 Thank you. Yes, Karibu Sana. And actually, Ms. Naomi Burry is a film producer, and she's an actress as well. And our next guest, his name is Makovo Mbatha. He's an actor, a presenter, and he also directs stage plays for Do-Art Center and Fanaka Arts. And you shall tell us what Do-Art and Fanaka Arts are all about maybe a bit later on. So, Karibu, Nisana, 2-Y-2-5-4. Yes, I'm glad to have you on set. And before we actually delve into our interview, there is something that these two wonderful people have been working on. And they would like to get the word out for this upcoming show. And I'd like to give them a chance to do that. And before they do that, let me say that it's coming from a particular director and producers from the Son of Man and Do-Art Center. It's the upcoming show on Thursday, Sunday the 7th, excuse me, Sunday the 7th. And it's a play that's going to be at the Kenyan National Theater, and it's going to go by the name of Lady in Red. I wonder what it's going to be about. And there are two shows. So let them tell you guys just a bit more about it and how to get the tickets and where and how much. Hello. Lady in Red is an adaptation from the Mariamma's book. It's by a book scholar, so for those who are readers. Well, the play is amazing. It's well-crafted. And it's going to be at the Kenyan National Theater. Specifically, Okumbim Dogon Sunday, this Sunday, on 7th. Yes, Okumbim Dogo. There are two shows that is 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Tickets are only going for $600. But OK. You can get them, of course, through our social media platforms. You can get them through Marcovom Bada or? No, we borrow. Yes, sure. Or you can just call through the numbers 0714884123. Or 0711750225. You guys wrapped those numbers. I think they've been trying to write that. Guys, please repeat the numbers. 0714884123. OK, that's for you. Yes, that's mine. How about Naomi? Or 0711750225. Hayabasi. So you guys have heard how to reach out to them. This is going to be a really in. Are you allowed to give us a spoiler? Or what are the compasses around? Kidoga test. No, we just can't find out. Do you think? I don't think you guys should know. You should come watch, though. We should come watch. Yeah, because it's my comeback to stage, please. And that's what I'm telling people. I haven't done it in four years. I have fully concentrated on film and TV. But now I'm coming back to stage plays. So I want people to have that anticipation of, OK, what is going on? What will she do this time around? And maybe later on you can share with us why you've chosen to come back to stage plays. I'm sure there's a reason. Because you are a film producer and an actress. Hayabasi, so let's dive right in. You guys have heard how to reach those tickets and how you can buy them. So please do so as quick as possible. They're not expensive. And you've seen how wonderful and interesting they are. So believe me, their work will be interesting as well. So actually, Makowo does voiceovers as well. And so do I. And it's interesting that we both do that. But then maybe we can focus more on the acting for both of you for today. So how did you guys get into acting specifically? Because I know getting into acting in Kenya is not exactly easy. Wow, where do I begin? 2010. 2010. I met a guy in the most dentists. I introduced me to a guy named Webo. And those two got me to acting. I began by doing stage, of course. That was Jawabu. Jawabu, then I moved to milestone arts where I built my craft. It has been not an easy journey, but it is a journey that is quite worth. Because acting, I don't think there's any career that you get to really get yourself out there and be free to express yourself in the arts and more so acting. Because I think I have enjoyed performing every other job in this life. I have been a doctor in my experiences. I have been a teacher. I have been psychic. I have been poor. I have been rich. And it is always a learning experience because it expands your mind. So that is basically how I got to acting. And then I diverted Kidogo 2013. I wanted to learn more. So that is how I got into directing. You mentioned it. I got into directing and then I went into film professionally. OK, so how about Naomi? How did you get into acting? Well, as for me, I started when I was very young in the Presbyterian church. I used to do stage plays back then. And I think I think because of that tender edge nurturing, I didn't know what exactly it means to... I just enjoyed. But then again, later on after I cleared high school, the next day, I went for an audition and I was like, oh, this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. And by the time I was getting into campus, I was clear-cut. I wanted to be an actor full-time. And it was hard in the African setting, of course, because parents would be like, I'm not going to waste all that money in paying for a course that you will probably not use. Exactly, yeah, that's true. But then again, I did business in campus. Then I'd never stopped acting. I started doing my own stage plays. I produced stage plays at the National Theatre. Back then in 2012, 13, and directed some in church, Deliverance Church, Don Home. And from there, when I was on stage, I still acted on stage as well as producing a lady called Jackie. She's known as Tina in Mothering Low. I was attending church. And she was like, that girl is a good actor. I mean, I