Nyathi’s signature chant leads to social media takeover

IN the age of viral videos and fleeting trends, capturing the internet’s attention is no walk in the park. Yet, Sipho Mercent Nyathi, a rising social media star with a knack for comedy, has cut through the noise and built a dedicated following.

Equipped with quick wit, clever observations and a hilarious repertoire, Nyathi has taken social media by storm. His signature chant, “Mina indaba zabantu ngiyazizonda” (loosely translating to “I hate people’s issues”), coupled with his antics, leaves thousands of fans in stitches.

Nyathi’s claim to fame began on platforms like Facebook and TikTok, where his short videos and witty one-liners exploded in popularity.

His unique blend of humour, relatability and authenticity resonated with a wide audience, young and old alike. Views and followers soared, propelling him into the internet spotlight.

But it was his now-legendary post about getting lost in his own neighbourhood, Gwabalanda that truly cemented his online legacy.

With a staggering (and ever-growing) view count of over 596 000, the post has been shared, liked and commented on by fans across the globe. Nyathi’s brand of humour is undeniably infectious, and his internet fame is well-deserved.

What separates Nyathi from the crowd is his genuine connection with his audience. He’s more than just funny, he’s relatable, authentic and unafraid to be himself. This genuineness has earned him a cherished spot in the online community.

He’s even ventured beyond his Gwabalanda roots, landing gigs in the capital city, Harare, a place with a reputation for opening doors in the creative industry. Nyathi’s journey to the top began humbly. Growing up in Luveve/Gwabalanda, his passion for comedy burned bright.

He spent countless hours honing his craft, learning from the greats, until finally, last year, he discovered his true calling and took the internet by storm.

Nyathi’s rise wasn’t meteoric. It was fuelled by a clear vision and unwavering dedication. He wasn’t afraid to challenge the status quo, pushing boundaries with his humour.

There were bumps on the road — rejections, technical difficulties and the ever-shifting landscape of online trends. But his passion for comedy and perseverance kept him going.

Now, Nyathi’s signature chant and relatable antics are instantly recognisable. He’s become a household name, synonymous with laughter and innovation.

His influence has inspired a new wave of aspiring social media comedians and his impact on the Zimbabwean comedy scene is undeniable.

The Saturday Chronicle caught up with Nyathi, who shared his journey to becoming one of the country’s most sought-after social media comedians.

“What inspired me to do social media skits are life tragedies and issues affecting me in my day-to-day life. In terms of how long it takes me to come up with a skit, it depends on inspiration but I’m usually a spontaneous person on these skits. Preparing for a long time usually I don’t feel it, but it’s the ones I do there and there”.

“This has made my fan base grow and this is an entirely new experience, quite scary and overwhelming. What is shocking are people approaching me in different ways, some just stare at me and say you the indaba zabantu guy and walk away. Some see me and get excited. The worst scenarios are where wives walking with their husbands say I love this guy, he’s very hilarious. As for the gents, they will stop me and take pictures, buy me booze or ask me to smoke with them. It’s a wild experience,” said Nyathi.

He described his recent meeting with established comedians in Harare, including Zambia’s The African Joker, as a breakthrough experience. He highlighted the valuable lessons he learned from these industry veterans.

“Harare was an awesome experience networking opportunities, not a competition but union of creatives. It was very different as you learn a lot about different audiences and individuals you meet learning how to create universal jokes.

“Zimbabwean culture has influenced me so much as you learn to be very current so as to connect with the audiences from the food, sports and language, all these contribute to my work,” he said.

Nyathi acknowledged the challenges he has faced along the way, but stressed his unwavering determination to keep pushing forward.

“Challenges I have faced include cyber bullying, lack of data and quality phone, and also trying to keep up with the trends.

“After going to Harare, I made links with Proma Events and we have something huge cooking, linked with the African Joker, more works are on the way. I might see myself paying a visit to Zambia in future.

“Advice I can give other emerging artistes is that the digital space has opportunities for those who want to express their creativity. Also collaborate, consistency and stay humble,” said Nyathi. — @mthabisi_mthire