I recently went to a comedy gig on a Tuesday night at the the Soweto Theatre titled “Savanna Newcomer’s Showcase”. It’s a newcomer’s comedy gig so I didn’t expect most of the comedians to be as funny as they were I was blown away by their amazing talent. I decided to introduce some of them to you guys, remember you heard about them first on zkhiphani!
Alfred Adriaan is a young confident comedian with a corporate background in brand management and corporate communications. His comedy is based on his life growing up in the rural EC (HE is from a town called Hankey, NO really) with hilarious stories that range from Public School education to his complicated relationships with the fairer sex. He is a small town boy with a colourful family background who moved to the big city. He is a well-rounded comedian with a friendly disposition and with experience as a corporate MC for multi-nationals. He is a regular performer in the JHB comedy scene and has worked at Parkers Comedy and Jive as well as other popular comedy events.
Angel Campey: Realising she had the perfect name to be a stripper, but possessing no co-ordination or dance skills, Angel fell in love with irony at a young age. She developed her wit to get through an awkward age, which she’s still hoping to grow out of. Angel found a stand-up comedy mic for the first time in June 2011 and hasn’t looked back since (which sucks for the things she sometimes drops behind her.) Angel’s first festival comedy performance was Rocking the Daisies 2011. Since then she’s played Synergy Live (2011 & 2012) Mardi Gras (2012) Rocking the Daisies 2012, Rock the River (NYE 2012) and Up the Creek 2013. Angel made the finals in the 2012 Parker’s Comedy and Jive showdown for the Nando’s comedy Festival – and has since become a supporting comedian at Parkers. Her one woman show, “Yes Really Angel” is being directed by Nik Rabinowitz and produced by Siv Ngesi and will debut at the National Arts Festival in June – July 2013 – running for 8 performances at the Scout Hall. And yes, her name really is Angel.
Isaac Gampu is a multilingual favourite especially down the coast. His first paying slot was in Durban in November 2012 as it was an excellent debut that resulted in numerous media reviews. He has also has been featured on Gospel Time.
Kagiso, or KG as he is affectionately known is the son of a Sangoma and a nurse. He is well and truly on his way to becoming a true comedy heavyweight. KG takes his audiences on a unique comedy journey with a glimpse into the “behind the scenes” practices of a Sangoma and what it’s like having one that you call “dad” , a nurse for a mom and why he was never able to take a day off sick from school. His take on what is regarded as an “unknown” is yet another first for South African comedy. In a very short period of time KG has moved from being an open-mic comedian to being a featured act in club, theatre and corporate comedy. He made his big stage performance at the Joburg Arts Alive Festival in the Comedy Nine-Nine showcase, working alongside Rob Van Vuuren, Mark Palmer, Ndumiso Lindi and Kurt Schoonraad and earning rave reviews from the audience members and organizers alike. Since then he has shared the big stage with the crème de la crème of South African comedy at the Fugard Theatre Christmas Festival of Laughter, Vodacom Comedy Festival 2012, Comedy Central Presents, The inagural Keeping You In Stitches with Riaad Moosa, the outdoor music Festivals in the Western Cape and most recently he was the opening act for David Kau’s Here to make you Laugh in Cape Town. He is currently on the line up for Blacks Only Comedy and working on his first one man show opening at Grahamstown Arts festival titled Heavy! Directed by Rob van Vuurren. He is fast becoming one of the top new acts to take to the stage in South Africa. Mark Palmer and Kurt Schoonraad both believe that even though he’s a big guy already, he’s going to be huge one day.
Khanyisa Bunu is an Eastern Cape born Comedienne, MC and Entertainer who left her prestigious career as a Teacher to come to big bad Joburg and break into the comedy scene. And since that fateful day, she has been a Top six finalist on “So You Think Your Funny”, has had an appearance on Late Night with Kgomotso on SABC 2 and performed at shows such as: 99% Xhosa, Blacks Only, Soweto Comedy Festival, Parkers Comedy and International Comedy Day in Gaborone, Botswana just to name a few.
