IS STUDIO 53'S GAETANO KAGWA REALLY HOT?

GAETANO KAGWA
Gaetano Kagwa is East Africa’s Reality TV chief, host, MC, actor, radio presenter and spokesman. This is the host of ‘TRAVEL MAGAZINE’ on M-NET with Rose Motene and early this year hosted the first ever East Africa Live reality TV-TUSKER PROJECT FAME. He survived death sometimes in 2005 and regularly visits the doc, but why? Showbiz writer George Otieno is on his trail.
‘ Kampala mugamba kyi. If you are tuned in, you’re listening to the morning show on CapitalFM with Me (Gaetano), Lilian Mbabazi (Blu*3) and as usual Oulanya Columbus. Everything is all right and the traffic along Kira road is stupid,’Gaetano jokes on air. This is the man who wakes Kampala each day he is in town as he flies a lot. Our interview is scheduled at CapitalFM’s studios in Kamokya. Gaetano is the man who once caused traffic in Kampala after the Big-brother three years ago and the one who openly told off the judges that the Project fame was a Kenyan affair and not East African as hyped.
Dressed in blue jeans, Rasta color Marvin and red top, Gaetano comes out as a serious man but is very humorous at heart. End of 2005 and early 2006 is fresh and lingers in his mind besides remaining his worst year. He almost never saw last year the dawn of last year, when he had a fatal problem with his kidneys and had to be rushed to Nairobi hospital for specialized treatment. ‘I almost went to meet my maker in December 2005. I had a serious Kidney failure that got me bedridden for a couple of days in Nairobi hospital at the ICU. Nowadays, I go for check-ups every year for Kidney and general health,’ he says. He has to go for check-ups to keep watch of his health status lest it put him down again. When the doctors gave him a clean bill of health and were discharged, Gaetano thanked God but is still scared and keeps eye on his body.
For the man who hosts the breakfast show in Kampala’s leading FM station, it’s a crazy schedule for him and not even his health would keep him off. ‘I wake up early enough and has to be on air by 6 am every morning. That is a duty I have to keep up with,’ he says. Gaetano also hosts travel magazine show at Studio 53 on M-Net in South Africa alongside hot Rosy Motene. ‘It’s a show that comes every Thursday and highlights what Africa has to offer. It’s a show for the Africa people that is about politics, entertainment and all the major activities that goes on around in the 53 countries,’ he adds. Recently, his latest assignment for Studio 53 was during the premier of ‘The Last King of Scotland’ where Hollywood and Oscar award winning actor Forest Whitaker was guest at Kampala’s Cineplex.
But he never took part in the award winning movie, a thing he says he just missed because of his busy schedule. ‘Acting is a thing I have admired a lot and would have loved to be part. I never knew of the auditions, I was interested in it. But again I’m a very busy person,’ he says. Altogether he thinks that the movie came out well and depicted how ‘Idi Amin’ was. Gaetano also fled Uganda because of the oppressive rule of the late former dictator and only came back few years ago to lead a quite. ‘I lived in Lesotho after I left Uganda in the 70’s during the Idi Amin reign and went to exile in Kenya. I went to school at Greenfield’s school. I’m not a spoilt boy by the way, my father struggled to put us through school,’ he says.
The established master of Ceremony of corporate functions has been emceeing events since he broke in to the limelight. He has a soft spot for kids and spends time with orphans. He visits schools to give inspirational talk. ‘I don’t think I’m a role model but I feel like I should inspire young people,’ he says.
Surprisingly, Gaetano strongly believes in nepotism. He has taken it to another level by fixing his young brother to be his cameraman in Uganda for his Studio 53 show. ‘My brother (Tendo Kagwa) is my cameraman who shoots for me events in Uganda. He’s a good cameraman and I also think it’s nice working with someone you know and you are comfortable with,’ he adds.
But does he still cause traffic they he used to after Big-brother?’No, I don’t but I still see a lot of traffic in this city. There are a lot of potholes everywhere in Kampala. But people still look at me and I have to use sunglasses. In the traffic people wave a lot and say hi. The day when I came back from South Africa it was crazy,’ he says.
Wait a minute; Gaetano closely resembles a certain male actor of South African soap ‘Generations’. Many have known, mistaken and continue to say that the two have a biological linkage. But Gaetano sets the record straight. ‘I’m not related to him. He might look like me but that doesn’t mean he is my brother,’ he asserts.
He pulled crowds and stole the show when he co-hosted the Tusker Project Fame last year. He amused many, charmed others while at it impressed viewers. But again he was at loggerheads with the judges. Whereas others felt he was entitled to his opinions, others felt he was just on their necks. Gaetano is on record to have openly dismissed the reality TV show as purely a Kenyan affair. His argument was crystal clear and it looked real as all the contestants from Uganda and Tanzania were evicted earlier. ‘ They were more Kenyan contestants than they were from any other country. This was a negative. The team, which you work with, is what makes things easier. The team was good and again they had their weaknesses. The judgment was again in their hands. It was a great show altogether,’ he says.
The Project Fame was his greatest show ever as it was broadcast live unlike the Studio 53 Travel magazine which he has to pre-record after every three weeks. He rates the Project fame as 80% good and says because Ugandans didn’t win. ‘I give it 8/10 because Ugandans didn’t win and they never allowed me to sing,’ he says. Ian Mbugua one of the controversial judges at the show never seemed to get along with the reality TV show host. Most of the time, they agreed to disagree. ‘Ian was very outspoken and vocal negatively and struck accord with them. He made the show interesting. But I think down deep, deep inside him, he had a heart,’ he adds while laughing.
Whether on radio or TV, Gaetano says he’s the same only that the physical presentation differs. ‘In TV it’s picturesque, descent dress-code, body motion, eye contact with camera, you have to be witty, humorous, sensitive and non-biased. While the opposite is radio,’ he equips. He admits he enjoys his job because he has fun when doing it.
This was a man who quit high school when his father was financially bogged down and relocated to Southern Africa. ‘I finished my high school in Lesotho then moved to university in the US where I did a degree in Political Science and a minor in International studies, perhaps with ambitions to bring sanity in the political structure of coup infested Uganda,’ he recalls. He came back to Uganda in September 2000 and joined Makerere University because he was tired of studying away from home. ‘I supposed to go to Cape Town university as I had saved some money. Then I flew back to Kampala. By the way I lived in the dorms,’ he says.
His cousin who was drunk advised him to join Big-brother auditions. ‘It was joke and we never knew what it was all about it. I went for it without any expectations of making it. It was just for fun. The next thing I was selected and I quit campus where I was doing my law degree,’ he says. Gaetano believes that going to school is basically to learn how to survive and to get social skills. ‘It’s all opportunity cost. I go back to school today people forget everything about me. Maybe I even fail. It’s better to run with all these things when they’re hot. I cant risk,’ he says.
Big brother is what opened his eye and brought all the fame, success and all the opportunities he has in life. It changed him as immediately he was evicted from the house he landed a job with CapitalFM, then STUDIO 53, then he became spokesman for Crane Bank and again he started getting Master of ceremony jobs as well.
He manages himself. ‘Managers help you get all these things but they are never professional. I like to be accountable when things get wrong; I know it’s me. They have a lot of setbacks,’ he says. Gaetano admits that he has worked hard enough to be where he is today. ‘I have put a lot of effort and sacrifice but again with the support of my colleagues, I have managed to be where I am,’ he says.
What about Abby Samantar, his ex-love with who they were the most talked about during and after the reality show? ‘Can’t people leave Abby alone,’ he equips. But he says Abby came to his life four years ago during the Big brother. She describes her as smart, carefree, funny, loud, beautiful and lively. He says she had everything a man would go weak for. Although he speaks with much gusto, signs that his love for Abby is still present are evident. He seems unaware of her marriage as he says ‘I hear she is married she has a child. He swears that if he could change a thing about the whole thing he would do it. He insists that he missed the wedding and was not jealousy. Given a chance in Abby’s life, Gaetano would definitely go for it. ‘I definitely enjoyed it and if I was to do it all over again I would not change a thing,’ he says it with passion.
Most housemates during the Big-brother Africa have gone through heartbreaks; talk-about Cherise, Mwisho, Alex Holi and Uganda’s very own Gaetano. Was it coincidental or just a natural phenomenon that befell them? Gaetano believes heartbreaks are something normal and can happen to anybody and being a star does not make one exceptional. ‘People seem to forget that we’re also human beings. We’re not different from those people in the streets. It’s simply because our lives are in limelight,’ he clarifies.
He has moved on though and is seeing an out-of showbiz girl. But he is afraid to disclose her newfound love but says she’s a great girl. ‘She’s a journalist; she’s Ugandan and has time for me. We’re learning a lot together. If it ends in matrimony so be it, if doesn’t then bad for us. So far so good,’ he says.
Business is also his other venture. Gaetano owns and manages Kampala’s Zone 7 bar. ‘Zone 7 is my investment. It’s a mini-bar, which is one year old. It’s located in zone seven of Kampala,’ he says. He believes that by drinking in his own bar he is saving his money. He has also appeared on adverts like Telechoice and Crane Bank. In Crane bank he also doubles us the bank’s spokesman.
But the man who enjoys loud music in his white Honda car insists that he is a laid back person. ‘My car has to have loud music. That’s a must,’ he insists.
Loosing his mother in 2000 remains his worst experience. ‘I really miss her and I know she’s looking at me and what I’m doing,’ he recalls. While Big brother remains his career highlight. ‘It will always be a defining moment of my life. We traveled a lotto Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Zambia, Nigeria, Kenya and all where the housemates were,’ he recalls. But Gaetano is the only one who has gone to all the Big-brother houses. ‘I got to the Big-brother UK, mess around, kiss the girls, run away. It was great. Then I got to the Big-brother Nigeria and it was great. I would insist that the next one that happens there, I have to be there,’ he says.
His character towards ladies has made many brand him a playboy. ‘People think I have many girlfriends. It’s not true but again I think they just like me. Girls have done embarrassing things to get my attention, he says, like one showed me her cleavage that was voluptuous and my eyes got wet. We talked, took photographs but I have never seen her again.
His future his says he will be doing what he’s doing and taking it to another level. ‘I’m not getting younger and I’m in my thirties now. If any business ventures comes my way, I will go for it,’ he says.

