Zari Hassan recently opened up about her experiences with love and relationships in a candid interview with her second-born son, Raphael Tlale, on his YouTube channel, where she appeared as his first guest.
When Raphael asked her about the most romantic gesture she had ever received, Zari admitted that his father, Ivan Semwanga, wasn’t a romantic man. “Your father wasn’t romantic,” she said. “He just spent money on me. If I wanted a new car, he’d trade in the one I had and buy a new one. I’m not sure if that’s romance or just because he could afford it.”
Raphael suggested that this might have been Ivan’s way of showing love.
When speaking about Diamond Platnumz, Zari described him as very romantic, noting, “Everyone could see it. He was actively involved in his partner’s life.”
Zari added that while she has received lavish gifts like expensive flowers and diamonds, she values thoughtful gestures the most, emphasizing, “It’s the thought that counts.”
Notably, she made no mention of her current husband, Shakib Cham, during the conversation.
Ugandan tycoon Zari Hassan, who is based in South Africa, has been using social media to remember her late ex-husband Ivan Ssemwanga’s birthday, who passed away five years ago.
In 2017, Ivan Ssemwanga passed away from a heart attack while being treated by his ex-wife, Zari Hassan, at Steve Biko Hospital in Pretoria.
On May 25, 2017, a Thursday, he passed away. Ivan received a poignant birthday greeting from Zari on Instagram, which read, “Happy birthday, hope the angels are celebrating with him.” The heritage endures. Cheers to your birthday.
During their marriage, Ivan and Zari had three boys together.
Ivan’s death was disclosed on Zari’s Instagram page, where she described it as the lowest point of her life. Zari had moved on after her relationship with Diamond Platnumz.
She remembered Ivan’s advice to live life to the fullest and thought back on his inspirational and giving personality in her message.
“God loves those that are special and that’s exactly who you were and I guess that’s why he wanted you to himself. You have touched and helped thousands, you did wonders and I remember you telling me “life is too short let me live it to the fullest”, this very dark hour it makes sense why you always said those words to me,”
The relatives of Zari’s late spouse accused her of being responsible for Ivan’s depression and early death.
The head of Ivan’s family, Herbert Luyinda, made the suggestion that Ivan experienced mental health problems following their breakup and after finding out about Zari’s pregnancy and engagement to Diamond.
Pinto Ntale, Zari’s eldest son, was formally recognized as the successor to Ivan’s estates after the initial dispute between Zari and Ivan’s family was resolved.
Zari Hassan’s children that were fathered by her late husband Ivan Ssemwanga are still devastated by the death of their dad a year on.
Ivan died on 25th May 2017 after suffering multiple organ failure while being admitted at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Pretoria, South Africa.
In May this year, Ivan’s last born son Quincy took to social media to pen a touching first death anniversary message for his late father.
“Its been a year since you left us Dad. I will always remember that big special smile of yours, your caring heart, the warm hugs you always gave us. You being there for Mom and us through good and bad times no matter what. I will always remember you Dad because there will never be another one to replace you in my heart and the love i will always have for you. I love you always and forever @ivandon continue to Rest In Peace,” wrote Quincy.
Birthday
Late Ivan Ssemwanga with his last born son Quincy
Quincy also remembers his father’s birthday, Ivan birthday was on December 12th and his last born son once again took to social media to pen a sweet message to him.
He wrote;
“I am sending across my best birthday wishes to the best dad I know. He may not be here now, but he’s forever in my heart.
Dad, since you were gone, I have kept thinking about you and it pains me a lot. I would be willing to give anything just to relive those beautiful memories.
I sealed my birthday wishes for you inside an envelope filled with love and respect so it reaches you in heaven and goes right through your heart. Have a Wonderful birthday in heaven! I truly love and miss you @ivandon ?.”
Zari Hassan visited her late husband’s grave in Nakaliro village, Kayunga town over the past weekend. The mother five went to see her in-laws but unfortunately she didn’t find them.
Zari jotted down a message to Ivan Ssemwanga after visiting his grave. She told him that she had gone to visit his family but didn’t find them because they had gone to church.
Ivan died a year ago on May 25th 2017 after suffering multiple organ failure. He passed on while receive treatment at a hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.
Will bring the boys
Zari tells her late husband that she will bring her sons to visit his grave when she comes again to visit in December. Ivan and Zari were blessed with three boys while they were still married.
“Passed by to see you but didn’t find anyone home, they all out at church to praise the Lord. Miss you Don. Sleep well till we meet again. Will bring boys along in Dec,” wrote Zari in a SnapChat message to Ivan.
