Since its inception in 2001, the Big Brother reality series has had four different hosts, 140 housemates and thousands of hours have been spent watching its contestants vie to be the most popular person in South Africa.
After the recent season finale of the show, runner-up Uyanda Hlangabezo saw his fans raise funds to try to match the R2m grand prize. The current amount raised sits close to R150,000. His attempt to give it all to charity has raised an interesting question, why is all this money not going to a greater cause?
Unlike its counterparts, Africa's Next Top Model or The Apprentice SA , its competitors are not vying for a career opportunity but are doing virtually nothing for a chance to take home millions of rand. However, fortune seems to favour the show's biggest losers.
Popular podcaster Sol Phenduka lucked out early in season one but has become a staple in South Africa's controversial podcasting spaces. Blue Mbambo was defined by her on-screen romance, but has since eclipsed her Big Brother boyfriend as a respected influencer.
While the show's beloved contestants win on a democratic voting system, some of its recent winners have curried favour with new and old fans. Rather than taking the loss of their favourite contestants, fans of the show are now funding their celebrity lifestyles.
While the fascination with TV stars is nothing new, there is an interesting trend in how quickly Big Brother fans are willing to fork out thousands of rand just to ensure they can console their favourite participants. It's hard to not see the good in such an act with fans who are admittedly trying to help these stars with future endeavours.
Contestants from Idols SA have benefited from upwards of R50,000 a week being spent to secure their spots on the show.
Former Big Brother Mzansi participant Themba Mabaso received contributions of well over R200,000 which allowed him to grow his tattoo business that served as the backdrop to his reality show that ran for two seasons.
However, these charitable actions can take a darker turn as seen with Eulenda Mukondeleli who was kicked off the show for threatening to molest a fellow housemate. Fans retaliated against the decision by raising R102,000 to ensure she had financial support in fear of her cancellation.
The vapid spending of money to ensure reality TV stars are afforded a fabulous lifestyle feels like a waste when reflecting on how much this country still needs. While Hlangabezo is looking to use the money to upskill black kids, where have these donors been when it comes to answering the call for free education and student debt relief?
Communities are constantly crying out about schools and community centres not having the necessary facilities and when children die in pit latrines. Aids activists have spoken out about not having the necessary funds to do their work, while other activists have made the same complaints.
It's hard not to spot similarities between this level of obsession and the crass nature of the fictional characters of The Hunger Games. While the lower-class members of its society are forced to participate in the eponymous series of games where the only way to survive is to kill or be killed, its upper-class members celebrate the morbid ceremony by sponsoring them with lavish gifts and gowns. To some extent, they turn a blind eye to real issues for a glossier orchestrated version of reality that feeds their need for high-stakes entertainment.
Generally, people should spend their money how they see fit and not be questioned or made to feel ashamed. But it raises questions that a nation so riddled with systematic problems can mobilise behind a reality TV contestant at this level when there are pressing social issues.
If an entertaining person can score R2m from across the country, imagine what we can achieve if the same spirit was channelled towards initiatives that uplift communities.
For opinion and analysis consideration, e-mail Opinions@timeslive.co.za
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