FACTFILE
Born 35 years ago at Mulago Hospital-Kampala-Uganda. Son of Mr. John and Mrs. Jane Kagwa. Returned to Uganda in 2000 and joined Makerere University to do Law.

Education- 1993-1997 pursued a degree in Political Science (University of Wisconsin La-Crosse USA)
2000-2003-Studied Law at Makerere University but put it on hold because of Big –brother Africa in 2003.

Career-Spokesperson Crane Bank Uganda in 2004,MC for Uganda Fashion Week from 2004 to 2006. Co-host of the Big-Breakfast on 91.3 Capital FM. Co-Host OF studio 53 and Co-hosted East Africa’s Tusker Project Fame.

Dislikes- Slow drivers and dishonest people not forgetting pretenders. Messy kitchens, living and bathrooms are also on his dislike list. Never touch his head.

Likes- Humour and traveling.

Worst moment-When he was bedridden at Nairobi hospital for kidney failure.

Best moment- When he was selected as representative of Big-Brother Africa to represent Uganda.

AT HOME WITH PINKY GHELANI AND RAJ
Kenya’s Pinky Ghelani is a model, spokeswoman, host, former radio presenter with Nairobi’s Capital FM and international media personality. She recently walked down the aisle with her hubby of nine years Raj early this year. The couple’s home is exclusively posh and the paraphernalia in there speaks volumes about their financial prowess. Showbiz writer George Otieno visited their home at the plush Nairobi’s Lavington estate and files their exclusive story and lifestyle away from the public eye.

