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You present a programme called The Love Zone, tell me about it?

I play some slow music and then I give out love tips. The show is all about sending people off to sleep gently by playing them soothing music from the likes of Mary J Blige, Paula Abdul and such.

What kind of love tips do you give to your listeners?

Well, love is a wide topic so there is a lot to talk about – but it has to be a 'lovey dovey' kind of thing. For instance we talk about how to get over heartbreak or we might talk about flirting.

Do you ever get any feedback from your listeners as to whether your tips work?

Sure I do. For instance, my audience can text me for free. Also some of my listeners contact me with their own tips and then I share them with listeners. One listener called me and told me that one way of impressing a lady is to spoil her by spending a lot of money on her. I think that would be an honest thing to do as long as you loved somebody, you wouldn't mind how much you spent on them, would you?

Just as long as you haven't got a joint bank account! I read your profile on the Kiss FM website and it states that you are 'seriously attached'. What exactly does that mean?

Wow, oh that means that I'm not searching for any other man apart from the one I have currently.

Do you ever try out your love tips at home?

Not all the time. When it comes to what I do on air, sometimes I do it because it's my job and when you are off the microphone you tend to be someone quite different.

	Cleaning is up there on Bellinda's hobbies list

I like to listen to music and I like talking, girl talk and I really like to sleep. I also like watching music videos and I love cleaning up, especially cleaning my bedroom.

My husband is mad about cleaning which is unusual, don't you think?

I think there are plenty of men who are clean freaks!

He says without a tidy house he doesn't have a tidy mind.

Oh yes, they both go hand in hand. You know it can cause stress if you come home from work to a dirty house, it just makes things worse.

Something else I also heard about you is that you are a big fan of karaoke.

During my high school days there used to be what we called music, dance and drama practicals. It was up to the student which one to choose. So I was really interested in singing karaoke and in those days it was used as a way of relaxing the minds of students. My love for music just comes naturally so I started it at school.

So when somebody says: "Go on Bellinda, get up there and sing!" what's your favourite song?

It’s by a female group called On the Contrary and the track is called Love to Love You. It's an R&B tune that I used to hear played on the radio.

What food do you like the most?

It's very hard to choose, but no matter what kind of food it is, it must have plenty of salt, but no pepper. If it's too hot for me, I can't handle it.

I have a big appetite although my tummy is really small.

When you are travelling do you like sampling the local delicacies?

Yes of course. I have a big appetite although my tummy is really small. You wouldn't believe the amount of food I eat if you saw me.

You mean you can eat what you like without putting on any weight! I detest women like you (laughs)

(Laughs) No. I put on weight but my stomach still remains flat. Dieting is really hard. I have read stories in magazines about people starting diets and never finishing them.

Do you have any big fears?

I fear being robbed at gunpoint. I have had nightmares where I am calling out for help.

So does that mean there is a lot of crime in Tanzania?

Crime is everywhere. It is something that can't be avoided. You have good people and bad people everywhere.

And finally, what are your aspirations?

I would love to make my own money before I get married. That way no man will look down on me.

Kiss FM broadcasts in Mwanza on 88.7 FM

This article appears in the April - June 2007 edition of BBC Focus on Africa Magazine.

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