Steven Kanumba Biography, Age, Movies, Awards, Death, Film
Rachel Hickman
Published Jan 02, 2026
Steven Kanumba Biography
Steven Kanumba was a Tanzanian actor, writer, and director. He was immensely popular for his film and television work and called the most popular star in Tanzania. He played Ndoa Yangu in the 2012 film, Love & Power, before his death.Table of Contents
Steven Kanumba Age
Kanumba was born as Steven Charles Kanumba on January 8, 1984, in Shinyanga, Tanzania.Steven Kanumba Parents
His father is Charles Kanumba and his mother is Flora Mutegoa. He has three older sisters.
Steven Kanumba Education Background
Steven Kanumba began his studies at Bugoyi Primary School and continued with his secondary studies at Mwadui Secondary School, later transferring to Vosa Mission Secondary School. He joined Jitegemee High School for his high level of education.
Steven Kanumba Career
His career in acting began in the 1990s in church productions. In 2002, he joined the theater group Kaole Arts Group. He appeared in the television soap operas Jahazi and Dira and made his film debut in Haviliki. He appeared in Dar 2 Lagos, a film by Mtitu Game that used both Tanzanian and Nigerian actors and crew. In 2009, he was a special celebrity guest on
Big Brother Africa 4.In 2011, Kanumba was named an Oxfam GROW Ambassador.
Steven Kanumba Film
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Haviliki | ||
| Neno | ||
| Ulingo | ||
| Riziki | with Blandina Chagula | |
| Sikitiko Langu | with Nuru Nassoro, Vincent Kigosi and Mahsein Awadh | |
| Dangerous Desire | with Vincent Kigosi, Nuru Nasoro, and Blandina Chagula | |
| She is My Sister | with Mercy Johnson, Nkiru Sylvanus, and Yvonne Cherrie | |
| Penina | with Mahsein Awadh, Emmanuel Myamba | |
| Cross My Sin | with Mercy Johnson, Suzan Lewis | |
| 2007 | A Point Of No Return | with Wema Sepetu, Mahsein Awadh |
| 2008 | The Lost Twins | with Lucky Peter, Elizabeth Michael, Suzan Lewis |
| The Stolen Will | with Elizabeth Chijumba, Immaculate Aloyce | |
| Village Pastor | with Aunt Ezekiel | |
| Magic House | with Nargis Mohamed, Issa Mussa | |
| Oprah | with Irene Uwoya and Vincent Kigosi | |
| Red Valentine | with Wema Sepetu, Jacquline Wolper | |
| *Family Tears | with Elizabeth Michael, Wema Sepetu and Richard Bezednhout | |
| The Movie’s Director | with Mercy Johnson, Nkiru Sylvanus, Elizabeth Chijumba, Olufemi ogdegbe | |
| Fake Smile | with Aunt Ezekiel, Yobnesh Yusuph | |
| Unfortunate Love | with Lisa Jensen, Aunt Ezekiel, Elizabeth Michael | |
| Hero Of The Church | with Princess Sheila, Issa Musa, Juma kilowoko | |
| Saturday Morning | with Shamsa Ford, Hemed Suleiman, Issa Musa | |
| Shauku | ||
| Crazy Love | with Shamsa Ford, Hemed Suleiman, Issa Musa, Elizabeth Michael | |
| 2006 | Johari | with Blandina Chagula and Vincent Kigosi) |
| 2006 | Dar 2 Lagos | with Mercy Johnson, Nancy Okeke, Bimbo Akintola |
| 2010 | More Than Pain | with Lisa Jensen and Rose Ndauka |
| 2010 | Young Billionaire | with Aunty Ezekiel and Patcho Mwamba |
| 2010 | “Ripple of tears” | with Elizabeth Michael |
| 2010 | Uncle JJ | with Khanifa Daudi (Jennifer), Patrick, Mayasa Mrisho and Patcho Mwamba |
| 2010 | This Is It | with Khanifa Daudi (Jennifer), Patrick, Mayasa Mrisho and Patcho Mwamba |
| 2010 | Off Side | with Irene Uwoya, Vincent Kigosi and Jacob Steven) |
| 2010 | Payback | with Yvonne Cherryl, Yusuph Mlela) |
| 2010 | Black Sunday | with Yvonne Cherryl, Yusuph Mlela, Hemed Suleiman) |
| 2010 | Young Billionaire | with Aunty Ezekiel and Patcho Mwamba |
| 2011 | Saturday Morning | with Irene Paul and Ben Franko |
| 2011 | Deception | with Rose Ndauka, Patcho Mwamba, Bakari Makuka |
| 2011 | Devil Kingdom | with Ramsey Noah, Kajala Masanja) |
| 2011 | The Shock | with Shazy Sadry |
| 2011 | Moses | With Suzan Lewis, Shazy Sadri, Ndumbangwe Misayo |
| 2012 | Big Daddy | |
| 2012 | Because of You | with Rose Ndauka and Grace Mapunda |
| 2012 | Ndoa Yangu | with Jacquline Wolper and Patcho Mwamba |
| 2013 | Love & Power | with Irene Paul and Patcho Mwamba; Kanumba’s final movie |
Steven Kanumba Awards
- 2015: Best Actor, Proin Promotions Awards
- 2015: Tribute Personality Award, Tanzania Film Awards
- 2014: Favourite Movie, Ndoa Yangu, Tanzania People’s Choice Awards (Tuzo za watu)
- 2013: Posthumous Award, Steps Entertainments Awards
- 2013: Best Movie Of The Year, Kijiji Cha Tambua Haki, Steps Entertainments Awards.