Lavington estate is always mentioned in the same taste as Muthaiga, Kileleshwa, Spring Valley or even Westland’s. These are some of the posh residences in Kenya’s capital city that are always associated with the political bigwigs and business gurus. It hosts cabinet ministers, filthy rich business people and the people living far beyond the country’s economy. The storied house where the celebrity couple resides is located in Nairobi’s posh and opulent Lavington estate as well. The house has an ample parking that could accommodate seven vehicles. The parking shows that the couple’s love for fuel guzzlers is evident. Outside their house are two cars: Pinky’s golden Mercedes Benz and Raj’s Red BMW 3.20. Raj uses his when he goes to work. They have bred two British hairy dogs one for Pinky and the other one for Raj. The dogs amazingly understand Indian language. The entrance of the house has trimmed flowers that have been grown on the wall. Their house is so spacious and features the most up-market trends even though the Indian touch is clearly visible in almost all spheres. The garden has it’s well manicured and has nice flowers. The grass is well trimmed and behind the house there’s ample playing ground. The main entrance that leads to the first room was designed with fusion of Indian and African touch. On the floor sits green flower vessels, a round brown coach, artistic frames adorn the walls and colors in their well chosen. The wall has also photos of Indians a thing that I fail to ask who they are. The colors in the house are not bright.
There are rooms in the upper and lower sections of the house. The staircase that leads to the upper room is wooden and brown in color. It leads to the upper living room that has three sets of sofa. On the left as you enter this upper living room sits a black leather sofa set. It’s an eight-sitter set with one that six people can sit on and two single ones. On them are six pillowcases that come in red, cream and blue colors. The table that sits at the centre of the sofa set is also black and has a black carpet. The other sofa set which is zebra like in color sits on a brown carpet on another corner. It’s another comfortable area of this upper living room. The curtains that serve the first section continue here as well. The third sofa set is very African and made locally. It has maroon colors and is just next to the bar. A lot of color selection was done here with perfection. The colors in the upper living room are different. The curtains for instant are white and black in this other side and match with the sofa sets and the general setting of the room.
The upper living room is very complete in essence of life. It has a bar that is well stocked with beer, soft drinks, wine and all the liquor. The bar is well set and the brown color goes handy with the mood to get tipsy. So when the couple is not going out they have a good time here and since Raj is an entertainer he completes the whole process. The four seats in the bar are wooden and high. The color in the bar is brown.
The pool table next to the window is designed and the two play it when having a drink or bored. Raj said they love the game when not busy. ‘Pool is an interesting game so it’s presence in here means I can’t get bored. Should friends visit me after we chat or an evening of fun we switch to it,’ he says.
They have an entertainment unit as well. A large black 49inch home theatre adorns the upper living room, so is the DSTV dish. The couple here enjoys a wider variety of entertainment selection. The CD rack that accommodates a good number of movies and music is on both side of the TV. The rack on the left is stocked with music CDs while the other one has movies that range from Bollywood too Hollywood. Forget Nollywood here. It’s all tight stuff. Video decks are here as well; so if you are visiting the couple with VHS don’t be worried there’s room for that as well. A huge CD changer radio is on top of one of the rack.
Still in this room is a pool game. The table is situated next to the window. Here the couple plays the game when bored and it’s part of their recreation.

Their kitchen is modern and American style, so they say. It’s a spacious and has enough room. There are three sinks, several cupboards inbuilt and electronics. There’s the electric cooker, fridge, microwave, oven and a lot more. They have a chef who takes care of the meals. ‘The kitchen is modern and I take care of the budget and know what’s the menu is going to be like. Indian cuisine and at times local food make our diet,’ she says.
Their bedroom has a well-set bed, a 21-inch TV, a sofa set and just the adjacent room is where the couple uses for changing and also hosts Pinky’s wardrobe. The couple describes their bedroom as simple and comfy. The colors. For the bathroom the couple have a different taste altogether. PINKY prefers the bathtub, as Raj is crazy about the showers. And they have both of these. The couple’s wardrobe reads like the designers world. Pinky’s love for expensive clothes is clearly visible.
As Raj loves HUGO BOSS and a lot of new fashionable trendy young designer outfits while Pinky is in love with LEVI, PEPE and REEBOK a lot of casual wear. ‘I love GUESS shoes and Gucci well. I also have traditional Indian outfits in my wardrobe. I love high heeled shoes that march the clothes that I put on,’ she adds. The shoes in Pinky’s wardrobe shows her love for spending on expensive clad. The colors are so trendy and choosy. Although black rules in her shoe collection, just like her name, she has a couple of pink shoes. Did I mention she has a boots in there too? And what about the teddy bears? She also has gold colors in there. The jeans that hang in the wardrobe are mostly blue and faded. The curtains tread to the ground and Pinky says that they change curtains every three days.
Pinky Ghelani sprung into the limelight when she won the Miss India –Kenya beauty pageant six years ago. Since then her star in Kenya’s showbiz has never looked back as she continued to maintain presence in the vibrant entertainment scene. In showbiz, Pinky has done a lot. She was even a columnist with South African magazine Cosmopolitan and a weekly entertainment magazine of which she has since left. Last year, she was a co-emcee at the KISIMA music awards alongside Capital FM’s burly presenter Marcus Kwikiriza and Seanice Kacungira. Pinky was representing Channel O with Gladys Meadows at the gala night. She had left Capital FM sometime last year where she used to be a radio presenter and hosted ‘The FUSE’ but is currently contracted with international media companies and travels a lot worldwide mostly to South Africa, UK, USA and Asia. ‘I do a lot of traveling, lots of international media work, marketing and I’m still modeling here as well as India,’ she adds. Currently, Pinky is working with the Kenyan Film Commission to bring down Bollywood directors to Kenya as an interesting location to do movies. The celebrated model has been voted amongst the hottest female radio celebrities in Kenya by a local Kenyan magazine in 2005.
Pinky finally said ‘I DO’ to one slim and always smiling good-looking Raj. The two had been dating for nine years and had made headlines when they called on and off their weddings. So when they finally exchanged vows on the January 12,many were left tight-lipped. Raj, a businessman who manages their family engineering business and also has a business website that promotes Kenyan products named www.proudlykenyan.com. ‘We actually waited for the right time and again it was an affair between Raj and me. We didn’t do it for people,’ she adds. Raj, a UK trained engineer at Middlesex University is a master and jack of many trades. Raj does entertainment, business and other personal things he wouldn’t divulge.
But unlike other men who would keep an eye on their wives, Raj is simply a content and secure man. He doesn’t follow up Pinky in events or anywhere but keeps it low and away. He has shied away from the public eye. Pinky calls him his support and says he is the most collective and composed man she has.
The two had a traditional and civil marriage in Makindu and Loresho. Their civil marriages had over 600 guests from the political, business and media circles. They first planned their weddings in April 2006 but had to postpone it after certain problems cropped up that dwindled there supposed to-be glorious day. According to Pinky, she had to postpone it for numerous. ‘My brother was going through separation with his wife and there was too much going on at Ghelani family and we had just to postpone it,’ he said. The two are more than happy together looking at the smiles that beam their faces. Their closeness and apparent affection for each other speaks volumes about their relationship.
Raj cannot admit that she has a crush on slim ladies looking at the look of Pinky. ‘I don’t think so. I jus loved her that way and she’s the only lady I opened my heart to,’ he says. Just like other couples, they also have their lows in the relations. ‘We argue a lot but always come to a mutual understanding. We have differences as well but we handle them,’ adds Pinky. The two make decisions as one.
Two months down their marriage, the couple is going strong and look destined for a brighter future. Both Pinky and Raj were born and raised in Kenya to different parents but had to leave to go to the UK for their varsity education. ‘Nothing’s changed, we feel like we’re still dating. We are experiencing new things as well,’ she says. But Raj believes that they’re adjusting to their new status of life.
Plans to have children are still prime in their minds. Although Raj settles at one Pinky thinks different. ‘I’d love to have a child, two or three. I love children and it would be nice being a mom,’ she adds. One thing you would learn about the two couple is the respect between them. Every time one of them makes a comment he consults from the other party. The two are clearly in to each other and the future of their marriage is brilliant.

