Zambian ‘Black Panther’ hero apologizes after his gay porn movie was leaked

A Zambian Black Panther actor has moved from becoming a movie hero to an object of ridicule in a matter of months after old images and videos of him acting in a gay porn movie were leaked on the internet.

Patrick Mutukwa Shumba, who is based in the United States, was a Border Tribe warrior in the highest-grossing movie alongside actor Daniel Kaluuya who played W’Kabi.

After a warm embrace during the tour of his home country last month, some Zambians have expressed disgust following the revelation that he was a gay porn actor.

Shumba was quick to apologize on Sunday in a statement issued by his publicist saying he “recognizes his errored decision” and “owns up to the immature behavior in his past”.

The statement said the “unsavory” gay porn movie was from his 20s and he is not the same youthful person he was. “What he did in his past has nothing to do with what he’s accomplished and will continue to accomplish. He has strong pride in Zambia and works hard to make the country and its citizens proud,” it adds.

Shumba has resorted to Facebook to post videos and poems of apology to the people of Zambia over the video. He also asks that people refrain from sharing the video on social media so that children do not witness it.

Shumba spent the past month in Zambia with children and gave inspirational speeches to young people who have dreams of becoming like him. He was also welcomed by the government and regarded as a role model for the youth.

Zambia is intolerant to homosexuality like many other African countries and it is illegal to practice homosexuality in the country.

Below are Patrick Shumba’s “poetic” apology and some mixed reactions from Zambians over the leaked gay porn video.

99 Things
Emptiness. It’s what fills my lungs when I inhale. My ribs constrict me, forcing my lungs to collapse. I’m still alive, but I’m dead on the inside. Pure darkness in my soul. 70 shades darker than dark black.

Silence. It’s what’s fills the air when I call for help. Not a word of encouragement. Deafening negative vibes echoing through space, magnified by hate and conditional love. Words, sharper than a chef’s knife, piercing through my ear canal. I play deaf, but I’m listening. God hears and knows my path.

Shame. It’s what running through my blood as I try to run away from the truth. The truth that I made a mistake. A mistake I can never fix, even if I tried. So, I hang my head low and pray it all comes to pass. Time stands still and it doesn’t pass fast enough. I’m emotionally constipated. Trapped inside the belly of a fish, I can’t run from my destiny.

Regret. It’s what’s left of what was once a heart full of beautiful songs. Feeling low. Listening to blues, but not for too long because there’s beauty in all this mess: lessons to be learned and self-loathing to get rid of. I did 99 things right, and one regrettable thing…and for that I will not crucify myself. I take comfort in knowing that a great multitude still love and embrace me in the good and worse.

An apology. It’s the only thing I have left to offer. No fancy words, no excuses. Apology to the people hurt by my past mistakes. I can promise you, I am far removed from that man. New path, new choices, new directions, renewed faith.