Carl Joshua at the Namas: Comedians have their say

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ITa��S not a joke. Carl Joshuaa��s performance as the host of this yeara��s National Arts Merit Awards (Namas) came under scrutiny both during and after the ceremony.

Although he is one of Zimbabwea��s foremost comedians, one who has scooped awards at the same ceremony in which he presided, Ncube was always seen as a risky choice by some because of his no holds barred style of comedy.

The Namas are a family show and when he was in full flight on Saturday, it seemed like the show would be marred by some of his jests which were not for the faint hearted.

The feeling among viewers was that the national broadcaster ZBC had been cutting Carl off during his performance, especially when he was on the brink of making a particularly crude joke.

For those that have seen him around the countrya��s comedy circuit, the performance was vintage Carl Joshua. His style on the night is not far from what fans have seen from him and other stand-up comedy luminaries like fellow luminaries Ntandoyenkosi Moyo and Babongile Sikhonjwa.

However, after the event he seems downcast about how it had been received.

a�?Ok it looks like comedy isna��t TV friendly yet . . . enjoyed Nama this year though,a�? he posted on social media.

Indeed many were polarised about his performance on the night, even some comedians.

a�?I think as a comedian you have to know your audience. I got the feeling that maybe the organisers didna��t give him a brief of what was expected of him prior to the show.a�?

a�?As they say, he who pays the piper dictates the tune, and I think when youa��re performing in front of an audience like that you have to find a way to censor yourself while still being provocative and entertaining. Ita��s a delicate act thata��s hard to pull off,a�? said Moyo.

For Nomsa Dee, however, Zimbabwean audiences might not be ready for the kind of comedy and humour that Carl wanted to introduce on Saturday. She, however, agrees that he might have misread his audience.

a�?In terms of stand-up comedy Zimbabwean audiences are still like children. We have to hold their hands and nurture them. The impression that many have is that our comedy is vulgar but thata��s not true. People are just not ready.

a�?For example, Ia��ve learnt that certain jokes are not acceptable from me as a woman because I have to maintain a certain image. So we still have to choose our words wisely when wea��re on stage,a�? she said.

Reading the audience is key, agreed former Nama award winner Clive Chigubhu.

a�?You have to know your crowd and know what jokes will fly with them otherwise youa��re just shooting in the dark,a�? he said.