It’s a buzzing afternoon as I step out of the greenish illegal tax to find myself standing at one of the busiest street of the Kariakoo area in Dar-es-salaam. It’s late November and the heat feels like 40c. As I try to stare at the old and new building crowding the once upon a time most organized part of the city, I can’t stop admiring [in awe and shock] the tenacity of the city dwellers, traders and hawkers. Kariakoo is one of the city’s cornerstones of business. A lot happens in Kariakoo. It’s also a transportation hub to lots of other suburbs. From Kariakoo you can go anywhere!
I am not here to trade anything. Instead, I am here to observe one thing. The secret market of the Tanzania’s Movies [Bongo Movies]. A friend of mine, Maginga, had a simple suggestion when I asked him about the place where I can see “Bongo Movies” in action; Kariakoo.
It wasn’t an easy day. Okay probably not as tough as what the Navy Seal team had to go through when embarking on a mission to get rid of Osama Bin Laden, but to my own standards, tough. Through eyes as clever as a terrier’s to see something flickering far back in those eyes to the eyes of a doe, I saw it all. I am going to write about that experience sooner than later.
Today, however, I just want to highlight one of the things I saw when I decided to jump into the water even when I wasn’t sure if I could swim. As I engaged folks [traders and direct consumers alike] about their choices of movie actors and actresses, lots of common names popped up. I wasn’t surprised. However, one name didn’t sound too familiar to me at the time. Sabby Angel. Who is she?I took interest and looked for her. We met and talked about a number of things. Here is what I got to learn;
Her latest film is titled “Sio Riziki”. It is her production under Sabby Angel Films. It will be released on January 15, 2015
As she sat down I noticed her cool porcelain good looks with a rich, fawnlike beauty. You could tell she has the uniqueness that could be alluring [and good for the screen]. We hit on with ice-breaking conversation before she starts telling me about her path.
Her artistic career started in 2009. She started as a singer with usual admiration from singers from western world such as Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston etc. Few years later, in 2011…she started acting to help boost her music career. As it turns out, she had found a new love of her life; acting. She never looked back although till today she still tries to keep her musical talent alive. A mesmerizing rendition of Amazing Grace as we took a break for lunch was enough to convince me that singing is one of her God-given talent. But for now, acting is what has brought her success and she understands the power of consistency pretty well.
When I was researching for my meet-up with her, I realized she is well known and liked all over East Africa [especially in Kenya and Tanzania]. I was curious to find out about that connection.
She was born and raised in Kenya to a Tanzanian Mother and a Kenyan Dad. Therefore, she literally grew up between these two countries. Alas! That makes sense.
On the question whether dual citizenship and cultural knowledge of two neighboring states has helped her career, Sabby says, “Yes, it has made a lot of difference, educational wise and growing up among different cultures. I see certain things differently. When I act I have a wider audience in my mind. That helps”
Although her career officially started in 2011, acting is something she started doing long time ago. She was in drama groups since school. She attended Aga Khan Nursery School for Primary School she went to Qubaa Primary School before joining Marben High School. Later on she went to Cambridge Inter College CTM in Mombasa where she obtained a Diploma in Account. She later acquired a certificate in marketing something that will come handy, as she gets deeper into the business with her Sabby Angel Films.
At 25, she is independent a fact she likes about her career. She is single mother of a 5 years old boy. She lost her Dad when she was 18. She has been independent since then. She helped raise her sibling. She loves what she does…being on camera or behind the camera. This is added with a smile that transformed her face into pure sunlight.
When I asked her about one thing she doesn’t like about her career or the industry, Sabby mentions unprofessional artists, producers and directors. Artists, according to her, are taken for granted. She is now working hard to do it differently. She jokes with a wrath of seriousness that she is working her way to Hollywood.
If she wasn’t doing movies, Sabby says she would have been working for/at an NGO. She is a humanitarian. She likes volunteering and helping people especially the youth. She once worked for Adam Smith International. Even with her robust movie career, whenever she get time, she helps with youth empowering projects.
If she were able to change few things about Tanzania’s movie industry, what would those things be? She says she would like to open an international level drama school like the Juilliard School of USA to educate and build talents at an international level.
We also talked about social media and the role it plays in her career from marketing to the way rumors can spread like a wildfire. Her opinion remains humble…it helps artists but it can also ruin someone’s career…rumors spreads faster. They can be damaging. Sabby encourages others to cautiously proceed and choose carefully what they put out there in the media. She therefore, likes to keep low profile. It took us extra efforts to connect with her.
Her Tanzania’s favorite artists are Steven Kanumba [RIP] and Monalisa. Out of Tanzania she looks after Angelina Jolie and Kevin Hart.
When she is not on set, Sabby likes to dwell into watching movies. She is a fanatic. She enjoys watching series and films. She likes dancing too…but she prefer to do most of such acts in the comfort of her home. Her next project, she reveals, is with one of Africa’s most recognized faces Noah Ramsey that will be filmed in Nigeria sometimes this year.
Go Get Sio Riziki available from 15th January 2015
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