Flaviana Matata, mrembo wetu wa Kitanzania ambaye hivi majuzi tu amefikisha umri wa miaka 20, ndiye kwa mapana na marefu, katika siku za hivi karibuni, ametokea kuwa balozi mzuri sana wa Tanzania. Ushiriki wake katika kuwania taji la Miss Universe hivi karibuni huko nchini Mexico, sio tu umeiweka ramani ya Tanzania katika sehemu nzuri katika masuala ya urembo, lakini pia umeacha gumzo dunia nzima. Hii inatokana na ukweli kwamba ‘utofauti” aliokwenda nao huko Mexico bado ni gumzo mpaka hivi sasa midomoni mwa watu hususani kuhusu sanaa ya urembo. Urembo ni nini? Ni nywele, ni rangi ya chocolate ya mwili au nini hasa?
Hivi karibuni mrembo Flaviana alifanya mahojiano maalumu na BongoCelebrity ambapo pamoja na mengi mengineyo, anaongelea mipango yake, kwanini yeye ni mrembo asiye na “nywele” nk. Yafuatayo ni mahojiano na Flaviana Matata.
BC: Do you get nervous going on stage, in the of event like the recently ended Miss Universe pageant, knowing it is broadcasted live and you are representing the whole country?
FM: I am not nervous at all as I am now used to walk in front of many people, I started in Tanzania during the Miss Universe Tanzania preliminaries.
BC: What is the hardest thing about being Flaviana (yourself) in Miss Universe?
FM: It’s all about my bald head. People do not understand when I tell them I was like this before. They think I shaved my head for the Miss Universe competition
BC: When you wake up in the morning, what do you see looking at yourself in the mirror?
FM: I see a uniqueness, beautiful face and it is where I get the courage to look at myself
BC: Majority of women probably want to know something about your style which is popularly different. Right now wigs and weaves are important part of hair fashion especially when you see Tyra Banks as your role model, whether in a fashion way or anything else. Your baldhead fashion is what you’re rocking with right now and quite proud of it, what message are you sending to those who believe beauty is all about hair?
FM: I never considered myself as a model before though people did due to my height, skin color and face. Friends encouraged me to be a model, the first thing I thought was my hair as I had long hair and I spent much time making my hair with weaves and extensions. One day I got very tired and I just decided to shave my head. People should know beauty is not hair it comes from inside and do not let anything from outside define your beauty
BC: Do you think there’s a difference between westerners’ standards of beauty and the ones in Africa?
FM: The difference is cultural, and it is true for Asian vs European, just as it is for African vs European. In Africa, women do not have naturally long flowing hair, yet we have beautiful plaits and afros. But because we want to fit the western standard of beauty, my sisters waste time putting on wigs and adding extensions. Also the shape of the nose and the lips are a matter of taste. Long aquiline noses are beautiful in European culture, while round noses are attractive for Africans.
BC: Within the black population, there has been a conflict, especially among women, between light skin and dark skin ideas of beauty. Does this transfer into the modeling world? Do you feel it getting better right now to represent our own skin and be proud of being a “chocolate sister”? What would you want to tell our new young girls who still believe in using self made lightening cosmetics a.k.a mkorogo in order to be considered beautiful?
FM: We should accept ourselves and be proud of our skin color. I don’t see any need of using ‘mikorogo’ to have light skin which is not ours naturally. Believe me, Westerners, really love our skin color and they wish to have it. Girls should be proud of our ‘African natural beauty’ and forget ‘mikorogo’
BC: The fashion industry has been criticized for sending a bad message to young girls–especially with the whole “heroin-chic” thing–do you think Tanzania will ever have that type of problem? Especially right now as we compete with the universe and see what is beauty through eyes of Universe?
FM: Drug and alcohol abuse exist in Tanzania but not at the same level as in the US and Europe. One of the reasons for this is that models do make that kind of money to spend. Those who get caught up in drug and substance abuse are well-off party girls and not professional models.
BC: Another contributing factor to all the insecurities about body-type seems to be the huge rise in plastic surgery. Most models have had at least some plastic enhancement. Do you think that adds to the problem as well? I mean, you have these girls looking at what they think to be perfect bodies which were actually sculpted by knives.