BLU 3 ALBUM REVIEW

BLU*3 BURRN ALBUM REVIEW
Though their first album barely even woke the neighbors, BLU 3 are back with another attempt to live up to their name. BLU* 3 girls have released a second hot album. BURRN, which has many R&B songs, is strictly a love album. The 17 track album features talented acts like Navio,Chagga and Ghanaian Reejay. It has six Uganda songs, two Swahili and the rest English. It’s combination of dancehall, contemporary,hip-hop and Rhythm and Blues. ‘Burrn’ the title track that features Klear Kut’s Navio is a soothing track that has him do the rap. Listening to this album shows that the girls have matured in lyrics. The production of Steve Jean makes it worth. All the songs are hits. Songs like ‘Kwaheri’ and ‘Katika’ are there for those who don’t understand the luganda tracks. The best tracks on the CD — which features her Chagga yagga — shows how just being graced with a touch of Blu* 3 can boost a man’s entire profile. On the dancehall song “Nsanyuka Nawe,” they remind us on how a man should be treated. ‘Never give up’ is an inspirational track that lifts up spirits while songs like ‘Strong woman,’ and ‘the ladies featuring Reejay are dedicated to the ladies. Even if you don’t understand Luganda, you’ll definitely like the flow and beats of the songs. But the Nsanyuka Nawe, which has a remix in dancehall, is the disc’s highlight and everyone’s favorite. Blu*3 macks their way through sexy come-ons, blowout jams, bump-and-grind numbers and throwback grooves, coming at you with the volume blaring away. And while the girls have dished the dirt on their relationship with their men, it’s hard not to wonder if there is trouble in paradise on songs like “Nsanyuka Nawe,Mutima Gwange, Ndibeera nawe, woah,” which has Blu*3 frantically trying to hold onto their men — not for what they are, but all that they have. Whereas ‘Nsanyuka Nawe’ portray Blu*3 as the hopelessly romantic, sometimes vulnerable girlfriends, on “BURRN,” they’re in complete control of everything — from their sexuality to their lifestyle. This is a must listen album.

