Big Brother South Africa, formerly known as Big Brother Mzansi, is a television series in South Africa produced by M-Net and Endemol. As of 2023, it has had a total of six seasons. Big Brother South Africa had four seasons, and a celebrity season in between. The first season aired in 2001 and the second in 2002. Four seasons were directed by Leon Coetzer and hosted by Mark Pilgrim. In 2014, the show was rebooted and rebranded Big Brother South Africa. 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 South Africa 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.

Seasons

Big Brother South Africa

Season 1

Start Date: 26 August 2001 End Date: 9 December 2001 Duration: 106 days Nominations Table

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

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. It 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.

Awards

Trivia