This year’s edition of Big Brother Africa (BBA), the television reality show, is underway in South Africa without Rwandan contestants yet again. Surprisingly, countries such as Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, which are in the same region as Rwanda, continue to send contestants to the show. This raises many questions on why Rwanda continues to miss out on the show despite its buoyant local entertainment industry. IGIHE.com interviewed some prominent Rwandan artists to gauge their opinions. Below are their comments :
Alpha Rwirangira, the winner of 2009 Tusker Project Fame (TPF).
“Rwandans cannot participate in the BBA because there is no privacy in that house. According to the Rwandan culture, it is unacceptable to expose one’s privacy. People’s privacy is very important in Rwanda ; one cannot feel content when they see their daughters and sons exposing themselves in the name of gaining fame. ”
Former Miss Kigali now Miss East Africa, Cynthia Akazuba
“I cannot participate in the show because contestants are exposed to cameras everywhere in the house. Besides, Rwanda has its own culture. If other cultures allow nudity, it does not mean that we will do the same. We have our own culture which represents who we are ; it does not mean that we have to ape all the western influence.”
Mani Martin, Singer
“I would wish to see Rwandans take part in the BBA. I believe Rwanda has people who qualify to be in the show and I do not think that it is against the Rwandan culture. This is not true that BBA exposes housemates’ nudity. The exposure is among those caught in nasty acts. If you don’t do funny things in the house, when will the cameras capture you ?”
Edward Bamporiki, film producer and scriptwriter.
“Rwandans should take part in the BBA as long as they qualify. I believe that housemates’ nudity is exposed because they want it that way. BBA is like acting in a movie where you are asked to do things that do not reflect your real life experience.”
Fred Kalisa, Movie Actor
“BBA is against our culture and I can never do what is against our culture”.
Dickson Rwiyamirira, Contact FM Radio Presenter and a Tusker Project Fame judge during last year’s auditions in Kigali.
“Rwandans cannot take part in BBA because they are too shy and respect their culture. ”
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