Sizwe Sibiya
The last two years have not been kind to the comedy industry. An unforgiving Covid-19 pandemic coupled with a national lockdown stifled live comedy shows.
And now with skyrocketing fuel prices, it is getting more difficult for people to go out and have a good time in the city.
These troubles were plain to see at the Durban Bat Centre’s famed comedy festival on Saturday night, after a large number of people failed to pitch for the show.
But in stepped the Kings of Zulu Comedy – Mazwi Mkhize, Mshini Ntuli and Master Mdletshe – who saved the evening by putting on a terrific show.
The set was a rain of laughter.
Despite the almost empty venue, the room was a rain of laughter as the Kings riffed with hilarious jokes about the vacant seats.
The audience was mainly made up of couples, who were all left in stitches by the quality material on display. There were even a couple of single people in attendance who ended up being part of the acts.
“What makes me happy is that we gave you guys what we still would have performed if we were fully packed. Nothing changed,” said Mkhize, who is also the organiser of the Kings of Zulu Comedy Shows.
“I would like to thank all the comedians who came and gave us their all.”
Actor Bheki Mkhwane, who is famous for his role in the Isibaya television telenovela Samson Ndlovu, failed to pitch like everyone else – even though he was listed as a headlining comedian.
“We apologise on behalf of Bheki Mkhwane. There is a new show that he is currently shooting today,” said Mkhize before he closed the show almost an hour later than the time it was expected to end.
