07 Aug 2013

Tsabong-born comedian, Odirile Brooks is looking into shooting up his career.

To follow in the footsteps of renowned entertainers, Brooks plans to release a comedy DVD. He is also working on a school tour project where he would teach students about the significance of arts.

 “I want to tour schools around Botswana and educate students about the importance of arts and also equip them with survival skills so that they can adapt well to changing lifestyles,” he said.  Also in a chronology of his plans, the comedian plots to perform beyond Botswana borders in the near future.

Born more than two decades ago, Brooks broke into the comedian scene in 2011 at the President’s Day Competition which he ultimately won. He is cognisant of the challenges of getting people to laugh though. Thus, he concedes that being successful requires hardwork, commitment, perseverance, endurance and self-belief.

Brooks believes that his achievements such as being a runner-up in the Power in the voice competition sponsored by British Council in 2008, the Best Comedian in the President’s Day competitions in 2011 and 2012 and coming second this year are enough incentives to catalyse his ambitions.

The Tsabong-born clown has also rubbed shoulders with distinguished comedians such as Barry Hilton, Roni Modimola and Kedibonye Mlaudzi who are all based in South-Africa. Brooks, who is part of Laugh-a-lot comedy group, draws his inspiration from South African comedian, Trevor Noah as well as local sensation Bafana Letsatsi otherwise known as Ribcracker.

He encouraged the youth to use their talents to earn a living, saying that if taken seriously, talent can help put bread on the table. “Embracing your talent is an easy way of selling yourself, leaving a mark and shaping your future,” he said.

In an industry where competition is high and the market is saturated by artists offering a similar product, Brooks encourages struggling artistes to keep trying so long as they offer competitive products.

Despite being in the Performing Arts arena since 2011, Brooks decries lack of entertainment facilities, lack of a reliable market as well as lack of exposure as some of the obstacles towards their success.  ENDS