Online Reporter
Mbulelo Mpofu, [email protected]
THIRTEEN years ago, funny business specialists, Umahlekisa Comedy Club was born and over time, it has grown in leaps and bounds, even rebranding to Umahlekisa Entertainment.
Today, the entity has welcomed a new CEO, nascent stand-up comedian Ble Mutandwa.
Renowned for his dark, satirical take on everyday life, a young Mutandwa has earned a reputation for pushing comedic boundaries and in an exclusive interview, told Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub what the appointment means to him.
Stepping into the executive seat of the country’s oldest-running comedy club is no small feat.
For Mutandwa, the transition from delivering punchlines to steering a creative empire brings a mixture of exhilaration and heavy responsibility.
“It’s really exciting—though also a bit scary— considering it comes with real responsibility and consequences, not just at a stage performance level, but in business, nurturing talent, and overall shaping of culture within the entertainment industry,” Mutandwa shared.
He acknowledges the weight of the legacy he is inheriting.
Umahlekisa Entertainment has built a formidable reputation for hosting season-defining shows in Bulawayo, but the new chief executive sees a horizon that extends far beyond the traditional comedy stage.
“Umahlekisa Entertainment has the oldest-running comedy club in the country, with a strong track record of hosting season-defining shows in the city and significant potential across other sectors of the entertainment industry. Being appointed CEO of such an organisation is truly a great honour,” he added.
Before rolling his sleeves and getting his hands dirty, Mutandwa will first see out his project, “The Pit“, an innovative stand-up comedy initiative designed around the lifestyle and mechanics of the craft.
The project is scheduled to launch its first-ever edition on Friday, at the Alliance Française de Bulawayo.
More than just a comedy night, “The Pit” begins with an intensive five-day workshop facilitated by practicing industry experts with a curriculum diving deeply into four essential pillars: Intellectual Property and Creativity, which navigates ownership and legalities in the arts; Brand Placement and Creativity, focusing on aligning artistic output with corporate and commercial value; Mental Wellness and Creativity, addressing the psychological demands of the creative lifestyle; and The Creative Process, which refines the journey from a raw idea to a polished stage routine.
On Friday, the classroom gives way to the stage. Participants will perform their material live, directly applying the tools they gathered over the week.
According to Mutandwa, the initiative is highly inclusive, targeting practicing and non-practicing comedians, visual and performing artists, and members of the public.
“Our main aim is to improve people’s lives through humour,” he emphasised.
Mutandwa’s ascension to the top post is a classic story of growth within the ranks.
Affiliated with Umahlekisa Entertainment since his “teething season” in 2022, he has steadily built a profile as an uncompromising voice in the local circuit.
He has previously curated his own successful one-man show, earning respect for his willingness to push the envelope.
In a local comedy scene typically characterised by safe, light humour, Mutandwa has stood out by unapologetically throwing in dark comic jabs, challenging audiences to find laughter in the complex realities of everyday life.
His vision for the remainder of the year reflects this high-energy, boundary-pushing ethos.
When asked about his roadmap for the rest of 2026, his strategy was clear and action-oriented.
“My plan is simple: produce great shows, create more opportunities, explore new possibilities, and have fun on stage. My reign will be a vanguard period, ambitious and bold. We are taking the niche craft mainstream and crafting world class entertainment. ”
With the new sheriff in town taking the reins, he does so under the watchful eyes and guidance of Umahlekisa Entertainment’s founder and director, Ntando Van Moyo.
Moyo has spent over a decade anchoring the brand, famously pioneering the high-stakes celebrity roasts that have become a hallmark of Bulawayo’s entertainment calendar.
Over the years, Umahlekisa Entertainment has fearlessly put local icons in the hot seat, burning the likes of the late hip-hop king Cal_Vin, songstress Novuyo Seagirl, diva Sandra Ndebele, arts administrator Saimon “Mbazo” Mambazo, and most recently, Bulawayo Mayor David Coltart.
With a rich history of roasting the city’s elite and a fresh, bold CEO leading the charge, Umahlekisa Entertainment looks poised to redefine the business of laughter in Zimbabwe.
All eyes will undoubtedly be on Alliance Française come Friday to see exactly how Mutandwa begins executing this new chapter.
– Follow on X @MbuleloMpofu
