Big Brother Africa is a fever that is infecting all of sub-Saharan Africa, grabbing the attention of millions of viewers and giving rise to passionate debate: ‘How is it possible to broadcast the love stories of these young housemates, their kisses, their talking about sex' – some people are saying – 'in a continent where young people are being decimated by AIDS?'.

Big Brother AIDS explores how the attitudes of everyday people towards the virus can be detrimental to the war against AIDS. With many people living in slums (where every family has suffered a loss due to HIV) stating that AIDS is the work of witchcraft and has nothing to do with unprotected sex, the fight against AIDS is made even more difficult.

Henry, a 23 year old student, was diagnosed as HIV positive shortly after leaving school. He has since dedicated his life to preventing and raising awareness of AIDS. For him, a great part of beating the epidemic is talking openly about the virus, sex and sexuality. He visits as a guest on Nikinzi’s radio show to speak about his experiences and how he plans to help stop the spreading of the virus. Mama Joyce is a nurse at a free AIDS clinic and deals with the suffering AIDS causes everyday.

For each of these people, AIDS is not associated with fear, shame, denial, death and silence, but has everything to do with awareness, advice, comfort, care, and hope. Follow the work of these three AIDS fighters as they try not only to raise awareness, but also provide help and hope for sufferers of the virus.