ARMAS Shivute secured a hat-trick for Namibia as he scooped the Best Actor Southern Africa trophy at the Sotigui Awards in Burkina Faso last Saturday.
MARTHA MUKAIWA
The third Namibian actor to win the coveted award after Adriano Visagie (2019) and Girley Jazama (2020), Shivute accepted the honour for his role in #LANDoftheBRAVEFilm (2019) with a mixture of pride and relief.
“This feeling will remain with me for the rest my life. It has been my dream. The fact that it was going to be a hat-trick for Namibia made me more nervous but I was up for the challenge,” says Shivute.
“Knowing that two other Namibians won the awards for two years running meant that my acting would really have to be strong enough to convince the panel of my talent.”
Impressed by Burkina Fasos buzzing media industry and charmed by the countrys kind and welcoming people, Shivute was particularly amazed by the Sotigui Awards themselves.
“My time in Burkina Faso was awesome. I really had a lot of fun. I managed to promote not only the movie I represented but the film industry as a whole,” says Shivute, who was supported by Collective Productions Namibia, the Namibia Film Commission and Kalahari Holdings.
“The awards were a spectacular event. Our own Adriano was amazing. He made me feel relaxed since this was his third time at the ceremony,” he says.
“I was indeed nervous to the point that I was sweating in a building fitted with air-con. These kinds of events make you feel the weight of the nation on your shoulders.”
Shivute plays warrant officer Shivute in #LANDoftheBRAVEFilm and prepared for the role by going on patrols with local police officers.
The film is currently making its way around the world on the international film festival circuit, and recently won Best Narrative Feature at the Silicon Valley African Film Festival.
Considering Namibias sustained success at the Sotigui Awards, Shivute views the countrys third best actor win as proof of their passion.
“It is an indication of our commitment and dedication to the cause. We have what it takes to be up there with the best,” he says. “We only need to believe that our people are capable.”
#LANDoftheBRAVEfilm (2019) is now streaming on Showmax.
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