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The Laugh Africa Comedy Festival will taking place from 2 to 4 May.
Legendary comedian Rob van Vuuren. Picture: Instagram/@robvanvuuren
This year marks 31 years in comedy for South African stalwart Rob van Vuuren — a career he describes as both tough and deeply fulfilling.
“I’ve been in this industry for a very, very long time. Super long time,” Van Vuuren told The Citizen on the black carpet at the 12th annual Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards this past Saturday.
The 49-year-old actor, comedian, and writer — who first won the Breakthrough Act Award back in 2011 — said he remains grateful to still be part of the comedy world over three decades later.
“It’s a huge honour and a privilege to have been a part of this industry for so long. It’s a tough industry to make a living out of, but it’s an incredibly rewarding and beautiful industry,” he said.
He noted how far the local comedy scene has come since his early days in the industry.
“20 to 30 years ago, comedy in South Africa was still in its infancy. But in the last few years, it’s exploded. The quality of work is absolutely world-class,” said Van Vuuren. “We took a knock during Covid-19, but we’re coming back strong. I’m really proud to be part of the artists shaping this industry.”
Van Vuuren said events like the Comics’ Choice Awards foster growth and recognise talent.
“These awards are important — not just because they celebrate excellence, but because they bring us together,” he said. “It’s one of the few times in the year where we’re all in the same room. We celebrate each other, support each other, and share our love for this art form.”
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Van Vuuren shared that he is working on a number of exciting projects.
“I’m shooting a stand-up special for Showmax in May. I’m also working on a TV series, and there are a bunch of top-secret projects in the pipeline,” he teased.
Among his most anticipated appearances is his iconic Namaste Bae, an award-winning, character-driven show that blends comedy, satire, and absurd spirituality.
The show will be part of the Laugh Africa Comedy Festival lineup, which will take place from 2 to 4 May at the Sandton Convention Centre.
Namaste Bae: Blessings and Kombucha, which grew out of viral Instagram and TikTok sketches, won the prestigious Standard Bank Gold Ovation Award at the 2023 National Arts Festival.
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