Comedy enthusiasts are in for a thrilling treat this month as Showmax promises a tonne of laughs with 13 all-new stand-up comedy specials featuring well-known and beloved stars that will debut on Friday (September 20).

Included in this star-studded roster are Sifiso Nene, who won Best Solo Show and the Joe Mafela Award at the 2024 Savanna Comics Choice Awards; Comedian of the Year winners, Skhumba Hlophe and Tumi Morake; and Celeste Ntuli, the queen of Zulu humour.

Alfred Adriaan, Chantall Jaxx, Chris Mapane, Conrad Koch, Eugene Khoza, Dillan Oliphant, Q Dube, Mashabela Galane, and Nonto R are also part of the line-up.

It’s revealed that the stand-up comedy specials were recorded live at The Laugh Africa Comedy Festival (LACF) earlier this year, which also hosted The Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini.

Nene, who has also won the Audience Choice twice at the Comics Choice Awards, as well as the reality show So, You Think You’re Funny, speaks about the festival, highlighting what he appreciates about the LACF.

“I appreciated the idea behind the entire concept and how it was executed — everything from the actual live festival to the stand-up episodes now being available to stream on Showmax. It’s rare to see local comedy content being executed and packaged like this; it encourages comedians to bring their A-game on stage.

“And having a legend such as Eddie Griffin as the headline performer was huge for South African comedy. I can only hope that such festivals will change people’s mindset so they realise that it is worthy of funding and putting it out there.”

Asked about the biggest challenge faced as a comedian, he says, the biggest challenge is that comedy is not considered an art form that is worth funding.

He goes on to explain that those in positions of power still don’t get comedy or that it’s a valuable art form with commercial potential.

“You’ll come across certain events where government departments will come to the party and sponsor various art forms, but, when it comes to comedy, I don’t seem to see the same level of support and interest. It is not well funded. It’s very much a ‘by-the-way’ form of entertainment for some people,” he said.

Nene further describes the significance of employing humour as a vehicle for social critique, emphasising that comedians’ role is to bring attention to crucial subjects.

“It’s always been important, and now more than ever. Our job as comedians is to talk about and make light of the uncomfortable subjects and social issues that people are afraid to discuss. Is there a subject you think should be off-limits in comedy, or is everything fair game?

“I honestly think no subject is off limits, especially when a comedian has experience with a particular topic. But it all depends on how you approach each situation that you turn into a joke, so that, even if you are talking about a sensitive subject, people still find the humour in your delivery, rather than feel offended.”

The Star

anita.nkonki@inl.co.za

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