Jonasi set for long-awaited Bulawayo homecoming

After more than five years away, Zimbabwean comedian Learnmore Jonasi is returning to Bulawayo on Friday, August 14, as part of his highly anticipated Homecoming Tour, which will also take him to Masvingo, Kadoma and Harare.

Jonasi left Zimbabwe for the United States more than five years ago and has since carved out a name for himself on the American comedy circuit, emerging as one of Africa’s prominent comedic voices.

Following an extensive run of performances at comedy clubs across the United States, Jonasi is now back home for a tour that promises to reconnect him with the Zimbabwean audiences who watched his career take shape.

Speaking ahead of tonight’s Bulawayo performance, Jonasi said returning home had stirred a strong sense of nostalgia, particularly because it had been more than five years since he last performed in the city.

“It’s been about two years since I last performed in Zimbabwe, at Shoko Festival. But coming back to Bulawayo is especially exciting because it has been more than five years since I last performed there.

“Coming back home feels really good. I’ve missed Zimbabwe, I’ve missed my people, and I’ve definitely missed being able to make jokes about things that are uniquely Zimbabwean. Living and performing in America has given me a lot of opportunities, but there are certain jokes and cultural references that you can’t fully explain to an American audience. So I’m really looking forward to being back home, where I can just say something and the whole room understands it immediately,” he said.

One of the most talked-about chapters of Jonasi’s year was his involvement in a legal dispute with South African composer and producer Lebohang Morake.

The dispute followed a joke by Jonasi referencing the meaning of the famous Lion King theme song, which led Morake to sue the comedian for defamation.

The lawsuit was voluntarily dismissed in July after the two parties reached an agreement to drop the case.

Jonasi said the support he received from Zimbabweans and Africans during the legal battle strengthened his connection to home and influenced his decision to embark on the Homecoming Tour.
“A big part of the reason is the incredible support I received from Zimbabweans and Africans during the lawsuit involving the composer of the Lion King chant.
“That experience reminded me just how connected I am to home and how much support I have from my people. It made me want to come back and perform for them.
“That’s also where the name of the tour, ‘Whose Lion Is It Anyway?’, comes from. There’s obviously a story behind the title, and I wanted to turn what has been a very serious situation into something that represents who I am as a comedian: finding humour even in difficult moments,” he said.

Beyond the performances, Jonasi said he was looking forward to reconnecting with his family and enjoying the simple pleasures of being home.

“Honestly, I’m looking forward to the simple things. I want to spend time with my family in Chimanimani and, most importantly, eat my grandmother’s chicken!

“I’ve spent a lot of time travelling and working internationally, so being home gives me a chance to slow down, reconnect with family and enjoy the things I’ve missed. Chimanimani is home for me, so I definitely want to spend some proper time there,” he said.

On what audiences can expect from tonight’s show, Jonasi said his years abroad had provided him with new experiences and fresh material, giving fans an opportunity to see a more evolved version of the comedian.

“Fans can expect to see my growth, both as a comedian and as a person. I’ve travelled a lot, lived in America, performed on some incredible stages and experienced things I never imagined when I was starting out in Zimbabwe.

All of those experiences have changed me and, of course, they have given me a lot more material.

“The shows will have stories about Zimbabwe, America, my experiences travelling the world and everything that has happened in between. I think people will see a different version of Learnmore from the comedian they may have watched years ago,” he said.