This archive report was first published on 24 October 2019.
Actress Lupita Nyong'o has made it clear that she has no intention of following in her father's footsteps into politics. In a recent interview, she stated that 'one politician per family is good enough! Knock on wood, please never.'
Her father, Kisumu Governor Anyang' Nyong'o, has been a prominent figure in Kenyan politics for many years. However, Lupita has always maintained a distance from politics, focusing on her acting career instead.
Despite her lack of interest in politics, Lupita has been involved in various projects that promote African culture and history. Her documentary about the Agoji 'amazons' of Benin's Dahomey kingdom was recently featured on Britain's Channel 4.
She has also written a children's book titled 'Sulwe', which was released this month. In the book, she tackles issues of colourism and racism, which she has experienced firsthand.
Colourism, she explained, is 'very much linked to racism' and is a problem that affects people of colour, even in predominantly black societies like Kenya.
When asked about her personal experiences with colourism, Lupita shared that she had grown up feeling uncomfortable with her skin colour because she felt like the world around her awarded lighter skin.
She recalled an incident where her younger sister, who had lighter skin, was called 'beautiful' and 'pretty', while she was not.
Despite these challenges, Lupita remains committed to promoting African culture and history. Her documentary about the Agoji 'amazons' is a testament to her passion for sharing the stories of African women who have made significant contributions to their societies.
