Vimbai Mutinhiri reflects on Big Brother Africa

Zimbabwe’s Vimbai Mutinhiri was evicted in the penultimate weekend of Big Brother Africa last Sunday. In her first interview, the 24-year-old model reflects on her 84 days being followed by cameras on the M-Net show held in Johannesburg, South Africa by speaking to Natasha Uys, from The Namibian.

Natasha: You’re a model … which campaigns might we know you from?

Vimbai: I’ve worked for Baby Phat, Bio Oil, Zane and Estee Lauder. I started modelling while studying at the University of Cape Town.

Natasha: There was a perception amongst some fans that you could be a bit snobbish at times …

Vimbai: You know, it’s unfortunate that I’m sometimes a bit misunderstood. Yes, I am a particular person who can be reserved at times and people sometimes see this as snobbish but I’m not a malicious person at all.

Natasha: You seemed really disappointed, understandably, to leave on Sunday night. Your thoughts?

Vimbai: I’m only human, and it’s natural to be disappointed after coming so far. I had high expectations and hoped for the best. No matter how you try, you can never truly psyche yourself up for eviction. We can’t all make it to the end and I’m proud of myself for making it this far.

Natasha: You and Karen Igho [Nigeria] seemed to rub each other up the wrong way, why do you think that was?

Vimbai: We’re very different people and I think we didn’t really have sufficient time to take a step back and get to know each other better. I don’t think she ever really gave me a chance.

She seemed to have her own perceptions and in such a small environment, with two equally strong characters, it is natural that our egos would clash.

Natasha: Did it have anything to do with Wendall?

Vimbai: It had absolutely nothing to do with Wendall, and this was the point I was trying to make in the house.

She would use anything to antagonise me. It started when she attacked me in week one for the way I spoke and then it continued with attacks on my religion, family, etc. I think she’s used the Wendall issue as a way to try and get to me.

Natasha: How did you really feel about Wendall?

Vimbai: Wendall is somebody I could instantly relate to because we come from the same country, we have very similar backgrounds and went to similar schools. We were very comfortable with each other and I guess it’s natural for people looking from the outside to perceive it as something it may not be.

Natasha: What did you whisper in his ear on Sunday night as you were leaving the house?

Vimbai: I never whispered anything, I think he was trying to say something but I was just focused on the fact that I had to get out of there. So no, it wasn’t something too romantic (giggles).

Natasha: Some fans have wondered if Wendall might be a bit scared of the ‘Black Girl, White Boy’ thing! What do you think?

Vimbai: Well, that’s a very interesting take on things. It’s not something I ever thought about but I can see how people might think that. No. I think Wendall is a cool guy and I don’t think he sees colour lines.

Natasha: Do you think there’s a future for the two of you on the outside world, either as friends or more?

Vimbai: I think we’ll definitely be friends. Unfortunately I’m not looking for a relationship. I would like to stay focused on my career and make sure my modelling career is where it needs to be.

Natasha: Can you tell us a bit more about Prada and Ambivalence?

Vimbai: (Laughs) Prada is my puppy, a six-month-old pug. Biggie gave me permission to bring her into the house with me because she was only three months old when I entered the house. Prada kept me safe and was terribly terrified of Karen!

Ambivalence came to visit to show me that everybody comes from somewhere. She is a very important cousin of mine from the village and she came to show that, at the end of the day, Vimbai is just a village girl.

(For those of you who didn’t follow the show regularly, Prada was Vimbai’s imaginary pet in the house, and Ambivalence a kind of alter ego)

Natasha: Did they leave the house with you?

Vimbai: Do you know what, I think Ambivalence is still there! We were supposed to meet for breakfast this morning but she didn’t pitch!!

Natasha: What’s with the green tea and quirky outfits?

Vimbai: (Laughs) Well I’m a tea fanatic and a bit of a health freak, that is despite the doughnuts and biscuits! And as for the quirky outfits, what can I say – that’s how I dress.

Natasha: Is it true that you and Luclay knew each other before the show? Is the Luclay we see in the house, the same Luclay you knew on the outside?

Vimbai: Yes it is true. I actually lived with Luclay for about a year in a model house in Cape Town.

It is one thing to see someone in their home environment compared to the BBA environment.

I was not the same Vimbai and neither was Luclay the same Luclay; besides, it had been a couple of years since I saw him and I didn’t feel it was necessary to start discussing things about him because I didn’t know if he was necessarily in that space anymore.

Natasha: Who would you like to see win and why?

Vimbai: I would like to see Hanni win. She is the most consistent person and managed to stay true to herself. She is very humble, genuine and never tried to provoke anyone. She is truly in the house to try and improve her life and I admire that a lot.

Natasha: Did you have a strategy? If you could play the game again, what would you do differently?

Vimbai: Funnily enough I never really had a strategy. At times I would try to prepare my spontaneity but, on the whole, I chose to be myself. I wanted to know what Africa thought of me and for that, I wouldn’t change a single thing.

Natasha: What does the future hold for you?

Vimbai: I’m looking forward to getting home to Zim to check in but because the Zimbabwean modelling industry is very small, I’ll be looking at agencies in Johannesburg and Cape Town. I’m also very interested in getting more active in TV and radio.

Interview conducted by Natasha Uys, for The Namibian