adminHakeem is probably the best kept secret in this year’s season we only got to know about him on the opening show of Big Brother Africa last week. But this was not the case with Pokello whom most people knew was representing the country ahead of the opening show. Hakeem’s camp is playing hide and seek. Even Multi-Choice Zimbabwe professed ignorance about his details. So far his Fan Club is only making use of the social media such Twitter and Facebook.
Those rooting for Pokello known as Team Pokello have launched a spirited campaign to garner votes for the fashionista amid criticism over her infamous sex-tape with boyfriend Desmond “Stunner” Chideme.
Love or loath her, Harare socialite, businesswoman and mother of one Pokello is still in the Big Brother Africa House.
A week into the house, she has not shown any negative traits many a Zimbabwean had expected in the reality show. She seems to have settled down faster than many housemates and by many viewers’ admission, she is fast becoming the leader of the pack.
Away from the hullabaloo of her infamous sex-tape with urban groover boyfriend Stunner, Pokello seems to have reinvented or regenerated herself, in a manner that invites all and sundry to forget about the past.
After all, was it not a one off incident with her official boyfriend? After all, was the tape not leaked without the couple’s consent? After all, can people justifiably judge her based on one unfortunate incident?
That Pokello is a brand on her own cannot be doubted. For socialite and entrepreneur Pokello heel shoes are not a luxury in a woman’s wardrobe, but they are in fact a necessity. She does not sell cheap things and obviously the salient point she would want to make to the world is that she is not cheap herself.
The point she seems to want to make is that here is her opportunity to show the world that she has depth of character and is rich morally and socially.
Surprisingly, Pokello idolises United States of America reality star and socialite Kim Kardashian, but she once turned down a reality show deal she had been offered.
By her own admission, Pokello, says her style is Over The Top (OTT).
“I believe that you can tell the character of a woman by her shoes. Shoes show personality and character. I am a diva so I have shoes with spikes, long heels as you can see,” said Pokello during Miss Harare 2012 where she was a judge.
“What people do not know is that I am actually a reserved person and I do not always want to be accessible to people . . . there are some things that need to be private.”
In business, Pokello has a plethora of endorsement deals. Pokello signed a major deal with Victory Co and is the official face of the Ndeipi/Zviri Sei Sei T-shirt brand.
Recently she also bagged a deal with Vault Cosmetics, the cosmetic line by United States- based make-up artist Jackie Mgido, who has worked with celebrities such as Ne-Yo, Snoop Lion, Cuba Gooding Jnr and L.L Cool James among others.
Little is known about the fashionista when it comes to modelling but according to her fact file, she is a former beauty queen with six titles to her name; her first title being Miss St John Jnr at the age of 15, initiating her modelling career. She was Medusa Top Model 2002, Miss Vibes 2002, Miss Harare Junior First Princess 200, First St John’s Senior First Princess 2001 and Miss Interschool’s Interact among others.
Nevertheless, she was also the master of ceremony at Sean Kingston and Beenie Man’s show.Well, the single mother is already causing a stir in the house with her eloquent discussions and the owner of a shoe shop is also proving that her feet were meant for shoes.
Interestingly, there’s more to her than the trademark lipstick she is known for in the Big Brother Africa House.
Saturday Lifestyle traced the family and the childhood of the 2013 housemate to get an insight more about her. Below are excerpt from different people interviewed by this paper:
Tariro Chikumbire (aunt)
“Pokello loves what she does and I am happy with BBA many will see her real side apart from what has been published in the media.
“She is very passionate about what she does. I also like to take this opportunity to say that Pokello is a hard worker and some may say she was born rich but did you know she started her own business with US$2 000, selling shoes in her car,” said aunt Tari.
Aunty Tariro together with other family members launched the Team Pokello campaign to garner votes for the socialites.
“Let’s forget about the sex tape. She is representing young women of Zimbabwe and let’s rally behind her,” she said.
Takudzwa Dube (21, Pokello’s sister)
“I am rallying behind her. She taught me a lot about life. One thing I cherish most is she told me about her sex tape issue and said I should not follow her footsteps because what happened was a mistake,” said Takudzwa.
Pokello is a fun loving person and loves her food and dancing.
“I guess some people during this week saw how Pokello dance (tweek) proving her other side. A lot of fireworks are lined up and she is prepared for that though.
“I believe in her and she promised me that she will never have sex in the house as her purpose in the house is to show to the world, who she really is” said Takudzwa.
Pokello has a baby boy, Nathan, who is turning 10 years old this year. He loves soccer and goes to Alexandra Primary School.
Tungamirayi Muganhiri
(Pokello’s childhood friend)
Tungamirayi who is popularly known as Tungi by Pokello went to school together with the socialite and grew up in the same area expressed her love for the BBA housemate.
He remembers how they walked to school, chatting and teasing each other.
“We attended Alexandra Park Primary and Kyle College in Masvingo together. She is a fun person and enjoys laughing a lot. Back in the days we used to tease each other and oh yes she was a brilliant student,” he said.
Tungi (28) said his best friend doesn’t drink or smoke but is a goal getter.
She is a style icon.
“This is how I can describe the ‘Queen of Swag’. I think she will win because she is an entertainer,” noted the childhood friend.
Online Reporter