How Wasonga Broke Hard Ice At The Arterial Network Forum

Keith Pearson apologized to the audience in advance that the five panelists would now have to leave the floor

and join him “up there”. He used these words to describe the quartet of tables and chairs facing the rest of the would-be audience of this forum at the Goethe Institute. I think the apology was actually directed at us panelists since Keith knew how much we preferred a round table (used here in the literal sense of circular tables) forum of informal discussion than this high table style set up. It just made me feel like I had to be uptight.

As the legendary John Sibi-Okumu and respected director Kamau wa Ndun’gu gave their opening statements, I listened in awe but also kept wondering how I would break the ice. I knew the audience was made up of mostly new actors who revered this panel. The title “How I made it” did not help matters much either. I had a few options in my mind by the time John Wasonga begun. Wasonga is a re-known thespian in Mombasa and is currently the Coastal Manager at the Theatre Company of Kenya. He begun by announcing that he wanted to tell us a story. I couldn’t help but notice the worried expressions. ‘What if he embarrassed himself?’ At least that’s what I was thinking. ‘What if it was too long and Keith as the moderator would have to abruptly cut him off?’

Nevertheless, Wasonga in his trademark smile, was already cruising down memory lane. A close relative had died but he and his father had not attended the funeral. (“What’s the big deal?”I could hear the audience’s wonder). Unfortunately, what this meant was that Wasonga could never eat chicken again at his grandmother’s homestead.

It all seemed inconsequential until one day when Wasonga went to visit his grandmother during a famine. This

clearly limited his diet to “bitter herbs” that were usually pinched behind the huts. It was cool with him and he managed to bravely survive the first three days. However, this adolescent with a healthy teenager’s appetite could not take it anymore and went to his grandma demanding that he slaughters the chicken or go on hunger strike. His grandmother gave in and with greater and tastier food options; he enjoyed the rest of his stay in the steamy upcountry in Lake Nyanza Basin.

When Wasonga went back to boarding school, he fell a bit ill and the school diet wasn’t helping either. His mother came to visit him and noticed that he had lost weight and was a bit weak. She then headed to his grandmother’s house. As they were catching up, she noticed that the poultry were few in the homestead. She inquired of her mother, concerned that a hyena might have attacked and finished all the chicken. To her utter disbelief, Wasonga’s grandmother informed his mother that it was he who had eaten all the chicken during his stay over.

The worried mother gave her own mother a tough lecture and hurriedly went to traditional herbalists who gave her nyaluo medicine. She then went to school, herbs in hand and instructed the headmaster on how Wasonga was to be medicated. Some to swallow, some to drink and some to bathe with –making sure he did not rinse himself until the herbs diffused into his body. She also left party-foods for Wasonga to consume. These were chapatis, juice, loaves of bread and enough pocket money to buy healthier dinner.

Within a week Wasonga was back to his normal weight and high energy. To this day, he never knew whether it was the nyaluo medicine or the improved diet that saved his life.Of course, by this time the audience and I had laughed, chuckled and cackled.

The hard ice had been broken into tiny pieces and it was easier for Fridah and I to give our opening remarks in a cheerful and comfortable space.

UNMASKING GERALD LANGIRI - HIS TAKE ON SUCCESS AS AN ACTOR

Within a span of only four years, former I.T. specialist Gerald Langiri has climbed up the ladder of screen-acting in Kenya to become one of Kenya’s leading actors. Personally, I think

Gerald is one of the hardest working and self-motivated actors around. I first met him in 2012 when I invited him over to my place to discuss the plight of actors and the possibility of a Guild. He was passionate, keen and appeared focused. He seemed ready to brave through the challenges of starting the first website tailor-made for actors as there was no other source of actors getting auditions apart from a handful of casting directors who appeared as demi–gods to many. He later won the best film blogger category at the 2014 African Film Development Awards.

I caught up with him to figure out what he really is about. My thoughts follow the recorded interview. Karibu!

Rogers Otieno (RO): Are you social in spite of being an actor or are you an actor in spite of being social?

Gerald Langiri (GL): Well, I have always been a social human being from as far as my “cha baba na cha mama” years (Children’s game where they play members of the family. The most charismatic one automatically played father or mother). Having been born and bred in Mombasa, a city and town where you did not suspect the next human being next to you and there isn't much segregation where the rich have their place and the poor theirs, it kinda helps you grow interacting fearlessly with everyone you meet. So I guess I am social in spite of being an actor and one of the outcomes of being an actor is the fact that you do have to interact with lots of people. My being social compliments my acting career I will admit.

[Mhh…so he can think on his feet! Let’s see how he will handle this one]

R.O: Do you really struggle with weight?

G.L: Have I ever struggled with weight? (Thinks for a moment) No I don't struggle with weight nor have I ever. I know you ask this because of my Facebook ‘foodious’ posts and fat people jokes...but between me and you, I like to make fun of fat people through me. I am very content and happy with the size of my body because I know I am how I am because I want to be this fat/big. Besides, all this bass came about from the days when I would sit in an office the whole day...you should see my pictures of yesteryears...(bear laugh) Then again, the size of my body works well for me because there aren’t many chubby guys in the film industry so guess to whom all those chubby roles go to...

[Ok so dude won’t clown around so let me just start digging!]

RO: Which project do you feel really made you a public figure?

