Local Animator Ashiraf Hashim Kabango is on the verge of bringing Rwandan stories and culture to a global audience through the art of storytelling, primarily by animating comics. His recent animation Zuba, Sun Knight revolves around a Rwandan superhero figure, aiming to provide representation and inspiration to young people living in poverty who dream of achieving something significant. The story follows a young man who grows up in a poor family and opts to volunteer in a sun lab cooperation based in Kigali. He travels through time when the sun lab portal malfunctions and sends him back in 1510 when Ruganzu II Ndoli was the king of Rwanda. This gives him the supernatural power of turbo jump (Urukiramende). With the technology from the present sun lab in Kigali, he creates a tech suit that charges from the solar system to boast his ability, thus striving to balance the damage that was made by the sun lab portal malfunction. “Through this animated comic, I hope to convey the message that anyone can overcome their limitations and achieve greatness, while also showcasing stories from Rwanda,” said Kabango. His plans for Zuba, Sun Knight include running campaigns on social media to garner support and create a community around the project. He envisions producing a variety of animated stories in French, English, and Kinyarwanda to attract international attention and promote Rwanda's rich cultural history to a global audience. Born in Kanombe sector, Kicukiro District in 2000, Kabango began his animation journey in 2016, inspired by his family's love for animated series and a desire to create stories like those he admired internationally. His animation skills were self-taught through tutorials on YouTube, where he started with humble beginnings but gradually improved. “I had to take the time to learn how to use softwares like After Effects and Photoshop. I learned them by watching tutorials on YouTube,” he said When asked about the state of the animation industry in Rwanda, Kabango acknowledged that there are talented animators and storytellers in the country. However, he pointed out that the industry is still in its development stage, with a focus on advertising and commercial animations. “I believe in the potential of Rwandan animation,” he said. “I look forward to contributing unique superhero folklore stories that can inspire the next generation.” Kabango further emphasised the role of animation in preserving the country's history, explaining that it allows stories of legendary figures to be told through animation, even when budget and equipment constraints limit live-action adaptations. He seeks to work on various animation projects, including music and commercial videos, in the future. Kabango currently faces challenges as a budding animator including financial constraints and the need to establish his presence in the industry. Nevertheless, he is determined to promote himself and work on various projects to gain recognition and continuously improve his skills. In terms of achievements through animation, Kabango views it as a growing aspect of his career. “It started as a side hustle when I was a high school student but I believe that my project, ‘Zuba, Sun Knight,’ will open doors to future opportunities in animation,” he said. Looking ahead, Kabango's aspirations for the next five years include becoming a successful storyteller on an international platform, potentially participating in international film festivals, and taking on more ambitious projects, such as stories about kings and folklore. Ultimately, he envisions himself as a ‘prominent’ filmmaker representing Rwanda on a global stage.
