Idris Elba: 'I'm going to live in Africa to tell our stories' - BBC Africa

[@tupilwesinyangwe5098]

2 years ago, I was working as a waiter at a Claridges hotel in London, one night we had a celebrity's birthday. Idris attended this event, as well as many other famous people. I was one of the few black people and obviously as a waiter nobody ever says hi to you, you are pretty much invisible but I remember Idris was the only famous celebrity that walked in, locked eyes with me, walked up to me and asked me how I was doing. I will never forget this, Idris is down to earth, modest and indeed an extraordinary human being. God bless him and his wife Sabrina.

[@janetta98]

Love this story.

[@Fudge_Fantasy]

That was 1 moment in time.

[@rodniegsm1575]

That's what american black actoren should do and other african african people. We must tell our story ourselves

[@IndomitableT]

@@rodniegsm1575. “should”? “must”? Why would anyone know and demand what others should and/or must do?🤔🙂‍↔️

[@jeremiahkiwanuka6361]

This is brilliant. We need this, for our children and their children to be proud of who they are - through knowing their people's true story. Africa heritage is rich and beautiful. Winners like Idris will now tell it authentically. May the God of our ancestors - see this vision become a reality. Go on then!

[@AndogaSpock]

His dad was from Sierra Leone, and his mum was Ghanianan. He was born in UK, then became a big name in Hollywood. What a legend! He should be Bond!

[@HoopsRaccoon]

He said he doesn't want to be bond, he said it was enough for him that so many thought he would fit as bond, he said he isn't going to do it.

[@AndogaSpock]

@@HoopsRaccoon nice

[@Ahmed-og2jm]

Nah, he doesn't need that... He can be an even better character, and I believe that too they can have their bond

[@Aniram789]

Such a smart move! I'm looking forward to seeing African stories from an African perspective!

[@husseintumusime7647]

So what story do this man know about Africa nonsense just remain in Hollywood where u the best,leave Africa alone.

[@Aniram789]

@@husseintumusime7647 Are you seriously asking me what a Ghanian-Sierra Leonean man knows about Africa? Please go back to school and pay attention in geography class.

[@28ny]

He's been telling him black American stories instead keep them black Americans from telling their own stories craziness

[@k.h.a.l.i.l.]

​@28ny please. he hasn't kept us from telling our stories.

[@lgh2447]

I'm more african than him and I'm white. I've lived my whole life here

[@MoneyBagjoe-bk5ve]

MOTHER AFRICA 💙

[@dannyosolo2752]

Give back to your Mother Africa ..the Greatest Continent 😊😊❤Idris

[@28ny]

After stealing roles from suffering, black American actors

[@alainclvpentax8798]

Yes good idea. Africa the diamond of continent 👍🏾

[@JohnAlloteyOfficial]

Ga boy indeed 🇬🇭

[@studentoflife3501]

Half. The other half is Sierra Leone

[@yhaaamoah]

​@@studentoflife3501 he's still a Ga boy whether half or full😂

[@lydiafomuso7168]

Now we need a world class Pan African News Channel

[@aissadjoboungue763]

It exists now , it is called AFO media by the greatest journalist Alain Foka.

[@JohnAlloteyOfficial]

@@lydiafomuso7168 i can’t agree more

[@dj.1329]

this guy actually think about black people and Africa. In order to uplift Africa in general, many people like him has to move to Africa.

[@lekis5975]

Move to Africa for what? It's the job f Africans on the ground to fight for change.

[@eriqfat-hkimathi5997]

I would love to work with him in telling of our stories inshallah...

[@eriqfat-hkimathi5997]

Following from Mombasa, Kenya

[@jeff_koli]

🇰🇪Yayy brother ​@@eriqfat-hkimathi5997

[@ramaugumba3168]

The are going to p, DiDy u guys don't just trust anyone from America

[@Danny-fs1hk]

Idris, we love you brother and can’t wait to see these projects!

[@Eleanor-ch2kj]

Now we are going to get the real stories of our mother land Africa. Can't wait!🤗🤗

[@dmilleniumdiva]

Yessss! Bless you on this journey. We already know the beauty of our people, inside & out. (honestly others may hate to admit it, but they know it too) Go forth & proclaim it Idris! 💜🤴🏾

[@nuene9694]

Welcome home Ga boy 😊

[@Africaladyy]

He should make a movie about Mansa Musa and Nubia

[@zechssiguro7476]

The Original Definition of "Balling Out", man went around Europe & overthrew their Economy, with a Shopping spree.

