What you need to know about Sis Tamara from Big Brother Mzansi.
When Sis Tamara, real name Ukho Samela, joined the Big Brother Mzansi house during its third season, she won the hearts of Mzansi and did not look back.
Sis Tamara is a cinema student from Queenstown who was raised there. Sis Tamara characterizes this as a gender non-conforming experience because she does not identify with any particular gender. She is passionate about promoting the LGBQTI+ community and does so through her numerous platforms and exposure.
Gordon Gin has complied Sis Tamara’s Top 10 Favourite Things
What is your favourite thing about yourself?
Right now it has to be my fearlessness and my confidence
Favourite thing about being in the Big Brother House?
It has to be the fact that I was able to gender-bend. I would wake up one morning and decide to be in a skirt, later on in the day I would be in overalls, and later in the evening I would be in a ball gown. It was amazing to be my true self and have a good time doing so.
Who is your favourite fashion icon?
I have many favourites but I will have to say Rich Mnisi. People are so obsessed with Sis Tamara and forget that I have my tomboy side of me. With Rich, whenever I want to tap into my androgynous self, he’s the first person that comes to mind.
What is your favourite thing to wear in your closet?
The higher the heel, the closer I am to God. It has to be a pair of very high heels, something very short, be it a skirt or a pair of shorts and a crop top. I have always hidden my body because I battled with my confidence and had very low self-esteem, so the minute I started embodying Sis Tamara I wanted to embrace myself and love the parts that I never used to love, loudly so.
What is your favourite brand ?
I’ve dubbed myself the Pink Berry Hun. My favourite brand has to be Gordons.
What is your favourite thing to do with your family and friends?
Most of the time I am Ukho, I’m not Sis Tamara all the time, so Ukho is a homebody. When I’m with my family I enjoy sitting at home, binge-watching movies or series. We chat, we eat and indulge in the occasional cocktail – try the Gordon’s Pink Berry or the Sunset Orange, you will thank me later. When I’m with my friends, the streets literally call my name. When I am with my friends, I am a “groovist”.
What is your favourite cocktail?
Definitely has to be Gordon’s Pink Berry. It’s nice and clean. I don’t enjoy sweet drinks so it’s the perfect drink for me. What I also love about this cocktail is that there is #NoBabalas. Anyone I recommend it to says the same thing, I think that’s a quality we can definitely appreciate.
What is your favourite restaurant?
It has to be the Mezepoli in Melrose Arch. The first time I took myself out on a solo date was at this restaurant. I always found the concept of sitting alone at a restaurant very daunting but I overcame that fear. I’ve gone back to the restaurant a couple of times with my friends but it has a very special place in my heart.
What is your favourite food?
That’s a tricky question but it has to be beef stew with pap or ummgqusho (samp and beans). I live alone so I miss my mom’s cooking, anything that reminds me of home or my mom, is definitely a favourite.
What is your favourite holiday destination?
I really enjoy Cape Town, the weather is always amazing. There’s something about the air that makes you feel free. Anywhere where there’s water, I’m there. I’ve never been to Durban though but I would love to go there one day.