FM: Plastic surgery or enhancement is a big debate in the modeling and beauty queen industry. I think that girls have to have a healthy message about their bodies. In Africa, we still celebrate the natural woman and look down on women with enhancements. But I am sure that within a few years, young girls might start considering but as there are no services available in Tanzania, this is very remote.
BC: Most models in US and Europe represent brand name clothing companies, shoes lines, bags etc. Are you interested in using any of our designers from Tanzania and if yes would you explain why? Who are your current designers?
FM: To be honest fashion industry in Tanzania is still young .For example Ailinda Sawe is a famous designer and she has beautiful clothes but most of them I feel are for elder people and I wouldn’t wear them may be just for fashion shows. We still have to work hard in order to have also ready- to-wear clothes for young people not only for special occasions. Like this models will be able to represent different brand names/companies.
DC: In Tanzania so many models are either in school, or stop school for a while to pursue modeling and fashion careers, I know for example you are interested in becoming an electrical engineer in the future, Are you doing modeling as a career goal or just a hobby? And if you finally decide to stick with modeling, do you think modeling and engineering will interconnect.
FM: I have worked with different Tanzanian models but have never met anyone who has stopped school to pursue modeling career. They just do it as part time as you know that we are not paid well so we do have other careers. I am planning to do modeling as a career though I can’t just depend on it for long or do it up for 50 years. So I should have my own profession as other people do.
BC: Do you think there is any difference between the models who were trained in US and Europe and those who were trained in Africa? Now that you have had an opportunity to compete among them, what do you think Tanzania should do to have more opportunities for people like you who want to be Miss Universe?
FM: Modeling is not only about catwalk but also talent. We don’t have enough resources though we have huge talent. We know that the modeling industry in Tanzania is still young so we should keep on training the models and give them support. Personally I didn’t see any difference between myself and other contestants as I was doing everything they were doing like catwalk, poses etc.
BC: Do you have specific goals or dream set up for yourself? Is there anything that people do not know about you and you would like to tell them now?
FM: Apart from my ambition to be a top model I also want to be an engineer after I finish my modeling career. Also I want to be a role model in my society reflecting the bold and independent woman that I am to younger girls.
BC: Thank you very much Flaviana for this interview. We wish you all the best in your future endeavors.
FM: Thank you for the opportunity.
Feedback / Comments
50 Responses to “JIVUNIE UAFRIKA,SAHAU “MKOROGO”-FLAVIANA”
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dgf
ok this was a rip off from some other magazine i read…lets try something new..how about our own thoughts and view, i mean real questions/real answers?
Aisee,safi sana hii.Binti amejitahidi kujibu maswali vizuri.Lakini kwenye suala la designers wa Tanzania naona kama kakosea.But in anyway,good job Flaviana,you are a real ambassador.
Flaviana anahitaji watu wa PR.Majibu yake hayaridhishi kabisa.Maria vipi??
Interview nzuri. anaonekana ni mtu anaejiamini. Kweli amejitahidi.
Based on her age, level of education, and as a Tanzanian who went to local school…she did way much better than many college graduates. I give her an A+.
hey gjkdg or what ever your name is…..get a life…just because you did not think about this first that you have to come up here and start talking trash…..
GREAT INTERVIEW BONGO CELEBRITY…KEEP IT!!!!
U GJKGD…STOP THE HATE!!!
Well done Flaviana. U r the good example to the young girls in all Africa. All the best.
she was ok, but still i like Miss kinondoni betta.
nakubali na Sam, swali ni kitu kingine na jibu kingine.but hata hivyo amejitahidi..
Congrats girl !!!!!!!!!!!!! you did a nice job.
Keep it up!!!!!
stay well, take care & be blessed.
