Chelsi Shikongo Talks

In this episode Chelsi continues to talk to women in entertainment in Namibia. Her guests are dancer, choreographer and film producer Hillary Shiimi and singer and movie producer Cherlien Schott. Cherlien and Hillary discuss the lack of funding of the arts in Namibia and how important it is to the country and to give the arts prominence in the government's budgeting. Hillary discusses how important dance is to young people and why you never retire from dancing. Cherlien talks frankly about being married to award winning film director Florien Schott. They both discuss their dreams and what they want for the future with Hillary producing a movie about dance in Namibia and Chelsi discusses her comedy career with Namibian Girl Humor and why she may give up stand-up and Cherlien talks about working with Tom Cruise and is asked "Is he really short"?

On this second episode with singer Priscilla Swartz and stylist, creative director and content producer Nahenda Mateus, Chelsi asks the two ladies about why they think attitudes towards plus size women are changing. Priscilla tells the story of her son and why he was very proud about her Love Yourself campaign. They discuss 'Fat Shaming' and ask why is it still going on. Chelsi discusses how to deal with plus size women when they pay you a compliment and why it's important to give yourself affirmations in the mirror. Priscilla talks about her struggles with Anorexia and Bulimia whilst at school and how it affected her early years, and she talks about modelling as a plus size model. They all discuss what success looks like and how they judge whether they are successful or not. Also Nahenda tells why she would love to direct Burna Boy for his next music video. They all discuss sexism and discrimination in the industry and calling out the culprits. And how they all deal with 'imposter syndrome' and speak openly about mental health and why one negative word can change a woman's personality forever.

Chelsi continues to talk to Make Up artist and stylist Jay Aeron and Kulan Ganes owner of a casting agency and also a make-up artist who has worked on a number of Hollywood movies and has styled Will Smith on his Disney Plus TV documentary. They chat about the trend in straight men wearing make-up and what to buy and finding out your skin type. Jay talks about the LGBTQ community in Namibia and how much learning needs to go on before it's a perfect society and what can be done about the lack of rights for the queer community in Namibia. Jay talks about experiences with law enforcement officers including women. Chelsi likens homophobia to racism and says that people need educating and should unlearn the hate. Jay explains why she has lost jobs because of her sexuality and Kulan says she has lost jobs because of her skin colour. They talk about the lowest moments in their lives. Jay reveals why losing her grandmother was a really low moment and Chelsi thanks Jay for lifting her out of her lowest moment in the early days of winning Miss Namibia in 2021. And Kulan reveals she is expanding her business to South Africa and why she believes all creatives should leave Namibia to work elsewhere.

Chelsi talks to Make Up artist and stylist Jay Aeron and Kulan Ganes, owner of a casting agency and also a make-up artist who has worked on a number of hollywood movies and has styled Will Smith on his Disney Plus TV documentary. Kulan shares her experience of working with Will Smith and talks about a number of features that surprised her about him, especially his big hands. She tells how it was working for Disney Plus and the standard of professionalism within the organisation. Jay explains how it feels to go freelance and how excited she feels about the future and the creative freedoms she now has. Kulan talks about the difficulties in setting up her own casting agency and why she is passionate about paying creatives properly, and why she is planning to give up doing make-up but her clients just won't let her. Jay explains why dolls were her inspiration in beginning a make-up career.  She talks about personal styling and how she believes it's good manners to look 'slay', every day. She explains the styling process from concept to reveal. Chelsi reveals why she owns sweatpants and tries to convince her guests it's because it's cold in Walvis Bay. They all reveal what their favourite or least favourite piece is in their wardrobe and Jay reveals why a boob job is the big thing she is saving up for. They also reveal tips on how to look great and Jay talks about difficult clients.

On this episode of Chelsi Shikongo Talks, Chelsi talks to singer Priscilla Swartz, The Namibian Dessert Queen and stylist, creative director and content producer Nahenda Mateus. Nahenda talks about styling former Miss Namibia Selma Kamanya and how she begins styling a person, what she looks for and where she begins looking for clothing for the person and how indecisive clients drive her crazy. Priscilla talks about performing live and how her late mother didn't ever see her perform on stage and how proud she would be if she saw her today and reveals how she came up with the name 'Dessert Queen'. They all discuss keeping their lives private and why it's important to their mental health but Priscilla and Nehenda both spill the 'Tea' on their private lives and Priscilla says it's important to have someone so special in her life but would hate it if they are competition in the music industry and how she will never let a man take away her power. All three discuss what turns them on musically as Priscilla bursts into song and gives us a rendition of 'Natural Woman'. Priscilla explains why she set up her campaign 'Love Yourself'. The campaign is to inspire confidence in people that have issues with their bodies. She tells the story of how she got 'butt' naked, covered herself in baby oil and stood in front of a group of women to show them how beautiful the bigger sized woman is and say's 'Fat is Hot'. She tells the story about some people believing that, because she was a plus size, she couldn't sing. Nahenda continues the conversation about women's insecurities and Chelsi reveals she was bullied because she was considered androgynous looking at school and why it affects her until today and she tells the story of a man recently at an event asking if she was a 'man'.

