Bringing the funny to Joburg
the Annual Johannesburg International Comedy Festival returns for its second take, taking the funny back to the inner city precincts of Braamfontein and Newtown.
This is the biggest independent international comedy festival in Africa and will bring together over 50 local, continental and international comedians, performing in 13 shows across six venues in a three-day (November 4 to 6) spectacle.
“Local favourites will perform alongside some of the most talented comedians on the continent, as well as across the globe right here in the City of Gold which is the way we chose to celebrate local and continental talent on equal footing and weighting with international talent,” says festival founder and director, Takunda Bimha.
“We hope to continue in this vein and become Africa’s proud representative on the international comedy circuit.
“The vision is to create a comedy festival in the truest sense by creating a platform that will contribute to the continued growth and development of stand-up comedy both locally and on the continent, whilst enhancing the appreciation for stand-up comedy as an art form,” Takunda.
All shows will be hosted by local comedians.
The list of shows as well as their host’s reads as follows;
Stand Up Africa
The funniest comedians from across the African continent.
Six comedians from six countries celebrating the very best stand-up comedy found in Africa today.
Hosted by Tumi Morake.
League of Nations
Speaking the universal language of laughter!
This show knows no borders or boundaries and features six international comedians in one rocking set, a truly unique UN comedy experience.
Hosted by Joey Rasdien.
Fire In The Hole
Warning: Many holy cows were injured in the making of this show!
There is fire in the hole and no prisoners will be taken.
No holds barred, this one is not for the faint-hearted as this show will leave you feeling like the altar boy that got into the communion wine.
No under 21s.
Hosted by John Vlismas.
Vernac Attack
You know that joke that you just can’t tell in English.
Well, all the jokes in this show are told in their mother tongue.
Featuring some of the best comedians performing “vernac comedy” in South Africa today.
Hosted by Tips Shampoonaiza.
Live From Constitutional Hill
Funny is funny and the ladies are killing it out there.
Celebrating trailblazing female talent both locally and internationally in one of the most iconic venues in the city.
We celebrate our freedom by bringing an art form that pays tribute to our emancipation on the very grounds of the old women’s jail.
Hosted by Celeste Ntuli.
Downtown Comedy Jam
We are taking it to the streets.
This show features six of the foremost urban comedy acts performing in South Africa today.
You ain’t got street cred if you miss this one-night-only, stellar lineup tearing up the inner city.
Hosted by Donovan Goliath.
Comedy For Change
Be the change you want to see in the world.
This lineup of socially conscious comedians shed light on issues affecting our world today.
This is comedy with a message in its debut showing at the festival this year.
Hosted by Conrad Koch and Chester Missing.
Late Nite Show
This is where we jazz it up…
No, seriously, comedy and jazz!
The last show of every night features an array of comedians from all the other shows and they perform with a live jazz band on stage.
Hosted by Tats Nkonzo.
The second year of the festival promises to be an exhilarating feast of comedy and if the tagline for this year’s campaign which is #DeclareTheFunny is anything to go by, it’s one not to be missed.
