adminAlthough Zimbabwean housemates Butterphly and JJ are up for eviction this Sunday at the Big Brother Africa Hotshots, the duo has managed to impress Africa with their house task for this week. Zimbabweans are optimistic both will survive. However, little is known yet about the housemates and The Herald Entertainment caught up with family members of both representatives to check their background and lifestyles.
Butterphly (real name
Tariro Mharapara)
Taguma Mharapara brother to Butterphly said his sister is not shy on camera like what other people are saying but she is still observing. “My sister is intelligent and very observant.
“It is just that she is unlucky that she got nominated for possible eviction but for now the reason why she is playing low is because she is observing the situation,” he said.
He said his sister got the nickname Butterphly because, just like a butterfly, she begins in a “cocoon” and then rises up to the game.
He described her as a fun-loving person who will put up a good show.
“She is very analytic and skilful in everything she does in her life.
“At home we call her Tariro, she is just a fun-loving person. If mum is not around she loves to play the mum freak and is very open to tell you straight in the face if you do wrong to her,” said the brother who happens to spot the same hairdo colour as Butterphly.
He said Butterphly loves to cook and watch television. “She loves to eat nyimo and rice with peanut butter sauce.
“During the weekends she likes to spend time with the family especially her two children Tendwai (two years old) and one-year-old Dominic,” he said. Butterphly is a single mother. Asked about her educational background, Mharapara said her sister did not study much.
“Did you know that Butterphly did not attend any journalism school? What happened was this, she saw an advert in the newspaper about radio auditions at Power FM and she just told mum that she wants to try and the rest is history,” he said.
He said she attended Gateway High School and Speciss College up to Advanced Level.
“Growing up she used to play hockey under Mashonaland West Barwick Primary School. She did a bit of music and drama at school,” he said. Mharapara said he is very close to Butterphly and they are more of friends than siblings.
“She tells me everything and we are very close. She told me to pray for her as she is going to bring the money home.”
Mharapara added that his sister’s hairstyle tells a lot about her character.
“You can see that she is not a shy person like some claim. The hairdo itself tells a lot about the personality and confidence. Her room is the most colourful room at home, very artistic.”
Team Butterphly campaign manager Rumbidzayi Mugwira, popularly known as Chamvary, said she was confident that she is going to win.
“Many people are saying she is shy but believe you me, let us give her time. She is a punk rock chic who loves sneakers and very down to earth,” she said.
Chamvary said Butterphly knows the reason why she is there so there are ready for some action.
“We have a lot planned for her, just watch this space,” she said.
Butterphly is a Christian and attends Methodist Church in Zimbabwe. She stays with her family in Greendale and her father is abroad.
JJ (real name Jerome Arab)
JJ’s cousin, Kurt Rusike, described him as an athletic and honest person.
“I grew up with JJ though he spends most of his time in Manchester, United Kingdom.
“He has no girlfriend as of yet. He is an honest person and loves athletics and rugby since he did both from primary to high school,” he said.
Rusike said JJ went to BBA so as to pursue his music career.
“I knew about the auditions and was later happy to know that he is the one representing Zimbabwe.
“He took us by surprise because he never told anyone. He studied music and media in UK.
“He went to Northwood Primary School and Prince Edward High School,” he said.
He said they have a song together which is also playing on local radio stations. “We have a hit song together called ‘Get Down’ and last year we performed some of our songs at Michael Jackson’s tribute, Summer Beer Festival and a fashion show.
“He loves to write music. I think maybe it’s the background because I am one son from the famous Rusike Brothers,” he said.
JJ’s first single “Party Up” reportedly did well in UK.
About an outcry among viewers that JJ always talks about UK, Rusike said: “Maybe it is just some strategy but believe you me JJ loves his country although he grew up much in the UK. He worked as a bartender in the UK before.”
JJ lists veggies as his favourite food. His father’s name is Yassim while the mother is called Ginna.
Team JJ campaign manager Conrad Sheriff said there are working hard to promote and garner votes for him.
“So far so good. We have put in place some measures on social media where people get to know JJ, we have T-shirts and starting today we are running competition on Team JJ. Please vote for him,” he said.
JJ stays in Hatfield with his grandparents. – Herald
Online Reporter