South African celebrity couple Simphiwe "Simz" Ngema and Tino Chinyani recently appeared on The Masked Singer SA, becoming the first-ever duo to participate in the show. They were unmasked as the participants behind the two identities of "Sheep". The couple, who are parents to two sons, Tiyani and Kaboentle, shared their experience with Sowetan, revealing how the show reminded them that besides being life partners and parents, they are also best friends.
According to Simphiwe, he loves singing, dancing, and being on stage, which made him eager to participate in The Masked Singer SA. Tino, on the other hand, described himself as a risk-taker, willing to "jump into the deep-end and learn if I can swim". The couple also appreciated how well they work together, both on and off stage. They had never done anything like this before, and Tino admitted that he had never even thought about participating in such a show.
During the show, the detectives made various guesses about the celebrity couples behind the masks. Tino shared that some guesses, such as Reason and Gigi Lamayne, made sense due to the songs they chose, which included rapping. However, other guesses, like Nadia Nakai and Toss, or Pabi Cooper and Focalistic, seemed unlikely. Tino also joked about the height dynamics, as he is tall and Focalistic is short.
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 reminded him how much chemistry they have as a couple. Tino added that the quiet moments they shared during the show were special, as they had no distractions and could focus on each other.
Simphiwe and Tino also talked about their sons, Tiyani and Kaboentle. Simphiwe praised their kindness and thoughtfulness, sharing an incident where Tiyani helped a little girl who had fallen. Tino, on the other hand, loves their unique personalities, describing 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 she built her following by being herself. Tino added that there is no separation between his public persona and who he is privately, and that being real is the most important thing.
Finally, Simphiwe and Tino shared what keeps them grounded, citing prayer and understanding that they are not in control. They both described themselves as perfectionists, but have learned to surrender and trust in a higher power. This, they believe, has allowed them to reap the benefits and enjoy their journey together.
Key points
- The couple's experience on The Masked Singer SA strengthened their bond as friends and partners.
