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Hollywood actor, Idris Elba, to open film studio in Tanzania

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Hollywood British actor, Idris Elba, has concluded plans to invest in a major film studio in Tanzania, Director of the country’s Presidential Communications, Zuhura Yunus, has revealed at a press conference on Monday.

The plans to open the world class studio, according to Yunus, came following discussions between the star actor and his wife, Sabrina Elba, after a recent meeting with Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the 53rd World Economic Forum Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

Elba, whose mother and father hail from Ghana and Sierra Leone respectively, in an interview after the meeting was reporter to have said:

“I’m really keen on the development of Africa. My parents come from Africa and more than anywhere in the world, I feel like that continent deserves some real tender care and love and thought.”

“Young Africans view me as a leader or a beacon. And I feel like I could bring something. So I’m keen to bring what I’ve learned in media and amplify it in Africa,” he said.

While briefing journalists on the outcome of President Hassan’s recent trip to Davos, Yunus said the discussions are progressing.

“Discussions on the project have just begun, and if successful, the project will help not only Tanzania but also Eastern and Central Africa,” she said.

Elba has become a very popular actor in Africa following his epic performance as Nelson Mandela in the biopic film named ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’ in the 2013.

The 49-year-old actor also starred in the movie ‘Beast’, which was entirely shot in South Africa, and had revealed that he wants to pave the way for more major films to be made on the continent.

Apart from acting, Elba also established his career as a musician and has performed as a DJ under the moniker DJ Big Driss and as an R&B musician.

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Egypt produces 3D animation series for kids named ‘El Mahmia’

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The United Media Services (UMS), in conjunction with the Egyptian government has produced a 3D animated series for children titled “El Mahmia” which means “The Reserve.”

“El Mahmia” is the latest animated series coming shortly after the “Yehia W Kenooz” (Yehia & Treasures) which was released last year in the North African country’s continuous efforts to develop the characters of Egyptian kids, according to UMS in a statement on Saturday.

“El Mahmia” which is the first Egyptian 3D animation series is produced by Hashtag and will be screened on Al Hayat TV channel during the month of Ramadan, the producers said.

“El Mahmia’s plot is full of suspense. It revolves around the reserve’s residents who are Farah and Hamza, the two grandsons of the reserve’s guard,” the statement reveals.

“The reserve is exposed to danger, and Farah and Hamza will manage to overcome this danger using smart and innovative ways.”

“The episodes carry many adventures inside the reserve, and will introduce the children to the world of nature reserves and their creatures, the importance of preserving the environment, and how to use technology to serve these goals.”

El Mahmia consists of 30 episodes and the duration of each episode is 15 minutes. The animation series stars Zeyad El-Gendy (Hamza), Lama Hany (Farah), Ahmed Khaled El-Sharkawy (the grandfather), Gehad Abou Elenien (the fisherman), and Galal El Hagrassy (Hakim).”

“Others are Hany Abdel Hay (Bebo), with the participation of Nevin Mahmoud, Alaa Gawish, Osama Fawzy, Eyad El-Gendy, Amr Essam, Taghreed El-Nagar, Hind Kamel and Mohamed Azizi ( Shark), and Moataz El-Shazly,” the series director, Ahmed Mahdy said at the launch in Cairo.

“The series is tailor made to raise the awareness of children about the importance of preserving natural reserves as well as preserving fish from extinction,” Mahdy said.

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Zambian model, Christina Sakala, dreams of appearing on cover of Vogue, Elle Magazines

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Zambian top fashion and runway model, Christina Sakala, says she has big dreams of appearing on the cover of international fashion magazines, Vogue and Elle, as that would be a “dream come true” for her.

The 24-year-old who has taken the south-central African country modelling industry by storm, has been the face of the Zambia Fashion Week from 2015 to date and has also participated in Swahili Fashion Week as well as other runway shows across the region.

She has also represented her country at fashion events in other parts of the world, notably her participation at Shanghai Black fashion week held in Shanghai, China, last year.

Sakala has won loads of laurels in her career, including being crowned as Top Model of the World Zambia 2015, Miss Globe Zambia 2017/18, Vodafone Jump Brand Ambassador, Mumba Children’s Project Brand
Ambassador and the Face of Lace by Mwengz.

Sakala who spoke of her dream of being one of the world’s top models on Friday with Zambian Monitor, said her road to the runway started when she was tricked into the sector by her boyfriend, but insisted she has had no regrets since then.

“I started modeling when my boyfriend at the time tricked me into auditioning,” she said.

“He said we were going on a date and I found myself at an audition. He had been trying to get me to start and I was just not interested.”

“So I guess that was his last resort. Now looking back I’m glad he did it.”

“There are so many people looking up to me, including myself and I cannot disappoint them. I know I’m a great model and one day I’ll put my country on the map.”

Thought Sakala has achieved so much in such a short period, she says her dream is to appear on the cover of the two international magazines, Vogue and Elle, as well as walk the runway at some of the biggest fashion shows in the world.

“I’m going to be on the cover of Vogue Magazine, Elle Magazine and all the big names. I’m going to walk for the biggest designers in the world and walk the biggest most glamorous shows in the world. Be the brand ambassadors for the biggest brands and names. I’m coming for it all,” she said.

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