Vimbai Mutinhiri
{{Short description|Zimbabwean television personality}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Vimbai Mutinhiri- Ekpenyong
| image = Osas, Vimbia and IK.jpg
| caption = Vimbai, Osas and IK hosting the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards in Lagos
| birth_date = {{birth-date and age|18 February 1987}}
| birth_place = Harare, Zimbabwe
| alma mater = University of Cape Town
| occupation = TV Presenter, Model and Actress
| spouse =
| children =
| parents = {{unbulleted list|Ambrose Mutinhiri (father)|Tracy Mutinhiri (mother)}}
}}
Vimbai Mutinhiri (born 18 February 1987) is a Zimbabwean actress, model and television personality. She was born in Harare, Zimbabwe and raised in Belgrade, Serbia and in Johannesburg, South Africa. Before participating in Big Brother Africa Amplified in 2011, she studied in South Africa graduating from the University of Cape Town with an honours degree in politics, philosophy and economics.
Background
Vimbai is the youngest of four children of Ambrose Mutinhiri and Tracy Mutinhiri, both of whom are Zimbabwean cabinet ministers.{{cite web|url=http://nehandaradio.com/2011/05/09/mother-denies-vimbai-has-identity-crisis/ |title=Mother denies Vimbai has identity crisis — Nehanda Radio |publisher=Nehandaradio.com |date=2011-05-09 |accessdate=2013-07-22}}{{cite web|url=http://www.zimbabwesituation.com/feb10a_2004.html#link6 |title=The Zimbabwe Situation |publisher=The Zimbabwe Situation |date= |accessdate=2013-07-22}}
She attended at St Edward's School, Oxford and Arundel School in Harare,{{cite web|url=http://news.naij.com/32679.html |title=News - Why I Love Nigerian Men – Ex-BBA Star, Vimbai Mutinhiri |publisher=News.naij.com |date= |accessdate=2013-07-22}}{{cite web |url=http://www.divasinc.co.za/2013/02/5-minutes-with-vimbai-mutinhiri/ |title=5 Minutes with Vimbai Mutinhiri | Divas Inc. Magazine |publisher=Divasinc.co.za |date=2013-02-05 |accessdate=2013-07-22 |archive-date=2013-07-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130726043510/http://www.divasinc.co.za/2013/02/5-minutes-with-vimbai-mutinhiri/ |url-status=dead }} graduating in 2000 and 2002 respectively. She then studied Social Sciences at the University of Cape Town, graduating in 2008 with a bachelor's degree.
Career
Vimbai started her career at the age of 15 years as an actress in Zimbabwe, in a short film titled Who's In Charge, which featured at the Zimbabwe International Film Festival.{{Cite web |last=Muzari |first=Godwin |date=2020-05-11 |title=Vimbai on cloud nine after wedding |url=https://www.heraldonline.co.zw/vimbai-on-cloud-nine-after-wedding/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=herald |language=en-US}} She had a lead role in Zimbabwe's first soap opera titled Studio 263. While studying at the University of Cape Town, she continued modelling.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}
In 2011, Vimbai took part in Big Brother Africa season 6 (Amplified).
She hosted various major African events, including the first Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards broadcast{{cite web|url=http://nehandaradio.com/2013/03/03/vimbai-makes-history-as-she-co-hosts-african-oscars/ |title=Vimbai makes history as she co-hosts 'African Oscars' — Nehanda Radio |publisher=Nehandaradio.com |date=2013-03-03 |accessdate=2013-07-22}} live to 54 countries from Lagos, Nigeria.
She served as the Face of Castle Milk Stout (Cameroon) and has also walked the runway at SA Fashion Week and Zimbabwe Fashion Week.{{Cite web |last=Praise |first=Billy |date=2018-02-21 |title=Vimbai Mutinhiri Snags Hosting Gig On Ebony Life TV's "Moments Nigeria" |url=https://guardian.ng/life/vimbai-mutinhiri-snags-hosting-gig-on-ebony-life-tvs-moments-nigeria/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News |language=en-US}}
= ''Big Brother Amplified'' =
Vimbai was the 16th housemate to be evicted, on Day 84.
| class="wikitable"
!| Title !| Type !| Date !| Role !| Description | ||||
| | Big Brother Africa Amplified | Reality TV series | 2011 | Herself | Finished 9th out of 26 |
= ''Star Gist'' =
After Big Brother, she was chosen as the new presenter for the entertainment and lifestyle show Star Gist on Africa Magic Entertainment. Vimbai co-hosts the show, which is broadcast across Africa, with 22-year-old South African, Lawrence Maleka.{{cite web|url=http://africamagic.dstv.com/category/shows/star-gist/ |title=Star Gist | Africa Magic |publisher=Africamagic.dstv.com |date= |accessdate=2013-07-22}}
Personal life
In May 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Vimbai married Andrew Ekpenyong in Calabar, Nigeria.{{cite news|url=https://www.bellanaija.com/2020/05/vimbai-mutinhiri-is-married-dru-ekpenyong/|title=Vimbai Mutinhiri & her Beau Dru Ekpenyong are MARRIED! #ForeverYong|date=May 8, 2020|publisher=Bella Naija|access-date=March 28, 2023}}
References
External links
- [http://www.bigbrotheramplified.com/contestants/vimbai.html Official profile on Big Brother website]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mutinhiri, Vimbai}}
Category:Big Brother (franchise) contestants
Category:People educated at St Edward's School, Oxford