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Mbulelo Mpofu, Showbiz Reporter
THE development of technology has made the world a global village, and various creatives have jumped on the social media bandwagon to showcase their skills.
One such person is Jaydee (real name Jenamiso Dube), whose comic character, “Jaro” has made him popular on TikTok.
Jaro has established himself as one of the most popular TikTokers from Zimbabwe with more than 19 000 followers and more than 160 000 likes. He has made it his mission to amuse viewers by employing terrible grammar and biting social criticism with an anonymous persona he calls, “masalu”.
Hailing from Kezi, Jaro attended school at Bidi Primary School, and Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo High School and from a tender age, his humorous self would emerge.
“Just like any other child next door, I had a typical rural childhood, characterised by play and chores. I had many cousins and brothers and we’d have fun nights, popularly known as ‘ukukwejisa’. That’s where my love for storytelling grew.
“Throughout my school years, I was a comic figure (though shy) as I’d constantly crack jokes. During my high school years, this (habit to crack jokes) worsened as I was notorious for spinning every fellow classmate’s experience into comedy, nicknaming, writing on people’s books and coming up with cartoons (with friends Austin Ngwenya and Mphathisi Tshuma),” he said.
He attributes life experiences as his inspiration.
“Life itself inspires me. I just grew up to realise there are many things in my life to be sad about, but I find solace in laughing and sharing jokes. I was also inspired by life within the transport industry (impilo yesiwindi). There’s too much humour there,” shared Jaro.
TikTok has provided Jaro with the opportunity he has been searching for.
“Tiktok is opening doors for me. The Jaro brand is growing and the love I’m receiving is overwhelming. Through TikTok, one is exposed to countless opportunities. We put in a lot of work with umasalu and sometimes script our work or spontaneously tee off,” he said.
Jaro is not just a jokester. He also works as a network marketer selling herbal supplements, a social commentator, a speaker, and a programme director. – @MbuleloMpofu
Online Reporter