nngu007
JF-Expert Member
- Aug 2, 2010
- 15,862
- 5,797
Tanzania has superstars
Steven Kanumba, the Tanzanian actor famous for roles in Tanzania's soap operas and films shown all over east and central Africa. He died after an accidental fall during an argument with girlfriend Elizabeth Michael ‘Lulu'.
Tanzanians love their celebrities. Their obsession with their home-made stars can be likened to that of Kenyan politicians and the electorate.
They draw huge following from everybody, showbiz in Tanzania may not be as hyper as Kenya but hype is nothing without success and loads of money.
If you wanted to find out just how big and influential the Tanzanian stars are, you just needed to check the multitude of people who turned up for the funeral of Tanzanian actor, Steven Charles Kanumba, last week.
Approximately 30,000 people showed up to pay their last respects to the 28-year-old star of Bongo and Naija films whose death is still surrounded in mystery.
There are allegations that he was pushed to his deathby his girlfriend, an actor commonly referred to as ‘Lulu', after picking a quarrel. She has since been charged with the murder.
"Initial reports indicate that he fell in his bedroom where he was with the 18-year-old girlfriend identified as Elizabeth Michael," Kinondoni Regional Police Commander Charles Kenyela said.
President Jakaya Kikwete is said to have delayed a foreign trip when he heard the news of Kanumba's death and praised him as a �talented young man who was playing a big role to develop the movieindustry and marketing Tanzania abroad".
The funeral attracted his fans who included First Lady Salma Kikwete, Vice-President Mohamed Gharib Bilal as well as other senior government officials who joined Kanumba's mother Flora Mtegoa and family to bid him farewell.
Crowds are reported to have surged beyond control at the star's funeral service thanks to the underestimation of the turnout. Dozens were treated after they fainted during the service and there was a stampede reportedly during the viewing of his body at the Leaders' Club grounds and also at Kinondoni cemetery.
Police had to use dogs and horses to clear crowds as the casket was carried to its resting place.
Upon seeing these images of the massive crowds, many Kenyans were shocked that superstars in Tanzania are that loved and influential as they tried to compare Bongo stars with their Kenyan counterparts.
First, fans love and show their passion for anything their stars do and take part in. The two biggest names in Tanzania are Lady Jay Dee and gospel star Rose Muhando and regarded as pillars in theentertainment industry. The other stars are just as popular but these two have no equal.
Concerts like Fiesta record up to 40,000 persons. The concert usually has leading Tanzanian artistes perform. Being a star in Tanzania is not a hard task, if you have the talent, they will come.
The late actor Kanumba won the hearts of many Tanzanians who formed a huge part of his fan base. Being among the pioneer of Swahili films in the country, Kanumba had a great following.
Why? Because all his films were all in Swahili and the story lines revolved around issues they could relate to. Again, Kanumba had marketed them in the movie industry by doing films with Nollywood greats like Ramsey Noah.
Steven Kanumba, the Tanzanian actor famous for roles in Tanzania's soap operas and films shown all over east and central Africa. He died after an accidental fall during an argument with girlfriend Elizabeth Michael ‘Lulu'.
Tanzanians love their celebrities. Their obsession with their home-made stars can be likened to that of Kenyan politicians and the electorate.
They draw huge following from everybody, showbiz in Tanzania may not be as hyper as Kenya but hype is nothing without success and loads of money.
If you wanted to find out just how big and influential the Tanzanian stars are, you just needed to check the multitude of people who turned up for the funeral of Tanzanian actor, Steven Charles Kanumba, last week.
Approximately 30,000 people showed up to pay their last respects to the 28-year-old star of Bongo and Naija films whose death is still surrounded in mystery.
There are allegations that he was pushed to his deathby his girlfriend, an actor commonly referred to as ‘Lulu', after picking a quarrel. She has since been charged with the murder.
"Initial reports indicate that he fell in his bedroom where he was with the 18-year-old girlfriend identified as Elizabeth Michael," Kinondoni Regional Police Commander Charles Kenyela said.
President Jakaya Kikwete is said to have delayed a foreign trip when he heard the news of Kanumba's death and praised him as a �talented young man who was playing a big role to develop the movieindustry and marketing Tanzania abroad".
The funeral attracted his fans who included First Lady Salma Kikwete, Vice-President Mohamed Gharib Bilal as well as other senior government officials who joined Kanumba's mother Flora Mtegoa and family to bid him farewell.
Crowds are reported to have surged beyond control at the star's funeral service thanks to the underestimation of the turnout. Dozens were treated after they fainted during the service and there was a stampede reportedly during the viewing of his body at the Leaders' Club grounds and also at Kinondoni cemetery.
Police had to use dogs and horses to clear crowds as the casket was carried to its resting place.
Upon seeing these images of the massive crowds, many Kenyans were shocked that superstars in Tanzania are that loved and influential as they tried to compare Bongo stars with their Kenyan counterparts.
First, fans love and show their passion for anything their stars do and take part in. The two biggest names in Tanzania are Lady Jay Dee and gospel star Rose Muhando and regarded as pillars in theentertainment industry. The other stars are just as popular but these two have no equal.
Concerts like Fiesta record up to 40,000 persons. The concert usually has leading Tanzanian artistes perform. Being a star in Tanzania is not a hard task, if you have the talent, they will come.
The late actor Kanumba won the hearts of many Tanzanians who formed a huge part of his fan base. Being among the pioneer of Swahili films in the country, Kanumba had a great following.
Why? Because all his films were all in Swahili and the story lines revolved around issues they could relate to. Again, Kanumba had marketed them in the movie industry by doing films with Nollywood greats like Ramsey Noah.
