We join many Zambians in celebrating Patrick Shumba Mutukwa ~ The Zambian actor who plays a role in Black Panther .
Below is an interview by Time Machine Zambia .
TMZ: Tell us a little bit about yourself, your background and upbringing?
Thank you for having me. I am the 3rd born out of a family of 6. Born at the UTH hospital in Lusaka Zambia. Growing up in ZAF lusaka was great except the friends you grew up with would eventually move to a different city as soon as their parents retired. It was hard keeping friends as a kid. As a result of that, my siblings became my best friends.
We moved to Dambwa, Livingstone when I was in the 6th grade. Life had to start all over again.Making new friends and starting a new way of life. My dad would eventually pass away when I was in the 9th grade leaving behind a widow who was a housewife for most of her life.
We struggled a lot. The life we knew turned upside down. It wasn’t uncommon to go days without food. Despite all of this, we bonded together as a family and also fell in love with the community.
My first stage experience was at Future Hope Church where I was an usher and a worship leader. It also helped that I was a Head Boy at Linda High School in 2001 as well as the Debate Club President.
TMZ: When did you get into acting and doing voice work?
In retrospect, acting has always been there for me. We were expected to “act” like everything was ok even when we were at a low point in our lives. When I joined the drama team at church, it was so rewarding to tell someone else’s story and escape my realities for a bit.
Voice over started in America. Well, Ive always been told that voice is distinct. If you ask anyone who knows me, they will describe me by my voice. The one pivotal moment that started all of this was when I recorded my first audio book for a girlfriend’s blind mother for her birthday. Watching her experience the book through my voice was amazing.
TMZ: What role do you play in Black Panther and what was the whole experience like?
I have 2 roles. I am a Border Tribe Warrior plus a dialect and accents assistant.
TMZ: What was it like training the cast of Black Panther with Dialect and accents – was this a difficult or an easy feat…what was the process like?
It was an unbelievable experience. Here I am with Lupita N’yongo, Angela Bassett and a few of my favorite actors trying to hold my composure as I was teaching them to speak like me.
It was a much easier task once I got over the emotions. Most times, the director would stop the entire production, call me up, fix the dialects and then continue.
TMZ: Anything Zambians in particular can Look forward to in the movie and what do you think a movie like Black Panther will do for the Film industry as a whole?
This movie is revolutionary. A first of its kind. The story is MARVELous and the action is great. You will hear some Nyanja words when KILLMONGER is being locked to the ground by the Doras. I honestly think this movie will change how superhero movies will be fined. A much more relatable superhero.
TMZ: Anything else you would like to add and where can people follow you on Social media?
Certainly. This is only the beginning. The world will know about Zambia and all that we have to offer. My dream is to inspire as many lives as I can. Nothing is impossible with hard work and faith.
Source: ZNBC