In a break with the show’s format, this year’s housemates from the participating Sub-Saharan countries will enter as pairs, meaning three Zimbabweans will enter the house in a suburb of Johannesburg on Sunday.

Madagascar-born Rocqui, real name Rockford Josphat, will join six other celebrities – Nigerian singer Goldie; Kenyan rapper Prezzo; South African model Barbz; Zambian singer Mampi; songstress Lady May from Namibia and DKB from Ghana.

Gifted with one of the best voices in music, Rocqui has been a magnate for bad publicity with a checkered private life.

The singer had two children with his ex-partner Pauline, of the group M'Afriq, but after they seperated, he went on to have children with at least three other women.

He declared: "I want as many children as possible to form a soccer team."

Now in its seventh edition, the Big Brother Africa show is still not shedding viewers – even as the format is being taken off screens around the world, including the United Kingdom where it started.

M-Net Africa managing director Biola Alabi said: “It’s great to see the high level of interaction StarGame is getting from fans, media and viewers. The guessing around who the housemates will be; people trying to work out what Biggie is planning; the rumours and the speculation; it all adds to the excitement.

“It’s great for the show to get this type of support from the Big Brother community who really do engage with it, even before it starts on air. I want to thank them and promise that we’re working hard to deliver a great series.”

The winner of this year’s show will bank US$300,000. Last year, Zimbabwe’s Wendell Parson and Karen Igho of Nigeria shared US$200,000 between them.

ROCQUI feat LEONARD MAPFUMO: SEIKO