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Monica Cheru-Mpambawashe Lifestyle Editor
Stand-up comedy is daily gaining ground as the entertainment of choice for many people. What could be better than a barrel of laughs at any time of any day of the week? One man has made it his life’s career to bring on the guffaws and he reigns supreme in the laughing zone. Simba Kakora The Comic King is your man if you appreciate wit, puns and other clever plays on language that demand a superb versatility in the English language.
His title is an obvious rip-off of the mega-hit Disney production “The Lion King” but he cannot help a one-liner on the nickname:
“Actually I’m related to Martin Luther King and Larry King . . . oh ok, maybe not . . .”
He says his career highlights include working with some of the legends in the industry like Edgar Langeveldt, Michael K and John Vlismas from SA. He recently performed at the Parkers Comedy Club in Johannesburg after doing joint acts with South African comedians Tumi Morake and Kagiso Lediga at the Shoko Festival.
“But I would say the greatest highlight is bringing laughter or at least a smile to so many people, giving something for people to talk about, nothing in the world beats the satisfaction that comes with that,” he reflects.
But what drove Simba Kakora off the trodden path into stand-up comedy?
“I became a comedian almost by chance. I was first exposed to stand-up while working at an advertising agency as a graphic designer.
Many factors led to me becoming a stand-up comic.
“First, I was a speaker for an arts group and many times when I spoke my speeches were more hilarious than anything else. Secondly, this might sound funny, but I was also inspired to take up the art form after the passing of Michael Jackson. Being a huge fan I had a brief fantasy of becoming his impersonator, one Monday in 2010.”
“Getting into the profession wasn’t that difficult considering the fact there were very few active comedians at that time, surprisingly there was a demand for the art.”
He looks up to many comics but ranks Chris Rock and Carlos Mencia highly.
He also says that he has never had perception problems with his career choice categorically stating: “If I was looked down upon I would have quit!!!!”
He believes that it is more than just about making people laugh. “A stand- up is not limited by social woes but uses them to celebrate freedom. That is why it is stand-up not just comedy – not just about making people laugh but about standing up to impart some sort of lessons. People have to have their thoughts provoked even at their own expense. Trevor Noah is wildly successful because people take away something from all his shows. Beyond the laughter there should be some meaning, some rethinking and some paradigm shifts.”
The Comic King launched his career at an open mic event where anyone can just stand up and perform. The events are generally used as training or test grounds by amateurs intending to turn professional.
He believes that stand-up comedy has found resonance with Zimbabweans because they get the joke, literally:
“Zimbabweans are a very intelligent lot and comprehend the jokes which consist of a lot of wit.”
Kakora is not just a performer, he has actively worked to promote the arts genre in the country by creating opportunities for other performers.
“I am the co-founder of Zimbabwe’s first official stand-up comedy night called Simuka Comedy which takes place every month at the Book Cafe. This has also given birth to one more monthly comedy night in Harare and another in Bulawayo. We’ve taken comedy to as many venues and platforms as possible including the most unlikely places like churches. People now hire comedians for corporate functions, weddings, etc.”
The objective is to get immediate laughs from the audience, with minimal build-up to the punch line.
The Star Brite talent search show has seen some aspiring comics try their luck but if one is to be honest, the quality of the content and its delivery are not spot-on. Perhaps an academy to train potential comics and equip them with requisite skills as passed on by the successes like Simba The Comic King would enhance the industry.
Thank goodness the king is not relaxing on his throne but constantly upping his game.
“I’m taking stand-up comedy to the mainstream as I’m working on Zim’s first radio comedy show that mixes stand-up and satirical comedy. It should be on air soon,” he promises.
But with stand-up comedy, it is each comic for himself, and women have not staked a claim on the circuit. The Comic King feels that this is because females are more inhibited and self-censoring than men and lack the gung-ho attitude that is so necessary to carry off stand-up comedy.
“Women are afraid to come in public,” he puns, tongue firmly in cheek.
Part of the problem could be that stand-up comedy has mostly been performed in bars and since most patrons are male, this may scare the potential female performers. It is up to just one Zimbabwean woman to decide to set the tone and the gates will be opened to other aspirants.
Then maybe the king will have a queen as he is currently not taken. At least he uses his professional mien to reveal-or is that obscure his status. “Oh, please mention that I am single but not searching, because anything will do.”
Meanwhile women have to swallow the fact that with sex providing most material for comedy, the female part of the population will be the butt of most jokes.
On the international scene many women have made it in stand-up comedy including Joan Crawford and Ellen Degeneres.
Technology has come in to spread the humour for those who may not have the chance to see Simba The Comic King perform.
“We’ve capitalised on social media, mainly YouTube,Twitter and Facebook. A lot of people have come to my live performances thanks to them first catching me on these platforms.”
Online Reporter