Big Brother contestants locked in for a dose of reality

The popular Big Brother Africa reality show on pay-TV channel DStv started in Johannesburg last night with 14 contestants locked in the house.

The show, which has appeal across the continent, is expected to bring with it controversy, tears and a few broken hearts before it finishes after 91 days.

Tatiana Durao, 29, from Luanda, Angola, and Lerato Sengadi, 28, from Soweto, are expected to renew their 2008 rivalry for control of the house.

At stake is $200 000.

This year's line-up includes former Big Brother contestants from 2003 when the show was launched.

The contestants, who are drawn from 14 African countries including South Africa, are:

• Mwisho Mwampamba, 29, from Morogoro, Tanzania.
• Samuel Kwame Bampoe, aka Sammi, 35, from Akropong Akwapim, Ghana.
• Lerato Sengadi, 28, from Soweto, South Africa.
• Code Sangala, 34, from Blantyre, Malawi.
• Meryl Shikwambane, 24, from Namibia.
• Tatiana Durao, 29, from Luanda, Angola.
• Munyaradzi (Munya) Chidzonga, 24, from Zimbabwe.
• Sheila Kwamboka, 25, from Kenya.
• Uti Nwachukwu, 27, from Nigeria.
• Hannington Kuteesa, 25, from Uganda.
• Jennifer Mussanhane, 23, from Mozambique.
• Kaone Ramontshonyana, 27, from Botswana.
• Paloma Manda, 26, from Zambia.
• Yacob Yehdeg, 29, from Ethiopia was the 10th person to be evicted from the BBA4 house on day 35.