In this episode Chelsi asks Lioness about her reputation of being a 'Diva' and Lioness reveals that if being professional is being a Diva, she is happy to have that label. Lioness talks about her break up with an ex and how it has influenced her song writing. She also talks openly about her ambitions and whether they have changed after getting married and the birth of her baby girl. Chelsi asks if she struggled with her music career during the Covid pandemic and how she got through it. Lioness talks frankly about why she set up her own studio because of the verbal and sexual abuse she had suffered in some studios whilst recording her music and how she confronted her abusers. Chelsi shares her experience how some men take advantage and how a good friend once tried to kiss her in public and how it took her a number of years to deal with it and how she dealt with the friend? Chelsi asks if it's time to name and shame abusers as they do in other countries and if not what are the best steps to take against the abusers? Chelsi asks Lioness if she would encourage young girls to get involved in a music career and what are the biggest needs in the industry and what's next for Lioness?

In this episode, Chelsi Shikongo talks to Namibian rapper and medical doctor Lioness. Lioness talks about splitting her life between being a doctor and a singer and Chelsi asks, what does she prefer, saving lives or being a rapper? Lioness tells the story about a patient recognising her when she was treating him and how he reacted when he realised who she was. She talks openly about losing her mom and how she is dealing with it and privately struggling with losing her mom, but believes that her mom is looking down on her. Chelsi reveals how Lioness' sister changed her life and encouraged her to go into modelling when she was still in school at grade 12. Lioness talks about how becoming a mum has given her different priorities and how she is adjusting her life and how she thinks it will change her music career in the future. The two discuss legalising abortion in Namibia and question that it may need political change for things to move forward. Lioness talks about when she was trying to break into the music industry and has had serious thoughts about leaving the music industry and the person she would love to collaborate with. She also discusses her potential wardrobe malfunctions at a recent gig, now that she's a mom. They discuss using the 'N' word in music and why she uses the word so freely and ask could it be in danger of being 'normalised' outside of Black culture. Chelsi asks if it's important to have the support of 'M', her new husband and how does he support her in her career; it's revealed how they met and how they have a solid relationship. And they both discuss being trolled on Social Media and how it affects both of them and how they both deal with it.

In this episode of Chelsi Shikongo Talks, Chelsi continues to talk to Namibian comedian and activist Hildegard Titus. Hildegard talks about women's rights and how she supports the LGBTQ community and is pleased it is getting a bigger voice in Namibia. Both Chelsi and Hildegard explore the possibility of a woman President in Namibia, and they ask what sort of a woman she will be. Hildegard talks about her fascination with Tarot cards and how she discovered she had a talent for reading them and how it's received in the country, and how it's received when the Death card is revealed. Then she reveals she can tell a person's energy by touching them and tries it out on Chelsi. She also tells Chelsi about her passion for photography and art. They both ask why there are thousands of Namibians living in poverty. They discuss race and political change in the country and will it ever come. And Hildegard reveals she is starting a political party to challenge the status quo.

In this episode of Chelsi Shikongo Talks her guest is comedian Hidegard Titus. Both Chelsi and Hildegard talk about how they both got into comedy. Chelsi reveals what it was like when she did her first ever comedy gig in Cape Town and they discuss dealing with hecklers. Hildegard reveals details about her private life and dating in Namibia. She also tells Chelsi why she set up her charity PowerPad Girls. The organisation that changes girls lives and how she is trying to change government policy and hopes to eradicate Period Poverty.  Plus how the organisation is trying to educate teachers about periods.

In this episode of Chelsi Shikongo Talks, Chelsi continues to talk to women in entertainment in Namibia. Her guests are dancer, choreographer and film producer Hillary Shiimi and singer and movie producer Cherlien Schott. Hillary talks frankly about being a gay woman in Namibia and the issues she has come across in her life and why she started Pride Pop up in the country. Both Hillary and Cherlien speak about their support for the LGBTQ community in the country and ask why being gay hasn't yet been legalised in Namibia. The ladies also discuss why they wouldn't want to live anywhere else in the world than Namibia despite the issues and complications in the country. Chelsi asks how best to empower women in the country. and Cherlien reveals why her marriage isn't a typical one. They discuss the bond between women with the 'Sisterhood' and Chelsi tells of her experience at the Miss Universe competition in 2021 and why the bond between her and Miss Croatia became so strong.

