Who would’ve thought that the daughter of a
police commandant from Angola could be fun to be with? People often say
that being a showbiz star gets into you so much that you become
arrogant, but that was not in the case of Weza Solange. RUTH OLUROUNBI,
brings the excerpts of her interactive session with this intelligent,
sexy and super engaging being. She’s armed with camera experience –
presentation, acting, modeling, MCing, having conquered South Africa
(where she’s currently based and is known as the 1st ever Telenovela,
‘Inkaba’) and best known for her stint on Big Brother Africa (BBA), the
sexy presenter discussed her life in this interview.Learning to be independent at a young age must have been fun. Or wasn’t it?
Learning to be independent at a young age was no fun at all. I had no choice. When my dad died, I immediately switched into the role of an independent responsible person because I felt that was the best way to help and ease the burden on my mother.
You had the best of both worlds while growing up. In one world, you could roam free and be whoever you wanted to be. In another, you went to school in bullet-proof cars, bodyguards and all. If you had to choose, which would you have preferred to grow up in?
Definitely option one, every child deserves to have the freedom to play without being afraid for their lives. There is nothing good about being an overprotective child; at least I don’t think so.
Were you a spoilt rich kid because of your experience?
I was never spoilt. From a very young age, I was able to see that I was fortunate for all I had and that made me more grounded than spoiled.
How did you land in South Africa? I mean SA seems a little far from Portugal and Angola.
South Africa is pretty far from Portugal, but only three hours and 30 minutes from Angola. After my dad’s death, my mother wanted to give us a new beginning, away from all the drama in Angola, SA was the perfect country. It was close to Angola and was considered to have the best education system in Africa. It was also said that It would offer us a chance to learn a different language, amongst many other factors.
Coming to SA, there had to be some shocks, barriers and all the ugly stuffs. How did you manage to cope, giving that you were young at that time?
Coming to SA wasn’t easy. Not only was I young, but I was still mourning my father’s death. The language, culture and many other barriers did not make things easy. But I had told myself that I needed to be strong for my mother and younger brother, so I sucked it up and didn’t let it get to me. From a very young age, prayer has always been my meditation and method of dealing with whatever makes me unhappy.
How was your growing up like? What aspect of it still makes you smile today and what part would you, if you had the power, prevent your little girl from experiencing?
I had a wonderful childhood! Both in Angola and Portugal. Although, it was also hard because of the Civil War in Angola or being away from my parents while in Portugal. I was always surrounded by so much love. Having a house full of people during holidays, being surrounded by siblings, playing hide and seek with all the kids in my street, all these things still bring a smile on my face. If I had the power, I’d prevent my little girl from worrying as much as I did.
There is a time and phase for everything in life, when I put a child in this world, I want to prevent them from experiencing adult problems. A child shouldn’t have such worries, just happiness. I don’t want them to grow before their time. I know the sacrifices that come with that.
Usually, for Africans, life changes when the head of the family dies. How was that like for you? And how did the changes propel you to becoming who you are today?
Where I am today is proof of how much my life changed when the head of the family (my dad) passed away. If my dad was alive, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be here today. By here I mean in SA, doing what I do etc. The changes propelled me to becoming a stronger person, fighting for what I want and believe in and never giving up on the things I truly care for.
How did you cope with the reality that your dad won’t be there for you anymore? It seems you were pretty close to him.
I was very close to him, I was daddy’s little girl. I think I never really coped with that. I just took it one day at a time and as the famous and very true quote goes: ‘Time heals all wounds’... I’m still healing even after all these years.
Speaking on who you are today, how did the dream to become a showbiz star start?
It started when I was just a little girl and I think I suppressed those dreams because everyone expected so much more of me, that showbiz was definitely a no no. I remember being mesmerised by people I would see on TV, whether singers, actors, reporters etc, I always felt very curious about that world.
Did you ever see yourself as a nun? I mean, your dad, did he want you to be one.
As a child I thought it was a good idea (laughs) but just because I’d see my dad say it so many times, knowing that is something that would make him happy, it did cross my mind a few times. Maybe that’s why I learned how to pray so much from such a young age!
You once said your mum, the academic, wanted you to go back to Angola to apply your knowledge there. Is there any hope of that happening soon?
Most definitely, but now I’ll do it on my own terms! I’ve finally come to the realisation and acceptance that I can’t live other people’s dreams or ideals of what they think I should be doing. I’m following my dream and I’m very happy doing that. My country, Angola, will benefit a lot from all I’ve been experiencing. I will take my knowledge, especially the business and creative sides of the arts, or the entertainment business. There are many WEZAs in Angola that just need someone to believe in them and give them a platform to do what they love. By God’s Grace, I want to be able to do that.
