ferdi, Brad | Ferdi, Irvan | Ferdi, Leigh | Leigh, Ferdi | Evicted (Day 85) | Evicted (Day 85) | Evicted (Day 85) | Evicted (Day 85) | 20 |
| Steven | Brad, Nina | Brad, Ferdi | Ferdi, Brad | Ferdi, Irvan | Ferdi, Irvan | Evicted (Day 71) | Evicted (Day 71) | Evicted (Day 71) | Evicted (Day 71) | Evicted (Day 71) | 15 |
| Janine | Brad, Nina | Lara, Leigh | Brad, Vuyo | Ferdi, Irvan | Evicted (Day 57) | Evicted (Day 57) | Evicted (Day 57) | Evicted (Day 57) | Evicted (Day 57) | Evicted (Day 57) | 3 |
| Brad | Nina, Lara | Lara, Steven | Steven, Margaret | Evicted (Day 43) | Evicted (Day 43) | Evicted (Day 43) | Evicted (Day 43) | Evicted (Day 43) | Evicted (Day 43) | Evicted (Day 43) | 15 |
| Lara | Brad, Nina | Brad, Margaret | Evicted (Day 29) | Evicted (Day 29) | Evicted (Day 29) | Evicted (Day 29) | Evicted (Day 29) | Evicted (Day 29) | Evicted (Day 29) | Evicted (Day 29) | 7 |
| Nina | Brad, Riaad | Evicted (Day 15) | Evicted (Day 15) | Evicted (Day 15) | Evicted (Day 15) | Evicted (Day 15) | Evicted (Day 15) | Evicted (Day 15) | Evicted (Day 15) | Evicted (Day 15) | 7 |
| Against public vote | Brad, Nina | Lara, Steven | Brad, Margaret | Ferdi, Irvan, Janine | Ferdi, Margaret, Steven | Leigh, Margaret | Ferdi, Leigh | Ferdi, Irvan, Nobesuthu, Riaad | Ferdi, Nobesuthu, Riaad, Vuyo | Ferdi, Nobesuthu, Riaad, Vuyo | |
| Evicted | Nina 76% to evict | Lara 90.58% to evict | Brad 51.34% to evict | Janine 88.45% to evict | Steven 60.87% to evict | Margaret 63.85% to evict | Leigh 80.58% to evict | Irvan 53.89% to evict | Riaad 1.22% to win | Nobesuthu 1.87% to win | |
| Survived | Brad 24% | Steven 9.42% | Margaret 48.66% | Irvan 8.47% Ferdi 3.08% | Margaret 30.04% Ferdi 9.10% | Leigh 36.15% | Ferdi 19.42% | Riaad 27.47% Nobesuthu 15.07% Ferdi 3.57% | Ferdi 90.04% to win | Ferdi 90.04% to win | |
* Lynne McCarthy, pulled out of first season days before recording to pursue international modeling contract. McCarthy returned to South Africa a few years later to star in local soaps EGOLI and Isidingo.

### Celebrity season

Start Date: 23 June 2002 End Date: 30 June 2002 Duration: 8 days
The Finalists: 4 - Bill (The Winner), Jo-Ann (Runner-up), Bad Boy (3rd) & Danny (4th) Evicted Housemates: 5 - Gloria, Helen, Kabelo, Neil & TK Voluntary Exits: 2 - Sam & Emmanuel