She is beautiful, absolutely beautiful. I wish all black women would do the same, no hair extensions, etc.
keep it up Flavian,other girls be natural like her MKOROGO USHAMBA my ndugu
Well done.Given very good answers for all the question.I really impressed with the answers
Flaviana ni mzuri kwa kweli, napenda zaidi style yake ya nywele. na jinsi anavyoukandia mkorogo, tuache mkorogo wakina mama, wakina dada, kwani waweza kuwa mzuri na weusi ulionao. big up Flaviana Matata
Big up matata.MKOROGO is outfashion NOW but naturaly is on stage,All woman must imitate from u to leave naturally.Myself i like naturalgirl
She has proved to all Tanzanians – light skin isnt everything
when defining beuty….. I guarantee you if she was lighter she
would’nt look as regal and beautiful.
That doesnt mean light skinned girls cant wear no hair.
Gorgous!!!
She did not enter the Miss World, or Earth after her success
Why?
Flavian matata wewe una bwana mimi nimekupenda sana mupenzi
I love the way u r! wish every girl look like u .
FLAVIAN, HUFAI KABISA KWA NINI UMEVAA NUSU UCHI MBELE YA WATU? HUOGOPI HATA BABA ZAKO AU WAKWE ZAKO?
hello maria, Flaviana amejitahidi sana, ao wengine wanatoa point na huku wakiitwa hawatokei,
Apiyo tiner
nakukubali sana mdada kaza mwendo,usijali maneno ya watu heshimu maamuzi yako,na ishi kama upendavyo,kumbuka hata bwana yesu alitenda mema ila hawakumthamini na walimsema pia.lv u
Kwa maoni yangu huo siyo uafrika, acha kukaa uchi mbele ya watanzania wenye busala, pamoja na maadili mema ambayo tulilelewa vizuri na Baba na Mama zetu. Huu ni unyama ni sawa na wale wanaojiuza usiku ambao kila mara mnapiga kelele kwamb wanatuzalilisha watanzania.
hongera bi dada..kwanza napenda sana sana unavyojiamini sio tu kwenye jukwaa bali hata ukiwa uraiani..napenda vile unavyopigania maisha..nakutakia mafanikio mema mtu wangu yani big up sana
Baby, you r great. You know wat I admire u, u r a real model and you know wat keep it up n take care.
Jealous jealous my fellow Tanzanian it wont take us anywhere neither it will not stop Flaviana to go on with her future plans.I even don’t think she care about your noise of trying to let her down she is already on another stage focusing on something else.
At her age I can assure you go at any university in our country and ask some questions to any students related to SOCIAL, ECONOMIC AND POLITICAL within the country see if you can get proper answer from so called educated people.
Flaviana got all the following character
She is bright
She is so smart
She has vision
She is sexy
Natural beauty etc etc……!
Her wear style if her family accepted I don’t see why should be a problem to few of you. How many girls/ladies/women in the country wear half naked but you don’t even comment or come up with a concrete proposal to the public that in order our daughters/ sisters/mothers and aunts to get ready from strangers they should wear proper clothes?
Why are you not talking about prostitute in the street that are even spreading diseases etc?
Are you told that Flaviana always wears like that or it was only during the beauty competition?
Try to think twice and carefully
Flaviana keep it up so that you can make your dreams come true
Wishing you success and bright feature ahead you
Don’t give up on any opportunity that came on your way GRAB IT WITH YOUR TWO HANDS
Good luck you Rock girl!
Wenye Wivu mtajiju
the lady did good during her interview,with regards to her age,level of education,experience and exposure she did quite beautiful,she has been a student at local primary and secondary schools and finaly a student at technical colledge arusha.so big up flaviana many graduates cant afford it
regards
michael
For sure I 100% suport Flaviana and Iam taking this opportunit to wish her all the best in whaterver she had planned do for her future.
Tanzanians lets be straight, don’t always show the public how jelous you are, she did well in the interview suport her. She also did well in the miss universe competition lets suport her also.
Just to wear the way she looks she was in her job and I don’t belive she wore the that way all the time. Take example footballers and netballers they wears shorts and no one complain abaout that. Beach clothes etc why Flaviana was seen as if she did an abuseful thing while she wore like that according to place and occassion?
Tanzanian I think we have to think before comment anything as sometimes others do show their personal haterate to someone through an umbrellar of commenting here.
