By Amin Kef (Ranger)
History was made on Sunday, 21 December 2025, as Housemates Salone Season 4 came to a thrilling conclusion with the crowning of Suad Baydoun as the overall winner. The grand finale, hosted by African Young Voices Media Empire in collaboration with Africell Sierra Leone, took place at the AYV Media Empire in Freetown, drawing massive attention from across the country and beyond.
After weeks of intense competition, public voting and nationwide debate, Suad Baydoun emerged victorious with 54.04 percent of the total votes cast. Her win earned her a cash prize of NLe1, 000,000, equivalent to one billion old Leones, alongside a fully sponsored round-trip ticket to Dubai. From the audition stage to the final night, Suad’s journey was defined by consistency, emotional intelligence, discipline, and a clean style of gameplay that resonated strongly with viewers.
Her closest challenger, Aminata Abdulai, popularly known as Aminish, finished as first runner-up after securing 37.69 percent of the votes. She was rewarded with a brand-new Jetour X50 vehicle sponsored by Wazaa, a one-year brand ambassador contract and a trip to Dubai. Other finalists were also celebrated for their performances and contributions to the season. Hannah Ogunade, known to fans as Waterloo Titi, garnered 6.09 percent of the votes and received a Dubai trip alongside brand ambassador deals, while Charm Solomon, with 2.14 percent, also walked away with a Dubai trip and endorsement opportunities.
The official voting figures further placed Matthew Farmer, also known as Big Stew, with 0.03 percent of the votes and Prince Kelvin with 0.00 percent. Despite the rankings, organizers and dignitaries repeatedly emphasized that every finalist was a winner, having successfully navigated the pressures of the House and captured the attention of a national audience.
Season 4 stood out for its emphasis on discipline, talent,and clean competition. Unlike previous editions often dominated by controversy, this season was widely praised for promoting positive values, teamwork and respectful rivalry. The show recorded strong public engagement, reaffirming the growing influence of reality television within Sierra Leone’s entertainment industry. The grand finale itself was a spectacle, featuring live performances from leading Sierra Leonean musicians that electrified the audience and added glamour to the night.
The significance of Housemates Salone was reflected in the calibre of dignitaries who attended the finale. Among them were First Lady Dr. Fatima Maada Bio, Chief Minister Dr. David Moinina Sengeh and the Mayor of Freetown, highlighting the programme’s relevance beyond entertainment into national discourse on youth, creativity and social values.
Addressing the audience, the First Lady praised the housemates for maintaining discipline throughout the competition, describing Season 4 as a “clean game.” She cautioned against labelling any contestant a loser, noting that all participants were winners for making it into the House from a national population of over eight million people. She congratulated Suad Baydoun on her well-deserved victory and encouraged the finalists to leverage the exposure gained to build meaningful careers.
The First Lady also used the platform to call on corporate sponsors and development partners to deepen their support for the programme. She stressed that increased investment would enable organizers to expand prize packages and further empower young people, in line with her long-standing advocacy for youth development and service-driven leadership.
Chief Minister, David Moinina Sengeh, underscored the broader national importance of the values displayed during the competition. He observed that clean gameplay, integrity and discipline are not only essential in entertainment but are values that should be replicated across society. He commended the organizers for creating a platform that promotes creativity while reinforcing positive social norms.
Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr described Housemates Salone as more than a television programme, characterizing it as a transformative journey for participants. She noted that the show has become a launchpad for young people to showcase their talents, character and potential to a national audience, opening doors for entrepreneurship, advocacy and professional growth.
Speaking on behalf of the organizers, Ambassador Anthony Navo Jr., Chief Executive Officer of African Young Voices Media Empire, expressed gratitude to sponsors, partners and viewers for sustaining the season. He announced significant changes ahead of Season 5, including an increase in the cash prize beyond one billion Leones. He also revealed that contestants with prior reality television experience would be barred from participating, a move aimed at preserving fairness and originality.
In another major announcement, Ambassador Navo disclosed that public auditions would be discontinued; explaining that selected housemates would only discover their participation upon entering the House. According to him, the changes are designed to elevate the standard of the show and maintain its credibility as Sierra Leone’s leading reality television platform.
As the curtains close on Season 4, Housemates Salone has once again proven itself to be the undisputed heartbeat of reality television in Sierra Leone. Its raw authenticity, relatable personalities and reflection of everyday Salone life transformed the programme into a cultural phenomenon that dominated conversations on the streets, on radio and across social media. Suad Baydoun’s victory now stands as a symbol of resilience and clean competition, while Season 4 will be remembered as an edition that set a new benchmark for entertainment, integrity and national engagement.