would call her for the Mothering Low auditions. And when the auditions were up, she called me, and she was like, she even paid for my transports. I think she was like, I was like, too, like... She was going to make this dream happen. Yeah, we're going to make this dream happen. And I got into Mothering Low. The producer then was Catherine Omoye. I think she's still the producer now. But she moved to be the head of production at Inoro. She told me, you know what? I really like your talent, but you don't have a slot in Mothering Low. I also produce Tahidi High. Would you go buy Tahidi High as a uniform and join the program? I was like, just like that. Like, of course. Of course, I remember I was so excited working in town with my brother. And he was like, okay, so what I'll do? Me, I'll just buy for you shoes. So you say I invested in you. Oh, hold on a second. Oh, that's a footage of me. That's a film I did. Oh, this is a film you did? Yes. Aha, okay. 2016 released in December. As it's showing in the background, and producers, could we run this video again a bit later on? I'd like to hear the Tahidi High. Oh, that's a Tahidi High bit. Yes. Right. What exactly is this about? This film? Yeah. It was... It looks intense. Yeah, it was intense. It was the Jesus and his disciples' story told in Kiswahili Shang. Wow. Yes, yes, yes. What role are you playing? I was playing the role of Magda in the film. Okay. It was an adaptation from the Bible. Who's the man? That man is Judas. Judas, the betrayer. That's kind of it, yeah. This is so interesting. It was a very interesting film. It was interesting to shoot a Bible story in Shang. Is it the first of its kind? I think it's the first of its kind in Kenya. Girl, we have to make this a viral. That's so interesting, a Shang movie from the Bible. That's pretty cool. That's pretty cool. Alrighty. So you jumped into the Tahidi High. Yes. And that's how you got into it then? Yes, yes. I jumped into Tahidi High. And after that, I was introduced to more industry players. So I joined programs on Michelle Magic, Sumula, Penzi, Urembo. And then after that, I started doing films. And I found my love in films. And now I started wanting to produce my own films and my own content. Producing your own stuff, now choosing what is going to be on the screen. Yes, now choosing what I can put out there. I see. Amakovo. Yes. You people, I think when we were talking offset before, I happened to see that you guys share really good chemistry. You get along really well. It seems like to me. And yeah, even when you came through, you made sure that, no, no, this lady hasn't arrived yet. It's like this was not going to happen without Naomi around. You have no idea. So I'd like to know how this relationship started and how you people became such good friends. Well, I would wish her to help me with that because ladies are very good with dates. We're telling you the details. Yes, the details. I know me. Jump right into that. So I call him Fred, but he goes by Makovo Bada. Okay, so... Are you the only one who's allowed to call him Fred? It's specific people. No, no, no, I mean, I'm not the only one. Am I? No. I think there are others who are allowed to call him that. But we met in... Remember when I said I was doing stage plays at Deliverance Church at your home? So we met then. Because the people then I was working with are the likes of James Webber, who he worked with then as an actor, I think, yeah. And I found his talent very intense and I have a very keen eye for talent. I choose wisely who to work with. Ah, you can see talent from far. I can see talent from miles away, yeah. So when I saw his talent, I was like, I'd really want to work with this guy once in a while. I'd want to do something together with him. And our friendship started then, yeah. And we became tight and close enough. And so when he told me that he is producing this play and he wants me to be back, and I was just praying to God and telling him, I really want to come back to stage, you know. So when he told me he's producing, I was like, oh, Fred, my longtime friend, I will come. I will come, I will come and be part of this. Oh, I see. That's amazing that that's interesting. And, you know, you mentioned something about parents, yeah. But you gave your side of the story and what they thought. And this happens a lot in Kenya, you know. And you know, you go to school, you go to university, then when you're just about to finish, your interest peaks in the arts. And you're just, oh my gosh, okay. So I want to be an artist or I want to be an actor or something of the sort. And she shared her background when it came to that. How about you, Ismaqova, when it came to family and you come in home and saying, mom, dad, I'm going to be an actor. Well, for me, I think it was different. Okay. My father used to be a language person. So he was so into arts and my mother too. Right. So when I began my acting, when I was so tiny, but professionally New Orleans at 2010, but when I was a little boy, I used to do the church plays and stuff. I remember my first role was Joseph and my mother was part of the audience. So that should tell you I had support from the family. Yes, of course. The only thing or reservations there were, it's more so from the extended family, my uncles, my aunts and stuff. Because in our family, there is this culture. I don't, I think it cuts across every other African