"Africa will rule the world" – Masai Ujiri
Did you know that Danai Gurira, who starred as 'Okoye' in the Marvel Blockbuster movie, Black Panther, where she was the fierce warrior and leader of the Dora Milaje - the personal army of King T’Challa, has Zimbabwean roots? Well, if you didn't know, now you do.
In the just concluded E! People’s Choice Awards held at the prestigious Barker Hangar Hotel in California, United States, Danai Gurira emerged the winner of "Best Action Movie Star of 2018" Category for her role in Black Panther, beating Chadwick Boseman, who played the role of King T’Challa in Black Panther, Ryan Reynolds (Deadpool 2) Chris Hemsworth of Avengers: Infinity Wars and Chris Pratt from Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
After receiving the award, a visibly excited Danai Gurira spoke of her life as a woman in a man's world; she said:
“Thank you for affirming that women and girls when they are given the chance to hang with the boys can hang with the best of them. Thank you!”
The E! People’s Choice Awards is held annually to give recognition to deserving actors, musicians who have distinguished their selves and played their roles to perfection in the year under review.
Although many people got to know Danai Gurira after her role in Black Panther, Gurira is no newcomer to the big screens. She has been in the industry for a long time and played a leading role in the 2012 popular Hollywood series, The Walking Dead.
She played the role of Michonne, a katana-wielding badass who was able to control the undead – she even had a warrior of them.
Her parents moved to the United States from Southern Rhodesia, which is now Zimbabwe, in 1964. She is the youngest of four siblings; Shingai and Choni are her sisters and Tare.
Header Photo: Marvel/Disney