BBA COUNTDOWN 7: Keagan’s BBA way to becoming a billionaire

The 7th edition of the Big Brother Africa Show went live on the 6th of May 2012 and lasted 92 days, producing a South African winner to the relief of many. 

Keagan Peterson, the 22-year-old intern-manager from South Africa, had a rather controversial win. For a while, the host country hadn’t picked up the grand prize and his win helped to convinve the audience that the rumours of cheating were not true.

With the existing format the house had imbibed, Keagan was one of the South Africans to be picked to represent his country alongside various other African contestants and celebrities. The house was divided into two and subsequently, the participants in Downville were nominated to join those in Upville.

It was one of the toughest editions so far in the history of Big Brother, as there were 30 housemates, unlike the regular 14. Contestants would compete in pairs for a total cash prize of the now-increased cash prize of US$ 300,000. The seven celebrity contestants entered Upville while the other 30 entered Downville.

Also added as a new item was the Random Lottery Nomination, in which the house guests were randomly selected for possible eviction from a machine. After surviving an eviction, the remaining housemate(s) entered the Upville house. On Day 56, Downville was closed and all remaining housemates lived in the Upville.

Peterson’s fellow South African running mates – Lee, a 22-year-old student and Barbz, 34-year-old model and events manager – were taken out on the 43rd and 50th day respectively, leaving the fair skinned hunk to run alone.

Later in the game, he fell for 23-year-old Zambian graphic designer, Talia and the two were involved in a sexual act while in the house. Many believed he slept his way through, but their affair after the reality show was not known.

Life after Big Brother for Peterson has thrown up lots of drama. Eight months after his win, he still hadn’t spent his money. In fact, he still lived in his parents’ house. The only thing he bought was the Mini Cooper. This came following a car accident he was involved in few months after leaving the house. The accident left him with a shattered arm.

He also acquired some clothes and then decided to invest the rest in the bank as well as pay for a business course. He picked the course so he could learn the business of managing money and fulfill his life long dream of becoming a billionaire before turning 50. With just few steps, from the mark (having become a millionaire courtesy the show), the Jozi indigene defended his choice, saying it was more of a challenge than materialism.

Keagan did an honourable thing after winning. Lee, his running ‘non-celebrity’ contestant, stayed a few blocks from his house; and every year, Keagan would give him R100, 000 for two years, to help clear up his taxes. With luck on his side the year he won, the law evoked tax payment on his winnings, so he didn’t have to pay a sum to the government but Lee had to with his little compensation.