Comedians to crack ribs in Ghetto
The Francistown 4th annual comedy night billed for Adansonia Hotel on the 27th of October 2017 will bring Botswana, South African and Zimbabwean comedians under one roof for a night of rib cracking moments. Among the local crop of comedians are Pheyo the Master who hails from Gaborone Botswana’s capital city, whilst Ghetto will be represented by Aromat, Maruza and Desire Etani to grab comedy bragging rights from their international counterparts.
South Africa will be represented by only one comedian in Prince whilst Zimbabwe is represented by two comedians, Clive Chigubu and Desire and Ntando van Moyo. Speaking to VIBE in an exclusive interview, both participating Ghetto comedians vowed that they would give their international acclaimed competitors a run for their money. Maruza did not shy from declaring that he would leave a mark in the comedy industry.
“Comedy is one way of enjoying oneself through laughter. As we all know that laughter is good for one’s health. During our shows, spectators enjoy their drinks whilst killing time with jokes throughout the night without anyone accidentally stepping on their expensive shoes. We encourage the people of Francistown to attend the festivals in large numbers. We promise them an early Christmas present,” he said.
Another comedian Desire Itanu said that mingling with international acclaimed comedians will surely give them the much needed milestone as they will be able to be invited in various shows across borders in the near future. The headliners for the upcoming show are top South African comedian Prins Virgil, Zimbabwean Clive Chigubu and Francistown’s very own Monate Aromat.
Prins is the hottest South African breakthrough comedy act of 2016/2017. He has won several comedy competitions, including the Jokenation International Comedy Competition which led to performances at the Montreux International Comedy Festival in Switzerland, Swaziland International Comedy Festival and the Busan International Comedy Festival in South Korea. In 2016, Prins was nominated for two Savanna Comics Choice Awards, going on to win the Breakthrough Act of the year Award.
He has produced three successful collaboration shows at the National Arts Festival and is currently touring his first one man show ‘Unnecessary’. Prins’ comedy has been described as innovative, playful and funny, transcending gender, race, culture and religion. The show also features Augustus “Monate Aromat” Phillimon from Francistown and Phenyo “The Master” Phaladi. Phenyo The Master is definitely one of the funniest and most active comedians to come out of Botswana.
As a sign of continual growth, Major Moves Comedy has roped in two Zimbabweans, Clive Chigubu and Ntando Van Moyo. Clive who was a hit at the 4th and 5th Annual Heavyweight International Comedy Festival (HICOFEST) will be making his debut performance in Francistown. A raw gem from the City of Kings and Queens, he always stands out wherever he performs. The Bulawayo born actor-cum-comedian has been nominated more than once for a National Arts Merit Award. It is his catchphrase “Ye Ye-e”, which has become his trademark. Events coordinator of Major Moves Comedy Gaolathe Kediemetse said the event would also feature up and coming comedians and poets from Francistown and surrounding areas.
“This event is another way to develop a different and alternative form of leisure for Francistown residents as well as try to get the poets and comedians at par with two international acts. This is the fourth edition and we are collaborating with Francistown based companies and exploring ways of getting the talent to shine,” he said.