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The 106 days, spanning May 25 and September 7, brought a buzz of excitement, rare entertainment and in some cases, total madness characterised by fanatical addiction to the first-ever Big Brother Africa (BBA) reality show.
Apart form the excitement, the show never run short of controversy, not with the shower hour. The show reached its peak on September 7 when Zambian Cherishe Makabale, 23, came out the winner with a cool US$100,000.
And with Cherishe’s win, went all the excitement and in some cases, memories of the show. But while most Malawians seem to have forgotten about the show — probably vindicating President Bakili Muluzi’s claim that Malawians forget fast — for some people, the show is still smouldering.
This is why G Three, a topnotch advertising agency in South Africa, saw the potential in Malawi’s ambassador to the BBA house Zein Dudha and offered him an outright one-year modelling contract.
Ironically, Zein was not utilised in the country despite efforts by M-Net, organisers of BBA and MultiChoice Malawi to lure some local companies to use the former BBA housemate in promoting their brands.
“I wanted to help local companies but it was frustrating that they never responded to M-Net and MultiChoice’s request. Since I wanted to earn a living, I started looking for opportunities elsewhere and fortunately, I got this offer here in South Africa,” said Zein in an interview from South Africa on Thursday.
He said the companies did not respond because modelling and advertising are not fully developed in Malawi, hence they did not see its viability.
“Anyway, I am happy here. It is a reputable organisation which deals with firms not only in South Africa but the world over. My job will be modelling on whatever our clients will be bringing. Our adverts will be appearing in magazines and TVs,” he said, adding that due to the nature of the job, he has to undergo a short training in drama and acting.
Zein, who is the only former BBA housemate attached to G Three, was noncommittal on whether he will renew the contract or not.
“Modelling is not something I would like to do for the rest of my life. So I might decide to do something else or continue but it will all depend on what will happen between now and then,” said Zein, a holder of a Bachelor’s degree in marketing from Mansfield University in the US.
The former marketing manager with Africa Online, an Internet firm, said although modelling is big time elsewhere, aspirants in Malawi will have a long way to go before they can get lucrative deals because the industry is still in its infant stage in the country.
“Although this is the case, those who would like to pursue the career can go ahead. It all depends on one’s goal in life. If you are committed, you stand to realise your dream,” said Zein who will be coming for Christmas holiday later this month.
Zein’s recognition outside the country is overwhelming. In September he was invited together with South African housemate Abergail Plaatjes to be judges at the Miss Swaziland beauty pageant. And just this week, Zein was in Uganda during the World Aids Day activities where all former BBA housemates were invited by UNAids to help in the pandemic’s awareness.
“It was an enlightening experience and we learnt a lot. In fact I would like to urge all Malawians to treat all those living with the virus as fellow humans. There is no need for discrimination,” said 27-year-old Zein who started his new job two months ago.
Zein was the second evictee in the BBA house after spending only six weeks.
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