Winston Duke, the Hollywood actor renowned for his role as M’Baku in Black Panther, has on September 4, acquired the Rwandan Citizenship.
From Trinidad and Tobago, Duke, 37, has made a big name in film acting. He is best known for playing the villain M’Baku in Black Panther (2018) and is best known for portraying the character in four films in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Born in Argyle, Saint Paul, Trinidad and Tobago, Duke spent his formative years in Brooklyn, New York, where his family relocated when he was nine. The actor has garnered acclaim for his roles in blockbuster films such as ‘Black Panther,’ ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,’ ‘Us,’ ‘Avengers: Endgame,’ and ‘Avengers: Infinity War,’ Spencer Confidential (2020) among others.
Duke made headlines recently as one of the gorilla namers at the 19th Kwita Izina gorilla naming ceremony.
During the event, he gave the name “Intarumikwa,” meaning “Resilient Giant,” upon a baby gorilla, paying tribute to his late mother’s conservation values.
“Intarumikwa translates to resilient giant. I know you may think that I may have chosen that name because of myself, but no. I chose that name in honor of a resilient giant in my own life. My dear mother that passed away last year, who as a single mother taught me the meaning of resilience, said Duke adding, “I am so proud and absolutely grateful for the work that Rwanda is doing in the space of gorilla conservation. To me, all of you and this beautiful country are also Intarumikwa. You are all shining examples from your history to the work that you are doing today and will continue to do. You are all resilient giants,”
In a special meeting held at Village Urugwiro on September 2, President Kagame received Duke, who also serves as a Partners in Health Global Ambassador, and his co-star Danai Gurira, actress and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador.