Ivan Ssemwanga’s elder brother George Ssemwanga Pinto popularly known as Sir Pinto was found dead on Tuesday August 14th 2018.
Sir Pinto’s lifeless body was found in a hotel room in Pretoria, South Africa where he was staying. The cause of the deceased’s death has not been immediately established.
Ivan’s late brother was a well-known businessman in Uganda, he was the proprietor of Sir Pinto Distributors Ltd, a distributor of food, beverages and related products.
Sir Pinto
Cousin critically ill
UG Mirror reports that Ivan’s cousin Edwin Lutaaya is admitted in hospital in critical condition. Edwin Lutaaya shot to fame last year after he was seen enjoying a nice time in a swim spa with Zari Hassan. The photo even made Diamond accuse Zari of cheating on him.
Zari Hassan’s son celebrates his birthday a day ago. His birthday comes just a few days before Ivan Ssemwanga’s first death anniversary.
Ivan died on May 25th 2017 at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. The fallen tycoon is the father of Zari’s three boys.
Ivan’s youngest son Quincy turned 11 on Wednesday May 2nd. Zari Hassan couldn’t be much happier to see her son turn a year older.
Dad is proud of you
The mother of five poured out her heart to her son in a moving letter. She reminded Quincy that his father was proud of him because he was turning out well.
“Helloo Lil wakanda…. happy birthday son. 11 looks so cute on you. Dad must be proud of you wherever he is. You turning out well, i love the humbleness in all of you my kids (well except missy?, not sure where she gets her bossy attitude) Am so grateful for my kids… @lilq_is_bae,” wrote Zari.
It has been almost a year since the late Ivan Don passed away following a heart attack as revealed by his family.
His death however came as a big surprise not only to his family but fans who had grown fond of him. Many described him a generous man who always shared with the poor.
He was also married to Zari Hassan and the two had 3 boys! She however walked out on him leaving many wondering why she would dump such a good man; only to realize that he had earlier physically abused her while they were married.
Ivan’s Instagram still active
Anyway, now that he is gone many continue to remember him as the rich gang leader in South Africa.
He left a whole fan base behind that is now claiming not to be comfortable with the fact that his Instagram page is still active.
From the comments, this seems quite scary and unusual as they plead with the person handling the page to close it down.
Apparently money and the expensive coffin are not the only thing motivating people to dig up Ivan Ssemwanga’s grave. Tomb raiders are also after Ivan Ssemwanga’s skull.
Ivan was buried in an expensive coffin bought in South Africa. Rich Gang members also threw unknown amount of money in Ivan’s grave before the coffin was lowered.
On Tuesday night December 5th tomb raiders attempted digging up Ivan’s grave. The vandals however didn’t finish their job as dogs scared them away.
“I got shocked when I saw the hole and when I went nearer, I realized that a big hole had been dug up to the concrete of the grave,” Ivan’s relative identified as Wamala told The New Vision.
Zari Hassan kneels at Ivan’s grave when she visited her ex husband’s rural home
They want Ivan’s skull
Wamala says tomb raiders want more than just money and Ivan’s expensive coffin. He reveals that witch-doctors in Kayunga have been asking their clients to get Ivan Ssemwanga’s skull for them to become rich.
“I think they wanted to steal the money that was thrown in the grave and his skull. We have been hearing rumors that witch-doctors were in need of Ssemwanga’s skull which they want to use to give wealth to their clients in order for them to be rich like Ssemwanga,” Wamala said.
Ivan Ssemwanga was buried in an expensive coffin plus money was thrown in his grave. Tomb raiders have finally made a move on Ivan’s grave six months later.
Ivan was laid to rest on May 30th in his rural home in Nakalilo village, Kayunga District, Central Uganda. The fallen rich gang member was accorded a sendoff that befitted his expensive lifestyle.
Members of the Rich Gang which was founded by Ivan threw unknown amount of money in his grave before the coffin was lowered in.
Ivan’s grave littered with money before his coffin was lowered
Ivan’s family feared tomb raiders could exhume the body to steal the expensive coffin bought in South Africa and the money which was thrown in the grave.
Apparently Ivan’s family has not been paying the private guard they hired to keep guard their kin’s grave.The guards left their posts over delayed salaries.
New Vision reports that Ivan’s family was supposed to pay the guards Ush 1 million or Kes 28,000 a month. The family however only paid them Ush 600,000/Kes 17,000 for the first month and didn’t pay them henceforth.
On Tuesday night December 5th vandals attempted to exhume Ivan’s body. The thieves knew the guards were not on duty when they went to dig up Ivan’s grave.
