The Sunday News
Mbongeni Msimanga Sunday Leisure Correspondent
MUCH hype has been associated with the Big Brother Africa show (BBA), with many perceiving that one comes out of the house not only a celebrity but rich too.But amid the hype associated with BBA, it is highly likely that one walks out the same person they were amid the glitz and glamour associated with starring in this show.
This is the perception that many have when contestants participate in the much publicised BBA show.
But for Zimbabwean contestant Tariro ‘‘Butterphly’’ Mharapara, who has often described herself as unique, feisty, mysterious, fun-loving and witty, the Big Brother Africa dubbed Hotshots was merely one creative platform meant to market her and enhance her chances as an individual.
Yes, the prize-money would have been a plus for her, but she still believes that although she didn’t benefit much from the show the show made her visible as an individual.
Sunday Leisure caught up with the Mohawk-sporting Power FM DJ and television presenter who said she did not reap much from the show as people may be misled into thinking.
“People mainly think that Big Brother is about being crazy and engaging in immoral activities. Yes you do get a few individuals who use the show for such tendencies. When I was selected for the show the main thing I had in my mind was to use it as a creative platform. For me it was an opportunity to connect with others and market myself as well,” she said.
“I wouldn’t say that I have benefited from the show as people may think. It just helped me up my profile and my opinions are now considered by many than they were before,” she said.
Although her dreams to win were shattered, Butterphly still believes that she is the same person even after BBA.
For her, when one leaves the house they go back to their normal lives, although after much exposure.
She, however, insisted that many contestants who go into the show do not use the opportunities availed to them.
Unlike other BBA contestants such as Pokello Nare, Roki and Maneta who all featured on the show and hogged the limelight for the wrong reasons, it was a different case for Butterphly who did not go all the way to use sexual innuendos to stay relevant in the show.
The seemingly shy 24-year-old Butterfly said her exposure in the entertainment industry as a radio personality was a leeway that made her adjust to Big Brother Africa.
“What really helped me was my exposure in the entertainment industry as a radio presenter and it made me adjust to Big Brother Africa. I would say things are going slow at the moment, but the advantage that I had was that I already had a job and so I am comfortable with what I am,” she said.
The radio presenter who lives with her mother and siblings was never involved in any backstabbing in the house as has been the norm with other housemates although she was not exempted from criticism with others saying her wardrobe was lacking while suspicions of pregnancy were raised during the first days as she was always the last to get up.
She, however, said Zimbabweans who have participated in the previous shows fared well and believes the trend will continue.
“There are many countries that look at us with high regard and I believe Zimbabwe has generally done well in the show. Valuing principles and staying original should always be considered and I can say that people look at you differently as soon as you leave the show,” she said.
Butterphly, however, revealed that she was single and has “no intentions of dating at the moment”.
“At the moment, I am single and I have no intentions of dating. Well, it’s complicated, that’s all I can say,” she said.
Zimbabwe has made its own strides in terms of Big Brother Africa, with both positives and negatives. It was one of the first countries to win the spoils after Wendal Parson and Karen tied up for the first prize. It was also the first country to have both housemates disqualified after Roki and Maneta fought on camera.
Then the country had an unforgettable finish of the Big Brother All stars season when Munya Chidzonga lost by one country vote.
