Multi-talented Alex star in the running for R2 million Big Brother prize
ALEX – Themba is also a father of two.
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Alex resident Themba Mabaso who is in the running for the R2 million cash prize in the Big Brother competition is also a talented tattoo artist.
The 31-year-old was raised by his grandmother Merriam Mabaso. He has a sister Mahlatse Tjie and an aunt who prefers to be referred to as a sister, Mathlodi Maseko.
Mabaso attended Ikage and Pholoso primary schools and went to high school at Realogile High School. After school he studied marketing at CJC Parktown and in his second year while attending Universal Church with his family, he felt the calling to become a pastor.
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After seven years of being a pastor, he decided to leave the church because of ‘church politics’.
He married his wife Nqobile Khuzwayo after leaving the church and within a few months, their first child was born. They have two children now.
“After leaving the church, Themba then tattooed his boy’s name Mpendulo on his body, that was his first tattoo. Despite the fact that his family was against this considering that they are a Christian family, he was adamant about adding more and he did.
“His friend Joel Moerane who was also his tattoo artist noticed his love for tattoos and decided to teach him also, which is why Themba has tattoos all over his body,” said Maseko.
The two friends purchased a Wendy house in 2019 and used it as a tattoo shop named Rough Ink. It was a fully operational business until it burnt down in September 2020. “We don’t know what caused the fire, we were just called by traffic cops telling us that our brother’s house is burning,” said Maseko.
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After seeing an advert on TV about BBM Mzansi competition’s return, Mabaso told his family that he wanted to do something different and he wanted to try Big Brother. His family encouraged him. “We even helped him when he was shooting his audition video, we would start afresh until we get it right,” Maseko said.
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After being accepted by Big Brother, his family was adamant about helping him. “Our mother packed Themba’s clothes two weeks before, his luggage was on top of the table the entire time…. Mom was so sick but she was so hands-on, we tried stopping her as she was very sick but she would tell us not to because she is doing this for her kid.”
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Mabaso told Big brother that he was going to build his mother a house if he wins the competition.
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