Hotshot Sipe says ‘half Malawian, half Zambian’

Malawi’s finalist at the just ended Big Brother Africa (BBA) Hotshots, Sipe, has been caught in a topsy-turvy trace of citizenship, having confirmed that she is not fully Malawian.

There were strong rumours making rounds on social media while Sipe was in the BBA house that Malawi was being represented by one Malawian Masuzgo Msiska aka Mr. 265 and a Zambian Sipe, born Sipherile Chitambo.

Upon arrival in Lilongwe on Wednesday, the 24-year-old hairdresser and singer, confirmed she was born and bred in the neighbouring Zambia, saying she was “half-half”.

It has been learnt that Sipe, whose mother, who paid her a visit while she was in the house, was born from a Zambian father and a Malawian mother.

It has been further discovered that she grew up in Zambia and came to Malawi six years ago and started living with her two brothers at Kawale in the capital Lilongwe.

“I was born and raised in Zambia but I am Malawian as well. I am half-half,” she said while responding to a question during a press conference as she returned home from the BBA show which ended on Sunday and was won by Tanzania’s Idris.

According to Malawian categories of citizenship, Sipe is Zambian by birth and Malawian by origin but was prior to lose her Malawian citizenship when she turned 22 years. She gained a Malawian passport that was surely used to represent Malawi at the BBA Hotshots on her dual citizen mode.

Her mother, who is from Malawi’s central region, is from the matrilineal tribe which believes children belong to the mother’s family, which in her case makes Sipe a Malawian. However, it is not clear if Sipe’s parents’ marriage was based on matrilineal customs and beliefs.

For people who have been following the Malawian rep in the BBA house, they would have an idea now on maybe why Sipe was close to Zambia’s Macky2 and called each other’s “G”.–  (Reporting by Prince Chikweba)

Follow and Subscribe Nyasa TV :