### Season 2

Start Date: 28 July 2002 End Date: 13 October 2002 Duration: 79 days
Nominations table
| | Week 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 | Week 4 | Week 5 | Week 6 | Week 7 | Week 8 | Week 9 | Week 10 Final | Week 10 Final |
| Richard | Dominique Thando | Mandy Thando | Groschaan Thando | Carol Jacqui | Ilse-Marie Rabin | Andre Ilse-Marie | Andre Rabin | Lee Ann nkosi | Andre | Winner (Day 79) | Winner (Day 79) |
| Jacqui | Not in House | Puledi Richard | Puledi Richard | Richard Zlatko | Mandy Rabin | Rabin Richard | Mandy Rabin | Mandy Richard | Richard | Runner up (Day 79) | Runner up (Day 79) |
| Puledi | Not in House | Groschaan Zlatko | Groschaan Zlatko | Carol Zlatko | Ilse-Marie Zlatko | Ilse-Marie Richard | Jacqui Rabin | Jacqui Mandy | Andre | Third place (Day 79) | Third place (Day 79) |
| Andre | Carol Thando | Carol Groschaan | Carol Groschaan | Carol Ilse-Marie | Ilse-Marie Mandy | Puledi Richard | Mandy Rabin | Mandy Richard | Richard | Evicted (Day 72) | Evicted (Day 72) |
| Mandy | Dominique Groschaan | Groschaan Richard | Groschaan Jacqui | Jacqui Richard | Jacqui Richard | Andre Rabin | Andre Jacqui | Andre Richard | Evicted (Day 64) | Evicted (Day 64) | Evicted (Day 64) |
| Rabin | Carol Dominique | Carol Richard | Carol Richard | Carol Richard | Mandy Zlatko | Mandy Richard | Mandy Richard | Evicted (Day 56) | Evicted (Day 56) | Evicted (Day 56) | Evicted (Day 56) |
| Ilse-Marie | Carol Dominique | Carol Thando | Puledi Zlatko | Richard Zlatko | Richard Zlatko | Puledi Richard | Evicted (Day 48) | Evicted (Day 48) | Evicted (Day 48) | Evicted (Day 48) | Evicted (Day 48) |
| Zlatko | Dominique Thando | Mandy Thando | Groschaan Jacqui | Ilse-Marie Jacqui | Ilse-Marie Mandy | Evicted (Day 40) | Evicted (Day 40) | Evicted (Day 40) | Evicted (Day 40) | Evicted (Day 40) | Evicted (Day 40) |
| Carol | Groschaan Ilse-Marie | Groschaan Ilse-Marie | Groschaan Jacqui | Ilse-Marie Richard | Evicted (Day 32) | Evicted (Day 32) | Evicted (Day 32) | Evicted (Day 32) | Evicted (Day 32) | Evicted (Day 32) | Evicted (Day 32) |
| Groschaan | Dominique Mandy | Mandy Thando | Puledi Richard | Evicted (Day 24) | Evicted (Day 24) | Evicted (Day 24) | Evicted (Day 24) | Evicted (Day 24) | Evicted (Day 24) | Evicted (Day 24) | Evicted (Day 24) |
| Thando | Groschaan Ilse-Marie | Groschaan Richard | Evicted (Day 16) | Evicted (Day 16) | Evicted (Day 16) | Evicted (Day 16) | Evicted (Day 16) | Evicted (Day 16) | Evicted (Day 16) | Evicted (Day 16) | Evicted (Day 16) |
| Dominique | Groschaan Zlatko | Evicted (Day 8) | Evicted (Day 8) | Evicted (Day 8) | Evicted (Day 8) | Evicted (Day 8) | Evicted (Day 8) | Evicted (Day 8) | Evicted (Day 8) | Evicted (Day 8) | Evicted (Day 8) |
| Michelle | Not in House | Walked (Day 8) | Walked (Day 8) | Walked (Day 8) | Walked (Day 8) | Walked (Day 8) | Walked (Day 8) | Walked (Day 8) | Walked (Day 8) | Walked (Day 8) | Walked (Day 8) |
| Up for eviction | Carol Dominique Groschaan Thando | Groschaan Richard Thando | Groschaan Jacqui Puledi Richard | Carol Ilse-Marie Jacqui Richard Zlatko | Ilse-Marie Mandy Zlatko | Ilse-Marie Richard | Mandy Rabin | Mandy Richard | Andre Richard | All housemates | All housemates |
| Walked | Michelle | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
| Evicted | Dominique | Thando | Groschaan | Carol | Zlatko | Ilse-Marie | Rabin | Mandy | Andre | Puledi 3.13% to win | Jacqui 22% to win |
| Richard 75% to win ||

## Big Brother Mzansi
### Season 1

On 12 June 2013, MultiChoice announced that its local brand, M-Net and Mzansi Magic, would produce another South African edition of Big Brother, with the show being rebranded as Big Brother Mzansi, which was set to air in January 2014. It marked the South African editions return, 12 years after the previous season ended. It began on 2 February 2014. Lungile Radu was the host. After 63 days Mandla emerged as the winner of this season.

### Season 2

Due to success of the previous season, Big Brother Mzansi came back in 2015. The theme for this season was "Double Trouble". Housemates entered the house in pairs and were compete against each other for R2 Million. The show lasted for 56 days. Lungile Radu returned as this season's host. After 56 days Ntombi and Ace emerged as the winners of the show.

### Season 3

After a six-year hiatus, the third season of Big Brother Mzansi premiered on 23 January 2022 with a new theme "Beke Le Beke". Lawrence Maleka was the host for this season. After 71 days on 3 April 2022, Mphowabadimo was declared the winner and received R2 million, while Gash1 was the runner-up.

### Season 4

The fourth season of Big Brother Mzansi premiered on 21 January 2024 with Lawrence Maleka returning as the host. The theme for this season is "S'ya Mosha". McJunior was declared a winner while Makhekhe was a runner up.

### Season 5

The fifth season of Big Brother Mzansi premiered on 12 January 2025 with Smash Afrika as the new host.

## Trivia

* Total number of days on air: 382 days
* Total number of housemates: 93 housemates
* Total number of housemates that walked: 6 housemates
* Total number of ejections: 3 housemates