Bio
Hakeem Mandaza is a Zimbabwean model best known as one of the housemates on the eighth season of the reality competition television series Big Brother Africa, in 2013.
Big Brother Africa Profile
Hakeem is a model from Harare. He entered Big Brother because he is a huge fan of the show and passionate about the experience. “I like the idea of taking simple and exceptionally talented people like me and thrusting them into stardom,” he says. “Also, I’m a model and aspiring actor seeking bigger opportunities”.
Hakeem lists his favourite foods as crispy rosemary chicken with fries and macaroni and cheese. His favourite books include The Art of War, It’s Time to Unleash Your Greatness and 50 Shades of Grey and he enjoys watching X-Factor, Two and a Half Men and Chris Angel: Mind Freak.
His favourite musicians are The Game, Drake, Chris Brown and Jay-Z and his favourite actors include Dwayne Johnson, Johnny Depp and Denzel Washington.
He says the best thing about Africa is the people, the culture, resources and history, which is “so rich, authentic and intriguing”. His favourite place in the world outside of his home country is Jamaica, because of the food, drink and climate - “and the parties are out of this world”.
Hakeem’s role model is Tyson Beckford because he was the first black male model to become a supermodel. “He was picked from the streets, yet so humble, ambitious and composed,” says Hakeem.
If Hakeem wins Big Brother, he’ll invest in property, pay tithes, go to college, take care of his son and own the biggest model agency in Africa to help open doors for others.