Controversial �nude� model beats a retreat
Tumelo Mouwane | Thursday February 23, 2017 18:00
Just few minutes before lunchtime on Wednesday when I was about to go home after submitting a few stories, a call from an unknown number came in, “Hello it’s Uncle Dipopae, the artist,” the caller introduced himself. “Yes, how can I help you?” I asked. “I have a fat story for you,” he said. I asked him what the story was about, but he insisted that I should meet him at a local hotel where upon my arrival I saw a familiar face. “Is this Jennifer?” I was perplexed. We occupied a table adjacent to the main entrance, and all eyes from neighbouring tables were on the young lady. Jennifer Thebe, born 20-years-ago in Lobatse was the talk of the week a while back, and her Facebook page got about 3,000 likes in a space of 24 hours. Little did her fans know that while they were busy liking her status she was detained by Woodhall Police for two days for allegedly publishing ‘nudity’ on social media. Thebe, now under the management of Michael ‘Uncle Dipopae’ Sekaba as a model, actor and MC, said despite all this, she is determined to be a model.
She said the whole drama started after she posted the photos on social media. She said she visited a friend’s house and upon return her mum told her that the police were looking for her. “I think it was a set-up because as soon as I got home, the police came in and I was subsequently detained at Woodhall Police Station for two days for what the police said was nuisance behaviour. They questioned me for two days as to why I did such online,” she said.
She said she was shocked to be arrested, “Batswana are so behind. That is the reason why some Batswana prefer to go out there and pursue their dreams out of the country, how can police detain me for that”.
Thebe further said her angry mother took her for psychiatric evaluation thinking that she was mentally disturbed, a move that left her disappointed. “The doctor asked me few questions and told them, ‘Jennifer is fine’. Modeling is art, and it’s my talent, no one is going to shake me to achieve what I want to achieve,” she said.
The 20-year-old said friends and family especially her brother, helped her to pass through the storm and she has since used the popularity to take herself a step further by opening a car audio system business which will start operating soon. “I am now fine and I do not have anything bothering me, my mother is also fine with me now since I found a manager who can assist me. I explained to my mother what I want and what I want to be, she’s fine and she understands,” she said. She said the brother motivates her everyday and her new manager has connected her well into event management and Master of Ceremonies services.
Thebe added that the mockery she received did not in anyway demotivate her, but rather gave her a reason to stand for what she wants. “Many people including friends who I have met after this incident asked me why I did this, some said negative things to my face. They said I am a master of getting naked. At first I would stay at home for days, but I had to accept it and live with it. I am not here to be mocked and submit to it, I am going to achieve what I want. Most Batswana are not supportive and one needs to be strong,” she said. Sekaba has since signed Thebe into his company called Mbazi Investments (Pty) Ltd as her new manager. He said he did not want to see such talented youth lose opportunity to grow as an artist because of lack of management and exposure.
“I met Jennifer shortly after her famous Facebook. I stepped in to help her grow as an artist and I approached her parents who instructed me to guide her as a professional artist. I am currently connecting her with the right people such as Juju Vine,” he said.