2-FACE IDIBIA'S UNTOLD STORY

2FACE IDIBIA
‘I WAS HEARTBROKEN’
Innocent Ujjah Idibia aka 2Face has won many music awards, done much international collaboration and shared stage with Grammy award winning musicians. Although he’s blazing hot and an acclaimed R&B king, he’s single, was heartbroken and has a child. George Otieno files his love story and life.
The soft-spoken musician, who just like other Nigerians with an accent insists that he is cool, peaceful, respectful and caring. 2Face started off his musical career ten years ago (1997) with a hip-hop and R&B trio called Plantation Boyz.
The group was the most sought after and popular in Nigeria and was signed by Brown Amoiri, a music producer in Lagos. Plantation Boyz consisted of Augustine Amedu (Black Face), Chibuzor Orji (Face) and 2Face. The group however was never to last as they broke up in 2003 to pursue solo music careers. Their break up not only made headlines in Nigeria but also was a loss musically to the youth who looked up to them. The same year the group broke up, 2Face went solo and has never looked back.
His most popular song African Queen was the first ever video to be played on Pan African channel MTV Base. Although he broke with Plantation Boyz, 2Face has featured Black Face in his latest album ‘Face to Face’ in the song Odi Ya.
Since he went solo, 2Face has three albums from Kennis music. The singer cum songwriter, refuses to classify his musical genre but refers to it as universal flavor. Although his latest album is R&B, 2Face says his style consists of anything musical. “I just don’t like classifying my music style because I can’t be tempted to do any style. I’m flexible,” he says.
In November 2005, 2Face beat other African nominees to win the Best African Act at the MTV Europe music awards in 2005. In the same year, he won Best Male Video and Best African Video at the Channel O Awards for his hit song African Queen at the South African and Kora Music awards (Revelation of the Year), the Ghana Music Awards (Best West African Song), and at MOBO (Music of Black Origin) music award in Washington, DC (Nominated). At the Nigeria Music Awards, he won the Hip Hop world awards 2006 special recognition category. Although he didn’t perform during the BET music awards last year in Los Angeles, 2Face made his appearance on red carpet.
His love life has been quiet, however, the passionate love ballad-struck musician has had his fair share of heartbreak. His award winning song African Queen raised many eyebrows locally and internationally. It celebrated the African woman, showered her with praise and talked to her with love.
Everyone wanted to know who the African queen was that drove this hot Nigerian celebrity to do such a touchy song. 2Face says, “I did the song because of my love and respect for the African woman.” He refuses to disclose who this African queen was but says he is single and concentrating on his music career.
According to him, an African woman stands for strength, warmth and support. Although 2Face praises the African woman, he’s been heartbroken and has a baby girl from his previous relationship. He doesn’t want to talk much about it but says it couldn’t work for reasons he can’t explain. “I broke up with this girl I loved so much. She was my African Queen. I have beautiful daughter whom she bore and I am bringing up,” he says. Friends, relatives, parents named the girl last year in a function that was attended by Kennis Music owner Ogungbe Kenny. Yes, he was heart-broken but still believes that life has to move on. “Having loved and lost does not mean you’ll never love again. I believe some day the right woman will come and hopefully she will be my African queen,” he says.
Born 31 years ago in Benue State in Nigeria to Michael and Rose Idibia, 2Face is an African music icon with international repute who is not only out to showcase African talent but to prove that R&B can also be produced in the third world. 2Face sold more than one million copies of his debut album ‘Face to Face’ that included
the platinum hit African Queen. He’s signed to Kennis Music, which is Nigeria’s biggest music studio that has marketed and promoted 2Face worldwide.
Many expect to see two faces as his name goes, but 2Face has one face although he insists his name has different meanings. “People can’t just know me by looking at me from a distance. Looking at me is one face but when you get to know me is the inside. So it’s the inside and outside. The inside is the real and natural me that’s not the musician,” he says.
2Face has performed alongside many international musicians most recently being Jay Z, Ciara, Envogue, Mary J Blige, Snoop Dog, Busta Rhymes, Beyonce and many others. That aside, he has featured and done collaborations with dancehall superstars like Wyclef Jean (Proud to be African), Beenie Man,VIP and Ugandan raga heartthrob Peter Miles.
Nollywood noticed his musical prowess either was going places or invited him to star in Nigerian movies. 2Face has starred in more than three Nigerian movies so far. He played part in ‘The Twist,’ ‘Fling Without Wings,’ ‘The Virgin Prostitute, and ‘A Date With the Queen.’ The song African Queen was used as soundtrack to the movie ‘Phat Girlz’ which premiered in Nigeria with lead actress Monique. The musician even performed during the movie première.
Just like the Beyonce and other showbiz icons what’ve signed endorsements, 2Face has signed a hefty deal with Guinness brand worth $200,000 as the advertising face. He is one lucky African musician. As we finish our interview, 2 Face has this to say to African women, “Be proud of your beauty because all of you are exquisite.” And to his fans, “thanks for supporting African music since 2 Face would not be him without your support.”

The other side of 2FACE
He is very shy person.
He has a degree in Management.
His star sign is Libra.
His mom Rose is a special person in his life.
Dancehall music is his other love.
He is spiritually conscious and fears God.

IS WEMA SEPETU (MISS TANZANIA 2006/7) A SLUT?

