SA’s top comedians celebrated at The 3rd Annual South African Comic’s Choice Awards

Comedians voted for their peers to win the Waldo’s, with only one award, the Savanna Audience Choice Award, being open to public vote.

This year’s theme, “The Art Of Funny” centered on self-expression and social justice. The opening message of the awards encapsulated that ethos – “A free runner is a human soul that refuses to see walls. They use barriers created by authorities as canvases on which to celebrate freedom and rebellion… So do stand-up comics.

Audiences were treated to celebrity guest appearances from the likes of Jahmil Qubeka, Joe Mafela and Anele Ndoda and winners performed seven minutes of stand-up as their “acceptance speech”.

Pioneering comic Kagiso Lediga won the respect of his peers for his sharp witted content creation and was awarded The Times Comic’s Pen Award. Mpho Popps Modikoane’s youthful talent and charming comedic disposition were recognized by the industry as he was awarded the BlackBerry Breakthrough Act Award.

At Soweto’s Savanna Newcomer’s Showcase in June, crowds gave Schalk Bezuidenhout a standing ovation, so it was no surprise that he voted for by industry to win the Waldo in the Savanna Newcomer Award category.

Trevor Noah was awarded The Comic’s Choice Comic of the Year Award once again but was unable to attend due to health reasons, while legendary Barry Hilton was the well-deserving recipient of The Lifetime Achievement Award.

– TEAMtalk Media