Hakeem unmasked

 

shrouded in secrecy.

From the time he stepped into the house, three weeks ago, little was known about the Zimbabwean lad now affectionately known as Zim Hulk who has left not only the ladies in the house drooling but the rest of Africa.

He is such an imposing character who has won the hearts of Zimbabweans and Africa at large judging by the votes he amassed last week after he escaped the eviction chop with five African countries votes.

He has proved to be one of the top contenders of the grand prize.
But who is Hakeem?

While Africa was made to believe that Hakeem is one of the Harare’s top models the 22-year-old, who hails from Chitungwiza’s Zengeza 4, he is a former bodybuilder, with a passion for music.

Hakeem is also a dancer, an aspiring RnB-hip-hop music singer and award-winning light- weight model and trainer.
A single father of one, Hakeem has become an overnight celebrity, following his grand entrance in the house, where he is proving to be tactful, witty and a ladies man.

This paper tracked down the roots of the Zimbabwean lad who seemingly so far is on the positive path with Biggie’s “The Chase” rules.
His mother, Shiver Katiyo, opened up on his upbringing, life struggles, aspirations and background, ending weeks of speculation on who Hakeem was.

While the rumour mill had it that Hakeem lived in Sunningdale, her mother set the record straight.
“We have been living in Chitungwiza since Hakeem was only two. He never lived in Sunningdale, but his best friend Itai lives there. Maybe people mistook him for Itai because they look alike,” she said.

By her admission, Hakeem is indeed a “ladies man”.
“Hakeem has always been the ladies man way before he got into the Big Brother Africa house. Unfortunately, he impregnated Mitchell Chiwanza while he was in high school,” she said.

Unbeknown to the rest of Africa and Zambian  belle Cleo, who he is contemplating on making up with, Hakeem is blessed with a baby boy called Andre Mukundi Mandaza (aged two).

He adores his boy so much that he makes it a point to go to church every Sunday, to worship with his son, whenever his baby mama brings him to the family’s home in Zengeza.

Ms Katiyo, a primary school teacher at Zengeza 5 Primary School, reiterated that adolescence could have been the biggest challenge that affected her son.
The unfortunate incident that saw him impregnating Mitchell did not hold him back though.

He never accepted her to stay together as he wanted to pick up the bits and pieces with his school work.
Ironically, she said he although he had appeared to be gifted academically and multi-talented, he only scored four points at A-Level.

“Zim Hulk”, as Hakeem is now fondly known, was raised by his mother who is divorced from Hakeem’s dad, whose whereabouts are not known as he was last seen in 1992 when his son was only two years.

He is not well known in his hood because most of his time he spends either indoors or at his best friend (Itai)’s house.
When he got in the house, it must have come as a shock for most Zimbabweans to see a huge, hunk, bold and confident guy who on the housemates unveiling day identified himself as only “Zimbabwean Hakeem”.

With many names like that of Lady Squanda having been thrown around, it therefore came as a surprise to many to realise that he was indeed going to represent Zimbabwe together with Pokello Nare. Some BBA fans didn’t think he was going to last a week in the house, but it appears that he is going to be in the house for a long time.

Being in the Ruby House with fellow Zimbabwean Pokello Nare during the first week, Zimbabweans had to weigh who to rally behind between controversial Pokello and little known “Zim Hulk” Hakeem, but the scales  recently tipped  in Hakeem’s favour.

“Munya or Hakeem is my only son, he grew up with me here (Chitungwiza) and he did his primary education at Zengeza 1 and Pfumo primary schools. He enrolled at St Mary’s High School before moving to Light House College for his A-Levels.

“Hakeem is his nickname which he got from friends because of his huge body. The reason why most of the people out there could not recognise him is because he is a quiet, smart, friendly, but no-nonsense young boy.

“There is a lot of false information about him coming from out there, but please be advised that he is Zimbabwean and my only son for that matter.
“He was born multi-talented and started winning prizes at a tender age. I could see that he was multi-talented judging by the way he would juggle singing, dancing and light weightlifting. As a mother I did not want to restrict him on things to do, so I gave him the nod to pursue every talent that he saw in his blood veins,”.

Born in1990, Hakeem is the second born in a family of two. His elder sister, Andrea Tinashe (27) is  in the UK where she is studying for  nursing degree.
“I urge Zimbabweans to vote for my son. He is a humble, talented and God-fearing person, who is not afraid of challenges,” said Hakeem’s mother.