GL: Am I a public figure really? (releases a bear's laugh).Okay, let me play along… I have met supporters (I like using that word instead of fans) who point out characters I have

played before and I always go "You watched that??" I think I am however remembered mostly from Mali where I played the character Don (the family lawyer) and from Papa Shirandula where I played Mr. Araka Smart although I was there for about 10 episodes…but years later I'd still meet people who call me Araka Smart. The Movie House of Lungula also got so much publicity and stirred a lot of conversation which put my name out there. I am currently on a show on Citizen TV titled Santalal where I play a two faced corrupt Police Commissioner and that has also grabbed people's attention and I am now being called Commissioner wherever I go.

RO: (Prods) Come on dude...Do you consider yourself a celebrity?

GL: I don't even consider myself a public figure yet so to even consider myself a celebrity is out of the question. I do not live in a bubble though and I understand that the career path I have chosen does put me out there in the public eye and under a microscope, but I do not consider myself a celebrity…not just yet….There is nothing wrong with being a celebrity by the way, it does have its perks...but I am nowhere near the celebrities I look upto to actually consider myself one...but give me time (bear’s laugh)

RO: But do you find it challenging to live as a famous person?

GL: Yes and no...Yes, because being known and being in the public light, the society expects you to be something else that maybe I am not or do not want to be. No, because I do not let that get to me. I am who I am and I always tell myself, everything will come at its own pace and time...that limo and that house by the beach that I want and that the public assume I live in will come and even when it does, I'll still be me...so no challenges being famous. If anything, I think the benefits of being famous are more than not being known.

RO: Do you feel like acting as a career in Kenya is limiting and one must get a job with more public influence like being a TV presenter or have a show to stay relevant?

GL: Yes, especially because the more known you become, the less work you get. It’s amazing and shocking at the same time. It’s good you asked about the celebrity question then followed

it with this one because I honestly feel like our celebrities in Kenya are not quite celebrated like they should be, especially if you are a broke celebrity like many of them are. Producers and even TV networks in Kenya start thinking because you are now known, you might be expensive to get or make high demands but many forget its work for some of us and being known is a byproduct of what we do- especially if you do it well. It is why you then find that once many actors get to a certain level, they end up getting into other careers like radio, TV or making their own shows in order to get the money they need to sustain themselves ...otherwise they don't get work as often anymore. Luckily there are producers who understand what star power can bring to them and prefer working with these actors who have built a name for themselves and branded themselves well, mixing that with new actors coming into the market. In Hollywood it’s totally different though. TV executives and production companies want to work with these actors more often than not to rake in their profits.

RO: What was your big break?

GL: Mhh, I am yet to get it. Seriously, despite having been in several projects, I am yet to admit that I have received my big break. Not to take away anything from the projects I have been in before, every project has been a milestone in my career and every project has led to something after that. I guess with that, I can say that every project I have undertaken has been my big break of sorts. I am however still waiting for that project that will turn my world upside down (positively of course) and I guess that is what I'll consider my big break.

RO: What was your experience at the AMVCA (Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards)?

GL: A memorable experience that I'll cherish for a long time. One because acting is the reason why I got into a plane and flew to Nigeria,two because its the 2nd largest film industry in the world and I

could see why it is the case. The people have so much sense of pride and appreciation of their own especially if you are an actor. From the airport to the people you meet, simply say you are an actor and doors open for you…literally. The actors and the film fraternity people I met as well had a sense of "This is work. This is serious business" and that is the one thing I most loved about Lagos. The awards themselves were well orchestrated and carried out. We have a long way to go with our Kalasha Awards honestly. It was indeed a huge red carpet affair for that matter because film is huge in Nigeria. I can’t wait for the day I can say the same about Kenya.

RO: What does Kenya have as an advantage over Nollywood?

GL: The locations. Kenya is a beautiful country I must admit. I remember coming back home from Lagos and was in awe of Nairobi. We have magnificent locations and really good weather to make blockbusters. Why we don’t use them or shout about it, I don't know.

RO: So what did you come back to?

GL: We are currently in the pre-production of the series Stay (Season 2). Many might remember Season One that aired on KTN in early 2014. It is the series that got me my 1st acting award at the Kalasha Film and Television Awards 2014 as the Best Supporting Character on TV for my character Nico. I am excited about Season Two as we also have new cast coming on board. The likes of Kaz, Adelle Onyango, Kingwa Kamencu among others while still maintaining the initial cast of Mkamzee Mwatela, Jason Corder, Joed Ngaruiya...so yeah, I am happy about that.

R.O: You seem to have really taken advantage of your IT skills and developed good PR for yourself. Many actors have also testified to me of finding jobs through your website. You may

not know this but I once cast my actors from your website. However, I hope you appreciate that our fraternity is also in a way conservative. What do you think of those who may dismiss this as too much hype?

GL: Well, I admit I really do know how to push my name out there. I wish many actors could do the same. Otherwise we complain that musicians are usually being given more spotlight and we are not. Well, it’s because in the public eye, we do not matter - because we do not sell ourselves to the public! So corporates would rather musicians brand their products as opposed to actors.

Gerald’s consistency in acting is admirable. In a span of four years, he has played major roles in eight TV programs, five films -and two web series (considering they are still a rarity in our industry!) He has also won about three awards and received at least five nominations.
So would you dismiss him as a socialite or a progressive aspect of the performing arts continuum? Well, they say men lie, women lie, but numbers don’t. I invite you to do the math.