Showmax Brings the Laughs with 13 Stand-Up Comedy Specials, Featuring Sifiso Nene, Skhumba, Tumi Morake, and Celeste Ntuli

Get ready to laugh out loud as Showmax rolls out 13 brand-new stand-up comedy specials this September, featuring a stellar lineup of South Africa‘s funniest comedians. Headlining the specials are some of the country’s most renowned names in comedy, including Sifiso Nene, Skhumba Hlophe, Tumi Morake, and the queen of Zulu comedy, Celeste Ntuli. Nene, who recently won the Joe Mafela Award and Best Solo Show at the 2024 Savanna Comics Choice Awards, is joined by previous Comedian of the Year winners Skhumba and Morake.

The full roster of comedians includes Alfred Adriaan, Chantall Jaxx, Chris Mapane, Conrad Koch, Eugene Khoza, Dillan Oliphant, Q Dube, Mashabela Galane, and Nonto R. These performances were recorded live earlier this year at The Laugh Africa Comedy Festival (LACF), which also featured the highly anticipated Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini.

Exclusive Chat with Sifiso Nene

Zibuyile Dladla caught up with Nene, a two-time Audience Choice Award winner and star of the reality show So You Think You’re Funny?, to get his thoughts on the Laugh Africa Comedy Festival and the state of South African comedy.

The Laugh Africa Comedy Festival Experience

Nene appreciated the concept of the Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, from its live execution to the stand-up episodes now available for streaming on Showmax. He highlighted how rare it is for local comedy content to be produced and packaged so well, which, in turn, encourages comedians to bring their best performances.

“Having a legend like Eddie Griffin headline the festival was huge for South African comedy. I hope such festivals change people’s mindsets, so they realise it’s worthy of funding and being put out there.”

Nene said

Favorite Performances at LACF

While Nene enjoyed every performance at the festival, he emphasized that the standard was consistently high.

“Everyone brought their A-game,”.

he noted

Challenges in Comedy

Nene also shed light on one of the biggest challenges comedians face in South Africa: a lack of funding and support.

“Comedy isn’t considered an art form worth funding. People in high places don’t understand its monetary potential and value,”.

he explained, pointing out that comedy often doesn’t receive the same level of sponsorship as other art forms

Comedy as a Tool for Social Commentary

For Nene, using comedy as a tool for social commentary has always been crucial.

“Our job as comedians is to talk about and make light of uncomfortable subjects and social issues that people are afraid to discuss,”.

he said

No Subject Off-Limits in Comedy

When asked if there’s any subject that should be off-limits in comedy, Nene believes that nothing is out of bounds, as long as the material is handled with care.

“It depends on how you approach each situation,”.

he stated, noting that even sensitive topics can be made humorous if delivered appropriately

Inspiration from Everyday Life

Nene finds comedic inspiration everywhere — from mundane activities like grocery shopping to observing the news.

“I even find inspiration in a hospital, can you imagine?”.

he laughed

“Everyday life is filled with comedic moments.”

Testing New Material

Nene relies on small club gigs to test his new material. These intimate shows allow comedians to gauge the audience’s reaction and fine-tune their jokes.

“Once I’ve tested the material and it sticks, I perform it for larger audiences,”.

he explained

What Makes a Good Comedian Stand Out?

For Nene, originality and relatability are key.

“Even if you talk about the same subject as other comedians, your take should be different. Be unique and find your style,”.

he advised

Why You Should Watch

According to Nene, the Laugh Africa comedy specials on Showmax represent some of the best work from South African comedians.

“It’s the best you’ll ever see from the local comedy industry,”.

he promised

With these 13 comedy specials set to release on Showmax this Friday, 20 September 2024, South Africans are in for a treat. Make sure to tune in for a hilarious journey through the country’s thriving comedy scene!