Eugene Khumbanyiwa is a Malawian South-Africa-based stage, television,
film and voice actor, popularly known for playing the role of
Obesandjo in the 2009 Oscar nominated sci-fi hit District
9.Khumbanyiwa was born at Cobbe Barracks Hospital in Zomba, Malawi's
former capital. His father is Major Stewart Khumbanyiwa, a retired
soldier, and his mother a retired primary school teacher. He got
fascinated by performing arts at a very young age. He stated that as a
kid, growing up at Nandolo in Zomba, his mother would take him and his
siblings to Zomba Gymkhana club to watch the late Malawian playwright,
director, actor and founder of the first professional theatre company
in Malawi, the Wakhumbata Ensemble Theatre Du Chisiza Junior, perform
on stage, as well as to University of Malawi, Chancellor College's The
Great Hall, where they would watch popular drama groups like Kwathu
Drama Group perform. Also, his father loved classic western and action
movies, and he would take him and his older brother over the weekend
to a hall nearby at St Charles Lwanga parish center, where a film
company called ASTRA cinemas would come and show movies. His father's
joy, subconscious gestures, and the excitement when watching these
movies made the young Khumbanyiwa believe in the magic of movies and
cinema, how movies can bring out various emotions in people and at the
same time make for a great family time. He was attracted to that magic
and dreamt of being a part of it.While in high school he started
performing in self-penned plays on stage. Sometimes he would get in
trouble with teachers for performing funny and entertaining skits in
class.He attended his primary school at Cobbe Barracks, Mponda and
Police primary school. His Secondary school at Blantyre and Malawi
Army Secondary School. Upon completion at Army Secondary School, he
was voted the most popular student by fellow students. This was
largely due to his love and passion for performing arts.
film and voice actor, popularly known for playing the role of
Obesandjo in the 2009 Oscar nominated sci-fi hit District
9.Khumbanyiwa was born at Cobbe Barracks Hospital in Zomba, Malawi's
former capital. His father is Major Stewart Khumbanyiwa, a retired
soldier, and his mother a retired primary school teacher. He got
fascinated by performing arts at a very young age. He stated that as a
kid, growing up at Nandolo in Zomba, his mother would take him and his
siblings to Zomba Gymkhana club to watch the late Malawian playwright,
director, actor and founder of the first professional theatre company
in Malawi, the Wakhumbata Ensemble Theatre Du Chisiza Junior, perform
on stage, as well as to University of Malawi, Chancellor College's The
Great Hall, where they would watch popular drama groups like Kwathu
Drama Group perform. Also, his father loved classic western and action
movies, and he would take him and his older brother over the weekend
to a hall nearby at St Charles Lwanga parish center, where a film
company called ASTRA cinemas would come and show movies. His father's
joy, subconscious gestures, and the excitement when watching these
movies made the young Khumbanyiwa believe in the magic of movies and
cinema, how movies can bring out various emotions in people and at the
same time make for a great family time. He was attracted to that magic
and dreamt of being a part of it.While in high school he started
performing in self-penned plays on stage. Sometimes he would get in
trouble with teachers for performing funny and entertaining skits in
class.He attended his primary school at Cobbe Barracks, Mponda and
Police primary school. His Secondary school at Blantyre and Malawi
Army Secondary School. Upon completion at Army Secondary School, he
was voted the most popular student by fellow students. This was
largely due to his love and passion for performing arts.
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