home that in your place, most people are soldiers. So you need to go within that line. Or if they are peace, you need to go through that line. And that was almost what I was enjoying from the extended family. But from my main family, I am supported till date. Supported till date. Till date. In fact, most of the people who will be coming for the show, my family will be there. My cousins are in support of this. This is really great. Yes. I love that, I love that. You know, because sometimes, you know, the art scene is not really appreciated in Kenya. And most of the time it's actually difficult, especially when it comes to, especially artists, guys who are painting and doing art and drawing, there is that lack of understanding that art is a career. Acting is a career. Voiceovers, all that stuff, it is a career. It's not like a hobby or something you do on the side. This is our job. This is something that we do to put food on our table. And I find that amazing. And I think that there are a lot of young people who are really talented, who maybe are sitting on a talent of acting or sitting on a talent of singing. I hope that towards the end, that maybe you can encourage them to come out and do something. And before we do that, could you please maybe tell us what Do Arts Center is all about? Because, okay, in the name I can say it's like, do arts, like yeah, just do it, do arts. Is that what it's about? And what do they encompass or what kind of arts are we covering here? Do Arts Center is my company with a guy called Jobis. Jobis happened to be my director when I was coming out in arts. And that's how we got to, just as she said, you pick who to walk around with. So that's how we got to form the company, Do Arts Center. And Do Arts Center is based mainly at KC University, Deca Road. We do stage plays, we do public shows, we associate mainly with schools. Yeah, basically that's it, that's Do Arts Center. But what we are looking to do in the near future is to encompass other groups to come in as a center so that we give it that emblem center so it can do any other kind of arts, not just acting or voice over jobs. So we can encompass on things like acrobats, we can do singing, it becomes a full-fledged kind of an arts center. Right, and so would you say that this is your brand? Yes, it is. And that you would like maybe for people to be, anyone that knows Makowo, that they should associate you with Do Arts Center. Yes, it is. How about the Son of Man? Son of Man, it's the guy I'm producing with. This particular show, Lady in Red on Sunday, the guy's called Marvin Capiccio, that is his company. So we thought about, we need to get out because we've been doing shows a lot in church and we always wanted to get to Kenyan National Theater. That's how we thought about it and said, hey, we need to take this out there. So how do we do this? Let's put our minds together, let's produce this. Lady in Red, so it's produced by Son of Man and Do Arts Center. Right, I see. And when it comes to Naomi, so you're a film director, sorry, a film producer and an actor. What would you say for you were the reasons why? Because you mentioned in the beginning that now you'd like to come back for stage plays, to do your stage plays. Because you started with the stage plays, even you sat in church, when you were young, the Presbyterian church. And so then you entered something else, but now you're going back. Is there a reason that pulled you back into stage plays? Well, I'm not living film and TV. Right. Let's make that clear. But I think it's important for an actor to understand that theater makes you understand your emotions more than TV does. True. Because it's intense. Explain that I'm not an actor. I didn't know that. I didn't know theater does it more than film. Yeah, because how so? Theater is very intense. You could have a million emotions in one specific scene, which is like super crazy, which helps you to be an excellent actor on TV if you know how to distinguish both. So for theater, you accentuate your feelings. And for TV, now it's minimal. You don't use your hands a lot. You use your facial expressions. So it's just basically your eyes and everything. But theater, you can say, you know, and on TV, you can say that I'm angry. No, no, no, you can just... I'm angry, I'm angry at you. I'm really... Oh, it's all in the face. You know, it's all in your face. But for you to do that, I think theater helps, in my opinion, helps a lot to help the emotions come out more. So I think I'd do better as a theater actor because for me, I express with everything. If I'm happy, I express with my hands, with my neck, with my legs, there's nothing that I don't express with. So maybe I'd be more of a theater than a film person. Okay. Maybe, maybe. But I'd like to ask, are you interested in... You know, I think that people are interested in learning when it comes to this field. People who are interested in learning theater, learning how to act, learning even just how to do voiceovers, control their voice and voiceovers. Are you interested at all in teaching people when it comes to that particular area? Oh yes, I am. In fact, just the other day we were in school in Muranga with a friend of mine from Tahiti High, and we were doing, he shoots films for festivals. Now in schools, now they have film festivals. They used to have drama festivals. Now they have adapted film festivals. So I was teaching