Our next superhero joining Creators United is among one of South Africa's most renowned and prolific talents in the gaming industry. We're proud to introduce the fantastic Pippa Tshabalala! Many know Pippa as the voice and face of The Verge, but she has gone on to create an extraordinary profile of work over the years that solidifies her as one of the leading industry professionals. With Pippa joining Creators United, there's a lot you may or may not know about her. So let's take a walk with her, and find out some interesting facts, her perspective on certain topics, and the long road she has taken to get to where she is now. She also doesn't have a favourite Pokemon, but we can forgive that!



What inspired you to be a content creator?
I don't think anything specific inspired me, it's just something I've always done. I work in the television industry so creating content is what I do on a daily basis.

Who are your inspirations, and why?
I'm an animator by training actually, so the people I enjoy are people who often incorporate the quirkiness of animated content into their work. I also read a lot, so authors like Neil Gaiman, who I feel is talented in so many ways, is a big inspiration for me.

What type of content do you create?
I do a fair amount of gaming related stuff for the Glitched brand, Marco and I have been working on it together for a few years. I also make some kids related stuff with my sons - toy reviews and so on. I do some independent content for social media, a little for YouTube, but as my day job is in TV, most of my energy goes there.

What prompted you to participate in the Creators United?
Mainly because of my involvement with Glitched. Marco and I work together regularly and he asked me to come on board with him for this event.

Have you ever worked with any charity events before?
I have, primarily through my day job in television. We do regular charity events and community service initiatives.

When you're not a content creator/superhero, what do you do in your daily life?
I'm a television producer.

What are the greatest difficulties you've faced being a content creator?
I think the hardest part is often knowing when to just let it go and put it out there. We can get stuck on "is it good enough" and that's hard to overcome, especially when you're just starting out. I've had to learn to let go over the years even when I'm not 100% happy with something.

How did you feel when your content was appreciated for the first time?
I think mine is a bit of a tricky one because I've been involved in so many different things over the years. I've done video content for live band performances and it's always cool when the audience responds to the visuals as the performance is unfolding. I was also the host of The Verge and a content producer on the show as well so people were seeing what I created all the time.

What is your ultimate goal as a content creator?
To create stuff I enjoy. To be honest, I don't really think it always matters what other people think. If you're making content for other people you're going to lose interest in it very quickly because you're not invested in it emotionally. Make content for yourself and it will continue to grow and evolve. Become better because YOU want to become better.

What would you personally do to further the South African gaming industry, and why?
I think we need awareness. There are so many people who still don't understand the intricacies and different career paths in the gaming industry, and the only way for that to happen is for it to be spotlighted in a positive manner. We still labour under the stigma that gaming is something that turns our kids violent, is for nerds with no friends, that only boys play games, it's ridiculous because it's simply not true. We need to break the stereotypes.

Quick-Fire Questions

Favourite dinosaur?
Spinosaurus.

Why did you choose your specific handle "Unexpected Pippa"?
It's from my university days actually. A bit of a long story, but basically we had this one elective class where the assignment was to write an essay on whatever the topic was, I forget, or to draw a poster depicting it. Everyone who wasn't an art student in the class automatically assumed I would draw the poster because I was a Fine Arts major, and it annoyed me. I was telling one of my friends and they immediately responded by saying, "And you want to be Super Unexpected Girl!" And so she was born! Years later I tried to choose Unexpected Girl as my Twitter handle but it was taken so I used Unexpected Pippa. Pretty much everything has become that now. I hope I'm still not what people expect.

What's your favourite and least favourite food?
Favourite, salt and vinegar chips, least favourite, brinjal. Blerg.

Favourite Pokemon?
Ssshhhh! I don't play Pokemon... I should ask my kids, they'll have an opinion.

Favourite movie?
The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Favourite video game?
At the moment? Still The Witcher 3.

Favourite superhero?
Mmmm, I don't really have a favourite. Captain Marvel would probably be my choice.

If you could meet one person on Earth, who would it be?
Neil Gaiman. I almost met him once. I messed it up. That's another story.

Mark your calendars for Creators United, happening July 27th and 28th at the Nexus Hub venue! Make sure you join in to see Pippa Tshabalala, and many other content creators collaborate to raise funds for the Abraham Kriel Bambanani Children's Non-Profit. Our theme is superheroes!