GP: Tanzanian Artist Funeral

Guest Post: Sherryen from Tanzania Hundreds turn up to commemorate Kanumba, a ground breaking Tanzanian artist Steven Charles Kanumba was a Tanzanian actor and director who died on 7th April 2012 at the age of 28. 20,000 people attended his funeral. He was described as "Tanzania's most popular film star" and appeared in Nollywood (Nigerian) films.                           the late Steven Charles Kanumba On the 7th of April, hundreds of film artists and fans marked one year since film star Steven Kanumba died, sadly stating that his gap has not yet been filled in the Tanzania film industry. The commemoration involved a short church service followed by a small reception at Kanumba’s house which was then followed by the launching of Kanumba’s last movie “Love and Power,” which had not been released when Kanumba passed away. The memorial ceremony was attended by guests from different parts of the world including the US, Ghana and Nigeria. The ceremony was also attended by actress Elizabeth Michael, known as Lulu, who has been charged with Kanumba’s death. Bongo Movies actress Elizabeth Michael lays a wreath on Kanumba's tomb during the commemoration Kanumba’s international manager, Prince Richard Miami, told The Citizen that the Tanzanian movie industry had lost an important figure who could propel movies to a global status. According to him, Kanumba left big shoes that no Bongo movie artist has even tried to wear. He also said “Bongo movies is the second largest industry after Nollywood, Bongo movies have at least 200 million viewers. Bongo movies have a better quality of picture than Nollywood.” (This statement is Kudos to Tanzania over Nigeria!) Kanumba’s manager said: “Moreover, Bongo movies need trans- African partnership, something that our brother Kanumba did when he crossed borders to Nigeria, US and Europe." Kanumba’s mother Flora Mutego thanked his son’s fans for attending at the memorial ceremony. She said their huge attendance meant that Tanzanians valued her son’s works.

Sherryen’s Random Thoughts:

I am very impressed by the attachment that Tanzanians and other Bongo movie fans have kept with Steven Kanumba. It means a lot to know that my fellow Tanzanians appreciated a movie actor like any other artist, like a painter. This proves that Tanzania is growing not only as a country but its people’s points of view are changing and that is essential for prosperity in terms of artistic works and careers in that line of work. The fact that Elizabeth Michael was allowed to attend the commemoration of Kanumba even after she was accused for his death has made me appreciate my home country, its people, and their power of forgiveness. I believe that the ability to forgive and forget will set everyone free to pursue our paths. I also hope that the remaining Tanzanian artistes take the controls of the movie industry ship in Tanzania and sail it to success. I hope they continue the work that Kanumba has done so far and that Tanzania will continue to grow and excel in the movie industry.