and training the girls how to do drama. And not to forget that in church, I was training as well. So I'm open to training, though I took a break of training because I also needed to learn. So I attended a lot of workshops and I would recommend the same, a lot of workshops. For example, I attended a workshop by a guy called Moroko. He just came to Kenya. His name is Moroko. His name is Moroko. He actually played Tariq in Empire. Yes. Oh, that was him. That was him, yes. Oh, interesting. Moroko, I think he calls himself Moroko. That's very weird. Yes, okay, that's okay. Is it his real name? I think, I think it is his real name. It is. I think parents can be creative. They can. We'll come back to the Moroko story because our producers have put up a video right here. Oh. And I'd like for you to give us some details on what's going on because it looks like it's cold in a child. Yeah, yeah. I was cold in my child in that particular. Uh-huh. So in this particular video, we were speaking against corruption. The child was wrong on a matter. Right. I was cold in him. But he remembers that he saw his dad in trouble also and bribing a police officer. On his way out to get a way out. Yes, to get a way out for convenience sake. Right. And the guy went ahead and gave me some money. Your own kid. My own kid gives me money. So it's very interesting. To bribe himself out of. To bribe himself out of the situation that he's in. Yes. And so what you were doing was to try and get a word out on how corruption works and that it's passed down. Yes, how it's passed down from generation to generation because you see kids observe at a very tender age. They learn pretty fast. That is true. Kids start observing at the age of three. Yes. You should be careful at the age of three. Yeah. That was good. That was good. Yes. That was wonderful. Is it like a PSA? Or is it a short film? It was just a small thing we did with J.C. J.C. Charlo is a director. He's a film director. So he told me, I've seen your talent. Children's come together to do something. We harnessed our resources together with a guy called Victor Bogo, cinematographer. Then we did a short video just to put it out there and to show our work. Interesting. Yeah. And our brain children, if you would say. Right. Here brain children. Children. Because I can't say brain child. We didn't. Yeah. I can't. A lot of them. So it's not a brain child. It's your brain children. It's a name. It's a word. I'm going to put a trade mark. And so, Makova, back to you. I think they're going to try and pull up some social media pages of yours. But in the meantime, aside from acting, is there an area that you feel you're pulled into? When we were off set, we're talking a lot about voiceovers. And when I was telling somebody else that I do voiceovers, they asked me, why? So you go and you talk, and then it gets recorded, and then it runs like, why would you do? As into somebody, they understand acting and stuff, but they don't get voiceovers. Just like, what is that? How would you like to explain the importance of it? And I think they work as well. They do work. Yeah. They do work. Voiceovers, I think it's a journal of art that's quite used in passing across awareness or advertising things. So it's not something that people should look at. I think you go to work voiceovers and stuff, because it's a time where I did a voiceover for PanAfric. And then a guy was listening to it, and then he was like, I'm not going to do it, I'm going to do it. And I think that's how you pick a job, and that's someone's career. So voiceovers really, really work. They're quite influential. And where we are going, or rather where we are headed to, we will get to animation and stuff like that. So voiceovers will have to be the same thing. And animation is already a big thing right now. And in fact, that's the best way of explaining a voiceover. That's the best way. Yeah. Animation. And that's where our media is going in terms of advertising. Yeah. Yeah, it's a career. That's a great way of explaining it. It is a career. It is a career. Yes. It is a career. You can't live on voiceovers. And I was thinking, someone actually openly told me, guy, you don't need to do that. I felt so belittled. I was like, guy. And as in, it's so out of this world. But anyway, you know, leave people to, if they don't understand something, they fear it. There was a time I was in studio for a United's voiceover. And then we had spent our whole three hours doing the same thing. And then the guys just seated up, honestly, what are you doing? Because you're listening and you're saying, no, I don't like this word. I need it to sound this way because this is what it needs to sell. And someone does not get it. Yeah. They don't understand. They don't get it. Why are you repeating? I feel it's okay. But you feel it is not selling what you wanted to sell. It's not evoking the right emotion. Exactly. And people are astonished, really. Why would you want to stay recorded 24 seconds thing for all three hours? Yes. It makes me sad. It makes no sense to them. But to me or to any other voiceover artist out there like you, of course it does make a lot of sense. Yes, of course. And in winding up, there are a lot of young people, I think, who are looking for things to do. And like I said, they're sitting on talents. Even just voiceover talents or any maybe singing, maybe even acting, or they'd like to