The Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards hosted a special ‘Grilling of a Lifetime’ event which paid tribute to Lifetime Achievement Award-winner Pieter-Dirk Uys.
The event was held on 28 September during a lavish ceremony at the Venue in Melrose Arch. Led by emcee Jefferson Tshabalala and fellow comedian Mark Banks, the proceedings poked fun at and celebrated the comedy of Pieter-Dirk Uys and some of his famous comedic creations such as Evita Bezuidenhout.
Between the hilarious sets of Tshabalala and Banks, a conversation was led on Uys’ life and beginnings in comedy by SAfm radio presenter Stephen Grootes. Uys said his attraction to satire and comedy stemmed from his need to critique the status quo which was apartheid at the time which included shows such as Adapt or Die and Farce about Uys in 1981 and 1983.
The stage shows made fun of various national party leaders at the time including apartheid leader PW Botha.
He also discussed his work as an activist which included his use of the Evita character to visit schools around the country to teach about safe sex and HIV/Aids.
In the second half of the show, the Evita Bezuidenhout character made a hilarious appearance chatting about her acting career and her time as ambassadress of the fictional Bapetikosweti bantustan to her role in the African National Congress at the end of apartheid.
Details: www.pdu.co.za
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