ON June 24, 2025, the country was privileged to welcome Nollywood actors Kanayo O Kanayo and Tony Umez who were dating Zambia for the first time.
The duo arrived at the Kenneth Kaunda International Airport at 13:00 hours on that day.
They came to attend the African Creatives Business Summit, which started on June 25 and ended on June 27.
At one of the sessions, Kanayo even sacrificed his Igbo accent for Bemba and stunned Zambians with Chishimba Kambwili proverbs.
Kanayo who paused his keynote address to recite the Bemba saying, “umwana ashenda atasha nyina ukunaya, which means ‘a child who never travels will always praise their mother’s cooking,’ sent Zambians especially the monkey eaters from the North leaping in pride, with women almost accidentally caressing the lips of their neighborly male attendees when he uttered the famous proverb.
The actor had to pause for a minute, the time it would take a girl from Mufulira to say yes to a man, after delivering the proverb as Zambians were too stunned to contain the happiness and pride that came with one of their favourite celebrities speaking in one of their languages.
“From Pidgin to Zulu and Bemba, let our identity shine through and say in Bemba, “umwana ashenda atasha nyina ukunaya.” A child who does not travel, thinks only their mother knows how to cook,” said Kanayo.
The African Creatives Business Summit runs brought together creatives from across the continent to discuss opportunities in Africa’s creative economy.
By Catherine Pule
Kalemba, December 31, 2025
