Divine Ishimwe Munyana, is a fast rising comedian who had her debut performance at the Seka Live comedy show. The 20 year old was among the comedians that sent the audience in roaring laughter at the show that took place a last week.
Ishimwe talked to Sunday Magazine’s Sharon Kantengwa about her love for comedy and how she made it to the stage.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I was born on May 2, 1998 as the first born among five children who include two girls and three boys. I went to St. Dominic Primary school, then had my O’ level education at Karama secondary school and later joined Groupe scolaire Mater Dei/Nyanza where I majored in Mathematics Chemistry and Biology.
I’m now doing my Bachelor’s degree in Health sciences at Mount Kenya University.
How and when did you discover your comic talent?
I grew up in a family of 5 children and our parents used to make us laugh to the extent that we felt like no one could replace them in comedy. Sadly, my mother passed on two years ago.
When I began school I made a lot of jokes that I was nicknamed Charlie Chaplin, Mrs Bean in high school . They always told me that I deserve to be a female comedian, which I thought I couldn’t do.
When was your breakthrough?
My breakthrough came in 2014 when I was in senior five. It was Umuganura celebration at school and the MC was moving around giving attendees the microphone to talk about what they know about that day.
When he got to me, I made everyone, including the Priests, nuns, government officials and students who were there, laugh that the emcee asked me to continue. I hadn’t prepared myself to make them laugh and that’s when I started to see that I can do comedy in front of many students, and not just friends.
Right now, how is it like for you, working in the male dominated industry?
In the first days I felt uncomfortable because I was too shy to even comment among them but now I don’t find it a burden. When we are rehearsing, I come up with an idea and every one helps me build it up and that makes me feel comfortable among them. There is a lot of brotherhood than I expected.
Where do you get your material before appearing on stage?
Before appearing on stage, I find ideas anywhere. I write ideas whenever they flash in my mind, or whenever I find something that’s funny and interesting I write it down in my memo. I try to develop it and share it with my Seka Live colleagues to help me make it better.
Do you feel the responsibility to raise the bar for women in the industry?
It’s a great responsibility and can be intimidating because we have very many girls who have the talent but they are not able to talk in large gatherings while some think comedy is a male thing.
I however believe that one day all false perceptions that comedy is for men will be gone and there will be many women doing Comedy.
What have been your best and worst moments since you began comedy?
My best moment in Comedy that I won’t ever forget was that performance at Seka Live 4. It was my first time to stand in front of many people who made me so courageous to continue but on the other hand I don’t feel like I’ve met the worst moment yet, apart from ‘dying on stage’ which I’m sure that every Comedian has faced.
How do you envision your future in comedy?
I’ve been encouraged and been advised by a lot of people that I can make it even though those who discourage me are also there. I feel like raising the flag for Rwanda in Comedy to the international level together with those who got in the industry before me and those that are yet to come.