Lupita Nyong’o picked as face of elephant conservation efforts

What you need to know:

  • Sports Cabinet secretary says talent academy to be set up.
  • Oscar winner was making her first public appearance in Kenya since she won Hollywood’s coveted award.

Lupita Nyong’o was on Tuesday named a global elephant ambassador as she appeared in public for the first time in Kenya since she won an Oscar.

This is the first homecoming tour by the actress, who won the movie industry’s top award for her role in 12 Years a Slave last year.

At a press conference at the Villa Rosa Kempinski, Lupita met with conservationists, the business community and the press and gave a stirring speech urging everyone to fight poaching.

At a press conference at the Villa Rosa Kempinski, Lupita met conservationists, members of the business community and the press and gave a stirring speech urging everyone to fight poaching.

Lupita said she was proud to be Kenyan and was honoured to become a global ambassador for elephants.

“I am proud of my Kenyan heritage and part of that heritage is the incredible wildlife haven that we have in our care,” she said. “Let’s begin today to learn more, know more and do more to save the elephant.”

The actress, who has has spent the past few days in Amboseli with the Amboseli Trust for Elephants and at the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage, also urged Kenyans to visit national parks.

'KNOW MORE, DO MORE'

“There is nothing like visiting a national park. I have realised that when you know more you are compelled to do more. I want to encourage everyone to learn more about these incredible animals.

"Did you know elephants travel in families led by the matriarch and each elephant has unique features and a distinct character?” Did you know an elephant is poached every 15 minutes?” she posed.

In the face of this grim reality she said she was happy to be joining the brave and dedicated people who are doing much to protect the elephants. She said they needed help in urging more people to avoid buying ivory and wildlife products.

At the event, Lupita got to meet Ali Kiba, a bongo flava artiste who has been tapped as the Tanzanian ambassador for the elephants.

Ali Kiba said he was looking forward to working with her as they use their influence to eradicate poaching. He said he was moved by his experience at the David Sheldrick orphanage, where he saw elephant calves who had lost their families to poachers and was happy to be able to speak for them.

“We have visited the orphaned elephants and they are as loving, as they are forgiving, for we have wronged them, but they have forgiven us. We have allowed the poachers to make them extinct. I am looking forward to working with you (Lupita) to lend our voice to the voiceless to combat poaching.”

LIVING JUMBO WORTH MORE

He ended by saying that poaching steals from us all, echoing Lupita’s sentiments that a live elephant was worth more to the economy.

“I have learnt that an elephant kept alive is worth a million dollars for the whole economy while a poached one gives a few thousands to a few people,” Lupita said.

Lupita’s visit was hailed as a timely one when tourism prospects have begun looking up, with a few countries lifting travel advisories on Kenya. Her homecoming tour is supported by a number of big local companies, whose representatives expressed their joy at her visit and said she would make an excellent ambassador for the country.

Sylvia Mulinge, who spoke on behalf of Safaricom, which has just concluded the Lewa marathon that raises funds for conservancy, said Lupita would amplify their cause further.

“I am happy to celebrate one woman, and to recognize her great achievement in the growing niche of (the) creative economy that can create millions of jobs. Lupita’s positive reputation will put a Kenyan voice in the global conversation on conservancy.”

Peter Knight, the chief executive officer of WildAid, is full of praise for Lupita, his organisation’s latest ambassador.

“I have got to know Lupita over the last few days and from her personal commitment, dedication, professionalism, sincerity and intelligence we couldn’t ask for a better ambassador.”

FILM-MAKING DESTINATION

Cabinet Secretary Hassan Wario said Lupita was adding value to the galaxy of stars out of Kenya, saying film and the creative arts industry can become key drivers of economy. He promised to push for a bill to strengthen legislation on the creative industry to ensure artists got what they deserve.

He also said the government was working to make the country an attractive film-making destination and was actively wooing Hollywood to see that more movies were shot on location in Kenya.

“We are following the telling of Richard Leakey’s story in the upcoming movie Africa, which involves Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, and we have a promise from them that the film will be shot majorly in Kenya.”

He also said the government would do more to see that more talent is nurtured. Alluding to Lupita’s early days in theatre, he said the Kenya National Theatre was now the best theatre in the region.

“The National Theatre is now a state-of-the-art facility after its Sh150 million facelift. We will also establish a talent academy in the next year as talent cannot wait to be discovered.”

Wario said his ministry was in talks with the LA Film School to help with the curriculum.

Manish Nambar, the managing director of Villa Rosa Kempinski, said Kenya offered one of the best authentic safari experiences as well as providing jobs for Kenyans. He said tourism could not survive without our wildlife.

This story has been updated to add more information and to include comments from WildAid.