3D animator and web designer Lumkile Tyese (@LumkileUNITED) has won through to the final of Comedy Central (DStv Channel 122)’s new amateur stand up talent contest in association with The Box Comedy Nights. 29-year old Lumkile, who hails from Olivedale, Johannesburg, narrowly beat fellow contestant Zaheer Isat, impressing the audience with his confident, Eastern Cape swagger and edgy material that focused on contrasts and conundrums of life in contemporary South Africa.
Lumkile, a self-confessed vodka-drinking “all round people person” who loves his dog Xerxes, explosions and loud noises, joins 26-year old interior architect Zakkiya Khan (@Zakkiya_Khan) as finalists in the amateur comedy search. Commented Evert van der Veer, Head of Comedy Central, Africa, “Round two of our open mic competition at The Box was another success with an awesome line-up and a full house in attendance! SA is blessed with a many established stand-up stars and a strong comedy heritage, but it’s still thrilling to see the enthusiasm among the ranks of the up-and-coming comedians, and the encouragement they are getting from the audience.”
Six further finalists remain to be chosen in the weeks to come, and will go forward to a special finale on 2 June. The ultimate winner will get their break at Comedy Central Presents…Live at Parker’s on 26 June, hosted by comedy legend Joe Parker. The episode featuring the winner will broadcast on Comedy Central on Friday 16 August at 20:55 CAT. Auditions for the Comedy Central talent search take place at The Box Comedy Nights, POPArt Theatre, (@POPArtJHB), Maboneng Precinct, Johannesburg every Sunday until 26 May.
