In regards to Zimbabwe, the art of stand up comedy can still be considered as a new concept to the market. Yet with each year that comes, the art form arrives at a new horizon that surpasses its previous ceiling. What was pioneered by names such as Clive Chigubhu and Carl Joshua Ncube, has grown from the niche into the mainstream, and from the mainstream to beyond our borders.
The year Zimbabwean stand up comedy had in 2024, seemed like one that couldn't be topped. Learnmore Jonasi was a finalist on America's Got Talent, Nigel Tha Slick Pastor toured the world, and King Kandoro became the first comedian to sell out Celebration Centre. Narratives around the art were rewritten, its audience grew, and after years of collective effort it felt like the art form had finally arrived where it belonged.
So what better way to follow up a year like that, than for the art form's leading names to do it all over again.
The year began with King Kandoro launching the New School Comedy Club, a platform for up and coming comics in Zimbabwe. The comedian also graced the Nairobi Comedy Festival, where he brushed shoulders with continental heavyweights in the comedy space. Bringing his journey this year full circle, he announced the State Of The Nation Tour, with both graduates of the New School Comedy Club and two of the continent's most gifted comedians being part of it.
Celebration Centre was the culmination of this 4 leg tour, a cross continental and cross generational showcase of stand up comedy. Humour's crossing of barriers. The stage was set.
For all the convenience of digital tickets, the lines at the doors were long enough to give one flashbacks of 2008 Zimbabwe, yet patience is a virtue easier to have when you know the jokes won't run out while you're still in line.
Ignatius Mbongeni kicked us off, and he was at his irreverent best on the occasion. The comic reflected on masculinity, his shortcomings and had us howling in laughter at the expense of a few gospel greats (Fungisayi I'm sorry I laughed). He was followed by Mike Chipere, and a conversation on Zimbabwe's social norms and the news cycle full of clever quips. Tocky's album launch, Dzoka Fest, the concept of musalad and the Ororo version of everything were all part of it (I'm still laughing at his monologue of an Ororo dog). Easy going yet with punchlines that still hit hard.
The first of the international acts to grace the stage was Uganda's Dr Hillary Okello. Known in name only to most of the audience before he hit the stage, Okello would be unforgettable by the time he left. Clever, observant and brilliant in storytelling, Okello's set saw him connect with the audience on the shared African experience. He did an unbelievable impression of Jim Beglin, juxtaposed against Ugandan football commentary on radio, and it was easily the best joke told on the night.
From East Africa, we came back down south with Vafa Naraghi. The satirist immediately pressed on a soft by associating the long lines with voting, or the lack of it rather. He played identity politics, showcasing the palatability of "Persian" over "Iranian" with himself as the example, then delved into the importance of an affidavit across African bureaucracy. From a strong start, Vafa had a bit of a shaky landing with his conclusion.
However the theme of bureaucracy, was just the right segway into the King's State Of The Nation Address.
Nigel Tha Slick Pastor came on stage to introduce him, Jah Prayzah walked in just before The King walked out to his hit song "Ruzhowa," the result of which was rapturous applause as King Kandoro was finally front and centre. Accompanied by a Not So Secret Service (because you know, we don't hide kuti tokunyudza), he looked the part of Zimbabwean comedy's statesman.
Right from the beginning the tone was set by Kandoro making fun of his father in law, a statement that no one was off the menu but yet it still felt like he held back. As the theme suggested, the performance was centred on current affairs; national and familial. He reflected on the new age Zanu PF, Mike & Moses, Wicknell Chivhayo, Scottland FC's rise and the applicability of Fadzayi Mahere's mantra "We need new leaders" to both sides of the political divide.
Analytical and filled with humour that was awakened by realisation, along with jabs at the audience (the night's honoured guest included), the special fed into a comedic world Kandoro has been creating since 2019. Its political inclinations made it somewhat niche, but perfect for longtime fans and those who regularly read beyond the newspaper headlines.
Those of different interests, however, still got to laugh at Kandoro’s first true experience of fame with Marshall Munetsi in Wolverhampton, the pitfalls of a career were everyone knows how well you're doing and the life of a parent of two. All delivered with the panache we've come to love and expect from him. A package of stories about his life and the world around him, that has become an expected feature of December in Harare
The State Of The Nation Tour saw Dr. Hillary Okello win our hearts, Ignatius Mbongeni connive to make us laugh at the ridiculous, and King Kandoro as not only a thought provoking comic but also a gifted curator.
