Vicky Denise Chili
Nominee's Province:
Kwazulu-natal
Age:
33
Project Name/Description:
Pioneer – eKasi Bioscope
A counsellor, community activist and entrepreneur who would like to see her community grow through showcasing stimulating films, Vicky Denise is currently working as a counsellor at King Dinuzulu Hospital. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Chili pioneered eKasi Bioscope in 2016 at King Shaka High School. The initiative is dedicated to fostering youth and community development, operating as a community movie cinema situated in Umlazi and specialising in showcasing African-themed films within township settings. The film screenings facilitate discussions on social issues and brainstorm potential solutions through communal engagement and idea sharing. Chili also hosts the annual Kasi to Kasi Bioscope Tour to give filmmakers, artists and entrepreneurs in semi-urban areas the platform to showcase their works. Chili mentions that her highlights include being able to host a drive-in cinema at Umlazi during the Covid-19 lockdown. Besides hosting movie sessions, Chili has run other projects, like school shoe campaigns, and collaborated with a variety of community organisations to bring about change in their communities. “It’s inspiring to witness more young women launching innovative businesses and managing them effectively. I believe this trend will lead to a brighter future, providing young generations with role models and mentors. While establishing a business requires time and sacrifice, the crucial step is to start building it,” Chili shares.
