Fatima gets cold welcome
Evicted Malawian Big Brother Africa (BBA) representative Fatima Nkata arrived Wednesday afternoon at Chileka Airport to a welcome of a cold Blantyre and a small entourage of family and the press.
Unlike the welcoming party of former BBA reps which attracted traffic jams within the city, the drive from the airport was rather sombre with a few cars flashing their lights. No one stopped to even ask what was happening.
At Sunbird Mount Soche, the evicted housemate was met by gazes from some passers-by who even remarked: “Oh, it’s that girl in Big Brother Africa.”
Other former contestants such as Mzamose, Lomwe and Code had great welcoming entourages unlike Fatima.
MultiChoice Malawi marketing manager Chimwemwe Nyirenda quickly said the digital satellite television providers were not sure of the actual day and time that Fatima would arrive; hence, did not have time to plan for a flashy welcome with police escorts.
Otherwise, Fatima was her buoyant self smiling at all the people who welcomed her. She said she did not mind the lukewarm welcome as she was already used to being in the public eye.
“I actually don’t mind this welcome, I am used to being in the public and parading me in town wouldn’t have added anything,” she said nonchalantly.
Before she entered into the car brought to pick her up, a kind of disappointed Fatima commented: “I thought it would be a limo.”
During a press conference later, Fatima, who was dressed by Lilly Alfonso, looked fashionable. She said she always tries to carry a piece of Malawi through her dressing and hair which she tinted red to represent the flames.
She told the press that although she had no strategy to win the $300 000 she thought she would bring home the money.
“I thought I had it all and thought I had it planned that I would walk out with the money. But it is all different that is why it is called a reality show because it’s real. The first few minutes you act for the camera and then you forget it all,” said Fatima who claimed everything she did was from the heart.
She said that her distance from compatriot Natasha Tonthola was calculated so that they wouldn’t be targets for nomination.
Fatima kept on calling no drama, no drama as Natasha cried for her. In the process she said “Can someone take care of this?” motioning at her crying compatriot.
“The comments I made upon eviction were merely to communicate to Natasha that she is the last housemate. That was merely semantics–-meaning this situation—I wanted her to know that the game is on her now that she is the remaining Malawian,” said Fatima.
She urged all Malawians to continue voting for Natasha this week so that she stays in the game.
Fatima said Natasha was a friend and the first thing she will do is to offer cooking services at Natasha’s restaurant for a day so that she can learn more about her compatriot.
“I want to visit her people and understand her,” she said.
She, however, says from BBA she has learned how to live with others and she is happy she walked out of the house labelled as the most intelligent.
Fatima’s welcome party will take place at Blue Elephant club on Friday night.
