Comedy was taken to new heights as a major announcement was made which is set to shake the comedy industry at home and on the continent.
The Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards and long-term partner Savanna Premium Cider launched the Savanna Pan-African Comic Award at a media event at Montecasino.
“The Savanna Comic’s Choice Awards (CCA) which are taking place on 3 September at Montecasino’s Teatro, are all about elevating the art of comedy and the African continent has produced so many leading comics,” Savanna CCA’s co-founder John Vlismas said.
“We want to reach out and close the distance in this network so that African comedy starts to show up on the world’s radar.”
The Savanna Pan-African Comic Award will officially form part of the CCA next year as its newest and 12th category. The award is set to go to a comic on the continent who has contributed the most to the African comedy industry, as voted for by his or her fellow African comedians.
Savanna and the CCA hosted nine of the continent’s top comedians at the media announcement event to reinforce their commitment to promoting and supporting comedy talent across Africa.
These included Bright Okpocha, also known as Basketmouth (Nigeria); Ndangi Iileka (Namibia); Leonel Mendes (Mozambique); David Aglah (Ghana); Phenyo Phaladi, also known as Phenyo the Master, (Botswana); Mdura (Swaziland); Tongai Makawa (Zimbabwe); Tshepo ‘Masapo’ Mpiti (Lesotho); and Mbeu ‘Snooze’ Kambuwa (Malawi).
The nine comedians have been invited to attend the main awards show on 3 September.
“We have never had a comedy gathering of this calibre on the continent. The Savanna CCA’s have unprecedented potential to make new connections, foster collaboration and make comedy boundaries fall away. We spoke with Savanna and they saw the value of the idea immediately,” Vlismas said.
Loyiso Sipayile, Savanna global marketing manager, “The brand’s ongoing partnership with the Savanna Comics Choice Awards is part of the plan to keep consumers in South Africa, and Africa, laughing.
“By hosting these African comedians, Savanna furthers its aim of making comedy accessible throughout the continent.”