Zari Shem | |
---|---|
Born | Jinja, Uganda | September 23, 1978
Nationality | Ugandan |
Citizenship | Uganda |
Alma mater | Institution in London (Diploma in Cosmetology) |
Occupation(s) | Businesswoman, socialite |
Years active | 1992—present |
Spouse |
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]
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]
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]