Steven Kanumba

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, 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. 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

Awards and nominations