Women Who Made Me

As a DRC born creative based in Cape Town, Céline Tshika serves as an inspiration to many African women as she continues solidifying herself in the male dominated industry of stand-up comedy. Considered a triple threat excelling as filmmaker, actress, and content creator Céline shares the women who have kept her going throughout her illustrious career and journey.

- LETHIWE NHLANGOTHI

Micaela Coel

I always say that watching Chewing Gum was my screenwriter origin story, and I mean it! I was about to start film school, and I inhaled that show. Up until then, I'd written poetry, songs and blog posts, but I'd never considered screenwriting. I felt for the first time what representation was, and thought, "Oh, I can be my goofy, witty self and make people laugh through my stories? Sign me up!" Years later, Micaela shared the story of her process, advice to young writers and the drafts of her scripts through a link my friend sent to me, and that just showed how much she loves the arts and wants to see more of us telling stories. It was such a selfless thing to do, and the opposite of gatekeeping - a value I hold dear.