In the final episode of this season of Chelsi Shikongo Talks, Chelsi raps up her conversation with women in entertainment.  She continues to talk to her guests Maria Nepembe and Lize Ehlers. Lize is a singer, songwriter, actress, playwright and director amongst many other roles that she is involved with in the entertainment industry across the country. Maria is an actress, fashion designer, film producer and director. Maria also appeared in season 8 of Big Brother Africa where she was eventually voted out after 35 days.  They all discuss how they keep their lives private despite all using social media to the max. Chelsi asks Maria did she really get married earlier this year or was it a stunt? They discuss skin colour and the bearing it has on the potential to get a role in the industry, plus Maria opens up to Chelsi about the abuse she suffered at the hands of a relative and Chelsi reveals that she also suffered abuse as a child. 

Chelsi continues talking to inspirational women in the entertainment and arts industry in Namibia. In this episode she speaks to two women with very similar careers.  Lize Ehlers is a singer, songwriter, actress, playwright and director amongst many other roles that she is involved with in the entertainment industry across the country. Maria Nepembe is an actress, fashion designer, film producer and director. Maria also appeared in season 8 of Big Brother Africa where she was eventually voted out after 35 days. Chelsi asks Maria was it deliberate to appear on Big Brother to boost her career and would she do it again. They all discuss their activism, where Lize was very active in protesting about 'slut shaming'. Lize also discusses the negative pushback she received when she launched 'Drag Night' in Namibia and they also discuss the challenges women face in Namibia in the entertainment and arts industry.  

Chelsi continues to talk to actresses Girley Jazama and Sunet Van Wyk about the film and entertainment industry in Namibia. They discuss the health of theatre and Girley chats about how she now enjoys producing and directing along with combining acting in to her career.  Chelsi asks do you have to work harder as a woman of colour in acting and are there enough quality roles for black actors? Sunet talks about pregnancy and how her life is expected to change once she gives birth and talks about her natural progression in to presenting radio shows.  They talk about keeping their life private as possible in a showbiz world and why they would both encourage young girls to take up a role in the arts. 

Chelsi continues to talk to women in entertainment in Namibia; in this episode she talks to actresses Girley Jazama and Sunet Van Wyk. Both starred in the  movie The White Line. A 2019 Namibian drama romantic history film directed by Desiree Kahikopo-Meiffret. The film revolves around a love affair between a Black maid  played by Girley Jazama and a White Afrikaner Police officer in 1963 after the Katutura uprising. Sunet talks about playing the role of Anna-Marie, the racist antagonist was actually a really hard decision, she says when she took the role, she spent a lot of time considering whether she should take it.  They talk about life in acting, moving in to producing and directing, Girley discusses training in Los Angeles and what it's like for an African woman in LA.  Girley talks about her upcoming projects and what both their plans are for the future.  They chat about the huge interest in African movies across the world and what it means for African and Namibian actors.  

Chelsi continues to talk to women who are making a difference in entertainment in Namibia. She continues her chat with Namibian comedian Zita and singer and musician Shana.  In this episode the ladies discuss dating and reveal whether there is anyone special in their lives, and how they fit in a relationship whilst working in the industry and Shana reveals how she was found out on social media dating the South African footballer Bongani Zungu for just posting his hand on Instagram and how social media eventually ruined the relationship.   

Chelsi Shikongo continues to talk to women in entertainment in Namibia. In this episode she talks to Shana a musician and singer, and Zita, a Namibian comedian. They speak about their career and how they began in the business.  Shana discusses why she chose South Africa for her first music video and Zita tells how she writes her jokes and why you need to book her months ahead of a gig, and why she struggles to get grips with social media.  Zita also tells Chelsi how she fits in her career and raising her daughter.  They also chat about keeping their lives private whilst living in the public eye and about being women of colour in the entertainment business. Chelsi's reveals how she was passed over for a modelling job because her skin was too light and not dark enough. They discuss whether it was 'colourism'.     

In the first series of Chelsi Shikongo Talks, Chelsi talks to women in entertainment in Namibia. In this episode she talks to Rosalia David better known as DJ Roxy. She is not only a DJ but an author and a journalist for the Confidente Newspaper. Rosalia published her first book in 2019 called Belinda, a book based on her own teenage years, which has now been made into a short film, which is awaiting a release date. She is already writing her second book. They discuss how she began in the industry and how she manages in a mainly male dominated industry. She also discusses why she began writing.