Let’s back-track a little bit, what attracted you to TV?
The power of the influence the one on TV has on others.
How was your first time on TV for you?
Scary, embarrassing! I was just thrown in the deep end and had to learn how to swim.
You’ve come a long way from the person who hated what she saw from the first time on TV. You have blossomed. The TV has become your second skin. How did that happen?
Time! With time I acquired knowledge and experience. Became better equipped to handle whatever came my way!
Being a showbiz star comes with its ups and downs. What have been the experiences like for you?
They’ve been great I won’t deny. It definitely makes all the hard work that goes with it, even more worth it.
How have you adjusted from the regular girl to a star?
No adjustment needed. I’m still the regular girl.
How is your mum handling this “new” you. Showbiz is
obviously a total diversion from the academic plan she had for you?I remained the same, I think the only difference is I’m not an office person like she thought or hoped I’d be. She’s finally used to the idea of Weza in showbiz because she sees first hand it’s not all fun and games like we make it look. She sees I work extra hard to make everything I do look extra easy. I think that her biggest worry was the fact that an office job gives you security, a monthly salary, benefits, holidays etc. It’s structured in a way that people consider “normal.” The entertainment industry is the total opposite.
You hardly get into scandal. How have you kept it all together?
I know the influence I have on young adults all across Africa. Although I’m not perfect, I do my best to stay away from drama, scandals etc. It’s not what I’m about.
Let’s talk about modeling. Obviously you’ve got the face and the body for it. How did you come into modeling?
I came into modeling by default of working on TV. It was never originally my plan. Brands saw me, wanted me associated to them. I had many agencies that wanted me, so I chose the one that understood that it wasn’t my only priority, and that managed to work around my busy schedule... And the rest is history.
How do you maintain this gorgeous body of yours?
Let me start by giving credit where it’s due. I inherited my mother’s very good gene. The rest is just a matter of being disciplined. I eat what I want as many times as I feel like it, but in small portions and I exercise. I live by the “healthy body, healthy mind” motto.
With a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and a Diploma in Business Management, it would be safe to assume that Weza owns or at the very least co-owns a few businesses. Tell us, how many businesses do you own/co-own?
Although I’m in Showbiz I cannot run away from what belongs to my family. I co-own family businesses but because I’m not active in them, I’m just part owner by default. I’d rather not even mention them. This part of my life I choose to keep private.
Weza Solange is gradually becoming a brand. How are you taking this brand across Africa, more significantly, how are you making your way into Nigerian Market?
The projects are on now. I believe in being quiet and letting my work do the noise. Let’s just say you should expect a lot of “Weza Noise” in Nigeria before year ends.
Are you happy with how far you have come?
I count my blessings everyday! I’m extremely happy and grateful for all I’ve achieved. Do I want to do more? Most definitely and I certainly will, but right now, I’m exactly where I’m meant to be!
Truth is, you are sexy. Exotic even. Do you ever find it distracting that people objectify you and not relate with your intelligence?
Thank You! and the answer is YES, All the time. It’s a lost battle and I don’t even get frustrated by it anymore. The truth is, anyone that takes at least five minutes to get to know me, will instantly see that there is so much more than meets the eye.
Let’s talk about Weza at home, away from the cameras. Who are you?
Very Chilled, always joking around. A bit of a controlling freak. I like my things a certain way. I’m a family person, I’d chose family over partying any day of the week. I cherish my family time, knowing what everyone is up to. Getting to share the fruits of my work with my family is my favourite pastime.
Everyone has suffered heartache. But somehow, we’ve all come up stronger and better, thanks some lessons learnt. What were the lessons you learnt in your failed relationship(s)?
MY biggest lesson has been to trust my instincts about whoever I’m with. I now trust more that little voice inside of me that shouts the moment something feels wrong the one people tend to ignore out of fear more than anything.
Are you seeing someone right now? When are the wedding bells ringing?
One of reasons my career has been so successful is also because I’ve managed to keep my private life out of it. Answering these questions always backfires. If I say YES then there is too much pressure on whoever I am with and if I say NO I start being hassled in the most tiresome ways imaginable. So this is the only time I will say “No comment, next question please”.
Wedding bells... Hummnnn... Let’s say they will ring in God’s timing.
What are your plans for the future? Where do you see yourself in five years?
Personally, married with at least one child. With all the career projects that I have in mind today, I see myself successfully fulfilled, including continental distribution of personal branded merchandise.I’m slowly building a legacy to be left when I’m not longer part of this world and the secret to making sure it happens is to try to reveal as little as possible until the time is right.
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