WEMA SEPETU (Miss TZ)
WAS SHE WORTH IT? AND WHAT ABOUT TID AND THE NEGATIVE PRESS?
Everyone has been talking about Wema Sepetu. But mostly it’s the negative part of her.It's the men that she either dates,has had a fling with or has been romantically linked too that has made her cannon fodder of the press. She is the current and outgoing Miss Vodacom Tanzania 2006/07 and she won it because she had what it took to. Like her or hate her, Wema Sepetu is not stopping at what’s being said about her but rather focused on proving her critics, pundits, haters and worst wishers that she rightfully deserved the coveted beauty title. She poured all her fuss on haters, tabloids, and stalkers and a lot more to Showbiz writer George Otieno.
Exquisite, slim- shady, focused, winsome smile, soft-spoken, trendy and down to earth best describe Wema Isaac Abraham Sepetu. Did I mention her intelligence side; she’s bright as well and publicity shy. It’s over half an year since being crowned Vodacom Miss Tanzania and Wema has had it rough, rougher that it has taken a lot of counseling, understanding to bear the pain. Tabloids, stalkers, haters and threats from known to unknown quarters have been haunting her modeling career, beauty title and silent life to an extent of making her loose peace.
Local R n B musician T.I.D,Film Director Ben Kanumba,Mr. Blue and a former C.E.O of a leading mobile service provider firm have all been linked to this beauty queen. T.I.D could not resist Wema’s charm and has had to ‘holla’ many times but without success. T.I.D doesn’t want to take Wema’s ‘NO’ for an answer for his daily stalks to her. This has been the daily news making headlines in local tabloids and making the beauty queen loose her cool. But is it true? ‘I know T.I.D as top in Dar and nothing else. This is all rumors, I haven’t dated nor done anything passionate with him as he has claimed. T.ID has been a friend and NOT a close or special friend. He has made advances to me and asked me out severally but I turned him down,’Wema recounts. She continues that T.I.D has been telling her crazy things and even wanted to introduce her to his parents. She even once confronted the musician after he went live on airwaves admitting that they had a fling while in South Africa. ‘I asked him and he admitted to having said it. But he said he did it for his fans but he kept on insisting it was for his fans. I told him he was lowering my dignity and had a title to protect, ‘she recounts.
She has had to change her cell phone numbers so many times. Reason being, she couldn’t take the threats she kept receiving lightly. ‘Strange people with names like ‘Kalapina’ have been threatening me and even asking me to load up their phones with air-time. Some texts like ‘Unajifanya unajua, tutakufanyia tunachomfanyia Salama.Tutakutumia Kikosi cha mizinga wakabiliane na wewe’ (We will do to you what we usually do to Salama. We’ll send you Kikosi cha mizinga) have been getting into my phone,’she claims. Despite all this threats, Wema kept her lips tight locked and never let her mom know about it save for her sister.
Every bright day she thinks she’s lucky; a tabloid has tainted her image. Besides the grueling Tanzanian tabloids has been some radio and TV that have been unfair or settling scores with her. A local TV presenter once went live and said she was dating Hip-hop musician Mr. Blue. She even went ahead and placed Wema’s photo alongside Mr. Blue. This not only made big news but also spoiled her repute as a miss and also soiled her affair with her parents. ‘I call Mr. Blue, Heri and I’ve known him times back as he was dating Wahida who was a very close friend of mine. Heri, Noorah and Mwana FA have been my friends and they even called me when I was a contestant while they were in Zanzibar for FIESTA. I can’t date Mr. Blue, ‘she adds.
Another issue that has really dogged Wema is her age. Rumor had it that she was sixteen by the time she was contesting for the Miss Tanzania title. It was really an issue that even after winning the title, some people were pursuing her former school, home and other sources to ascertain her real age. ‘I was born on the September 28, 1988.When I was contesting Miss Tanzania I was like 17 years plus and this raised a lot more queries. I turned eighteen when I was in the Miss World pageant in China and I celebrated my birthday there, ‘she recalls.
But why does she have so many haters? Wema doesn’t understand why it happens. ‘They simply don’t know me and have know reason to. I’m the sweetest person ever. They’ve judged me wrongfully and maybe because I take everybody at the same level and I don’t pretend,’ she adds. She says she cannot change her demeanor because of the Miss title but will remain the same home girl.
The worst news to ever have affected Wema was that which appeared in the local tabloids and said she had gone missing and was at Kempinski hotel with a top company Managing director. ‘The funny part was that I was at home and they said I was with him at Kempinski while he was in South Africa, ‘she sadly recounts.
But how does her parent’s react to all this issues that continue to surround Wema’s life? ‘It’s been really hard and hectic for her. They keep asking whether all the allegations and negative press is true. Her parents are now coming to terms about it and knowing that’s it’s all because of her celebrity status, ‘she says. But her parents aside, her boyfriend has been not easy towards her at all. The bevy of celebrities threatens him after his love. ‘I have had to explain several times that what’s in the tabloids is utter lies. We’ve fought a lot over this but fortunately all is well but it’s been rough for me as well.’ she says.
Judge her in a negative way, accuse her falsely or disfigure Wema’s personality, you’ll definitely annoy her. True to herself, she has maintained her character, self and persona even after being declared Tanzania’s most beautiful woman. ‘Many expected me to change and drop my friends and choose others. I can’t do that because of the crown,’ she insists.
Before winning Miss Tanzania, Wema traces her way back as long and really trying. She least expected to win the title. She came first runners-up in Miss Indian Ocean, then again same position in Miss Kinondoni before joining other contestants for the final pageant. She got her experience, confidence and runaway persona from Miss Indian Ocean, which was her first pageant to contest. Wema expected to win Miss Kinondoni but lost it. ‘I was so good in everything, I mean, the catwalk, intelligence, talent, confidence and the other requisites. I badly wanted that car but anyway it’s all God’s will I still won that of Miss Tanzania,’ she says.
She lost her morale after loosing the Miss Kinondoni title and were it not for her mum, Wema was never going for the finals. She went to the Miss Tanzania camp but never up beat but just for the sake of it. ‘I was doing it but with my mind not near winning. Everyone was like Jokate Mwegelo is going to take it. I was like ‘let the girl take it, she’s beautiful and so are the rest of the girls’. End of the day one of us was going to take it. Rumor was so rife about Jokate taking the title and not only was I feeling bad but the rest of the contestants, ‘she adds.
Winning the title came us a big shock to Wema. She had never thought about it not even a single minute. She took it wholeheartedly, amidst cheers and applause. Off course not many people were happy after she was crowned as many had already had a premonition that Jokate would walk away with the grand prize.
Wema is also an academic giant. She successfully passed her O’level at Academic International where she got a merit and will be joining A-levels soon after handing over the crown. She will be going to Canada as her dad has already secured a university chance for her. ‘I was good in accounts and I will be pursuing Finance and Accounts. I will not mind going up to the Masters level. I have had a passion for this career, ‘she adds.
But Wema wouldn’t like to be a model without education. Strange it might sounds but she insists one has to be beautiful upstairs as well. She has even turned down radio and TV jobs with her own personal reasons. Vodacom charities have been keeping her busy but Wema’s eyes are still set on having her own charity. She has been involved with cellular company in their foundations around Tanzania. ‘We’ve done a lot and I’m still doing it. Later on I will solicit for sponsors and have my own charity as Wema because at the end of the day people will be looking at me, ‘she says.
Her future she says is bright, as she has set aside any marital plans. ‘I have to get sound education, good job and be financially independent. I don’t want to depend on my future husband. I want to have my own money as well, ‘she adds.

What you’re dying to know about Wema Sepetu
*She was the youngest of all the contestants of 2006/07 Miss Tanzania pageant.
*She wants to be an independent woman in future
**She has a boyfriend who’s not in showbiz(he's also a model)
*She doesn’t care about the rumors and lies in tabloids or in the media since she knows they’re fighting her and she best knows herself.
*Her dad really blessed and supported her idea of joining the modeling world and Miss Tanzania for that matter.
*Mange spotted her, encouraged her and nurtured her in the industry.
*She believes in winning and loosing in competition.
*She loves R n B (Love ballads and especially Celine Dion) and some little Bongo flava, which she insists must be sensible.
*Novels are her things while at home.
*She couldn’t sleep after winning the crown even after being given a suite in a 5-star hotel.
*When she was in Miss Kinondoni she did well in talent (Performed a song and danced)
*She’s not outgoing as you may think.

