TikTok skits turn daily struggle into comedy gold BHARRA BANTER BULAWAYO BORN

Mthokozisi Ncube

BEHIND the popular TikTok characters Brian and Bharra, known for their relatable humour and streetwise life lessons, is 22-year-old Devon Moyo, a Bulawayo-based content creator who has steadily built an audience by turning everyday struggles into comedy.

Devon’s journey into content creation began in 2022 at a time when he was unemployed and simply looking for something to keep himself busy.

“I started content creation just for fun. I was not working then, and it was something to occupy my time,” he said.

What began as a pastime has grown into a recognisable digital brand, driven by characters that mirror real township experiences many young people instantly connect with.

“My real name is Devon Moyo. Brian and Bharra are just characters I created for content. In real life, I am very different from the people I portray in my videos,” he explained.

Despite the fictional nature of the characters, their stories feel authentic, drawing laughter from audiences who see themselves, their friends or their neighbours reflected on screen.

Devon has built a strong digital presence across multiple platforms. He currently has 53 100 followers on TikTok, 35 000 followers on Facebook and 1 840 subscribers on YouTube. One of his TikTok videos has attracted 11 900 likes, while some Facebook posts have surpassed 68 700 likes and continue to grow, highlighting his rising influence on social media.

One of the videos Devon enjoyed creating the most was the Kombi drama skit, which resonated deeply with viewers because of its familiarity. The skit captures a typical public transport situation where all passengers have paid their fare except one.

As tension builds, suspicion falls on Bharra, who is accused of not having paid. True to the humour in Devon’s content, Bharra later claims he did not realise the conductor would actually ask him to pay the fare, a moment that left many viewers laughing as they recognised the everyday scenario.

What keeps Devon’s audience growing is his no-holds-barred focus on relatable storytelling. His content is drawn from situations many young people have lived through but rarely talk about openly.

“I usually make relatable content, things people have gone through. My fans seem to love that, and that’s what keeps me going,” he said.

Despite his growing popularity, Devon admits that being a content creator in Bulawayo comes with challenges, especially the lack of local support.

“Most people don’t support Bulawayo content creation,” he said.

Criticism is another hurdle he has learnt to live with. Online negativity, including personal comments, no longer shakes him. Asked about remarks involving his father, Devon chose not to engage, saying he prefers to keep such matters private.

“I’m used to it now. Blocking people who talk negatively in the comment section is better than responding,” he said.

Like many digital creatives, Devon also struggles with consistency and creative pressure. There are times when ideas are hard to come by, yet the pressure to keep posting remains.

“Sometimes it’s hard to come up with ideas and to stay consistent. You also have to ignore negative comments just to keep going,” he said.

Financially, Devon is realistic about what content creation currently offers him.

“Content doesn’t really pay me, but at least I can afford to buy Chicken Inn with it,” he said.

While the money may still be modest, the emotional impact has been significant.

“It made me stronger because I’ve learnt not to take what people say to heart,” he said.

Beyond entertainment, Devon sees his platform as a way to educate young people, using humour to deliver lessons about life in a way that feels accessible.

“I try to make content that educates young people about life, but I put it in a comedic way,” he said.

Looking ahead, Devon is driven by ambition and belief in his own journey.

“I see myself owning three cars, a two-storey building and a beautiful wife. I’m a guy who was once a nobody and became a somebody,” he said.

As he continues to grow, Devon is thinking about improving his craft, from upgrading his phone to improving his filming background.

For Devon Moyo, the journey from casual content creator to recognised digital personality is still unfolding, built on resilience, humour and a refusal to let negativity define his path.

On his personal life, Devon remains guarded.

“Yes, I am dating, but I prefer to keep that information private. Not everyone wants to trend,” he said.