Big Brother Africa: Maureen walks the talk!

HOW did it feel to step out of the BB house after three months of having very little contact with the outside world? Oh WOW! It was so crazy.

I really did not know what to expect. It was shocking, overwhelming and so very beautiful.I was really very happy to be there and to experience it.It was amazing – especially to see my mother.DURING your interview with KB, you seemed to be really overwhelmed.What was going through your mind? You know, after being in the house for such a long time, you just don’t know what to expect when you get out there.Week after week, as housemates were evicted we were just left wondering what it was like.We heard a little bit of noise but I really never expected such a welcome.To see so many people coming to the eviction show, people holding up posters of me, singing my country’s national anthem and calling my name! What can I say, it was so beautiful.I had so many emotions going through me at the same time.HOW has the public response been towards you so far? I never really had much of a chance to meet with members of the public on Sunday evening, I went to sleep fairly early to prepare for the rigorous round of interviews I had lined up for Monday (yesterday).I just spoke with my mother who was being very protective of me, she said that each time I was nominated she went through so many emotions and she was quite worried too – she kept telling me “My child you have lost so much weight.Have you been eating? You need to sleep and rest!” You know how mothers are.TOWARDS the end of your stay, you seemed to talk to yourself more and more.Was that a coping strategy, or something you did to let the viewers know what you were thinking? I’ve always talked to myself.I find it very reassuring, it’s a way of encouraging myself, of putting things into perspective, of reflecting outwardly.I kept telling myself “It’s okay Maureen, you can do this”.It is something I have always done and I did it from the very beginning of the show.I think it is easier to deal with stuff and understand situations better.It is my way of loving myself of telling myself that I am proud of myself.HAVE you spoken to Code since you have been out of the house, or had any updates on him? I have not spoken to him or heard much but I have heard that his girlfriend came to meet him last week when he was evicted.HOW do you feel about the fact that he has spoken publicly about the fact that his heart belongs to his girlfriend only? Code has always been very honest with me about his feelings for his girlfriend.From the very beginning he told me how much he feels for her and that he loves her very much.I was also honest with him when I spoke of my feelings for my partner on the outside.There is no denying that we had a mutual attraction to one another.We dealt with it as adults.Each of us had a certain point that we would not cross.We drew a line.Being in the house is very different from being in the outside world, you can’t leave that house or take a break if you need some time to yourself.We both needed someone to talk to, some support and understanding without any judgement.I really don’t have any regrets.HOW do you feel about the fact that his girlfriend, Juna, is five months pregnant? I am actually very happy for both of them.I would love to meet her because I think she is a very lucky girl.I respect Code, so I am really glad for him.WHAT kind of relationship would you like to have with him now? I would really love to be his friend.I will overcome this because I have a life outside the house and life goes one.As I said, I am happy for him and for the fact that he was able to fix what he had with her.I have great respect for him and I know that he also has great respect for me.WHAT are your plans for the future? Well, I already have a workshop back home where I design and create custom made clothing.I have a fashion label called Oval Lines which specialises in high fashion clothing.What I really enjoy doing is working with my clients on a one-on-one basis to create something specifically for them.Custom made garments from scratch.So I would like to continue doing that, but also, I am very open to new opportunities especially in the entertainment industry.I would be interested in pursuing advertising – perhaps working back stage at big entertainment productions like fashion shows.Doing the make-up and styling for fashion shows, I am very passionate about working with children, especially young girls.I would really be honoured to work with the United Nations on a project which empowers girls and young children affected by poverty and other issues in society.I HAVE to ask this question because I was really puzzled by your seeming obsession with the your hot water bottle.Wuzzup with the hot-water bottle? I know it’s really crazy – even in Uganda where it gets very hot, I always carry it around with me.It drives my mother crazy! It’s just a bad habit.Sometimes I put it away and I don’t bother with it for some time and then other times I carry it around with me a lot.I think it is because I don’t like being cold but I also don’t like wearing heavy, thick clothing.I like light airy clothes and as a habit I enjoy wearing my wraparound and holding the hot water bottle.It is not something I think about, it just feels good holding it.WHAT is your opinion of Richard and Tatiana’s relationship? In this case, I don’t want to judge so I won’t even go there.It is not for me to judge.DO you have any comments to make on what went down in the house on Saturday? You were saying “This is too much, this is too much …Biggie you need to do something.”Saturday was a really crazy day.I don’t remember much but I do remember throwing chairs although I don’t really know why I did that.I also remember being called into the diary room to collect the paramedics and running around a lot, trying to tend to the other guys.I was really high.I THINK a show like this is designed to bring out the good and the bad in people.What did you learn about yourself throughout this whole experience? I really learned that I am so strong and that I can take a lot and deal with it well.I became more of a patient person in the house and also a little more reserved.I also learned that I am a very competitive person and that I can sometimes be a little too sensitive.At times I can be really, really sensitive and I notice the smallest things.Sometimes I was right at other times I was wrong.OF all the housemates, who would you like to keep in touch with? Code, Tatiana, Ofunneka, Richard, Justice and Jeff.OH, so none of the ‘Untouchables’? Well, you know I never had a problem with Lerato – so I wouldn’t mind staying in touch with her and Maxwell and Kwaku.Even though we were not that close, I would love to keep in touch with them.LAST night you told KB that you had no regrets.Do you still feel the same? Yes.I truly do not have any regrets.I think that I did the best that I could as Maureen.I trusted, I loved, I fought.I