NATION
SUNDAY NATION October 25, 2020
Lifestyle
VII
ACTOR MOSES KAMBO ‘DRASQO’ KASONGO, ASPIRES TO EXCEL FAMILY PASSION
A
T 35 years, he is a civil engineer, an experienced musician and renowned actor. But his passion is acting and he already regards himself as one of the greatest entertainer ever lived. Meet Moses Kambo Kasongo, Aka ‘DRASQO’ who has so far won many accolades as a dancer but now aspires to grow into one of Zambia’s greatest actors, but course inspired by his “artist” parents. Reporter Mwansa Pintu recently spoke to Mr. Kasongo and the following is a verbatim transcript of the interview. 1. Tell us
about yourself, where you grew up and what family life was like? I was born and bred in Lusaka, in the heart of Kaunda Square Stage 2 . I attended primary school at Tunduya Basic School in Lusaka, and secondary school at Munali, then studied Architecture at the Northern Technical College (NOTEC) in Ndola. I’m the second born of 7. I was raised by both my parents. My family life was extra ordinary because both my parents were artists, specifically dancers. They where part of the Zambia National
Dance Troop but they are now retired. I grew up in an environment full of entertainment, art and culture. We basically we did a lot of dancing and singing practice as a family and it surely brought us together up to until now. We’ve been part of the Zambian entertainment industry from a long time ago. 2. What led you into acting, and what are some of the plays, movies and/or adverts that you have featured in? I was introduced to the Entertainment Industry at birth (laughs). My parents told me funny stories about my character as a child and I also realised I could actually dance early 1999 . However, I got introduced to a bigger audience in 2001 after I formed a group called “THE DRAGON FAMILY”. It was the beginning of success. We participated in 28 dancing competition and never lost any of them. Our biggest achievement was when we won the AMANITA Dancing Competition, then Zambia’s biggest dancing competitions, and won K5000 (5million in 2005). I later featured in a film called KAWANU which aired on the Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) and later on the Zambezi Magic channel. I did television shows like DANCE FEVER, adverts like the CHEESE
CURLS, BOOM PASTE, and in 2008, I represented Zambia in the Channel O Dance Africa Competition in South Africa. I am currently an actor in ZUBA, one of Zambia’s mostly watched shows.
3. What makes you happy about being an actor and, what has been your experience in acting so far? Ooh yes! Much of the happiness in the acting sector comes from interacting with the legends in the industry and being able to learn from them. Being an actor is like doing what you really enjoy and been paid for doing it. Being an actor is an amazing experience because it opens many doors and opportunities for you. It gives you an opportunity to meet and know people from different walks of life. 4. Who has been your strongest influence in your acting career? My parents of course. I mean what do you expect having been born from two artists! They have been very supportive too. 5. What has been your most memorable acting experience so far? My most memorable experience was the action scene when I fought with “the starring” and I took the victory (laughs). 6. Tell us about your family. Would you like any of your children to follow in your acting career steps? My family is amazing got a wife and
kids two boys now. Its a crazy house when ever we are home on weekends, Well if my family or my children should follow my foot steps in the entertainment cycles? Mmmm......huh! I mean if I naturally influenced and inspired them to go that direction, so shall it be (laughs). I would give them my support. 7. How would your friends and acquaintances describe you? People have their own perspective of other people. I wouldn’t really know what exactly they think of me but that is not to say that I have not head some people talk about the good and the bad side of me before. Of course, you expect that when you are in the limelight but then, truth be told that, I respect the other people’s views about me because you cannot impress everyone. Just never forget to separate “the snakes” from your real friends. 8. What would you do differently if you had a chance to go back? I would build my father a culture village, something he has always wanted to own. 9. What are your future plans? I consider myself as work in progress. There is a lot I need to work on and quickly mastering my scripts is just but one of the things on my list just a list. (laughs) I have a lot to learn and change (laughs). I am a family man now. My future plans are dedicated to the well being of my family,