By Amin Kef Sesay
It was all pomp and pageantry on the evening of Thursday 30th July 2020 at the prestigious Lagoonda Complex in Aberdeen where people from different walks of life including the crème de la crème converged to witness the fantastic launching of Housemates Salone Season 2 by the Africa Young Voices and Africell-Sierra Leone.
The Media Manager of Africell, John Konte and AYV’s Phebean Swill whilst moderating the show welcomed all guests including the Ministers of Information, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, Youth Affairs, Mohamed Orman Bangura and Tourism, Dr. Memunatu Pratt, CEO of Africell, Shadi Gerjawi and AYV’s CEO Anthony Navo Jnr., Housemates Salone Season 1 participants, including the winner, Kenchin Palmer and Miss Sierra Leone, Enid Jones-Boston, as well as other important personalities.
John Konte informed all present that though the Reality TV Show is been launched during a period when we are battling with COVID-19 yet assured that every participant will be tested in addition to all other health tests. He further intimated that all application forms could be paid for via Afrimoney and transaction IDs will be given to access the forms. For the benefit for those in the diaspora who may want to participate in the show they may contact the following www.africell.sl or www.ayvnews.com.
Delivering a brief statement at the launching of the show, Africell’s CEO, Shadi Gerjawi, stated that the show that will be launched needs no further introduction, as the first show both entities organized in the past could still be fresh in the minds of most people. He furthered that during every stage of the show, they have put modalities in place to ensure that all the necessary health precautions are observed, as could be seen in the very event taking place.
He further encouraged individuals to continue to observe all the safety precautions outlined by the Government. Whilst recognizing the progress made so far by the Government and people of Sierra Leone in the fight against COVID-19, he divulged that consultations with the officials of NaCOVERC have been part of preparations for the show and that when it starts, all participants will be “quarantined” in the house with no contact with the outside world.
He added that whilst people stay home in observance of social distancing, they now have the quarantine drama to watch and keep time in their homes. CEO Gerjawi underscored this is the right time to hold such a show as it encourage people to stay home and watch the Reality TV show which will be broadcast 24 hours a day on AYV Television Channel 34.
CEO of AYV, Ambassador Anthony Navo disclosed that Housemates Salone Season 2 of 2020 will be packed with a lot of excitement beyond belief further disclosing how this year’s theme is captioned ‘Quarantine Drama’, carefully chosen in full realization of the fact that we are battling with the coronavirus. The charismatic CEO of AYV disclosed that the Star Prize a participant or competitors stands to bag is Le250 million and a round trip to Dubai. Ambassador Navo made it categorically clear that the daily Le100, 000 payments to each participant whilst in the House will continue and has nothing to do with the Star prize.
Amb. Navo explained that the main objective behind Africell and AYV coming together to stage such a show is to empower young Sierra Leoneans and expose them to the world. He referenced how the winner of the Season 1 Show, Kenchin Palmer was exposed with a round trip to the UK.
Forms, he said, will be available for sale on the 1st August at Le150, 000, (same as last year) from all Africell and AYV offices nationwide. For interested participants in Sierra Leone, the number to access their forms is 088 201020 (Afrimoney number) and a ‘fast track’ for those in the diaspora is available on line. Interested persons can apply on line through Africell and AYV websites; do their videos and send them to the judges on line. Interviews will be conducted on line.
The closing date for receipt of all applications is 21ST August 2020 and audition will take place in the first week of September. After three weeks, audition will close and 40 finalists will be chosen who will then battle for the final 20. The final 20 will go into the House on the 14th October 2020.
Minister of Information and Communications, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, expressed joy for being able to grace the occasion saying he missed out last year.
The Minister said he believes that Stars will be born in this season. “This show sits very well with the vision of the President,” he said, adding that it gives a generation of young people the opportunity to realize their dreams and show case as well as discover their talents. He admonished all to stay focused, compete and triumph.
He eloquently congratulated the organizers for making the show possible. He stated that the First Lady, Madam Fatima Bio, who is very passionate about entertainment and His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, will be watching the show. He wished all participants a good time and luck.
Mohamed Orman Bangura, Minister of Youth Affairs, said that the Government has invested so much in youths and is supporting programs like this one to be launched in order to develop the youths. He also expressed the conviction that the show will help build up the necessary confidence in youths and enable them to resist being used by politicians in negative engagements.
Officially launching the show, Minister of Tourism, Dr. Memunatu Pratt, stressed that COVID-19 has had a heavy impact on the industry, but said shows like this will enable Sierra Leone to overcome the impact.
“Dealing with COVID and implementing tourism is challenging”, she maintained, “as such shows demand peoples’ presence. This event will change the fortunes of the country and attract international attention. This venture is extremely laudable, as it is a heavy Private Sector investment” Minister Pratt underscored.
According to her, Salone Housemates 2020 is going to be historic noting that Sierra Leone’s entertainment has grown .
Dr. Memunatu Pratt furthered that the Housemates Salone Season 2 is the first public event that will be staged under COVID-19 and will bring tourism alive reiterating how it is going to be an important event, as Sierra Leone has showcased ICT. She admonished participants to do their best, as it is the first rebranding show in Africa amidst difficult times. She then officially launched “Housemates Salone 2020, the Last Standing Couple”, on the theme ‘Quarantine Drama’.
Artists, female activists and members of the Fourth Estate were all part of the audience that witnessed the launching ceremony.
