Idris Elba, the renowned British actor, musician, and producer, recently shared his second visit to Rwanda through his social media channels. The actor, accompanied by his wife Sabrina, was one of the distinguished guests at the 19th Kwita Izina naming ceremony in Rwanda.
During the ceremony, the couple had the privilege of naming a male baby gorilla from the Mutobo family, whose mother goes by the name Mudakama. They named the infant gorilla ‘Narame,’ a choice that carries the heartfelt wish for a long and prosperous life for the young primate.
In his speech at the Kwita Izina ceremony, Idris Elba expressed his awe at witnessing Rwanda’s remarkable growth and transformation into a shining example for the African continent. He shared his excitement for being part of this year’s gorilla namers on social media platforms, including X (formerly known as Twitter) and Instagram.
Idris wrote, “Sabi and I had the honor of attending the Kwita Izina naming ceremony in Rwanda. We named our guy ‘Narame,’ which means ‘long life.’ We also had a profound conversation with President Kagame about the pivotal role that creative arts can play in shaping Africa’s future. A new direction. Thank you to the beautiful people of Rwanda for the experience and hospitality.”
Sabrina Elba, via an Instagram post, extended her gratitude to President Kagame for their warm reception and emphasized Rwanda’s role as a beacon of hope for Africa. She stated, “Beautiful Rwanda, thank you for letting us name a baby gorilla at this year’s Kwita Izina naming ceremony. We named our little guy Narame, which translates to long life. His mother lost her two previous babies, so we hope this one has a long and fruitful life.”
On September 1st, the Elba couple met with President Kagame to discuss various opportunities for partnerships aimed at developing the creative arts industry in Rwanda.
Idris Elba, known for his dynamic and captivating performances, first visited Rwanda in 2005 during the production of the film ‘Sometimes in April,’ which portrayed the tragic events of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi.
Born and raised in London to a Ghanaian mother and a Sierra Leone Creole father, Idris Elba, also known as Dj Big Drills, has received numerous global accolades. In 2016, he was appointed Officer of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the world of drama.
Idris Elba’s continued engagement with Rwanda and his dedication to promoting the creative arts industry highlights the profound impact that art and culture can have on the development and transformation of nations.