did what I thought was the best thing at the time and for that reason I definitely do not have any regrets.It was shocking, overwhelming and so very beautiful.I was really very happy to be there and to experience it.It was amazing – especially to see my mother. DURING your interview with KB, you seemed to be really overwhelmed.What was going through your mind? You know, after being in the house for such a long time, you just don’t know what to expect when you get out there.Week after week, as housemates were evicted we were just left wondering what it was like.We heard a little bit of noise but I really never expected such a welcome.To see so many people coming to the eviction show, people holding up posters of me, singing my country’s national anthem and calling my name! What can I say, it was so beautiful.I had so many emotions going through me at the same time. HOW has the public response been towards you so far? I never really had much of a chance to meet with members of the public on Sunday evening, I went to sleep fairly early to prepare for the rigorous round of interviews I had lined up for Monday (yesterday).I just spoke with my mother who was being very protective of me, she said that each time I was nominated she went through so many emotions and she was quite worried too – she kept telling me “My child you have lost so much weight.Have you been eating? You need to sleep and rest!” You know how mothers are.TOWARDS the end of your stay, you seemed to talk to yourself more and more.Was that a coping strategy, or something you did to let the viewers know what you were thinking? I’ve always talked to myself.I find it very reassuring, it’s a way of encouraging myself, of putting things into perspective, of reflecting outwardly.I kept telling myself “It’s okay Maureen, you can do this”.It is something I have always done and I did it from the very beginning of the show.I think it is easier to deal with stuff and understand situations better.It is my way of loving myself of telling myself that I am proud of myself. HAVE you spoken to Code since you have been out of the house, or had any updates on him? I have not spoken to him or heard much but I have heard that his girlfriend came to meet him last week when he was evicted.HOW do you feel about the fact that he has spoken publicly about the fact that his heart belongs to his girlfriend only? Code has always been very honest with me about his feelings for his girlfriend.From the very beginning he told me how much he feels for her and that he loves her very much.I was also honest with him when I spoke of my feelings for my partner on the outside.There is no denying that we had a mutual attraction to one another.We dealt with it as adults.Each of us had a certain point that we would not cross.We drew a line.Being in the house is very different from being in the outside world, you can’t leave that house or take a break if you need some time to yourself.We both needed someone to talk to, some support and understanding without any judgement.I really don’t have any regrets.HOW do you feel about the fact that his girlfriend, Juna, is five months pregnant? I am actually very happy for both of them.I would love to meet her because I think she is a very lucky girl.I respect Code, so I am really glad for him.WHAT kind of relationship would you like to have with him now? I would really love to be his friend.I will overcome this because I have a life outside the house and life goes one.As I said, I am happy for him and for the fact that he was able to fix what he had with her.I have great respect for him and I know that he also has great respect for me. WHAT are your plans for the future? Well, I already have a workshop back home where I design and create custom made clothing.I have a fashion label called Oval Lines which specialises in high fashion clothing.What I really enjoy doing is working with my clients on a one-on-one basis to create something specifically for them.Custom made garments from scratch.So I would like to continue doing that, but also, I am very open to new opportunities especially in the entertainment industry.I would be interested in pursuing advertising – perhaps working back stage at big entertainment productions like fashion shows.Doing the make-up and styling for fashion shows, I am very passionate about working with children, especially young girls.I would really be honoured to work with the United Nations on a project which empowers girls and young children affected by poverty and other issues in society. I HAVE to ask this question because I was really puzzled by your seeming obsession with the your hot water bottle.Wuzzup with the hot-water bottle? I know it’s really crazy – even in Uganda where it gets very hot, I always carry it around with me.It drives my mother crazy! It’s just a bad habit.Sometimes I put it away and I don’t bother with it for some time and then other times I carry it around with me a lot.I think it is because I don’t like being cold but I also don’t like wearing heavy, thick clothing.I like light airy clothes and as a habit I enjoy wearing my wraparound and holding the hot water bottle.It is not something I think about, it just feels good holding it. WHAT is your opinion of Richard and Tatiana’s relationship? In this case, I don’t want to judge so I won’t even go there.It is not for me to judge. DO you have any comments to make on what went down in the house on Saturday? You were saying “This is too much, this is too much …Biggie you need to do something.”Saturday was a really crazy day.I don’t remember much but I do remember throwing chairs although I don’t really know why I did that.I also remember being called into the diary room to collect the paramedics and running around a lot, trying to tend to the other guys.I was really high.I THINK a show like this is designed to bring out the good and the bad in people.What did you learn about yourself throughout this whole experience? I really learned that I am so strong and that I can take a lot and deal with it well.I became more of a patient person in the house and also a little more reserved.I also learned that I am a very competitive person and that I can sometimes be a little too sensitive.At times I can be really, really sensitive and I notice the smallest things.Sometimes I was right at other times I was wrong. OF all the housemates, who would you like to keep in touch with? Code, Tatiana, Ofunneka, Richard, Justice and Jeff.OH, so none of the ‘Untouchables’? Well, you know I never had a problem with Lerato – so I wouldn’t mind staying in touch with her and Maxwell and Kwaku.Even though we were not that close, I would love to keep in touch with them.LAST night you told KB that you had no regrets.Do you still feel the same? Yes.I truly do not have any regrets.I think that I did the best that I could as Maureen.I trusted, I loved, I fought.I did what I thought was the best thing at the time and for that reason I definitely do not have any regrets.