Sun Sep 15 11:53:15 UTC 2024: ## “Sultana” Actress Winnie Bwire Remembered at Emotional Vigil: Close Friends Lulu Hassan and Rashid Abdallah Share Heartfelt Tributes
Mombasa, Kenya – A candlelight vigil was held on September 14th at Little Theatre Club in Mombasa to honour the memory of Winnie Bwire, the talented actress best known for her role as Dida in the popular TV series “Sultana.” Bwire passed away on September 5th while undergoing treatment for breast cancer in Istanbul, Turkey.
The vigil saw a gathering of fellow actors, friends, and colleagues, including Lulu Hassan, co-owner of Jiffy Pictures, the production company where Bwire worked. Hassan spoke about Bwire’s unwavering discipline and dedication to her work, sharing touching memories of their time together.
“A day like today, I would be reading news, but I respect this girl so much,” Hassan said. “There’s no one I’ve worked with who is more disciplined than Winnie. She suffered so much. Let’s pray for her family.”
Hassan recounted a particularly moving gesture from Bwire before she left for Turkey, where she was sent a box full of gifts. “The day before Winnie went to Turkey, she told me, ‘Lulu, my mom and I have gifts for you.’ I told her, ‘You go first and when you get better, you can bring the gifts.’ She said, ‘No, they will be delivered to you.’ True to her word, I received a box full of so many gifts. I was so shocked,” Hassan shared.
Hassan also revealed the last conversation she had with Bwire, which she later realised might have been a final goodbye. “The last message she sent me, if I had read it carefully, I would have understood that she was saying goodbye,” she said. “I knew Winnie as a strong woman, a fighter.”
During their final conversation, Bwire confided in Hassan about the severe side effects she was experiencing, including death. Despite the grim reality, Bwire remained optimistic, assuring Hassan that she would survive.
“When her first video went viral, with her crying, I asked her, ‘What’s the problem, mum? I thought we were good.’ She told me, ‘Imagine, Lulu, I have 41 side effects, and one of them is death.’ I told her, ‘Don’t worry.’ She said, ‘Yeah, I won’t die. This thing won’t kill me.’ That’s where our conversation ended,” shared Hassan.
Hassan urged fellow artists to follow Bwire’s example, highlighting her wisdom and maturity. “Winnie was very obedient… In fact, I thought she was older than me until recently when I found out she was two years younger,” Hassan said. “The way she spoke, giving advice, especially about the arts in Mombasa. I can say, let’s emulate Winnie… No one is perfect, but she was a very good girl. We finished a project with her, but she didn’t see us as enemies. Communication was still there… So, friendship, the relationship continued.”
Rashid Abdallah, Hassan’s husband and co-owner of Jiffy Pictures, also delivered a moving tribute to Bwire, emphasizing her importance beyond her role as a colleague. “Unlike many, I am not here to bid farewell to a talented actress, but I am here to pay my respects to a unique sister, friend, and family member of Jiffy Pictures,” Abdallah said. “She was a true example of talent with dedication, discipline, love, and without pride. Her presence in our lives has left a lasting impact on us all.”
Bwire’s funeral is scheduled to take place on September 21st in her hometown of Matungu, Kakamega County. Her passing has left a void in the Kenyan entertainment industry, and her memory will continue to be cherished by her family, friends, and colleagues.
First Piper 