# Steven Kanumba

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 of he 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, 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 starting 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 was buried in Kinondoni Cemetery.

## Filmography
### Television

* Jahazi
* Dira
* Zizimo
* Tufani
* Sayari
* Taswira
* Gharika
* Baragumu

### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| | Haviliki | | |
| | Neno | | |
| | Ulingo | | |
| | Riziki | | with Blandina Chagula |
| 2006 | Sikitiko Langu | Steve | with Nuru Nassoro, Vincent Kigosi and Mahsein Awadh |
| 2006 | Dangerous Desire | Jerry | with Vincent Kigosi, Nuru Nasoro and Blandina Chagula |
| 2007 | She is My Sister | Danny | with Mercy Johnson, Nkiru Sylvanus and Yvonne Cherrie |
| 2007 | Penina | | with Mahsein Awadh, Emmanuel Myamba |
| | Cross My Sin | | with Mercy Johnson, Suzan Lewis |
| | chizi wa dunia | | with christopher bin bazuu |
| 2007 | A Point of No Return | Lameck | with Wema Sepetu, Mahsein Awadh |
| 2008 | The Lost Twins | | with Lucky Peter, Elizabeth Michael, Suzan Lewis |
| 2008 | The Stolen Will | Christopher | with Eizabeth Chijumba, Immaculate Aloyce |
| 2009 | Village Pastor | Rev. Isaya | with Aunt Ezekiel |
| 2009 | Magic House | Gibson | with Nargis Mohamed, Issa mussa |
| 2008 | Oprah | Alfred | with Irene Uwoya and Vincent Kigosi |
| 2009 | Red Valentine | Nicholaus | with Wema Sepetu, Jacquline Wolper |
| 2008 | *Family Tears | Briton | with Elizabeth Michael, Wema Sepetu and Richard Bezednhout |
| | The Movie's Director | | with Mercy Johnson, Nkiru Sylvanus, Elizabeth Chijumba, Olufemi ogdegbe |
| 2009 | Fake Smile | Bosco | with Aunt Ezekiel, Yobnesh Yusuph |
| | Unfortunate Love | | with Lisa Jensen, Aunt Ezekiel, Elizabeth Michael |
| 2009 | Hero of the Church | Stephano | with Princess Sheila, Issa Musa, Juma kilowoko |
| | Saturday Morning | | with Shamsa Ford, Hemed Suleiman, Issa Musa |
| | Shauku | | |
| | Crazy Love | | with Shamsa Ford, Hemed Suleiman, Issa Musa, Elizabeth Michael |
| 2006 | Johari | Hans | with Blandina Chagula and Vincent Kigosi) |
| 2006 | Dar 2 Lagos | Kanumba | with Mercy Johnson, Nancy Okeke, Bimbo Akintola |
| 2010 | More Than Pain | | with Lisa Jensen and Rose Ndauka |
| 2010 | Young Billionaire | | with Aunty Ezekiel and Patcho Mwamba |
| 2010 | "Ripple of tears" | | with Elizabeth Michael |
| 2010 | Uncle JJ | | with Khanifa Daudi (Jennifer), Patrick, Mayasa Mrisho and Patcho Mwamba |
| 2010 | This Is It | | with Khanifa Daudi (Jennifer), Patrick, Mayasa Mrisho and Patcho Mwamba |
| 2010 | Off Side | Stewart | with 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 billionaire | | with Aunty Ezekiel and Patcho Mwamba |
| 2011 | Saturday Morning | | with Irene Paul and Ben Franko |
| 2011 | Deception | | with Rose Ndauka, Patcho Mwamba, Bakari Makuka |
| 2011 | Devil Kingdom | Ambrose Kapalala | with Ramsey Nouah, Kajala Masanja) |
| 2011 | The Shock | | with Shazy Sadry |
| 2011 | Moses | | With Suzan Lewis, Shazy Sadri, Ndumbangwe Misayo |
| 2012 | Big Daddy | | |
| 2012 | Because of You | | with Rose Ndauka and Grace Mapunda |
| 2012 | Ndoa Yangu | | with Jacquline Wolper and Patcho Mwamba |
| 2013 | Love & Power | | with Irene Paul and Patcho Mwamba; Kanumba's final movie |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Event | Prize | Recipient | Result |
| 2008 | Vinara Movie Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award | Steven Kanumba | Won |
| 2010 | Mini-Ziff Awards | Best Movie | This Is It | Won |
| 2010 | Filamu Central Website Awards (Best of 2010) | Best Actor | Steven Kanumba | Won |
| 2010 | Filamu Central Website Awards (Best of 2010) | Best Producer | | Won |
| 2010 | SFC Awards | Best Actor | Steven Kanumba | Won |
| 2011 | Zanzibar International Film Festival | Best Actor | Devil Kingdom | Won |
| 2011 | Zanzibar International Film Festival | Best Movie in Sound | Devil Kingdom | Won |
| 2012 | Baab Kubwa Magazine Awards | Best Actor | Steven Kanumba | Won |
| 2013 | Steps Entertainments Awards | Best Selling Movie | Ndoa Yangu | Won |
| 2013 | Steps Entertainments Awards | Best Movie of the Year | Kijiji Cha Tambua Haki | Won |
| 2013 | Steps Entertainments Awards | Posthumous Award | Steven Kanumba | Won |
| 2014 | Tanzania People's Choice Awards (Tuzo za watu) | Favourite Movie | Ndoa Yangu | Won |
| 2015 | Tanzania Film Awards | Tribute Personality Award | Steven Kanumba | Won |
| 2015 | Proin Promotions Awards | Best Actor | Steven Kanumba | Won |