Modest gains for Umahlekisa after 4 years

Bruce Ndlovu
After four years in which they played a big role in the birth and growth of Bulawayo stand-up comedy, Umahlekisa Comedy Club is reflecting on the years of hardship that have yielded a few significant gains.

Over the past four years, Umahlekisa has been a nursery for some of the citya��s budding comedians catapulting those that were instrumental in setting up the club to the top of the Zimbabwe stand-up comedy food chain.

The founder of the club, Ntando Van Moyo, said although they could not claim to have conquered all, they had some achievements that made them smile as they looked back.

a�?It started as a small movement but now we attract good crowds on a regular basis. Back then we didna��t think we could attract a regular, steady paying audience but that is what we have now. Thata��s something that wea��re extremely proud of and we would like to see more growth in the years to come,a�? he said.

Moyo said through the proceeds from shows, they had managed to acquire a state-of-the-art sound system which had gone a long way in easing some of their expenses.

a�?Wea��re just a bunch of young guys that started their own thing and when we purchased that sound system it was a source of joy for everyone that has seen Umahlekisa grow from nothing to what it is today,a�? he said.

Moyo acknowledged that there had been a few bumps along the way.

a�?When our standards dipped we saw low crowds and losing the audience that we had worked so hard to cultivate was one of the most painful experiences in our four-year journey,a�? he said.

Umahlekisa Comedy Club will this Friday hold its third anniversary at the Bulawayo Rainbow Hotel where they will also launch their website, as the club also positions itself to benefit from the popularity of comedy on social media.

On the night comedians Ntando Van Moyo, Clive Chigubhu, H.O, Zwexy and Mandla Simbarashe will perform for the audience.