It is almost impossible to sit down with comedian and actor Ndjoli Kayitankore, commonly known as Kanyombya, for an interview—let alone get him to respond to questions the way you expect. I had hoped that, for once, Kanyombya would get serious, answer questions directly, and perhaps share the secret of how he has remained relevant in the entertainment industry for decades, seamlessly adapting to the internet era. But therein lies the secret—his stubbornness and eccentric nature. Kanyombya remains true to himself, never changing his colours. The Kanyombya you see on television or YouTube is the same Kanyombya you get in real life. Trying to get him to answer questions seriously is an uphill battle. No matter how much you press him, he responds the only way he knows—the Kanyombya way. And there’s little you can do to change him. The more you push, the more adamant he becomes, offering even more indirect answers. Yet, if you listen closely, you begin to understand what has kept him going all these years. For over 25 years, the name Kanyombya has been almost synonymous with Rwandan television. Today, his video clips still flood social media, making people laugh just as they did decades ago. ALSO READ: Kanyombya steals the spotlight at Gen Z comedy event The entertainment industry can be brutal, especially in the digital age. Many artists come and go—some are one-hit wonders, while others simply fade away. But not Kanyombya. He has stayed the course for more than two decades. When asked how he has managed to remain relevant, his response is simple: “Because I am me.” If you try to copy me, you will fail, he says, emphasising that staying true to himself is what has sustained his career. But do not expect him to share more about his craft for free. If you want to learn from me or follow in my footsteps, pay school fees, and I’ll teach you, he says, feigning anger. But that’s just Kanyombya—always appearing combative yet effortlessly funny. From soldier to comedian Kanyomba claims he doesn’t know when he was born or the place he was born at. I don’t know. I was born, but I don’t know when or where. Why do you want this information? Are you investigating me? he quips before reluctantly revealing some details. Yes, I have siblings. Maybe they know those details, but I don’t, he adds. An internet search shows that the veteran comedian was born on November 2, 1962, in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo). Few people can imagine that Rwanda’s most senior comedian was once a soldier, actively involved in liberating the country as part of the Rwanda Patriotic Front/Army (RPF/A). Yes, I was a soldier. I have said it here. I was in the APR. Some of you think APR is just a football team, he jokes, chuckling, as if to remind those who laugh at him that he once carried a machine gun. Images of him in military fatigues recently resurfaced on social media, catching many off guard. Unlike some fellow comedians, such as Yaka—who often boast about their military past, Kanyombya rarely speaks about it. A leap into acting After leaving the army in 2002, Kanyombya ventured into acting and filmmaking. When we left the army, the President told us to go and create jobs. Some succeeded, others didn’t. That’s how I became an actor. I founded what was known as Rwanda Films, he recalls. With the film industry booming in Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, Cameroon, Ghana, Chad, and other countries, Kanyombya saw an opportunity to develop Rwandan cinema. The film industry was on the rise in other countries, so I thought, why not us? he explains. But Kanyombya’s career is not limited to acting. He once hosted a radio programme called “Abarezi Family” on 88.3 FM City Radio alongside co-host Calipso. Over the years, he has starred in numerous films, television series, and, more recently, YouTube skits, collaborating with younger comedians like Nzovu and Yaka. His ability to blend with the new generation proves his adaptability. Kanyombya studied psychology in the DRC before joining the liberation struggle in 1992. Despite decades in the industry, he remains as active as ever, referring to himself as a legend. The secret to longevity While many entertainers come and go, Kanyombya attributes his success to discipline and originality. I am serious about my job, he asserts, stressing that discipline is the backbone of his longevity. For aspiring comedians and actors, he advises, If you want to do something, make sure you have all the skills and qualities required. He believes one of the biggest challenges in Rwanda’s entertainment industry is the tendency to copy others rather than innovate. It’s like if I open a successful shop today, someone else will come and open the same shop right next to mine. That’s our biggest problem. We often don’t know what we’re doing. We just want to imitate others. That’s why we aren’t succeeding as we should. We lack originality, he laments. However, he acknowledges that some individuals are doing great things, urging artists to focus on learning, sharing ideas, and creating original content. Beyond what audiences see on screen, Kanyombya emphasises the importance of discipline, respect, and consistency. If your success comes from playing a comical character, find ways to keep it going, he advises. He also warns against negative influences, such as drug abuse and unhealthy lifestyles copied from Western celebrities. You see young artists sagging their jeans, wearing chains, holding bottles, and imitating American celebrities. If that’s your focus, you’ll fail, he cautions. A family man Away from the spotlight, Kanyombya is a devoted family man. He is married and speaks fondly of his three children—Sylvie, Natacha, and Yvan. Despite his natural comedic talent, he discourages aspiring comedians from mimicking him. Do your own thing. Find a shoe that fits you, he says. After leaving the army, he briefly worked as a security guard before deciding to fully embrace his comedic and acting talents. He has featured in numerous productions, including Ntawumenya aho bwira ageze, Karyarugo, Nyirabayazana, and Kwivuko, collaborating with various production houses—so many that he has lost count. The comedian has also participated in various campaigns, where his skits are used to raise awareness among both youth and the general public. Yet, challenges persist. The lack of facilities such as theaters and studios, he says, hinders the industry’s growth. If the government supports us with better facilities, we can do much more, he suggests. Despite its progress, he believes Rwanda’s film industry still has a long way to go. We need more training schools and infrastructure to build the industry’s capacity, he emphasises. A self-made entertainer who never formally studied acting or comedy, Kanyombya insists that natural talent must be nurtured with discipline, originality, and continuous learning. Even after decades in the business, Kanyombya’s unique humour, resilience, and adaptability ensure that he remains a force to be reckoned with in Rwanda’s entertainment scene.
