Voting Criteria on Big Brother

The all-singing, all-dancing 9th edition of Big Brother Africa kicked off on Sunday, 5 October as the 26 housemates showed off their talents to the continent – giving millions of viewers a glimpse into what makes them Hotshots.

Viewers met the housemates who will be competing for the USD300 000 prize over the next 63 days, one-by-one, as they showcased their talents, live on stage, in one-minute slots.

The house seems to be full of musicians and singers, with Kenya’s Sabina and Rwanda’sArthur breaking the mould with comedy routines, Ghana’s M’am Bea showcasing her fashion design talents and Laveda picking up top marks with her saxophone solo.

Tanzania’s Laveda led a Top 6 that included Sabina, M’am Bea, Lilian, Arthur and JJ, meaning she is the only one not in danger of going home next week.

So what do you do if you want to save your favorite housemates? Vote!

Here is all the voting information you need to save your favorite:

Voting opened immediately after the launch show and runs until next Sunday morning. The more you vote for your favourite nominated housemate, the better their chance of staying in the house and being named as the winner. There are four ways to vote for your favourite housemate each week:

1.    Via SMS
2.    Via WeChat
3.    Via www.bigbrotherafrica.com
4.    Via the mobisite on your mobile phone

SMS Voting
To vote via SMS: Text the keyword ‘Vote’, followed by the name of the housemate to the short code number for your country. For example SMS “Vote Uti” to 22626. SMS's are charged as applicable per specific network tariff. VAS rates apply. Free minutes do not apply. Please note that you can vote 100 times by SMS per mobile number during each voting period.
The SMS numbers for each country are:

Botswana
Operator    Tariff        Short Code
Mascom     P 2.50         16626
Orange         P 2.50         16626
BE MOBILE     P 2.50         16626

Ghana
Operator    Tariff         Short Code
MTN         GHS 0.60     1474
Vodafone     GHS 0.60     1474
GLO         GHS 0.60     1474
Tigo         GHS 0.60     1474
Airtel         GHS 0.60     1474

Kenya
Operator    Tariff         Short Code
Safaricom     KES 20         22626
Orange         KES 20         22626
Airtel         KES 20         22626

Malawi
Operator    Tariff         Short Code
TNM         MK 60.00     15626
Airtel         MK 60.00     15626

Mozambique
Operator    Tariff         Short Code
mcel         20MT         99026
Vodacom     20MT         99026


Namibia
Operator    Tariff         Short Code
MTC         N$ 2.50     15626
TN Mobile     N$ 2.50     15626

Nigeria
Operator    Tariff         Short Code
MTN         N75         34350
Airtel         N 75         34350
Globacom     N 75         34350
Starcomms     N 75         34350
Etisalat         N 75         34350

Rest Of Africa
Tariff         Short Code
Int’nl Rates     +2783142100414
Rwanda
Operator    Tariff         Short Code
Tigo         RWF 50     1616
MTN         RWF 50     1616
Airtel         RWF 50     1616

South Africa
Operator    Tariff         Short Code
Vodacom     R 1.50         34624
MTN         R 1.50         34624
CellC         R 1.50         34624
8TA         R 1.50         34624
Virgin         R 1.50         34624

Tanzania, United Republic of
Operator    Tariff         Short Code
Vodacom     TSH 600     15426
Tigo         TSH 600     15426
Zantel         TSH 600     15426
Airtel         TSH 600     15426

Uganda
Operator    Tariff         Short Code
UTL         500 UGX     8884
Warid         500 UGX     8884
MTN         500 UGX     8884
Airtel         500 UGX     8884
Orange         500 UGX     8884

Zambia
Operator    Tariff         Short Code
MTN         Kwacha 2.50     3003
Zamtel         Kwacha 2.50     3003
Airtel         Kwacha 2.50     3003

Zimbabwe
Operator    Tariff         Short Code
Econet         US $0.50     15626
Netone         US $0.50     15626
Telecel         US $0.50    15626

WeChat Voting
Voting on WeChat is free. To vote via WeChat on your mobile phone, go to your app store and download the WeChat app. Create your profile, then search for BigBrotherAfrica and add the account. You can then start voting on WeChat, up to 100 times per mobile phone number during a valid voting period.

Website and mobile site voting
Voting on the website and on the mobile site is free and you are allowed to vote 100 times per cellphone number on the website and again 100 times per cellphone number on the mobile site during a valid voting period.

Visit www.bigbrotherafrica.com for more information and for the terms and conditions.

Daily Highlights Shows are broadcast Monday-Friday on AfricaMagic Showcase at 20:00 CAT, on Maisha Magic at 20:30 CAT.

The Saturday Highlights Show, which showcases all the best moments from the entire week, is broadcast at 21:00 CAT on AfricaMagic Showcase in South Africa, 20:00 CAT on AfricaMagic Showcase for the rest of the continent, and at 19:30 CAT on Maisha Magic.