Cape Town Based comedian, Liam Bento has been in the comedy game since 2009, starting off as one of a stable of comedians at Jokers Comedy Club with the likes of Kagiso ‘KG’ Mokgadi and Carl Weber, then going on to perform at some of the hottest spots in Cape Town including Zula Bar, Purple Turtle and becoming a regular support act at Cape Town’s premiere comedy venue Jou Ma Se Comedy Club. He has also performed with some of the biggest names in SA and International comedy, such as Mark Lottering, Kurt Schoonraad and US comic Christopher Titus, and recently appeared on DSTV’s Comedy Central Arica, as a guest comic on Comedy Central Live at Parker’s alongside Stuart Taylor. From relationships and marriage, to awkward social interactions with his mother, Liam’s brand of comedic social commentary is brought to audiences in a laid back ‘Stand & Deliver” style, and focuses on the everyday things we all take for granted, never talk about and yet, can all relate to.
Loyiso Madinga started comedy in June 2012 at Awehnsday Comedy. A month after that he entered the Parkers Comedy competition that he later won. Through this, Loyiso was put on the line up for the Nando’s Comedy at the Teatro, Monte Casino, alongside David Kau, Ian Bagg, Mith Fatel, Brian Haner, Christina Pizsitzky, Tom Segura and Finesse Mitchel. Madinga was then asked to join the Soweto leg of the Nando’s Comedy event that included David Kau, Brian Haner, Lil Rel, Loni Love, Orlando Jones, and Michael Winslow. “I’ve been a paid comedian since then and have performed at various comedy events including Parker’s comedy club, The Box at Pop at theatre and Primi’s comedy Wednesday in Rosebank” He says.
Nicholas Goliath is a loving father and husband. With comedy based on true stories and strange yet funny observations in his daily life, and above average looks, a stunning personality Nicholas is certainly the next comedian to keep an eye on. This comic will be taking the world by storm before you know it. He is also an amazing sales person / MC / Announcer / Entertainer. Nicholas has performed at Parkers Comedy, The State Theatre Johannesburg, The Market Theatre, Carnival City, Emperors Palace Captains Comedy and various club shows. He is currently MC at Makro Silver Lakes in Pretoria and interacts with clients and staff as part of his MC duties.
Nonkululeko Mthethwa Is a Theatre practitioner, Writer, Stand-up comedian who studied at the Market Theatre laboratory from 2009-2010, whilst in school she co-wrote a play with her fellow classmates called Monna Molora, that was showcased at the National Grahammstown festival. At the end of her graduation year she was chosen for the Doen’s writer’s project with the Market Theatre in 2011 and was mentored by well known theatre practitioner Toni Morkel and Lindiwe Matshikiza, where she wrote a play called the Fat suit, a humorous piece about a young girl who struggles with her weight and identity. In June of 2012 she started her comedy career by being part of the South African comedy academy under kedibone mulaudzi. She had her first performance as a professional comedian at the Soweto theatre, during the Soweto comedy festival. Where she opened for the queens of SA comedy and performed with SACA at the Soweto comedy fest. After that she went onto perform at the Tshwane comedy nights and Promusica theatre comedy nights, which was her first paying gig. Nonkululeko was part of the Graca comedy showdown in 2012 and made her first debut on television on Morning live, when she was interviewed about being a young female comic and SACA. In august of 2012 she performed with the queens of SA comedy, Lihle lindzy, Nina Hastie, Judy Jake to mention but a few. She has made an appearance as a comic on Mzansi Magic’s show called “LOL”.
Newcomer nominee, Schalk Bezuidenhout, was born in the wonderful city of Johannesburg. Even though this sounds very contemporary, he grew up in a very Afrikaans, ‘bring-terug-Apartheid’ town next to the airport. The traditional Afrikaans way of living was a good life. Mamma’s breast milk would be brandewyn en coke, you would walk kaalvoet to school, and you’d hide your lunch money when a black man walked past. But life started to become difficult for poor Schalkie. He slowly evolved from an Afrikaans conservative caterpillar into a beautiful dramaqueen butterfly, complete with a moustache and furry afro. While studying in Cape Town he realised that there was more to life than boerewors and rugby. He quickly became conscious of the fact that he could still be a proud Afrikaans boy, whilst wearing skinny jeans. During his ‘gap year’ of studying drama he did what anyone in his situation would do. That’s right, he went into comedy, in June 2011. On stage Schalk is fun and energetic and talks about how he perceives things through his De La Rey spectacles. He is becoming one of the top newcomer acts in SA, also being the 2012 winner of the CT Graca Comedy Showdown.
