Steven Charles Kanumba (8 January 1984 – 7 April 2012) was a Tanzanian actor and director of Sukuma heritage, born in Shinyanga Region. Kanumba died in 2012 at the age of 28, for which actress Elizabeth Michael was convicted of involuntary manslaughter and sentenced to two years in prison in November 2017. Over 30,000 people were estimated to have attended his funeral. He was described as "Tanzania's most popular film star", and appeared in Nollywood films.
Early life Kanumba was born into a Sukuma family in the Shinyanga Region in Northern Tanzania. His father was Charles Kanumba and his mother was Flora Mutegoa. Kanumba had three older sisters. He began his studies at Bugoyi Primary School and continued with his secondary studies at Mwadui Secondary School, later transferring to Vosa Mission Secondary School. He joined Jitegemee High School for his high level education. He spoke three languages fluently: Swahili, Sukuma and English.
Career Kanumba began acting in the 1990s in church productions. In 2002, he joined the theater group Kaole Arts Group. He appeared in the television soap operas Jahazi and Dira and made his film debut in Haviliki. In 2006 he met Nazz who gave him advice and further connections for his career. He appeared in Dar 2 Lagos (Part 1) (Part 2), a film by Mtitu Game that used both Tanzanian and Nigerian cast. He also appeared in the films She is My Sister, This Is It, and Love Gamble. In 2009, he was a special celebrity guest on Big Brother Africa 4.
In 2011, Kanumba was named an Oxfam GROW Ambassador. Shortly before his death he had been preparing for his first Hollywood film role, despite him already being "Tanzania's most popular film star" and appeared in Nollywood films.
Death Kanumba died after he fell in his bedroom on 7 April 2012, apparently from a head injury after falling and hitting his head on the wall. Elizabeth "Lulu" Michael, his 17-year-old girlfriend at that time, was charged with manslaughter in connection with the death. Kanumba was taken unconscious to Muhimbili National Referral Hospital where he was declared dead. Michael was arrested and stayed in remand for almost a year for investigation. Later, the charges were amended to involuntary manslaughter.
In January 2013 Michael was granted bail. In October 2017 She testified to the High Court of Tanzania that after Kanumba confronted her, he took her to his room by force and started beating her with a sword while he was intoxicated. She claimed that Kanumba fell down and hit his head while beating her with the sword. In 2017, Lulu was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for his death and sentenced to two years in prison. Her sentence was then changed from two years imprisonment to community services and she was released from jail on 12 May 2018, after serving at least a year in jail.
His funeral was attended by around 30,000 people including the first lady of Tanzania, Salma Kikwete, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Gharib Bilal, and the minister for culture and sport, Emmanuel Nchimbi.Kanumba laid to rest, Mohammed Ugasa, 11 April 2012 Kanumba was buried in Kinondoni Cemetery.
Filmography
Television Jahazi Dira Zizimo Tufani Sayari Taswira Gharika Baragumu
Film + Year TitleRole NotesHavilikiNenoUlingoRiziki with Blandina Chagula2006Sikitiko Langu Stevewith Nuru Nassoro, Vincent Kigosi and Mahsein Awadh2006Dangerous DesireJerrywith Vincent Kigosi, Nuru Nasoro and Blandina Chagula2007She is My SisterDannywith Mercy Johnson, Nkiru Sylvanus and Yvonne Cherrie2007Peninawith Mahsein Awadh, Emmanuel MyambaCross My Sinwith Mercy Johnson, Suzan Lewis chizi wa duniawith christopher bin bazuu2007A Point of No ReturnLameckwith Wema Sepetu, Mahsein Awadh2008The Lost Twins with Lucky Peter, Elizabeth Michael, Suzan Lewis2008The Stolen WillChristopherwith Eizabeth Chijumba, Immaculate Aloyce2009Village Pastor Rev. Isayawith Aunt Ezekiel2009Magic HouseGibsonwith Nargis Mohamed, Issa mussa2008Oprah Alfredwith Irene Uwoya and Vincent Kigosi2009Red ValentineNicholauswith Wema Sepetu, Jacquline Wolper2008*Family TearsBritonwith Elizabeth Michael, Wema Sepetu and Richard BezednhoutThe Movie's Director with Mercy Johnson, Nkiru Sylvanus, Elizabeth Chijumba, Olufemi ogdegbe2009Fake SmileBoscowith Aunt Ezekiel, Yobnesh YusuphUnfortunate Lovewith Lisa Jensen, Aunt Ezekiel, Elizabeth Michael 2009Hero of the ChurchStephanowith Princess Sheila, Issa Musa, Juma kilowokoSaturday Morningwith Shamsa Ford, Hemed Suleiman, Issa MusaShaukuCrazy Love with Shamsa Ford, Hemed Suleiman, Issa Musa, Elizabeth Michael2006 Johari Hanswith Blandina Chagula and Vincent Kigosi)2006 Dar 2 Lagos Kanumbawith Mercy Johnson, Nancy Okeke, Bimbo Akintola2010 More Than Pain with Lisa Jensen and Rose Ndauka2010 Young Billionaire with Aunty Ezekiel and Patcho Mwamba2010 "Ripple of tears" with Elizabeth Michael2010 Uncle JJwith Khanifa Daudi (Jennifer), Patrick, Mayasa Mrisho and Patcho Mwamba2010 This Is Itwith Khanifa Daudi (Jennifer), Patrick, Mayasa Mrisho and Patcho Mwamba2010 Off Side Stewartwith Irene Uwoya, Vincent Kigosi and Jacob Steven)2010 Payback with Yvonne Cherrie, Yusuph Mlela)2010 Black Sunday with Yvonne Cherrie, Yusuph Mlela, Hemed Suleiman)2010 Young billionairewith Aunty Ezekiel and Patcho Mwamba2011 Saturday Morning with Irene Paul and Ben Franko2011 Deception with Rose Ndauka, Patcho Mwamba, Bakari Makuka2011 Devil Kingdom Ambrose Kapalalawith Ramsey Nouah, Kajala Masanja)2011 The Shockwith Shazy Sadry2011 Moses With Suzan Lewis, Shazy Sadri, Ndumbangwe Misayo2012 Big Daddy2012 Because of Youwith Rose Ndauka and Grace Mapunda2012 Ndoa Yanguwith Jacquline Wolper and Patcho Mwamba2013 Love & Power with Irene Paul and Patcho Mwamba; Kanumba's final movie
Awards and nominations YearEventPrizeRecipient Result2008Vinara Movie AwardsLifetime Achievement AwardSteven Kanumba2010Mini-Ziff AwardsBest MovieThis Is ItFilamu Central Website Awards (Best of 2010)Best ActorSteven KanumbaBest Producer2010SFC AwardsBest ActorSteven Kanumba2011Zanzibar International Film FestivalBest ActorDevil KingdomBest Movie in Sound2012Baab Kubwa Magazine AwardsBest ActorSteven Kanumba2013Steps Entertainments AwardsBest Selling MovieNdoa YanguBest Movie of the YearKijiji Cha Tambua HakiPosthumous AwardSteven Kanumba2014Tanzania People's Choice Awards (Tuzo za watu)Favourite MovieNdoa Yangu2015Tanzania Film AwardsTribute Personality AwardSteven KanumbaProin Promotions AwardsBest ActorSteven Kanumba
References
External links