Vandals had already starting digging up Ivan’s grave before dogs scared them off
The vandals were however scared away by family dogs. They took off as the dogs barked in their direction.
Family feud is another headache Zari Hassan will have to deal with despite the pain of losing her mother and her baby daddy in a span of two months.
After Ivan was buried sometimes in May, a committee of four members was formed to determine how his assets were to be managed. The committee agreed that Zari was to manage Ivan’s schools that include Brooklyn College in South Africa.
Ivan Ssemwanga died on May 25th 2017 at Steve Biko Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa
They also decided that Zari should live with the kids in one of Ivan’s houses in South Africa while the other house should be rented out to provide financial support to the family. The committee was to execute its duties until Ivan’s three children turn 18.
Well, Ivan’s family is on a mission to overrule the committee’s mandate and deliberation in the managing of Ivan’s property.
Zari Hassan with her sons who were fathered by Ivan Ssemwanga
Ugandan news outlet – BigEye reports that one of the late tycoon’s close relatives traveled to South Africa recently and has vowed to petition the South African authorities to claim his estate as the rightful heir.
Apparently Ivan’s schools and property in South Africa were registered under ownership of Ali Senyomo, an alias that Ivan Ssemwanga adopted and was using to conduct businessman in South Africa following his ban there.
It is this technicality that the said relative is hoping to exploit, even when it will expose the fraud committed by Ivan and risks the family losing the entire property.
A committee of four members was formed to determine how the late Ivan Ssemwanga’s assets will be managed. Zari left Uganda after the committed gave her one of Ivan’s houses in South Africa.
Apparently Ivan didn’t have a will by the time he passed on, this is why a committee was formed to determine how his assets will be managed.
The committee comprised of Ritah Ssemwanga (Ivan’s sister), George Ssemwanga Pinto (Ivan’s elder brother), Lawrence Kiyingi Muyanja aka King Lawrence (Ivan’s best friend and now the presumptive leader of Rich Gang) and Zari Hassan.
L – R: King Lawrence, Ivan Ssemwanga and Zari Hassan
The committee, which deliberated on Ivan’s assets last Saturday, agreed that Zari was to manage Ivan’s schools that include Brooklyn College in South Africa.
They also decided that Zari should live with the kids in one of Ivan’s houses in South Africa while the other house should be rented out to provide financial support to the family. The committee will execute its duties until Ivan’s three children turn 18.
Zari with her three sons during Ivan’s requiem mass in Kampala
Zari left Uganda for South Africa on Sunday evening after the meeting with the committee, it’s not clear whether she will be staying in Ivan’s house in Pretoria or she will move in with her kids to the mansion her husband Diamond Platnumz bought in Johannesburg.
Watch the video below to see Diamond’s house in SA:
Ivan’s death devastated Zari Hassan even though they had already split years ago. Zari has now got over the death of her baby daddy.
The death of Ivan was a tormenting experience for Zari, she was forced to fend off opportunists who were eager to get their hands on Ivan’s property while at the same time she was struggling with grief.
Diamond’s wife was overwhelmed with emotion during Ivan’s requiem mass in Kampala and his burial in his rural home, she was inconsolable.
Zari’s sons console her during Ivan’s burial
Whoever said time heals all wounds was right, Zari has since recovered from the painful experience. She took to the social media to reveal that she had gotten over the death of Ivan.
She shared her photos and captioned them with words that revealed she was full of energy – she has brought back her old self
Zari’s caption: Me this morning. All you need is GOD and a THICK SKIN?
Ivan Ssemwanga won’t rest in peace, court has been petitioned to remove his remains from his grave less than a week after he was buried.
Ivan’s family haven’t even gotten over his death and now they are being subjected to another misery that will caused them severe mental torture.
A concerned Ugandan by the name Abey Mgugu has moved to court with the intention of compelling Bank of Uganda and A-plus Funeral Services to exhume the body of Ivan so that all the currencies that were thrown in his grave could be recovered.
In his petition, Mr. Mbugu argues that the deceased’s body should be exhumed for the purposes of respecting the currency of Uganda and other countries.
Ivan’s Rich Gang threw unknown amount of cash in his grave which comprised of Uganda, South African and American currencies.
The petition further requests that the recovered money should be put back in to circulation.
“The purposes of the said monies put into the grave were misused and there was wastage of public property thereby violating social and economic rights of other people,” said Abey Mgugu.
Hundreds of Ugandans thronged Entebbe international airport to receive the body of Ivan Ssemwanga which arrived in Uganda from South Africa.
The remains of Ivan Ssemwanga were flown to Uganda over the past weekend ahead of his burial on Tuesday May 30th.
