TEN THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW ABOUT ZARI HASSAN
1. Zari was born 30 years ago to Nasur and Halima Hassan in Jinja. Her father is half Burundian and half Somali and her mother is half Indian and half Mutooro.
2. She moved to Kampala in 1998 and later stayed in the UK for two years where she did a cosmetics course. She came back to Uganda in the year 2000 before relocating to South Africa where she met Ivan Semwanga, the father of her kids.
3. The name Zari is short form from her full name Zarinah; her real name is Zarinah Zaitun Hussein. She is a beautician from the Cosmetology School of Girls in Woodgreen, United Kingdom.
4. Though she grew up in a Muslim family of six girls and two boys, this didn’t stop Zari Hassan from pursuing her dream of being a musician during her early years. She has just released a 12-track album with hits like ‘Toloba’ and ‘Hotter Than Them’.
5. Her role models were Arethal Franklin and Whitney Houston when she was still in secondary school. Back home, she draws inspiration from the late Brenda Fassie, Miriam Makeba, Lucky Dube and the princess of South African Music, Yvone Chaka Chaka.
6. Zari’s music is basically driven by her beauty and money. She started her music journey way back in 1998 with karaoke at DV8 and Sabrinas Pub which she did for fun. Her first single dubbed ‘Oli Wange’ was released in 2007 and this was nominated for channel O awards in the Best East African Video category. She did not get the award but this boosted her ego.
7. Zari Hassan owns state-of-the-art vehicles which includes BMW – 2006, Black Chrysler – 2008, Audi Q7 – 2010, Silver Crysler – 2008, JETTA-2006, Mercedes Benz convertible -2008. All the above mentioned vehicles have personalized number plates of ZARI 2-4-H GP.
8. Zari and hubby Ivan are the proprietors of Brooklyn City College which has six campuses in South Africa each with 800 to 2100 students.The students are offered national certificates upon completion annually. Zari has also just completed a magnificent hostel on Sir Apollo Kaggwa Road, Kampala and owns several houses in the city especially in Munyonyo, as well as a boutique in South Africa. Zari and Ivan Semwanga also own a house in Waterkloof Glen, near Pretoria in South Africa.
9. Despite her music not doing well like the likes of Jose Chameleone, Bebe Cool, Bobi Wine and Ragga Dee, Zari has enjoyed time in the business. She now says it’s now time she gives back to the community and has decided to help several charity organizations in town like Katalemwa Cheshire Home, Sanyu Babies’ Home, as well as Luzira Prison. She is now set to extend her charity to ‘Hope After Rape’ and the School for the ‘Deaf’ in Ntinda.
10. She has had troubles in the past in her relationship with her hubby Ivan but it now looks like they have settled the matters once and for all. She will on 21st of this month host her fans to a party dubbed ‘Zari All White Champagne Party’ at the plush Guvnor Night spot.