[@M_EYESTORY_OURSTORY]

I'm glad he knows where his family came from

[@EstherAnarfiMinkah]

Thank you Idris 😊

[@charlesyaw6514]

My Ga guy. Welcome back to Ghana

[@captainmakai]

Always liked this guy and now he’s doing this. Honestly, fair play.

[@mutelarsorhougbe4606]

This is what I love, this is what I live for! Our continent and our countries will shine, INDEED! Let us do what we can to assure it🦋💗💗💗

[@wendy4313]

Yes yes 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉 We rooting for u

[@m.ccheddarbox874]

I think what he is doing is absolutely amazing. It's easier for a lot of people to just forget what's going on in other countries. They just turn a blind eye because it doesn't directly affect them. As long as their are other humans out there suffering, I am affected.

[@samfilmkid]

Good for you, man

[@LamineDiba-r8w]

From Sénégal africa 🇸🇳🇸🇳✊🏿✊🏿

[@mariellah7982]

Thank you! 🙏

[@BOSSMOSS21]

This would be very much needed and appreciated!

[@GK222_]

This is beautiful. Can't wait to hear from Ghana. 🖤from SA

[@shatober9272]

God bless you with success and happiness in your new endeavour 😊.

[@Espoboogie]

Bravo! The market is there. With his influence and access he can open many doors.

[@nomvuladlamini4618]

Our South African movie/ entertainment industry is not massive, but we can tell our own stories. And so can many Africans. We are not the ones who need education, it is the western countries that need it. The US and UK industries must recognize what we have ... stop trying to get us to fit into your "frame".

[@monisharmuk]

He is PERFECTION ❤❤❤❤

[@bernstock]

Living legend!

[@scorpzgca]

This is an exceptional project I wish Idris Elba good luck on it

[@skana697]

Love it

[@blackrhythmrecords8691]

That's great decision brother we love you here in South Africa

[@pauljonas4539]

God bless you ❤

[@oogsare9899]

Wonderful dicision Idris. It’s time to give your land an opportunity to tell our stories to the world.

[@jkkaki7430]

You go Mr. Elba🙌🏽👏🏽🙌🏽you gooo!

[@Ara-Em]

I love this so much, well done Idris❤

[@debrahbendict4393]

Idris Elba, I am a great fan of yours and I am glad you are passionate about retelling our real stories, we love you and I am proud of this decision made so far.I can't wait to see what you are going to unfold...🎉❤

[@BlackPantherrStudios]

Africa 🌍 is the greatest

[@BlackQueen0109]

❤🖤💚This is amazing!!!! Wow!!

[@kalimahhenry]

🎉Actor And Voice Actor. Musical DJ And Hip - Hop Superstar With A Mixture Of British Music And Caribbean Pop Culture! He is A Disney Legend - Plus Nickelodeon Legend - Who Gives Us Something To Believe!💜🙌 🎉

[@jirawatliw180]

Why not Africa is growing a lot in this past 20 years ago.I think the world are ready to see African stories

[@norronlee4945]

Great actor for sure now with this project he becomes a great man. Perhaps a groot.

[@norronlee4945]

*griot"

[@jasmineadjei2552]

This is life. I was having the very conversation today why is everything from the perspective of an outsider. I really hope the continent can over deliver ohhh. Alkabulan please let’s be on time so that movies can get shot and theatre can theatre lol. Exciting times!

[@catherinemaonyango7806]

Thank you!

[@RB-rc2rr]

Great project

[@UntilChill]

Idris is 🐐

[@TheOthole]

Nairobi -Kenya - you most welcome.

[@moreriches770]

So glad you never forget where you came from

[@Stjerneklang528]

He is from the UK.

[@barristophilliesiii5863]

What a legend

[@lydiafomuso7168]

Go for it!

[@jrnew3630]

That's wonderful ❤😊

[@obiilona7273]

Idris, You need to go to Nigeria and help with Nollywood to give them more visibility and credibility. Help the Nigerian movie industry. Good luck 🍀

[@Nyclessismore22]

Inspiring 🏆

[@realbeautyness25]

IT'S 54 NATIONS ON THE AFRICAN LANDMASS WHICH COUNTRIES

[@flystactvst]

Ghana 🇬🇭

[@ViolenceIsFun-ot2hl]

He's a famous person so he probably thinks Africa is a just country, they're all out of touch with reality

[@AfriKan-Nazi]

Come to kenya, i love what you are doing

[@noviloba]

Smart man

[@lindas.martin2806]

Wish you all the luck in the world. great objective.

