Big Brother Africa is back!

BIG Brother Africa (BBA) - the reality show which has not only made people rich and famous but has also found them life companions, will hit television screens in September.

Endemol - co-producers of the show, this week announced that audition dates for potential housemates would be finalised next month ahead of the 9th season which launches on September 7. At the auditions, producers will be looking for people who are fluent in English, entertaining and passionate about the Big Brother experience.

Though BBA has always raised eyebrows because of its controversial housemates, it remains a hit among viewers who appreciate it for what it is - a reality show.

Over the years, the reality series has attracted some funny, dramatic, weird and wonderful characters that have kept viewers glued to the screens 24/7.

Some housemates who have been part of this show have had their talents realised and have gone on to grace TV screens, newspapers and had their profiles trending on every social media site, blog and website.

Zimbabwean housemates who have benefited immensely from the show include BBA6 winner, Wendall Parson who now runs a mine after having won the show and walked away with $200,000.

Socialite, Pokello Nare, who represented the country last year, keeps trending on social networks and is now engaged to a fellow housemate whom she met on the show.

BBA 2011 housemate, Vimbai Mutinhiri's star keeps rising as she is now one of Africa's favourite television presenters. According to Endemol, people should expect an action-packed season with new twists.

"Housemates and viewers alike will be pleasantly surprised at how Biggie intends to rise to this one. And in true Big Brother fashion, fans of the show and potential housemates will have to wait and see how he will turn dreams of some deserving and eager youngsters into reality and transform them into household names," read part of the statement released on their website.

Entry will once again be open to the same 14 countries with the only exception being Angola which will be replaced by newcomers Rwanda. As a result of the change, participating countries this year are: Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

"Angola which is a Portuguese speaking Southern African country was represented in season 8 by then 29-year-old Biguesas and 32-year-old Neyll. But with its own version of the reality TV show (Big Brother Angola) currently airing in South Africa on DStv Portuguesa and DStv Portuguese Add-On packages, Angola will not be represented in BBA season 9."

It remains to be seen how much will be up for grabs this year and who will represent the country. Rumours that Big Brother was considering having another edition of Big Brother Allstars where previous housemates will re-enter the game have been doing the rounds and will be silenced when the show launches. Though Zimbabwe has been a strong contender, the country has only won the show once in 2011. Nigeria has been the strongest contender with its housemates walking away with the prize money for three years in a row. Last year, Namibian diva, Dillish Mathews won the show.