A Moment With… Vimbai Mutinhiri

Vimbai Mutinhiri is a model, presenter and actress who burst onto the African stage as a housemate in Big Brother Amplified.

Vimbai started her career as an actress in Zimbabwe at the age of 15. She starred in a short film for the Zimbabwe International Film Festival titled “Who’s In Charge”, and played a lead in Zimbabwe’s first soapie, Studio 263. She went on to model in Cape Town while she was at university – she holds a Bachelor of Social Science (Politics, Philosophy and Economics) . Shedid major campaigns for Zain, MTV Base and Bio Oil and posed in spreads for several top fashion magazines such as True Love – spread her wings to Johannesburg and found herself on Big Brother Africa season 6 (Amplified). Since then, She has hosted several events across the continent as a live MC, modeled in several fashion weeks and graced Africa’s biggest magazines and publications.

She also starred in a play at the Harare International Festival of the Arts in 2012 and has gone on to become co-host of the popular African lifestyle show Star Gist.

We caught up with her and this is what she had to say.

What is your government name?

Vimbai Mutinhiri

What do you like to call yourself?

Miss Vimbai (always in the 3rd person) *giggles*

What is the most ridiculous nickname you have ever had?

Vee-Unit (and I will never tell you why!)

Which side of the bed do you sleep on?

I sleep in the middle with all limbs stretched out, and make snow angels in my sleep

Are you left-handed or right-handed?

Right handed for writing, left handed for make up.

What is your favourite instrument?

The Yoruba talking drum

What is the first song you fell in love with?

I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston

Best concert you have ever been to?

That’s a tough choice between Femi Kuti at the Shrine in Lagos and Mary J Blige in Cape Town

Of the interviews you have conducted which one is your favourite?

I really enjoyed the interview with Dbanj, but Ghanaian rapper Manifest was such a joy as well. He pulled me into his energy and into his story, and he was so charismatic.

How do you deal with groupies?

Groupies. I love the people who support me, so I try to enjoy their appreciation. I’ll adhere to requests that aren’t too weird…

How excited were you when the first groupie hollered at you?

I was just so confused and overwhelmed. It was one of those moments where I had to pinch myself and ask “ndini here?”

Where is Zimbabwean entertainment going?

Zimbabwean entertainment, like entertainment on the rest of the continent, is growing well. The quality of our production is improving, and we are also starting to build a strong identity. If we continue down this path and continue to invest in strong brands that are authentic to themselves, Zimbabwean entertainment will definitely start to become more recognized on the continent and in the world. I’ve been fortunate enough to get insight into entertainment industries across the continent, and the joy is that we are uniquely talented and we can compete with the rest of the continent. We just have a little bit of housekeeping to take care of, and we’ll get there.

Where is your career going?

I’m full of surprises. Follow me, and you will surely find out. There are amazing plans ahead, and I’m very excited.

What do you want to be remembered for?

I want be remembered for being Miss Vimbai: a strong, talented and determined African woman whose contribution helped to shape the face of entertainment on the African continent.