Comedians ready to entertain

Local talent agent and founder Takunda Bimha is bringing comedy back with a bang as the Johannesburg International Comedy Festival touches down in Sandton after a two-year break.

Considered as Africa’s premium annual comedy festival, the fifth edition will see 30 comedians take to the stage over six days at the Maslow Hotel and the Theatre On The Square from March 24 to 29.

“The Johannesburg International Comedy Festival is a giant celebration of stand-up comedy as an art form and remains one of the very few comedy properties in Africa that brings together local talent from all over the country to perform alongside lauded continental and international comedians,” said Bimha.

This year’s line-up includes the likes Jason Goliath, Mpho Popps, Tats Nkonzo, Conrad Koch, Robby Collins, Suhayl Essa, Tracey-Lee Oliver, Isabella Jane, Loyiso Madinga, Chris Forrest, Rob van Vuuren and many more.

Bimha added that it is important to host events such as this as it is often only in events of this magnitude that a specific genre of entertainment or art form can truly be celebrated and appreciated.

“In time, we hope that the Johannesburg International Comedy Festival can do for comedy what the Cape Town International Jazz Festival has done for jazz or what the National Arts Festival in Makhanda has done for the arts.”

The comedy industry, similar to the entirety of the entertainment industry, faced significant challenges during the lockdown, especially for stand-up in particular. According to Bimha, in-person shows, which many in the industry reply on, came to a complete halt.

“A huge percentage of work for comedians has suddenly wiped off the table. Comedians had to adapt and perform comedy on other platforms, like virtual, radio, digital but the revenue earnings are just not the same.

“With no funding being set aside for comedians, a huge travesty, in my opinion, many had to even stop stand-up for a while and find other ways to make ends meet. It’s been really tough.”

In an effort to help revive the industry, Bimha hosted a mini-festival last year called Covid Relief using some of the funding received from the Department of Arts and Culture.

“The response was overwhelming from both talent and audiences alike, it sold out in two weeks and was very well received. With us announcing this year’s festival as we slowly build back to our pre-pandemic levels, the response has been nothing short of humbling,” Bimha said.

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