[@maneeshahooja]

Well done!

[@eltonbrown2344]

Excellent 🎉

[@lauh4rl]

I would enjoy that it should be interesting 👍

[@Ahmed-og2jm]

This man gets it...really hope he can shed light on the problems of east Africa too while he also enlightens the world on the true beauty of Africa...i love Idris even more everyday

[@lekis5975]

East Africans have a responsibility to shed light on those issues, it's not the business of outsiders to shed light (whatever that means) or fight for us.

[@Ahmed-og2jm]

​@lekis5975 wtf is your problem? And what makes you think East Africans aren't doing that? The guy literally said he wants to share stories from the region so why do you have a problem with me saying he should use the huge platform he earned to share stories and issues of African people?

[@AfricasOpinionFestar]

He see DOLLAR SIGNS......Afrobeats made people rich ...now films Black people like watching movies

[@esthersesay7014]

I will 👏 for you and pour libations for your success

[@themadmillionaire]

👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@abduazizkatongole7565]

❤ idris

[@andreyarborough]

Best wishes

[@queenawill3542]

Wow, I didn’t know he was Ga 🇬🇭

[@Badoo100]

We need to get a film about how we started civilisation

[@moemoney7773]

He going there and will come back 10 years later, "King Masa Musa" or "Queen of Sheeba" or "Prince Nefahtufu" those are the three movies you can choose from, but all the other countless stories are still being written as we speak, and now i too am intertwining into the story...come there is much to do before you departure, many things about movies have changed on this continent alone....you wont be absolutely sure how to replicate it...but it is still here for your analysis and enjoyment....(two lioness held by mahogany warriors walk up to greet you and your mind goes back to ghost rider spirit of vengeance.

[@mariakatiti7422]

qaribu nyumbani 💖💐.

[@osnjau]

I'm a Kenyan and I’m always fighting against a superstitious under valuation of Africa... From within myself

[@Mugendi27]

Come on to Kenya. TharakaNithi Stronghold County

[@maxgetuba7577]

Perfect story - biopic of Francis Ngannou

[@KarilSampson]

👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿

[@AfroMillennialMomma]

🎉🎉🎉

[@glensmith5737]

Hello mama Africa mama Africa! 🫡

[@MoTee1]

I wish more African Americans had this mindset. Because it is time for Africa to arise and shine! The world is waiting👏🏽🇿🇦 I am happy to hear Idris making this decision in his career. It's powerful and I pray it works out exceedingly well for him and Ghana.

[@jessicam.4777]

What are you doing on an individual level for your community?

[@ViolenceIsFun-ot2hl]

He's not American?

[@capnmnemo]

Folding Ideas: Gold.

[@hellotinashe]

Wonderful! 🎉

[@allanfitz3535]

Yes, about time, they stopped race swapping films and gave me some African stories.

[@hannahelizabethdesveaux]

❤

[@francesfletcher7595]

🎞️🎥 Idris Elba - KUDOS 🖖🏽 Success & Blessings 🙏🏽 Tipping Point Ahead ☯️

[@Wezon5738]

🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿

[@NickBishop-tb1ey]

👌🏿👌🏿👌🏿👌🏿👌🏿👌🏿👌🏿

[@izakcelliers7307]

Ya sure brother...

[@HealthB2024]

Nice

[@valerienaidoo3853]

Good for idris.... Unless you have lived in Africa you don't understand the allure of the sun and warmth.

[@lubs9654]

🇸🇱🇸🇱🇸🇱👑👑👑

[@uwishiwasu]

Go go go it’s where you should stay

[@WestIndianGirl]

👀 IDRIS and I clicked OUTSTANDING ACTOR ❤️🖤💚

[@hagaimagai4685]

Please connect me to Idris. I am one of Africa's talented writers but put down because of lack of opportunities

[@GAB8407]

Getting out of THE WAR ZONE. Smart!😁

[@Xadflames]

I love Idris Elba

[@Xadflames]

Essentially his aware winning performance in beast of no nation

[@unaa9380]

Definitely Sabrina’s influence

[@felixm.c4091]

When can we stop talking about Africa like it's one country/culture/thing?

[@acidicsoul4978]

Someone said the lifestyle in the UK is becoming too expensive. So they all coming back to Africa