A good laugh has the potential to heal a lot of hurts. Through comedy, tough conversations can be had in a light-hearted manner and various stereotypes can be addressed.
While we may undergo hard times as a country, we are grateful for the individuals who help us make sense of situations by diluting dark and confusing times with a bit of humour.
Here’s a look at some male comedians that continue to do an exceptional job at leaving Mzansi in stitches.
Skhumba Hlophe
Born and bred in Thembisa, Skhumba Hlophe’s comedy career started out with small live performances at establishments in his community. Since then, he has experienced commendable growth and has ventured into other mediums including acting.
He won the hearts of many South Africans through his relatable jokes which he would share every Friday morning on Kaya FM alongside the late broadcasting legend, Bob Mabena.
The comedian is still part of the Kaya FM family, hosting a late night show alongside Thomas Msengana.
After taking a 3-year break from stand-up comedy, Skhumba has returned with his 5th one-man show. He is currently on tour and will be tickling the funny bones of many at The Boardwalk Casino on the 28th of April, as well as The Venue, Hemingways Casino on the 29th of April.
Eugene Khoza
TV personality and comedian Eugene Khoza is best known for co-hosting SABC’s sports magazine show Countdown.
Since then, he has gone on to make even bigger career moves. His understanding of different cultures and his ability to accommodate people from different walks of life have resulted in a huge fan base that supports his hilarious and relatable material.
Eugene has graced various stages including the Pretoria Comedy Festival, Blacks Only and Heavyweight Comedy Jam. On these platforms, he has used laughter to encourage a culture of reflection and the challenging of various prejudices.
In November 2022, he returned from a 5-year hiatus which was a period of mourning the loss of his son and his best friend. His first show upon his return was the Step Aside one-man show at Gold-Reef City’s Lyric Theatre.
Trevor Noah
Trevor Noah has done exceptionally well at flying the South African flag high. The comedian, author and TV personality has honed his craft for over two decades and has made millions of people laugh on stage, through television and even in-between the pages of his book.
He was also the host of popular American late-night talk show, The Daily Show on Comedy Central from 2015 to 2022.
Most recently, the comedian received one of Europe’s most prestigious awards known as ‘The Erasmus Prize’. The €150 000 prize is awarded each year to an individual or institution that has contributed exceptionally to social sciences, humanities or the arts in Europe and beyond. Noah is also currently on his world tour titled ‘Trevor Noah: Off The Record’. He also just announced his YouTube travel special with Tennis star Roger Federer as they take on Switzerland. The train special comes out on the 30th March. They share the same South Africa/Swiss heritage.
Loyiso Gola
Internationally celebrated comedian and TV star Loyiso Gola is undoubtedly comedic royalty. From the days when he first burst into the scene in the early 2000s, he has taken his loyal supporters with him through his experiences of immense growth, evolving and unlearning.
Currently living between London and Johannesburg, Loyiso has toured the world, tickling the funny bones of different audiences from all walks of life. He is set to take over Johannesburg with a series of shows at Theatre on the Square in Sandton from the 17th to the 29th of April, after which he will be heading to other parts of South Africa.
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