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Problem Masau Arts Correspondent
SOUTH AFRICANS Tumi Morake and Kagiso Lediga are set to share the stage with Zimbabwean comedian Carl Joshua Ncube during the Shoko Festival set to run from September 17 to 22.The comedians will perform on September 18 in a show dubbed “Comedy Night”. While a lot is known about Zimbabwean comedian Carl Joshua Ncube, little is known locally about the two South African comedians.
Morake is best known for her television sitcom roles as Millicent in “Izoso Connexion” and as Persistence in “Askies”.
She studied drama at Wits University and started working in the industry at Arepp Theatre for Life, a touring educational theatre company, working in Free State, North West and Gauteng.
She entered the comedy scene officially in July 2005 with Parker Leisure Management and performs regular stand-up gigs in Johannesburg and Pretoria.
She has shared the stage with top comedians such as David Kau, Marc Lottering, Barry Hilton and Chris Forrest; at festivals such as Heavyweights Comedy Jam, Blacks Only, Have a Heart, Just Because Comedy Festival, the Tshwane Comedy Festival, the Lifestyle SA Festival and Old Mutual Comedy Encounters.
With one foot in the theatre as well, she went to the Danse l’’Afrique Danse! Festival in France, performing a dance piece choreographed by Hlengiwe Lushaba (winner of the Young Artiste Award for Dance 2005).
Lediga ventured into comedy while studying at the University of Cape Town almost a decade ago and over the ensuing years, he has set about establishing himself as one of South Africa’s top comedians.
Not only has he gained respect among the best comedians in the South Africa with an impressive body of work behind him but is also now celebrated as one of South Africa’s pioneering and most recognisable black comedians
His talent and ability can easily be confirmed by an exhaustive trail of achievements and accolades.
Testament of this is the fact that he has graced the stages of all the biggest comedy events in South Africa including the most prestigious one in the Cape Town International Comedy Festival where he won the People’s Choice Award in the company of acclaimed comedians from all over the world.
Other comedy events he has performed at are Laugh Out Loud, Comedy Blackout, Kingsize Heavyweight Comedy Jams, Blacks Only and Freshest Comedy Festival.
Running under the theme “We the People”, Shoko Festival will also feature live concerts, DJ parties, poetry slam, photo exhibitions, debates and free concerts in the high-density suburbs.
Some of the artistes who are expected to grace the festival include South African rapper Khuli Chana. The Sama and Channel O award-winning artiste is one of South Africa’s most sought-after musicians.
In a statement, the organisers of the event said this year’s theme “We the People” would be highlighting how the festival has grown to involve many different genres and an inspiringly diverse Zimbabwean and international audience.
Online Reporter