South African celebrity couple Simphiwe "Simz" Ngema and Tino Chinyani recently participated in the inaugural season of The Masked Singer SA, a singing reality show. The pair, who are parents to two sons, Tiyani and Kaboentle, made history by becoming the first-ever duo to compete on the show. They were unmasked as the participants behind the two identities of "Sheep" over the weekend. The experience reminded them that besides being life partners and parents, they are also best friends.
In an interview with Sowetan, the couple shared their motivations for participating in the show. According to Simphiwe, he loves singing, dancing, and being on stage. Tino, on the other hand, described himself as a risk-taker who prefers to take the plunge and learn as he goes. He also highlighted the importance of their teamwork, stating that they work well together. The couple had never done anything like this before, and Tino admitted that he had never even considered participating in such a show.
The couple also shared their thoughts on the celebrity couples that the detectives kept guessing wrong. Tino mentioned that some pairings, such as Reason and Gigi Lamayne, made sense due to their musical styles. However, others, like Nadia Nakai and Toss, did not seem likely. He also joked about the height difference between himself and Focalistic, which made their pairing unlikely. The couple was amused by the detectives' guesses, including the pairing of Gugu Khathi and Tira.
The experience on The Masked Singer SA reminded Simphiwe and Tino of the strong friendship they share outside of being a couple. Simphiwe highlighted the chemistry between them, stating that it was a highlight of the experience. He noted that with busy schedules and parenting responsibilities, it's easy to forget that they are best friends. Tino agreed, adding that the quiet moments they shared during the competition were special.
The couple also talked about their sons, Tiyani and Kaboentle. Simphiwe praised their kindness and thoughtfulness, sharing stories about their son Tiyani's compassionate nature. Tino, on the other hand, loves their unique personalities and sense of humor. He described Tiyani as kind, gentle, and energetic, while Kabo is strong-willed and stubborn.
As public figures, Simphiwe and Tino discussed how they navigate raising their kids in the public eye. Simphiwe emphasized the importance of being authentic and genuine, stating that he built his following by being himself. He believes in not pretending to be someone he's not and values authenticity over perfection. Tino echoed this sentiment, stating that there's no separation between his public persona and private life.
Finally, the couple shared what keeps them grounded. Simphiwe mentioned prayer, while Tino highlighted the importance of understanding that they are not in control. They both described themselves as perfectionists who plan and overthink, but have learned to surrender and trust in a higher power. By doing so, they feel they are reaping the benefits and enjoying their journey together.
Key points
- The couple's experience on The Masked Singer SA reminded them of the importance of their friendship outside of being a couple.
- Simphiwe and Tino value authenticity and being genuine in their public and private lives.
- The couple has learned to surrender and trust in a higher power, which helps them stay grounded.