- 2013: Best Selling Movie, Ndoa Yangu, Steps Entertainments Awards.
- 2012: Best Actor, Baab Kubwa Magazine Awards.
- 2011: Best Movie In Sound, Devil Kingdom, Zanzibar International Film Festival
- 2011: Best Actor, Devil Kingdom, Zanzibar International Film Festival.
- 2010: Best Actor, SFC Awards
- 2010: Best Producer, Filamu Central Website Awards (Best of 2010)
- 2010: Best Actor, Filamu Central Website Awards (Best of 2010)
- 2010: Best Movie, This is it, Mini-Ziff Awards
- 2008: Lifetime Achievement Award, Vinara Movie Awards
Steven Kanumba Death
THE late Steven Kanumba predicted his own death in his film titled ‘Power and Love’ which is yet to be released to the public, his Chief Cameraman has said.
Kanumba died after he fell in his bedroom on 7 April 2012, apparently from a blow to the head. The local film star died on Saturday of brain concussion, which means brain injury that was caused by a sudden blow on the head.
One of the doctors at the Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) who participated in the autopsy said due to brain injury, the film icon died on the spot. His 17-year-old girlfriend at that time, actress Elizabeth Michael, also known as Lulu, was questioned. She denied causing the death of Kanumba. Kanumba was taken unconscious to Muhimbili National Referral Hospital where he was declared dead. In 2017, Michael was convicted of involuntary manslaughter for his death and sentenced to two years in prison.
His funeral was attended by around 30,000 people. Including the first lady of Tanzania, Salma Kikwete, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Gharib Bilal, and the minister for culture and sport, Emmanuel Nchimbi. Kanumba was buried in Kinondoni Cemetery.
Steven Kanumba Movies
- Big Daddy
- Ndoa Yangu
- Love And Power
- Because of You
Steven Kanumba movie Video
Sad: Steven Kanumba’s mother faints at his grave on the actor’s death anniversary
Flora Mtegoa, mother to famed Tanzania actor Steven Kanumba fainted at his grave during his seven year death anniversary.
The actor passed on April 7, 2012, after falling at his home in Dar es Salaam.
Speaking to Risasi Jumamosi, Mtegoa revealed that she swooned after getting emotional and crying following an upcoming artiste’s tribute to Kuanumba.
“I swore to never cry again, but as the young man sang, I was unable to stop myself. I cried till I fainted,” she said.
“I thank God for the long life he’s given me as I get the chance to pray for my son to continue resting in peace,” she added.
In November 2017, Elizabeth Michael alias Lulu who was Kanumba’s girlfriend at the time was sentenced to two years in prison by a Dar es Salaam court for his death.
The court found Lulu guilty after it was determined that she was the last person to leave the deceased’s house on the day of his death.
After appealing the judgment, Lulu was allowed to serve the remaining term outside the prison as a community service, a move that did not sit well with Kanumba’s mother. She said Lulu should have been locked for at least a year before being released.
Later, speaking to EATV, Mtegoa said that she had forgiven Lulu.
“I don’t hate Lulu. My only focus is praying to God for justice; he judges both the rich and the poor equally,” she said.