Greedysouth rating: 8.1/10
The year Zimbabwean stand up comedy had in 2024, seemed like one that couldn't be topped. Learnmore Jonasi was a finalist on America's Got Talent, Nigel Tha Slick Pastor toured the world, and King Kandoro became the first comedian to sell out Celebration Centre. Narratives around the art were rewritten, its audience grew, and after years of collective effort it felt like the art form had finally arrived where it belonged.
So what better way to follow up a year like that, than for the art form's leading names to do it all over again.
The year began with King Kandoro launching the New School Comedy Club, a platform for up and coming comics in Zimbabwe. The comedian also graced the Nairobi Comedy Festival, where he brushed shoulders with continental heavyweights in the comedy space. Bringing his journey this year full circle, he announced the State Of The Nation Tour, with both graduates of the New School Comedy Club and two of the continent's most gifted comedians being part of it.
Celebration Centre was the culmination of this 4 leg tour, a cross continental and cross generational showcase of stand up comedy. Humour's crossing of barriers. The stage was set.
For all the convenience of digital tickets, the lines at the doors were long enough to give one flashbacks of 2008 Zimbabwe, yet patience is a virtue easier to have when you know the jokes won't run out while you're still in line.
Ignatius Mbongeni kicked us off, and he was at his irreverent best on the occasion. The comic reflected on masculinity, his shortcomings and had us howling in laughter at the expense of a few gospel greats (Fungisayi I'm sorry I laughed). He was followed by Mike Chipere, and a conversation on Zimbabwe's social norms and the news cycle full of clever quips. Tocky's album launch, Dzoka Fest, the concept of musalad and the Ororo version of everything were all part of it (I'm still laughing at his monologue of an Ororo dog). Easy going yet with punchlines that still hit hard.
The first of the international acts to grace the stage was Uganda's Dr Hillary Okello. Known in name only to most of the audience before he hit the stage, Okello would be unforgettable by the time he left. Clever, observant and brilliant in storytelling, Okello's set saw him connect with the audience on the shared African experience. He did an unbelievable impression of Jim Beglin, juxtaposed against Ugandan football commentary on radio, and it was easily the best joke told on the night.
From East Africa, we came back down south with Vafa Naraghi. The satirist immediately pressed on a soft by associating the long lines with voting, or the lack of it rather. He played identity politics, showcasing the palatability of "Persian" over "Iranian" with himself as the example, then delved into the importance of an affidavit across African bureaucracy. From a strong start, Vafa had a bit of a shaky landing with his conclusion.
However the theme of bureaucracy, was just the right segway into the King's State Of The Nation Address.
Nigel Tha Slick Pastor came on stage to introduce him, Jah Prayzah walked in just before The King walked out to his hit song "Ruzhowa," the result of which was rapturous applause as King Kandoro was finally front and centre. Accompanied by a Not So Secret Service (because you know, we don't hide kuti tokunyudza), he looked the part of Zimbabwean comedy's statesman.
Right from the beginning the tone was set by Kandoro making fun of his father in law, a statement that no one was off the menu but yet it still felt like he held back. As the theme suggested, the performance was centred on current affairs; national and familial. He reflected on the new age Zanu PF, Mike & Moses, Wicknell Chivhayo, Scottland FC's rise and the applicability of Fadzayi Mahere's mantra "We need new leaders" to both sides of the political divide.
Analytical and filled with humour that was awakened by realisation, along with jabs at the audience (the night's honoured guest included), the special fed into a comedic world Kandoro has been creating since 2019. Its political inclinations made it somewhat niche, but perfect for longtime fans and those who regularly read beyond the newspaper headlines.
Those of different interests, however, still got to laugh at Kandoro’s first true experience of fame with Marshall Munetsi in Wolverhampton, the pitfalls of a career were everyone knows how well you're doing and the life of a parent of two. All delivered with the panache we've come to love and expect from him. A package of stories about his life and the world around him, that has become an expected feature of December in Harare
The State Of The Nation Tour saw Dr. Hillary Okello win our hearts, Ignatius Mbongeni connive to make us laugh at the ridiculous, and King Kandoro as not only a thought provoking comic but also a gifted curator.
Greedysouth rating: 8.1/10