TD Jokes is a dynamic and trailblazing stand-up comedian and entertainer. His unique blend of refreshing, clean and awe-inspiring comedy is based on his Christian values and he believes that God has a great sense of humour. He first took the stage in February 2012 and his 20min comedy exceeded expectations and brought the house down with laughter. He is part of Parable Magazines “Lord Make Me Laugh Comedy Festival” which is hosted all over the country. In August 2012 he launched his “Laugh and be healed” comedy tour with his first three shows in the EC before touring around South Africa. He has also since then pioneered the first ever monthly comedy gigs in King Williams Town dubbed “Refreshing Laughs Comedy Nights”. TD’s material is derived from his childhood and current experiences to his hilarious outlook at church dynamics. He is one of South Africa’s handful of comedians whose material is the cleanest and the reviews he’s receiving prove that he’s a breath of fresh of air to the masses.
From being a champ of kasi contest of ‘ukugorana (teasing game)’ to sharing stage with well-established comedians like Loyiso Gola and Ndumiso Lindi (Vodacom Comedy Campus tour, Rhodes) opening for Zimbabwean comedian Carl Joshua Ncube on his ‘Big announcement ‘comedy tour (Rhodes, 2011), staged two one men shows, ‘Lost poet in a comedy show’ (2010) and ‘Nam ndiyakwazi’ (2012). Tsepiso Nzayo is a torch-bearer for Eastern Cape comedians. It is no co-incidence that he has achieved a lot within a short space of time in comedy circles. Tsepiso Nzayo a corporate & public event mc and public speaker is a comedian with a different angle. His comedy is a reflection of everyday life. He paints a picture and narrates stories in such a way that will leave you saying ‘ayiphilanga le (this guy is not normal). A language activist that will ‘toyi-toyi’ for his language. He is the proof that comedy can be a revolutionary tool and blacks do read. He has honours degree from Rhodes University in African languages and his love for isiXhosa blossoms in his one-liners and improvised gags. Tsepiso has a regular slot on a national radio broadcaster uMhlobo Wenene fm every Fridays at 21:30, iQonga Labatsha with Dj Luks. He performed in 99 % Xhosa comedy in East London and Port Elizabeth alongside Siyabonga Radebe, Skhumba Hlophe and Donovan Goliath.
In just over a year Werner has built himself a reputation as probably the darkest ginger in the comedy circuit. His deadpan style gets audiences to let down their guards before hitting them with outrageous one-liners and material that goes well beyond the limits of accepted “good taste.” though never insulting a specific individual. For him responses of “oooh sies” is just as rewarding as roaring laughter. Werner has preformed all over the country and has even managed to make Germans laugh in Berlin which if stereotypes are true is no easy task.
Zakkiya Khan is a sarcastic optimist and successful favourite child with eggs in many baskets. Apart from the numerous surrogates preparing to birth her genetic legacies, she has distributed her abilities in careers of design, food and stand-up comedy. As a comic, Zakkiya is witty, fresh and surprising. She generates material from her own observations and experiences and has the balls to verbalise the thoughts of the masses. She is an everyday funny girl just trying to give the people what they want, no matter how inappropriate. Zakkiya has been performing stand-up comedy for a year with her spontaneous career launch at Bubba J’s Comedy Cafe in April 2012, where she won an informal open mic contest against 9 other comics. She has since performed regularly at club gigs in Gauteng including Bubba J’s Comedy Cafe – Atlasville, Cafe Barcelona – Centurion, Cool Runnings – Moreleta Park, Parker’s Comedy and Jive – Montecasino, The Box – Joburg CBD and AWEdnesday Comedy Night at O.M.G. – Honeydew. Zakkiya is a finalist in the Comedy Central Africa – Goliath and Goliath Open Mic Competition at the The Box.