The fallen tycoon passed on a week ago after spending close to two weeks on life support at Steve Biko Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa. He suffered a stroke that left him paralyzed.
Popular Ugandan billionaire SK Mbuga together with other wealthy friends drove posh Hummers to Entebbe international airport to receive the body of Ivan.
Billionaire SK Mbuga (center) and friends at Entebbe international airport
Zari and her kids flew to Uganda on the same plane that carried the remains of Ivan. Diamond’s wife donned a black dress and had bodyguards surrounding her all time.
Zari and her kids at Entebbe international airport
Ivan’s body was ferried in a maroon casket; it was taken to his Munyonyo home on the shores of Lake Victoria. The deceased will however be buried at his rural home in Kayunga District, Central Uganda.
Corazon Kwamboka’s ex boyfriend – Meddie Ssentongo who had active hostility with Ivan, has also put aside their beef to express his sincere condolence following Ivan’s death.
Corazon Kwamboka with her ex boyfriend Meddie Ssentongo
For starters, Corazon briefly dated Meddie in 2015 before the Ugandan playboy dumped her and moved on to the next lady.
Meddie and Ivan had friction because of their affiliation; Ivan was the godfather of Rich Gang while Meddie is a top honcho in The Money Team (TMT) Africa.
Ivan Ssemwanga (center) with his Rich Gang crew
Rich Gang and TMT are rival groups in Uganda who are known for partying hard and spending money like there is no tomorrow; the two groups dominate party scene in Kampala.
TMT crew Meddie Ssentongo and Gitawo Cameroon
Corazon’s Ugandan ex boyfriend mourned Ivan following his death at Steve Biko Hospital in Pretoria, South Africa.
“ALLAH has a plan for us all. Sometimes we never know what the plan is but when he calls us there’s nothing we can do but go to him. Rest In Peace bro @ivandon,” wrote Meddie Ssentongo.
Ivan Ssemwanga’s best friend Lawrence Kiyingi aka King Lawrence and his ex wife Zari Hassan were locked in a fierce tussle over his property days before he passed on.
The brawl started after the two learnt that Ivan had negligible chance of surviving following the deterioration of his condition after suffering a stroke.
Ugandan news outlet Big Eye, who interviewed a close relative and friend of Ivan, reported that the deceased businessman could only produce hissing sounds during his last days on earth.
Zari and her ex husband Ivan Ssemwanga during happy days
“He would smile at his hospital visitors, wink but no words came out except hissing sounds that had come to define his new language. “’Mmmmmmm mmm ooommmm ommmmm,’ that’s all I ever heard from Ivan when I visited him in hospital. No words, nothing. I remember being there when Zari visited, he held her hand, pressed it hard then went off in ‘mmmm oooo mmm’,” a close friend of Ivan was quoted by Big Eye.
Meanwhile King Lawrence, a member of Ivan’s Rich Gang crew, was busy combing Ivan’s house in South Africa in search of the Don’s financial documents, titles, and all keys to his wealth.
Ivan Ssemwanga (center) the godfather of the Rich Gang. King Lawrence (left) was Ivan’s best friend. Other members of Rich Gang include; Shafiq Katumba (Katsha) and Eddie Kyeyune (Ed Chuene)
Lawrence faced off with Zari who accused him of wanting to reap from where he did not sow. Lawrence and Zari’s fight also happened in hospital a few days before the Ugandan businessman passed on.
“At one point, these fights reached hospital and the two together with other family members had to be thrown out of hospital for the peace and sanity of the sick person. Ivan saw these fights, read some on Facebook but he just could not reply to anything. Someone had to hold the phone for him. And he had no reply just the hissing sounds. Deep down, he must have felt betrayed, used and abandoned by those he considered his closest,” the source said.
Apparently Ivan died on Tuesday morning a few hours before Zari was called to bid her ex husband the final goodbye. Big Eye says that doctors told her that Ivan would die anytime since his organs had all failed.
After doctors pronounced Ivan Ssemwanga dead, Zari approached senior management at Steven Biko hospital in Pretoria and asked them not to tell others about the death of Ivan.
Ivan Ssemwanga at Steven Biko hospital in Pretoria, South Africa
She explained that she needed time to get everything in order to prevent King Lawrence and other family members from taking her ex husband’s wealth which was supposed to be inherited by her three boys whom she sired with Ivan.
The hospital management gave her an extension of a day and today Wednesday May 25th Zari broke the sad news to the whole world.
But Zari isn’t out of the woods yet, a major confrontation awaits her in Uganda as the body of her ex husband is expected to be buried in his native country.
Zari Hassan with her boys who were fathered by Ivan Ssemwanga
