Online Reporter
What happens when the comedian stops telling jokes and starts buying the stage? King Kandoro has the answer.
The Zimbabwean stand-up star has made a bold jump from making audiences laugh to owning one of the country’s best-known live music brands, Unplugged.
In Hollywood, comedians such as Kevin Hart have turned their fame into entertainment empires, moving beyond the microphone to build and own businesses around their craft.
Now King Kandoro real name Mukudzei Kandoro Majoni is following that entrepreneurial script in his own Zimbabwean way — with music, business, family and a little bit of mischief thrown into the mix.
Social media was left buzzing after comedian King Kandoro dropped the bombshell during a podcast interview that he was now the man behind Unplugged.
The revelation sent tongues wagging, with fans shocked that the UK-based funnyman had quietly stepped into the big league of Zimbabwean entertainment.
From “Kandoro the comedian” to “Kandoro the entertainment boss”, the internet had plenty to say as details of the takeover began circulating.
King Kandoro (KK) opens to Lifestyle Editor, Tafadzwa Zimoyo (TZ), about buying Unplugged, the money question, marriage, comedy, his next big move and why you will never see him performing at his own concert.
Below are excerpts from the interview:
TZ: You have gone from cracking jokes to cracking open the doors of Unplugged. What inspired you to buy the brand?
KK: I have always loved music. In fact, I would have preferred it if the talent I had something to do with music.
In 2025, I was obsessed with the idea of doing a concert to honour 10 years of Killer T’s Ngoma Ndaimba album, which was released in 2015. But I always felt like I didn’t have any grounds to call Killer T and say, “I, as Kandoro, want to honour you.”
But if Unplugged was making that call, it made more sense. That’s how the initial business case started.
TZ: You have been a fan of Unplugged for years. Did you ever imagine that one day you would actually own it?
KK: I met the owners at Unplugged. I was a huge fan and had attended since 2016. I always took every opportunity I got to express my admiration. They did wonderfully.
As I grew in my career as King Kandoro, the relationship transformed into a friendship of sorts. When they started thinking about selling, I was one of the people they shared those thoughts with.
These conversations came at a time when I was already having my own thoughts about concerts, so everything just aligned.
TZ: Now for the question everyone wants answered — how much did you pay for Unplugged?
KK: (Laughs) It was an outright sale, not a licence. No expiry date.
TZ: And who exactly owns this new Unplugged? Is there a board somewhere, or is Kandoro calling all the shots?
KK: There’s no board. My wife and I are the sole owners of Unplugged.
TZ: So, you are taking over a concept that was already hugely successful. Are fans going to notice a Kandoro makeover?
KK: There’s not much one can claim to bring to Unplugged. It was already a brilliant concept, being run by brilliant people.
What I can promise to do is stay faithful to that foundation. My team and I want to build from there and add pomp and frills.
The only thing that might change is a heavier focus on rhythm and blues music. We believe that complements the blanket-and-wine vibe that Ellinah and Chiedza (former owners) established Unplugged on.
TZ: Let’s settle this once and for all — are we going to see King Kandoro grab the microphone at Unplugged?
KK: Zero chance!
With regard to balancing my career, there’s a whole team responsible for the day-to-day running at Unplugged. I am just responsible for the overall vision. There are so many brilliant men and women bringing it to life.
TZ: You are still very much a comedian. How do you balance being a comedian, businessman, husband and Unplugged owner?
KK: I am a full-time comedian, and I have been that since 2015. Everything that has come my way has done so through comedy — the MCing, digital content, marketing and all my business ventures have spun out of comedy.
TZ: And despite this new Zimbabwean venture, you haven’t moved back home?
KK: No, I have not relocated back to Zimbabwe. My family and I are still based in the UK.
TZ: Zimbabwe now seems to have a festival for almost everything. Are we spoilt for choice or heading for festival overload?
KK: More festivals are never a bad thing. People need options.
I think what we need to be careful of is having festivals for festivals’ sake. Festivals need to answer a need and cater to a demographic, not exist purely as a commercial enterprise.
This is part of the reason my first act was to declassify Unplugged as a festival.
Unplugged is a music concert that happens quarterly. Hopefully, we will grow it into a festival worthy of the name festival.
TZ: So, what should fans expect after acquiring the ‘‘boss’’ title?
KK: The next Unplugged is on August 29 at First Capital Bank Sports Club.
Man of the moment Takura is there, Tamy is there, Sylent Nqo is there, Travellers Band, Table, Tanto Wavie and Kim Maumbe as well.
We went with a 100 percent local line-up this time around.
TZ: Your comedy is often described as satire. Are you trying to make people laugh or make them think?
KK: Mostly inspired, sometimes just jokes. I try to reflect the things that matter to me in my comedy.
TZ: If comedy had never happened, what would Kandoro be doing?
KK: I would probably be into marketing. I enjoy selling things, or at the very least, I enjoy the art behind convincing people.
TZ: We have to talk about Chinaniso (your wife). Your meeting story went viral — give us the short version.
KK: I was at Unplugged, she was visiting from the UK, and she stopped me to say, “Hi, I think you’re funny.”
I thought to myself, “I have made it, if women who look like this think I’m funny.”
That was it! Nine years later, we have two beautiful kids.
TZ: So technically, Unplugged gave you more than music — it gave you your wife! Describe yourself in five words?
KK: (Laughs) King Kandoro: Kandoro is Chinaniso Majoni’s husband.
TZ: What is the one thing you cannot leave home without?
KK: My phone.
TZ: Five years from now — what does the Kandoro empire look like?
KK: At least one Netflix special.
TZ: Finally, whom do you wish you could roast?
KK: Hahahaha! Ah, ah, ah!
TZ: You are running away from that question!
KK: (Laughs)
TZ: Anyway what is your biggest career challenge so far?
KK: Many! This can be a separate interview and thank you for the chat.
