Zarinah Hassan (born on 23 September 1978), commonly known as Zari Hassan, alias Zari the Boss Lady, is a Ugandan socialite, musician, businesswoman and actress, who resides in South Africa, where she runs businesses.[1][2][3]

Zari Shem
Born (1978-09-23) September 23, 1978 (age 45)
Jinja, Uganda
NationalityUgandan
CitizenshipUganda
Alma materInstitution in London
(Diploma in Cosmetology)
Occupation(s)Businesswoman, socialite
Years active1992—present
Spouse
(m. 2001; div. 2013)

She is the heiress and CEO of Brooklyn City College (BCC), a South African based diverse, progressive educational institute which she co-founded with her late husband Ivan Ssemwanga. BCC maintains the headquarters campus in Pretoria, with satellite campuses in Polokwane, Durban, Johannesburg, Nelspruit, Vereeniging and Rustenburg.[4][5][6]

Biography edit

Hassan returned to her native Uganda in 2000, after two years in the United Kingdom. Afterwards she moved to South Africa where she met and married Ivan Semwanga. They had 3 children.[7] They divorced in 2013 after Hassan accused Semwanga of physically abusing her.[8]

In May 2017, Semwanga had a massive stroke and was admitted to Steve Biko Academic Hospital.[9] He died on 25 May 2017.[1] He was buried in Uganda.[10]

Following the funeral, Hassan returned to South Africa to manage her businesses and some of her late husband's enterprises.[3] She has two children with Tanzanian artist Diamond Platnumz.[11][12][13]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Daily Monitor Reporter (25 May 2017). "Rich Gang's Ivan Semwanga dies". Daily Monitor. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  2. ^ Esther Mwaniki (13 February 2018). "Zari Hassan Still Making Boss Moves". Varcity Kenya. Nairobi. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  3. ^ a b Uganda Online (2 June 2017). "Zari reveals her last moments with ex-husband, Ivan Semwanga". Ugandaonline.net. Kampala. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  4. ^ Musa Ssemwanga (6 June 2017). "Zari takes over as CEO of Ssemwanga's schools". New Vision. Kampala, Uganda. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  5. ^ Bukejonah (6 January 2018). "Zari Hassan Stamps As The CEO Of The Late Ivan's Schools In SA". Newslex Point. Naalya, Uganda. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  6. ^ Dennis Milimo (27 April 2021). "Zari Hassan over the Moon as Students graduate from her Brooklyn City College, SA". Pulselive Kenya. Nairobi. Retrieved 7 November 2021.
  7. ^ Watchdog Reporter (26 May 2017). "Zari Hassan; The Definition of the Late Ivan Semwanga's Love Life". Kampala: Watchdoguganda.com. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  8. ^ Matiko, Thomas (26 May 2017). "The truth about Diamond, Zari and Ivan's relationship". Daily Nation. Nairobi. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  9. ^ Kasoba, William (16 May 2016). "Zari in hospital, Juju her ex-hubby Ivan Ssemwanga who is in critical condition". Matookerepublic.om. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  10. ^ Derrick Wandera, Isaac Ssejjombwe & Lawrence Ogwal (31 May 2017). "Hundreds bid farewell to Rich Gang's Semwanga". Daily Monitor. Kampala. Retrieved 20 February 2018.
  11. ^ Musungu, Nahashon (15 February 2018). "Zari Hassan finally divorces Diamond Platnumz... on Valentine's Day". Nairobi News. Retrieved 5 April 2018.
  12. ^ Aswani, Nixon (21 February 2018). "Diamond Platnumz biography: facts you didn't know about the king of Wasafi". Tuko.co.ke - Kenya news. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
  13. ^ Mbuthia, Geoffrey (11 May 2018). "Diamond denies rumours that Prince Nillan is not his son". Mpasho News. Retrieved 19 November 2018.

External links edit