act. How would you encourage them to come out? Because this is student entrepreneurship. And so entrepreneurs are people who are not necessarily sitting at a desk from nine to five. And right now in Kenya, there's a problem with that nine to five. And so as much as people are going to school to get that nine to five, they might not get that nine to five. That's true. So they might have to look at other things to get some money and to live. And how would you encourage them to do that? Let's start with you, Makovo. I always say, I mean, if you have something that is pressing in you and you feel you need to get it out there and show it to the world, then do so. We always have these fears speaking in us, you know, and somehow they tend to always want to win if we don't speak to them and tell them to shut up. So if you have that something that is pressing in you and you feel this is what I'm cut for, this is what I'm tailored for, don't wait, begin, whatever opportunities you have or whatever finances you bear, and you're looking at and you say, as you as you can see about 100,000, you don't need that 100,000. If you're an actor or you're a singer, you just need to get it on YouTube. We have enough social media platforms. Someone will spot it. Someone will spot it. Let me give you my story. I will not mention the place, but how I became a TV presenter. I was directing a play, a Swaley play, and it was back in Jericho Social. And then someone came from the gym. It was just dressed in sweatpants, a very huge guy. He was listening to me just do my style. I usually read the book and we get to analyze the book before I begin to direct it. So I was there. It was a Swaley book. The guy stood and listened and listened and he told me, would you mind if you could do anything just for me, two minutes, something to do with agriculture? And I asked myself, what would I lose? Because already you can only lose what you have. So I don't have this. Let me just do it. The more excuse, I go on with my work. That's what I did. Guess what? After two days, I got my job. So whatever you are cut for, do it with excellence. You don't know who is watching. You don't know who is watching. Do what you're cut for with excellence. That's wonderful. What are your social media handles in case they're touched by what you said? Makovo Mbada. Makovo M-A-K-O-V-O Mbada. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube. Basically, that's it. I miss Naomi, any word. Yeah, time and chance happens to everyone. And so it's up to you to grab it. Nobody will come to where you are and tell you, what do you do? Are you good at this or this or this or this or this? No, I think you need to put yourself out there. Just start where you are. Do it. Just do it if you're in church. Do it if you're in school. Do it. At your workplace once in a while, ask for the fun day and say, I have this talent. Can I do something for you guys? You know, just do it. Also, another thing, social media is a business tool. It's not really a leisure, luxury thing. You could do that. I mean, you have a choice. But to me, I think it's one of the greatest business tools that we have. It is. And why I tell people this is because one time I was chosen for an advert for M visa. It runs on Family Bank if you back with Family Bank. And this guy specifically chose me from Singapore. Wow. So when they were flying in, they said there's a specific... Wait, he was in Singapore. He was in Singapore. Okay. You're here. And here. Okay. And they were specific. They were like, I saw this actor whose name is Namim Boru and her work is out there and I want to work with her. You know? Because even when names were being presented, they were like, no, just give us social media handles. But when they go to your social media and all they find is weird things, I don't think you'll get a job, you know? I'm so happy you said that. Yeah. If they go to your social media and all they find are photos of you at the club or holding cigarettes, holding drinks, or dressing it appropriately, no one is going to work with you. Exactly. Know that. And how you present yourself as a business person is very, very important. So because if, say, that time he checked out my social media and found the only thing I have is photos of me slaying and doing nothing, then he'd be like, I don't see any art in this, you know? Yeah. And I take my social media quite seriously. So you'll not find my family there. You won't find my personal life there. Exactly. You'll just find anything, film, things that I'm working on. Work related. Yes. Work related stuff. I'm so happy that I can use my social media tools wisely. I thank you for that. That is so important. And how can they reach on social media lastly? Oh, yeah. My handles are Naomi Mburu on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or even YouTube. Naomi Mburu with a H at the end. Naomi spells just normal. Naomi. Oh. Yeah. So you guys have heard from Naomi and Makovo. And thank you so much for coming by the way. I've appreciated and enjoyed our discussion. Thank you. Please remember that if you want to reach out and say anything, whether to me or or to the channel or to these wonderful people. The hashtag is one in the morning and the hashtag is Tuesday Entrepreneurship. My name is Joy Muchache. Please do not go away. Barry Moses is coming with the last interview for Why in the Morning. Do stay tuned in. Thank you.