WHAT JUDGES LOOK FOR FROM CONTESTANTS OF THE MISS CROWN
Beauty
Intelligence
Ambassadorial
Charm
Talent

UNCOVERED-BEBE COOL'S LAVISH LIFESTYLE

AT HOME WITH BEBE COOL AND ZUENA
28 years old Moses Ssali aka Bebe Cool is one of Uganda’s top dancehall musicians and has been married to ex-Zipa Model Zuena Chirema Ssali for the last four years. Together they have two children( three year boy Alpha Thierry and six months daughter Biata) . They live lavishly at Kampala leafy suburb Ntinda-Kiwatule. Showbiz writer George Otieno was at their home and files the story.
Off Kira road on your way to Northern Uganda Gulu, near Bukoto and lies Ntinda where the reggae star together with his family resides. Bebe Cool one of the leading musicians is son to Uganda ’s ex-cabinet minister and one of the most affluent who is always mentioned in the same taste as Jose Chameleone, Ragga Dee and Bobi Wine. Unlike reggae and dancehall musicians who’ve typecast themselves as ghetto survivors, Bebe Cool has had a totally different lifestyle that can be described as easy, smooth and exclusively posh. He is Rasta but there’s not any element of Rastafarism in his home. He drives larger than life cars and has acquired another fuel guzzler range-rover 4.6 hse,customized and pimped it and added it to his already swelling park yard that has two BMW 3.18 white and grey. ‘I like collecting cars and also making my wife happy. I will use the BMW s while she will be using the range rover,’ he says. His home is located at the Kiwatule and the road that leads there are dusty and a little bit rough. The neighborhood reads like the who is who either in the business circles or politics as the massionettes and bungalows that surround his home not to forget the big cars that are in their parking, show a lot more opulence and that the neighbors are straight moneybags in kabala gala city. Their home has a maroon gate and high walls that you can only see the inside of his home when up on the road as the house is a bit lower, his home has an ample compound and parking. The green-grass on the compound has been taken care of is short and trimmed and safe for playing on. ‘I have a worker who takes care of the compound and ensures the surrounding are clean, the grass cut and kept at a better shape. I like big compound and clean surroundings as well. I would not keep it bare. This has made it safe for my son Alpha to play there while at home,’ he says. On the compound lies the yellow Honda convertible sports car that he bought a while ago but has problems but is not operational as it got mechanical. He says that the sports car is the best he has and that they‘re only two in Kampala and will repair. His son Alpha broke the windscreen of the sports car and has always played in the car. His other car is white BMW 3.15 that he bought as a present to his wife Zuena sometime back. Zuena uses the car when going for shopping and drives her and the son around while taking her time out and going for picnic. ‘I got this car as a present from Moses. I was surprised when he handed over the car keys to me. It was the sweetest thing that ever happened to me, ‘she says. The blue BMW is their other car that is parking in the compound. This is their family car that is used by both of them.
The verandah is small but enough for the three of them to relax. It is surrounded by black metallic rails and a small gate. The living room window opens and surges on the verandah. The floor of the verandah is maroon and has a mat on the door for incoming visitors to wipe their feet when coming in. The color of the wall of their house is white and has some brown in it owing to the design. Bebe Cool has much love for white and says it shows someone’s cleanliness. Outside the wall while you’re entering the home, you’ll notice a DSTV dish on the wall. ‘I bought this to catch some soccer action on super sport. Since an ardent Arsenal fan and my son loves to catch some cartoon action as well. My wife loves to watch movies as well after she’s done with her household chores,’ he says. The side of the house that has the dish planted on it is rough and is cream in color. The main doors to the house are metallic and are black in color.
The house is two beds- roomed have as living and dining room, a spacious kitchen, store and Alpha’s room. The living room is spacious, organized and colorful. The décor is descent and lovely. There’s a state of the art white wall unit that greets you as you enter the house. The grey carpet that one steps on once he enters the house is soft and heavy though it only covers the living room. There’s a round three legged sizeable glass table that stands in the middle of the living room just next to the wall unit. The white wall unit has utensils and a big mirror. On it sit sits a PAM award, Bebe Cool won last year and two light green flower vessels. ‘I liked it as it was unique and exclusive. I bought it in the US at $2000 while I was there for shows,’ he says. Bebe says that his house is divided into two; the African and the Western. A 21 inch TV set sits on a state of the art stand that has also CD drawers. Still on the TV, there’s the dish set deck that matches with the color of the electronics. Bebe doesn’t like radio in the house Two photos of Bebe Cool and Zuena are on the wall that shows a lot more love as the poses on the photos are passionate and candid. Artistic work is evident as well. Three large photos drawn by hand are in the living room seated on another wooden stand in the corner of the house. One has the words ‘Bebe Cool is the best of all’ while the remaining two are photos done skillfully. One is him alone while the other one that greets you as you enter his home has the other two member of East Africa Bashment crew on it. The sofa sets that are in the living room are leather. The color of the sets is grey and cream with one which is a two seater. ‘I bought these sofas while I was in the US two years ago at $1800 the two pieces, the dining sets at $1500 and the coffee sets at $600. I like colors that are not bright to the eyes,’he recalls. The windows are metallic windows and the curtains that stretch to the floor are immediately behind the sofa. The house is well lit with enough lighting from the bright colors in the room. The curtains that stretch down to the floor are creamish and flowered. The couple’s dining room is small but enough for their family. The furniture and art in it show a lot more love for culture and tradition. Bebe Cool’s drawing faces the window while Zuena’s is also there. The drawings he says were made to him by his friends who are artists. Back to the furniture, the color is black. Three wooden tables that surround a one-stand round table are there. Another drawing of Bebe Cool is seated down on the floor and the number of artistic work here shows that the celebrity has deep love for art. A small table in the corner of the dining room has books scattering and here the musician and the wife have failed. Education is life and books are knowledge keep them. There’s a sink to wash hands that is clean. Zuena’s kitchen is my next stop. A huge fridge leans in one corner while a big electric cooker stands next. Food