Festival will run from Friday, September 26 to Nigeria’s Independence Day, October 1 celebrating the nation’s 54th anniversary in a venue steeped in history, the Federal Palace Hotel.
Some of those that have been announced, so far, include Goitse, a 22 year old from Botswana. She is a Fine Arts student. According to her, the best thing about Africa is its history: ‘it’s so rich with history of what our forefathers have gone through’. South Africa is her favourite place outside of Botswana because she has ‘met great people there who have become family. They also have a range of interesting official languages’, which are similar to those in Botswana.
From Uganda, there is Esther. She is 23. Pint-sized student Esther hails from Uganda’s Nsambya. She says she entered Big Brother Hotshots to connect with people from different countries, and to help her expose her talents, something she sees as ‘a very big inspiration’.
Tanzania will be represented by 21 year old photographer Idris. His favourite books are ‘Anything’ by Dan Brown’ and he enjoys watching The Colbert Report, Drunk History, The Daily Show and The Ellen Degeneres Show on TV. His musical tastes are quite varied: Chris Brown, Michael Jackson, Usher, Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith, Lana Del Ray and Nina Simone are his favourites.
Out of Malawi comes the 23-year-old TV presenter with the curious name, Mr. 265. He is single and currently studying Purchasing and Supply Management. He entered Big Brother Hotshots because he always thought he could win it, when he used to watch it.
“It’s easy to criticise people on different things, especially when you don’t know how it’s like being in their shoes,” he says. “I have watched Big Brother for a while and I have always told myself I can win the show, I can do better, but I don’t know what really goes on. So I have given myself a challenge to now step into the shoes I wasn’t wearing before and see how I will walk with them.”
The representative from Mozambique is Mira, 21. Mira, likes to eat pap and beef stew, the music of Sia and Miley Cyrus and watching Lost and Covert Affairs. Her favourite book is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers and her favourite actor is Adam Sandler because ‘I trust him to get a chuckle out of me’. She has one older sister, and a younger brother and sister.
Zambia will be represented by Hip hop musician, Macky 2. His favourite book is ‘48 Laws of Power’ and his top TV shows are ‘Suits, Crisis, Game of Thrones’ and ‘Idols SA’. His favourite actor is Denzel Washington, because he’s able to play so many characters and bring each one to life. Jay-Z is both his favourite musician and his role model – the latter because ‘he’s one of the most successful entertainers of our generation’. His father has also played a huge role in Macky2’s life.
The interesting mix of professionals in the house includes the Namibian representative, Permithias, a 25-year-old, professional sushi chef. Permithias unsurprisingly lists sushi as one of his favourite foods, alongside pizza. He doesn’t have a favourite book, but enjoys watching The Originals on TV. A fan of animation, Permithias’ favourite films are: Turbo and Happy Feet, while he also likes the music of Chris Brown, James Blunt, and Joe Tomas.
South Africa’s hotshot is 24 year-old business analyst, actor and model, Nhlanhla. He loves fresh butternut soup, lamb shank & vegetables and cottage cheese pie. His favourite books include Animal Farm and The Great Gatsby and he enjoys Game of Thrones, Shameless, Suits and Heroes on TV. He lists Brad Pitt and Will Smith as two of his favourite actors.
Zambia will have Resa, 25 year-old event planner, MC and public speaker. She entered Big Brother Hotshots in the hope of winning the grand prize and being able to pay off her mother’s debts. ‘She has moved heaven and earth to ensure that I get my honours degree and in the process she has incurred debts,’ says Resa. She’s ‘extremely nervous, but delighted at the same time’ at the prospect of having the continent’s eyes on her 24/7.
Twenty-three year old Kenyan actor, radio drama director and MC, Alusa, will represent Kenya. His favourite food is ugali with chicken stew and traditional vegetables. His favourite book is TD Jakes’ He-Motions and he likes watching National Geographic, The Exes and Nigerian movies on TV. On the music front, he enjoys listening to Sauti-Sol, Mafikizolo, P.Square, Youssou N’Dour and Salif Keita. One of his favourite films, Training Day, features one of his favourite actors: Denzel Washington.
Uganda will be represented by 23 year-old Ellah. The Sales Assistant lists her favourite foods as ravioli, rice and chicken and her favourite books as Think Like A Man, Act Like A Lady, and Nice Girls Don’t Get Rich. She enjoys watching Reality shows like Real Housewives of Atlanta, New York and Orange County. Her favourite singers include India Arie, August Alsina, Beyonce, Rihanna and Sam Smith.
Flying Nigeria’s flag is 22 year old Lilian. Lilian who is nicknamed ‘sexy Lilly’ says she prefers chilling with guys and wouldn’t rule out a relationship in the Big Brother house should the opportunity present itself. She described herself as very friendly and vows to thrill viewers with unlimited action. She is single.
