She’s a global citizen with her hands in many jars. Making her mark in the entertainment industry as a curator-content producer, a music journalist, and a voice-over artist, this digital ideasmith (as she so accurately calls herself) has become one of the most formidable black voices in the country.
Not only does she kick ass as a writer, but her interests spread far and wide. Her non-profit organisation, the ‘African Consciousness Institute,’ is one of the many ways she contributes positively to the lives of African creatives.
We briefly chatted with her and picked her brain about some of the things that matter most to her and more.
What city are you currently in and what do you love most about this city?
Shiba: Currently I’m in Cape Town, and I can’t think of a more beautiful place in which to live and create. We have a great mix of nature, nightlife and new experiences here… all seasons, all kinds of people. I’ve been lucky enough to be able to find my own pace amongst so many different ways of being.
Knowing what you know now, what would you tell your 18-year-old self?
Shiba: At 18, I was a bit of a late bloomer. This was the year I’d tried a lot of things for the first time. I guess I’d tell myself that there’s no rush, the newness of the world will always be there to find if you want to experience it, but to enjoy myself at the same time, because I’m on the right path and it’s ok to learn as you go.
Your Top 5 favourite things (can be people, places, objects)?
Shiba: My partner and my family have to take the top 2 spots for sure. We’re all very close. I really enjoy the home I’ve made for myself too, the security and space are really great for my peace of mind and allow me to be my best myself. My sister’s dogs rank high too, as well as a good session in the kitchen with an involved recipe and a glass of wine.
3 things people are most surprised to know about you?
Shiba: It’s hard to know what might surprise people, 3 is a lot… I suppose it would be surprising to know I studied art and design for a long time. I was a pretty badass sculptor, working with clay and metal was my thing, but I ended up choosing words instead. I’m also really into discovering more about how our minds work and the way human beings interact with the rest of the world. I suppose I’m a bit of a nerd too.
What is on your music playlist currently?
Shiba: The new Brent Faiyaz and Kabza De Small albums are going. Some Thundercat, Dead Meadow, Pablo Fierro, Alex Isley too.
What are you reading?
Shiba: Greg Tate’s “Flyboy in the Buttermilk.”
What would you say is the biggest artistic impact Africa has had on the world?
Shiba: There would be no “world” if it wasn’t for Africa. Africa has provided the world with every creative catalyst we know, and continues to power the globe’s economies, so to pick one particular thing would be to ignore the bigger picture. That said, I’m sure “the log drum” as an answer would get a resounding yes right now!
What is that one African dish you wish the entire world knew about?
Shiba: It’s not so much a dish as it is a condiment, but you cannot go wrong with shito — a spicy, sometimes seafood-based sauce made in Ghana. Add that to a plate of plantain with some tilapia and I’m sold.
If you had one superpower what would it be and why?
Shiba: Cloning myself with a built-in hive mind type thing would be pretty handy. It would be great to be able to try and do lots of things with an unlimited amount of Shibas running around.
If you weren’t a writer what would you be?
Shiba: I probably would have continued down the art road and wound up becoming some sort of artist or a chef. I like to create.
