The Mdee Fate :The stories behind Namtero's and Vanessa's exit.
By: joan Wangari
Posted on Monday, June 29, 2020
Vanessa Hau Mdee has shocked many with her big announcement of quitting the music industry. The cash madam hit maker made this announcement on her podcast ‘Deep dive’. She said she was living the industry as it is demonic.
“I drank myself to sleep every night. I am not proud of it, but it is my truth and I know there are people who need to hear this. I was lying to people to cover up and to keep the façade alive,” She said.
“I became a person of horrible choices. I couldn’t recognize myself anymore because I woke up every day trying to just get by and I don’t want to just get by anymore. More than ever, I had moments of anxiety and moments of depression, I had moments of “I don’t know what to do next’ because this pressure is unnatural for a human being and what comes after that. This may come as a shock to many because I hid it so well, but I was depressed and an alcoholic. This is my truth and I’m letting you into this space because I don’t want to live a candy coated life anymore. I have no desire to be a robot or be unhappy anymore, because that’s what I was, unhappy…”
Vanessa’s story for those that have been here for a while reminds us of her elder sister Namtero Mdee. Tero was a TV and radio icon. Namtero who now goes by the name Nancy Hebron after being baptized got married to a prophet, got saved and started a family during this last decade.
By the year 2011, Vanessa’s elder sister Namtero was a figure to reckon with in the entertainment scene. She was hosting the popular Str8up show on KTN together with Dj Kaytrixx and also had a show on the vibrant station Homeboyz Radio.
In the year 2011 Tero as every one called her did the most shocking thing. She left without a good bye. She did not even write a letter to the HR or even notify her boss John Rabar. She quit the entertainment scene without a single word. The oldest Mdee sister quit on her family and eloped with her ‘prayer partner’ who was also her brother’s friend ,prophet Hebron.
Her fans were left wondering her family was without words but Nancy did not lose focus. She followed her heart and turned over a new leaf. Her dressing changed, she changed her name and even her fan base changed.
In 2018 on a Kenyan Media tour to promote her first gospel song ‘Taa ya Miguu yangu’ Mrs Hebron revealed that she had stopped feeling the entertainment industry’s vibe and God was calling her to do more .
However, when she left, her fans were consoled by the fact that someone that looked very much like her would fill the void she had left. This new face had talent, the beauty and even charisma that made Namtero to be easily forgotten. Vanessa Mdee her younger sister did not only fit into her shoes, she proved that her sister’s shoes were not big enough. She created aa name for herself, an even bigger name than her sister’s.
At the tender age of 19, Vanessa became the first Tanzanian MTV VJ in 2007.
She was a presenter on 105.2FM Radio in Tanzania and also hosted the MTV Meets. She interviewed bigwigs like Akon,Model Alek Wek and many others.By the end of 2011 her song ‘Me and You ‘ with Ommy Dimpoz won Song of the year.
In her mid- twenties Vanessa was at the top of her career not only as a singer but also as an entertainer. She got big corporate deals. She was the Crown Paints brand ambassador, she modelled for Airtel and was in Coke Studio.
She got to win the Best female of the year 2014 at the Afrimma awards in Lagos Nigeria. And four years ago when Chris Brown was at the Kenyan coastal town of Mombasa Vee Money was the opening act.
Last year Vanessa was a pioneer judge on East Africa’s Got Talent and was dealing with her break up with Juma Jux which she disclosed led her to battling with depression.
Vanessa’s and Namtero’s salvation seems to have been conceived by men. Only this time it is not a man of God but a man of fame. Vanessa is now dating Rotmi a Nigerian-American actor best known for his role as Andre Coleman in the hit series Power.
Vanessa disappeared to Atlanta just as Miss Rona was checking into the Universe. Rotmi’s bae checked out of all her social media platforms only for rumors that she is pregnant to start surfacing.
The 32year old singer disclosed through her podcast that she has no desire to do anything that is music industry related, she has no desire to go to another award show or to keep up a facade. She wants to be a person that she recognizes.
We may never hear from Vanessa again but we hope that her decision leads her to happiness and that she may become the person she recognizes and is proud of.
The biggest question though is will the youngest Mdee sister, Mimi Mars one day follow suit?
