KEN DUMBO: ‘A ghetto boy to stardom…’

NOTHING is more rewarding than looking back at where one started and knowing that it has all been worthwhile. The tears and suffering that formed part of of the journey are forgotten when one marvels at the glorious outcome of one’s mission.

And no one has ever succeeded without first having a goal, an objective, or a dream and then putting in the hard work necessary to achieve it. Then why should we dream small? Why not dreaming big?

So, how did a young boy from a Zambian township of Kafue grow up to become a rising star with comedy at his feet?  This writer drives you into his rise to success. Sometimes those who have been hurt in life might tell you that no matter what you do, your dreams will never come true because they are impossible.

Indeed, this is the face in all streets of Zambia, even though you may not be familiar of the the name KEN DUMBO. His real name is Kezungo Emmanuel Ndeya abbreviated as K.E.N and for ‘Dumbo’ translated of opposite of a fat person.

The star is known to often turn his ghetto tales, both tragic and beautiful, into his comedy series, speaking about his parents been a marketer and a security guard what it was like growing up in a typical setup.  

If you want just to be one of the crowds, going through life simply existing? The choice is yours, there are already many who have chosen this way of life. However, Ken’s side is different. He was born and raised in outcast ghetto of Kafue called Soloboni, 26 miles (42 kilometers) away from Lusaka.  

In 2017, Ken Dumbo struggled and worked for close to six months as an intern as presenter for a television show without a pay but he didn't give up, noting that even though he grew up poor it never concerned him.

The star says he had big dreams for TV even if he didn't have connections but he didn't kill his dream. Hence, almost dropped out of college due to lack of financial support but God helped him through that. It was only later on in his life when he met people who had considerably more than he did, that he realized the gravity of his situation as a child.  

Somewhere, somehow some people should be ignored because they speak from behind opened wounds, so do not be misguided by their discouraging words. Therefore, we are the architect of our own destiny; not even God can take us along a path we have not planned.

“I almost gave up to a point of committing suicide when life showed no light for my future but passion was my motivation. It kept me going, 2013 turned down as presenter for a dream TV show despite having public votes because I had no media experience but that didn't stop me from pushing my dream.” He wrote on his Facebook page.

“Don’t just spend time on social media writing stories about how you don't like certain people, you will be frustrated because the more you put their name to shame, God will lift them up, you know why... because their destiny is not tied to how much you hate them but because God has a final say on their life.”

‘No overnight success’ 

#KenDumbo

#ComedyThatSpeaks

#GhettoBoy

Author/Activist

Walusungu Silweya