I’m still embarrassed and ashamed: Q Dube

Mbulelo Mpofu, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub

SOUTH Africa-based Zimbabwean comedy star Q Dube, born Nqobizitha Mitchel Dube, is charting a significant course for 2026, marked by ambitious creative projects and a long-awaited, emotionally charged return to perform in his homeland.

This journey comes after navigating turbulent waters following controversial remarks about his fellow Zimbabweans’ hygiene in 2023.

Dube, a respected National Arts Merit Awards (NAMA) winner hailing from Bulawayo, found himself at the centre of a fierce backlash after an appearance on a South African podcast.

During the segment, he stated, “My fear is smelling like a Zimbabwean, so I always bathe.”
The comments, perceived as a sweeping and derogatory generalisation, ignited fury online and within the Zimbabwean diaspora and local communities, threatening his standing as one of the country’s most successful comedy exports.

The comedian swiftly issued an apology, acknowledging the offence caused.

However, the sting of the incident lingered.
In an exclusive interview with this publication earlier this year, Dube revealed the personal toll and his deep desire for reconciliation through his craft.

“I really need to come home to do a show. I’m still embarrassed and ashamed to face my people,” Dube confessed.

He outlined tentative plans for this healing mission: “I’m looking at a show in August this year. Hope I’ll be accepted back for some good laughs.”

This prospective August performance in Zimbabwe represents more than just a gig; it’s a public attempt at atonement and a test of whether his beloved audience is ready to welcome back the prodigal son of laughter.

Looking beyond the crucial homecoming, Dube’s sights are firmly set on a blockbuster 2026, signalling a major leap in his career.

Dube is venturing into acting, secured for a role in an upcoming movie. While shrouded in secrecy due to binding Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs), he confirmed the project’s significance, “So for the movie. I can’t speak on it yet due to NDAs but it shall show on one of the streaming sites.”

This move marks a strategic expansion beyond stand-up for the versatile performer.
The crown jewel of Dube’s 2026 plans is the release of his debut comedy special, a labour of love years in the making.

Titled, “I WISH I WAS JOKING”, the special has been meticulously crafted.
Dube explained the delay: “My delay is that I wanted it to have nuggets of wisdom within the jokes and that’s what kept me going back to the drawing board but it’s ready now.”

He emphasised its readiness and the profound intent behind it, aiming for more than just laughs but meaningful reflection.

Production is now imminent: “I’m in production talks with my partners in making it and we want to shoot it somewhere close to my heart.”

While the exact location remains undisclosed, the phrasing hints at a deeply personal connection, potentially even Zimbabwe itself.

The fallout from the 2023 podcast controversy undeniably cast a shadow, challenging Dube’s reputation as a “trusted comic Zimbabwean export.”

However, his candid admission of shame, his planned return to Zimbabwean stages, and the scale of his 2026 ambitions demonstrate a comedian determined to rebuild bridges and elevate his craft to new heights. — @MbuleloMpofu