29 Mar 2015

If laughter is indeed medicinal, then most comedy lovers were mended on March 27 night as comedians rib-tickled them with their tales during the Major Moves comedy night at Gaborone Sun.

The well attended event roped rookies and seasoned comedians, from Botswana, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Although the event started a bit late, that was immediately forgotten given the fits of laughter that was coming from the hall, after Olebogeng Tsiako aka Enigma took the stage.

The weighty young lady sent the audience in tats when she made fun of Kwaito artiste Vee’ transformation from musician to prophet. The sizable female comedian touched the issue of her appetite among other things.

Then came Maun based comic Ommusitse Magacha aka Sticks, he is also another work of art. He nailed it with his Zimbabwean accent. Sticks set the house ablaze with his funny tale concerning Gaborone ladies and their demands.

Then the Zimbabwean comedian Peter Royston, who touched bit of politics and general life issues, but killed it when he danced the popular dance ‘stonkana.’ 
I guess the uniqueness was mostly because Peter is white and such a dance is associated with blacks.

Having been around the world as a cruise entertainer, worked as a radio presenter, DJ to mention a few that has influenced his career as a comedian. Despite being of colour, he was able to work his magic among the audience with his jokes.
Thulani Tau also took on the stage to shake the audience with his jokes. 
Botswana showed how established comedy is becoming as they fielded the second female comedian on the night.

The Maun based Kelly Mophaleng aka Rekunde rocked the house with her heavy Setawana accent, something that seems to be appreciated by many. She made fun of people who usually don’t know lyrics yet pretend that they know; took on the guys who love explicit dance moves and touched on variety of life issues.

The Tsabong based Odirile Brooks aka Brooks had the audience in tears. He took on how to see if a lady is a marriage material. Phenyo Paladi aka P Master also had it rolling with his own tales. Seasoned comedian Mawee Mokgware, who looked all glammed up in a shiny metallic suit did his thing.

Zimbabwean Charles Manase also represented Harare well, the calm, modest stand-up comedian firstly bashed Sticks’ tale of imitating, took on Mawee’s glamorous suit.
He cracked the audience ribs with his Indian and Chinese accent. The notion of the two negotiating lobola was such a killer.

Then the toast of the night came when the controversial comedian Conrad Koch who made headlines in South Africa because of his puppet Chester Missing. Conrad touched on several social ills and political issues that are affecting the society. It was cherry on top of cream when he also displayed another female puppet Hillary who received cheers from the male audience.

Hillary’s girlish and sexy moves received lots of cheers. It was evident that the audience received what their money was worth as most rushed for selfies with Chester Missing.
The event organiser Gaolathe Kediemetse said they were humbled by the turnout and said this is an indication that their industry is growing.

“We are happy that people now realise that comedy is an alternative form of entertainment, and mind you it is good for the health,” she said. Kediemetse said presently they are building capacity through workshops though their challenge is sponsorship and lack of money. She said their plan is to have seasoned comedians across the country.

She further said they have been holding events across the country to afford the comedians a platform to display their talent. The event was sponsored by The Ministry of Youth, Culture and Sport. ENDS