Renowned producer and actor Abel Mutua has openly acknowledged that his academic performance in school was far from stellar. He recalls being suspended on multiple occasions due to his active involvement in drama and acting, a passion that he asserts was innate.
Despite his academic struggles, Mutua refrains from blaming his teachers, emphasizing that during that period, actors and actresses were not reaping substantial financial rewards from their craft. He humorously reflects on his high school days, stating, “I was useless (in high school). I am sure my late mum looks at me from heaven and wonders what my problem was because I was very useless in high school. But you can’t contain an artist’s mind.”
Mutua describes the clash between his artistic inclinations and the traditional curriculum, which focused on subjects like social education, ethics, and chemistry. His passion for drama often led to his suspension, as teachers of that era viewed drama as a pursuit for individuals with no promising future. Despite the challenges, Mutua recognizes the uncertainty prevalent at the time, stating, “That generation of our teachers believed that drama was for thugs and people who have no future. But I can’t blame them because at the time, we were also wondering if we wanted to become the actors we were looking up to because acting was just a by the way.”
In an interview with Mpasho, Mutua discloses that since 2008, he has not relied on his CV to secure employment. He asserts that the knowledge gained in school doesn’t align with his current professional endeavors. “Si ati nataka kudiscourage watu waache story ya vitabu (It’s not that I want to discourage people from the book narrative). Up to this moment, I have never been asked for my papers anywhere. It is now 16 years; I haven’t submitted my CV to anyone. The things I learned in class are of minimal relevance to what I am currently doing,” he shares.
Mutua emphasizes the importance of practical skills and aptitudes, suggesting that the details of formal education are secondary in certain professions. Drawing a parallel with media personality Larry Madowo, he notes, “That’s why I understand Larry Madowo. He knew from the word go that he is a communicator. As long as he has obtained a decent grade in Kiswahili or English, that is all that is needed; the rest are just details.”