Out of Zimbabwe comes Butterphly. She is 24. Her favourite books include the Bible, The Firm, The Long Goodbye, and the Sherlock Holmes series. She likes to watch Chopped, 24, Intelligence and Big Brother Africa. Her mom is her role model: ‘she put her life on pause so ours could play. She’s the hardest working woman I know’. Butterphly says he draws influence from ‘all sorts of people’. ‘Ordinary, young, dead, legends – in everyone’s life story I try to extract important lessons like resilience, faith, strength etc. I learn as much as I can from the people I meet or read about,’ he says.
DESMOND ELLIOTT, O.C. UKEJE LEAD THE PACK IN WHEN LOVE HAPPENS
Desmond Elliot, OC Ukeje, Gideon Okeke, Beverly Naya, Weruche Opia, Oreka Godis, Wale Ojo, Bukky Wright, Bassey Keppy Ekpeyong, Helen Paul, Shaffy Bello shine in a new movie titled When Love Happens.
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The movie features a lot of fresh faces, giving credence to the fact that the Nigerian movie industry is growing on a daily basis. These talented new faces have been given the opportunity to spread their wings and fly in this new movie.
According to MD/CEO of FilmOne distribution, Mr. Kene Mkparu, “We are totally excited about the prospect of releasing our first romantic comedy to Nigerian cinema audiences and there is absolutely no doubt in our minds that they will be thrilled by the superb performances delivered in this film.”
The Director, Seyi Babatope, says “This film is a part representation of the richness and diversity in our industry, ‘When Love Happens’ speaks to the tenderness and warmth of our culture for a widening audience base and a different cinematic experience to be expected from Nigeria”.
BIG NAMES MAKE AFRIMA NOMINEES’ LIST
The five regions of Africa gave an impressive account of their respective music industry as the 2014 Nominees’ List of the All Africa Music Awards, AFRIMA, was unveiled at Protea Hotel Leadway, Maryland Estate, Lagos.
Present for the AFRIMA Panel of Jurors at the unveiling event was jury member Mr. Oscar Kidjo, a seasoned music producer, representing West Africa (Benin Republic).
Also representing the International Committee of AFRIMA are: Executive Producer/President, Mike Dada; Director Brand Communication & Sponsorship, Matlou Tsotetsi; Chairman, International Media Committee, Steve Ayorinde, and Co-Producer/Country Director, Nigeria, Kingsley James. Other attendees included African music industry personalities, heads of partner corporate organisations and music industry stakeholders.
Although popular names in the continental music industry showed up on the highly-anticipated Nominees’ List of the awards project that is rewarding excellence by budding and established music professionals as well as journalists, the nominations of a generous number of emerging African artistes in many award categories threw more excitement into the unveiling event witnessed by local and international press as well as critical stakeholders in the music industry.
Among the well-known African music names on the nominees list are: Mafikizolo (South Africa) six nominations, Davido (Nigeria) six nominations, Diamond Platnumz (Tanzania) two nominations, AmrDiab (Egypt) two nominations, Zahara (South Africa) three nominations, Angelique Kidjo (Benin Republic) two nominations, FallyIpupa (DRC) one nomination, Sakordie (Ghana) one nomination, Tiwa Savage (Nigeria) two nominations, Uhuru (South Africa) five nominations and Mi Casa (South Africa) four nominations.
Leading the budding music acts on AFRIMA Nominees’ List is: TemiDollFace (Nigeria) four nominations, others are Wiyaala (Ghana) 3 nominations; Patoranking (Nigeria) two nominations; Davina Green (Zimbabwe) one nomination, and Noura Mint Seymale (Mauritania) two nominations, among others.
Heavyweight African music producer, Don Jazzy (Nigeria) made the Africa Producer of the Year category for the song ‘Eminado’ alongside top contenders: Robbie Malinga & Mojela Thebe (South Africa) for ‘Impilo’; Oskido and Shizzi (Nigeria) for ‘Tchelete’; Mikky Me (Nigeria) ‘Down’ and Del’B (Nigeria) for ‘Pull Over’.
Giving details into the criteria by which the nominees list emerged, Tsotetsi explained that the jury panel adhered strictly to the entry submission requirements while being guided by AFRIMA’s core values of FACE IT - Fairness, Authenticity, Creativity, Excellence, Integrity and Transparency.
“The adjudication panel of jurors consisting of experienced names in the continental and global music industry was in Lagos in July to evaluate the submitted works. The entries which made the laid down criteria and qualified on merit were shortlisted based on their scores and this was sent to our Kenya-based auditors who then tabulated these scores. The result is what we are presenting today”, Ms. Tsotetsi stated.
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