ingredients such as onions, tomatoes and other spices are here. Another cupboard that is attached on the wall above the cooker, carries shopping that shows that the family here has much love for healthy living. The kitchen sink is clean and has other drawers down. The window has a clean curtain that matches those in the living room. They have a store in the house that is opposite the kitchen although it is not properly organized and here they’ve failed. The corridor of the house leads to two bedrooms; one of their son Alpha Thierry and the other one theirs. Just opposite the couple’s room are the bathroom and the toilet. In their bedroom the couple has a wardrobe, a home theatre and a family size bed. Their wardrobe has designer outfits that read D&G, Giorgio Armani, Ecko and Adidas amongst others. They’ve not organized it today but it looks shabby and they don’t allow me to take pictures. Two pillowcases are on the bed. ‘My peace comes from resting on this bed. I wanted something spacious and accommodative as I care so much about it so much. I bought this bed at $2800,’he says. As you enter the bedroom, a paper bag that carries clothes is safely hid in one corner that has the home theatre. Next to it sits a mirror that the couple uses after bath plus the different cosmetics that are on the table. Ties for Bebe Cool’s suits hang on the wall as well. The color of the room is maroon from the bed, sheets and the furniture. Bebe Cool’s shoes are just adjacent to the king-size bed and the shoes are sporty. Well ironed sheets are placed just close to the bed. A black Suitcase is just next to the bed.
At the house, there’s a small British white hairy dog named Vicky. Bebe Cool bought it from a dogs den for $600 and loves it. ‘I love pets and take good care of it. I ensure she eats well and has her own menue.Vicky is friendly and welcomes me when I come back home. I named her after Zuena’s pal,’ he says.
The Celebrity Couple at home
The two most talked about lovebirds in Kampala have seen the best and worst in marriage. 21 year old Zuena Chirema Ssali is a model and was a contestant during the Miss Uganda 2000 where she met Bebe Cool. ‘I was a contestant then. The party was to welcome Miss Uganda from Miss World. Bebe was there to perform while I was to catwalk and he approached me,’ she says. Zuena started dating Bebe Cool when she was 16 years and have been married for four years now. ‘Bebe approached me and asked for my feelings. I was not a yes girl as such, so I took his number and after a serious thought I called him and there we went,’ she recalls. To her Bebe is the loving and most caring man she has ever met. According to Bebe who had just left Kenya the same time and had been disappointed by her Kenyan girlfriend says she just got it off and started living together two weeks later. ‘She was a beautiful woman I would do anything for besides her hardworking character. She is one of the reasons behind my success,’ he says. The dancehall musician proposed to Zuena while she was in London for vacation and it got her surprised. This was after a year of them staying under the same roof and she had even conceived her present son Alpha and was five months pregnant, so it was her best news.Zuena gave birth to Alpha in December 29, 2003 at Nsambya hospital. ‘We were just on the street in London when he proposed. He was on his knees and guys were laughing as it looked more comical. I even blushed at the whole scene, ‘she says. The two got more married two months after the proposal at Crane chambers in September 2003 and they say it was something small and had no mouth watering dishes but was something between. ‘I was in town and called her before we exchanged vows. She came and I threw her a party. Last year ,we had the Muslim wedding and I’m planning a major wedding after I’m done with my house,’ he says. Bebe Cool wasn’t immediately accepted by Zuena’s family and he struggled to invest trust in their family and prove them wrong. ‘I worked hard to win their trust,’ he says. Zuena doesn’t like Bebe Cool’s temper. ‘When he is annoyed he can do anything without knowing,’ she says. But Bebe is caring, loving, understanding, nice and a good father. The couple is now expecting a second child and has already named her Biata. But Zuena’s best moment in the relationship was when his boo bought her a car. ‘He bought me a white BMW one and a half years ago. It was the best present I have ever received. I imagine his car was off-road and he decided to buy me one when he didn’t have his,’ he says. Just like other relationships and marriage affairs the couple has their own differences but they solve them amicably. Zuena says that off stage, Bebe Cool is calm and fatherly and takes care of his son well. ‘He loves the stubborn son more than anything and treats him well. You wouldn’t imagine he is the same guy who performs crazily on stage,’ she adds. His son was named after Thierry Henry of Arsenal as his father is soccer fan and an Arsenal diehard. ‘Alpha means first born while Thierry for the soccer striker,’ she says. But Bebe Cool has other plans for his son Alpha; he wants to give him a different lifestyle. ‘I want to take him to a career of soccer as it’s the next prestigious career after music and has higher earnings. I don’t want him to go to school like this other children but do soccer. I want him to study football, English and Mathematics,’ he says. From next year when Alpha will be three and a half years old he will be admitted to a school of soccer as his dad has made plans already. Bebe Cool wants his son to be as famous as he is. His son Alpha he says is the most famous kid in East Africa and has appeared in press almost forty times. Zuena at home is hardworking and very different from the flashy showbiz beau that accompanies his hubby at events. ‘At home I cook, wash and take care of my son. I have a maid who takes care of the rest of the house,’ she says. She wouldn’t allow anyone in her bedroom and especially her maid. She is a private person and insists she wants her space with her husband. So she loves reggae and dancehall and listens to this music when not busy. Zuena the first born in a family of four comes from Jinja in a family of Mr. Chirema Khalid and Sofi Khalid. Her dad works at Nakasero state house while her mother is a business woman in Jinja. While at home and off stage for that matter, Bebe Cool is a different person altogether who takes care of his family. ‘I don’t allow my wife to go out as I’m over protective and I’m a yes person who accepts everything. I watch movies and soccer,’ he says. He says he uses time to plan himself and is innovative and boring as his wife and son live him watch TV. The couple plan to have four kids at ago and raise them before continuing to have the last two. ‘In the choice that I don’t want to have children out off wedlock and for the love of her,’ she says. Bebe Cool is putting up a big house just in the same neighborhood and will move in once it’s through from the piece of land he has acquired. ‘Your status and style should go hand in hand with your image. Next year I will move out this lifestyle and live the real celebrity life,’ he says.