'Sexy' Tawana sparks great controversy

MAUREEN ODUBENG
Staff Writer | Thursday November 20, 2008 00:00

 

Big Brother Africa 3 was launched on August 24, with 12 housemates from 12 countries, comprising six females and six males, playing the game with the hopes of winning USD 100, 000 cash prize.

Tawana was the oldest in the house, and as such many people expected her to be the one 'pumping' some sense into the younger housemates. But sadly, from the onset Tawana had been quite generous with her body, giving herself to anyone willing to take her. Just a few weeks into the house, Tawana gave one of the housemates Takondwa Nkonjera of Zambia a 'blow job' only to be dumped for Kenya's Sheila Kwamboka. TK and Sheila were evicted before Tawana.

Tawana was arguably one individual who spoke her mind during the fake evictions, alongside Tanzanian housemate, Latoya Lyakurwa. Much to the shock of every self-respecting Motswana at home, Tawana announced that she missed sex, and this was after she had lambasted Latoya 'for playing two men' in the house, and calling it evil.

Tawana in fact 'outperformed' the Tanzanian by giving her body to two different guys - Zimbabwe's Munyaradzi Chidzonga, and Angola's Ricardo Venancio. All this while Tawana of course was attracting a lot of negative comments, some of which unfortunately were applied to Botswana as a whole.

The negative comments of course intensified as she kept exchanging sexual partners within the house, having sex on a reality show for those who care to watch and see. Initially, many might have thought it was just a strategy, initially when Tawana started sleeping with Munya. They both made it clear that their relationship was just a sexual one, but every now and then the young Motswana woman would be heard complaining to Ricco that Munya treated her like a 'piece of meat', and surprisingly she still entertained the very same Ricco again.

On Sunday night during her live eviction interview, with Botswana flag wrapped around her shoulders Tawana once again informed the whole of Africa that she 'loved dick', and proudly related that she was spoiled for choice, changing the two young men as per her desires of the moment. She was proud of what she did, adding that she did not regret anything. Showbiz took to the streets to sample the feelings of the general public on the issue, and many people were disgusted with the behaviour Tawana displayed in the house.

Kelebogile Dintwe, a young businesswoman, criticised Tawana's despicable behaviour.'Look I don't care how someone chooses to live their lives, but DStv when advertising this show, must use country names, and as such, people tend to think these people (housemates) are ambassadors of their countries when in actual fact they are in it for themselves and nothing else,' she said.'I did watch that show but stopped because of Tawana. What Tawana was doing in the house was wrong, she did not only demean herself, she also demeaned our country.' She explained that her behaviour led to people from other countries insulting Batswana as a promiscuous nation, hence the high rate of HIV/AIDS infections.

'This kind of behaviour is regrettable, not only because she is a woman but, it is not normal for a human being to behave that way, and it should be condemned in the strongest terms possible,' she said.Another young woman, Veronica Sello, shared similar sentiments, but went on to criticise Tawana's intentions of working with children. Sello said young minds are very vulnerable and need good role models to mould them, arguing that it is easy for a young person to think that behaving like Tawana is acceptable.

'We want our youngsters to grow up with the right attitude of living responsible lives, in the hope that they will become responsible adults,' she explained.

She also noted that she was irked by comments she saw about Tawana, which ended up being applied to the country as a whole.It is not only women who were disgusted by Tawana's behaviour, Orabile Lekgoa, did not hide his disappointment, at Tawana's behaviour, he even challenged M-Net to either discourage this kind of behaviour or having a disclaimer distancing the countries from the contestants.

'It is not fair for people to end up insulting us Batswana, just because of one individual,' he said.He even wondered how the housemates are selected, adding that the countries are not involved in the selection process, hence these people should not be presented as ambassadors of their respective countries. He even complained that while holding the country's flag, Tawana said a lot of outrageous things.

There was, of course, one gentleman who thought people were taking this too far, arguing that Tawana is comfortable in her own skin and as such was just telling people who she is.Tawana did not get criticism from Botswana only, as people from many different countries posted comments on the reality show's website insulting her, with some generalising their insults towards all Batswana.

The website address is www.mnetafrica.com/bigbrother. Some of the comments featured on the website, suggested that Tawana's behaviour has contributed to the high HIV/AIDS prevalence rate in Botswana. A young male from Ghana, who registered on the website as Nickster, posted the following offending comments on the website:'My offer still stands and will for the whole week so common all the people from Botswana and start with the Tawana out campaign now!!! Save your nation from disgrace!!! No wonder u have such a high HIV infection rate, damn birds of a feather flock together, Botswana u guyz change and exchange partners like changing your underwear everyday, DAMN!! SICK!!! Vote her out otherwise I will start insulting''He is not the only one, as similar comments came pouring from across the continent.

'Finally the smelly she-goat is on the chopping board. Munya, thanks a bunch! Tawana thought by supplying those smelly 'goods' she would buy her way to the bank. No way that is how men treat prostitutes. They use them and when they are satisfied they dump you. Essshh!,' this was yet another message criticising Tawana's message on the interactive Big Brother Africa website.

'That goat must go back to Botswana maybe they'll understand how her head functions coz Africa doesn't!!' was yet another controversial message on the board, of course suggesting that this kind of behaviour is tolerated in Botswana.'Ricco u just committed the greatest mistake of BBA3 au can u be f'ing Tawana? i hope u 3 won't have to fight over paternity and DNA soon? TAWANA pls stop disgracing Botswana women..if i were Bots i wud vote her out as well for them to tell Africa they are not in support of her waywardness,' another Big Brother follower commented.

These are just a few of many, which can be accessed on the Big Brother Africa.

Big Brother Africa 3 will have its grand finale this Sunday, and the three who are still in the race are Ricco, Munya and Malawi's Hazel Warren.