GALLERY: Turning frowns upside down
FOURWAYS – South African comics put their heads together to choose their funniest favourites.
Announcement of the nominees for the fifth annual Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards took place at Parker’s Comedy and Jive in Montecasino on 1 July.
Besides the Savanna Audience Choice Comic Award, which is open to public vote, all of these awards are bestowed on comics by their peers. Categories include the Savanna Newcomer Comic, Intermediate Comic, Comics’ Pen, Best Friend of Comedy, Flying Solo Comic, Non-English Comic, Comic of the Year, and the Lifetime Achiever Award.
The highlight of the event was the announcement of the recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achiever Award, which went to Joe Mafela, also known as ‘South Africa’s Bill Cosby’. Many people will remember Mafela from his role in Chicken Licken TV commercials back in the ’80s, with the jingle ‘It’s good, good, good, it’s good, it’s nice’, which he conceptualised for the brand. The seventy-something comedian has been working in entertainment for over half a century, and has witnessed just how much the industry has evolved. “Back then people got into this purely for the passion,” said Mafela. “These days there’s good money to be made.”
Previous winners of the Lifetime Achiever accolade include industry icons Mel Miller, Joe Parker, Barry Hilton, and Mark Banks.
The main awards ceremony and variety show, which is open to the public, will take place on 15 August at The Teatro at Montecasino.
Details: Comics Choice
