adminRumbidzai Mbewe Sunday Leisure Correspondent
THE name Carl Joshua Ncube is not new in the local entertainment industry but the name of his soul mate Nelsy is somehow new although she has been doing a lot of work to uplift the women folk. Nelsy Ncube who is known in Zimbabwe through her marriage to the comedian Carl Joshua Ncube has established a foundation, Girls Killing It that is set to see many women in the country being celebrated for their contribution in various areas.
In an interview, Nelsy said the Girls Killing It foundation works on celebrating women who are doing amazing things in different areas of their lives not only in Zimbabwe but around the world. She said the foundation was a center where women can speak, mentor and share ideas about how they could better and grow each other.
“The foundation will also be a resource centre where women can find information on funds, grants and resources that are out there for women to further their lives through their skills and businesses,” she said.
Nelsy said the idea behind the formation of this foundation was to tell the story of different women who have gone through so much in life but who get little or no recognition. She said the urge in her to be the voice of the voiceless pushed her into establishing the foundation.
“I believe there are many women that are working and overcoming humongous obstacles daily to live and realise their dreams and I believe their journeys need to be told and shared with other women to help each other grow. I think it’s great to have women speak to women,” she said.
Besides it being a centre for women to share ideas, the foundation will also have its standup comedy festival which will be their first initiative. Nelsy believes that many women will be receptive to being part of the festival as it is an opportunity for women who have always felt they can do comedy.
“This is an opportunity for women who have always felt the funny within themselves and watched stand-up comedy and felt they would like to do that, some people are born to make people laugh but they do not know how they can get into comedy or even how they will be able to balance serious life issues and being a comedian. The festival answers the question,” she said.
Nelsy said women that attend the festival would come out with enough knowledge to pursue their dreams. The festival would include tips on how to write jokes, what the business entails as well as finding mentors in fellow female comedians.
“We have planned workshops where women from various countries with background and cultures that may seem prohibitive talking with Zimbabwean women on their journey to becoming female comedians in a predominately male dominated industry.
“The tools are out there for women to grow and most importantly having found mentors in fellow female comedians who are thriving will be an added advantage,” she said.
Nelsy said when they are home, Carl is pretty a normal person and they always laugh together. She said Carl had been very supportive and was her biggest fan.
During her spare time she is always with her husband. Like newlyweds, they still hang-out together and enjoy each other’s company. She said they like travelling and trying out different cuisines.
“We do weekly movie date nights where its popcorn, projector and a list of our favourite movies. But when we are home we really love just firing up a braai and hanging out with friends,” said Nelsy.
Carl and Nelsy’s wedding was a unique one at the Bahamas beach. Nelsy said it was their dream wedding by the beach and it came in handy since at the time she was working on a cruise ship and her company owned a private island.
“I was working on a cruise ship and my company made it possible for me. Carl was in the US doing a comedy tour plus a course at the American Comedy Institute in New York. Everything just came together, we had our wedding on an island in the Carribbean called CocoCay,” she said.
Bongani Ndlovu