As a piece of advise lets support our stars and encourage them instead of discouraging them.
Flaviana big up my sister and focus to your dreams always.
Big up.
KEEP IT UP BUT CHECK YOUR STATUS GAL COZ WE HABVE STARTED TO HEAR MUCH ABOUT YOUR LUV AFFAIRS,STAY BLESSED
FLAVIANA is so beautiful namtakia mafanikio mema sijui ana ambition gani!
Flaviana ni bora ukawa na characters za kwako kipekee na siyo kuiga eti kuwa na boyfriend staa mwenzio ni fashion its not like that hata hivyo i like the way you perform your modelling because you are among the few icons that Tanzania inajivunia, kama umaarufu unao utumie vizuri dada.
Flavian is beautiful and I like the way she is doing, whatever I wanted to say has been written in most of the comments abouts above, all I can say is I wish her all the best.
Sorry this is out of topic but if you don mind please read this: My name is Chritine Rob Stewards (Texas USA), I’m going to be 50 on 16 August 2009. I was born on 16 August 1959 in Tanzania before its independence. I shall have a little suprise for anyone who lives in Tanzania now whose birthday is 16th of August. Write to me: rosekrist@ymail.com
Special prizes for my same age who will be there. I hope to be there.
Ahsante sana.
nakubali anachokifanya,japo sametime nabaki na maswali kichwani kuhusu sanaa ya urembo inavyoingiliana na utamaduni wa mwafrika?
Sijui kama kweli inatuwakilisha vyema au inatuchafulia utamaduni wetu.nadhani mnanipata!
Keep it up flaviana, u know what? ur so sweet n lovely like honey. u hv got natural color which is not most of beauties have.
Ur my model! 4 realy U got me. I lv u Mwaaaaah!
U are the best
kep t up GAL!!!
DUUUUUUUUUUU!!!
FLAVIAN WE MKAL 2,, ACHA WABONGE.
Ur So cute mamii, big up,
all the best on ur studies
She is gorgeous!!!! How height is she???
she good, natural. she is realy presenting african women. big up
Bado ninapata kigugumizi pale Baba yake Flaviana anapoona umbo la sambusa ya mwanae inakuwa vipi? je nikweli anfurahia au anaumia? wengi waliochangia wameangalia upande mmoja wa shilingi hebu nawaomba wachangiaji wenzangu wakae nafasi ya baba yake au kaka yake Flaviana halafu ndio wakomenti.
utakuta mtu anasema Flaviana got all the following character
She is bright
She is so smart
She has vision
She is sexy
Natural beauty etc etc……!
Hivi huyu mtu angekuwa mama yake ndio kava kichupi nakuanikwa kwenye mtandao ange yasema haya?
Tuache matamanio ya nafsi zetu tuwe wakweli natumshauri huyu mtoto ajaribu kuangalia picha zakutuwekea hapa.
Siku zote ukiendekeza njaa utafanya hatayasio kubalika ktk jamii.
Pole sana BABA NA MAMA Flaviana vumilieni haya ni matunda ya malezi yenu.
your beautifull flavy maintain, care and proud of what you have.do not back up
congrats ma presious model….keep it up! do watever you think is good for yourself and for development of your country…….
keep going sister we Tanzania proud of what ur doing , but dont 4get 2 pray to GOD its nice to have a Tanzanian girl like u keep going
p flaviana
owkey de shoez a not worth it who waz her designer but apart 4rm dat she luks gud n she is cute
Nampongeza kwa mafanikio sihaba lkn utamaduni wetu uenziwe!
Mimi nampongeza juu ya kuulinda Uafrika wake, uhalisia wa ngozi yake, hilo nampongeza kuwa nguvu zote na anapendeza sana, Isipokuwa juu ya uvaaji, hilo simfagilii hata punje, kwa nini asiweke picha inayomwenyesha akiwa katika vazi la heshima? Namshauri asirudie tena kuweka picha ya aina hii kwenye mtandao, anajidhalilisha, labda atuambia kuwa huu ndio utamaduni wetu