Chronicle Editor
Mbulelo Mpofu, Showbiz Reporter
NTANDO Van Moyo’s Umahlekisa Entertainment is arguably the most-comic house in Bulawayo and the comedy merchants have roped in Frank Chirisa to be among their ranks.
Chirisa who recently got his maiden Roil Bulawayo Arts Awards (BAA) nomination in the Outstanding Comedian category has been on a trajectory path lately, championing his one-man stand-up comedy show, Funny Stories That Heal which will culminate in the show premiering in theatres in Bulawayo.
A jubilant Chirisa told Chronicle Showbiz that he has been on Ntando Van Moyo’s radar for a while and putting pen to paper, has put a smile on his face.
“I’m really excited about this (signing with Umahlekisa Entertainment). It’s like a dream come true. Ntando and the Umahlekisa team have always been there for me since I started rolling with them.
“They’ve mentored and protected me against career-ending mistakes. They took me to my first show outside Bulawayo and my first tour.
“Through Umahlekisa, I met DonAndre who has made my upcoming trip to Uganda possible. I’ve the utmost respect for Ntando Van Moyo. No matter how busy he is, he lets me text him at any time of the night to tell him about my joke ideas which he then helps develop,” said Chirisa.
He explained that his contractual obligation with Umahlekisa is to pen rib-rippling jokes while the club handles the business side of things.
“So, they (Umahlekisa Entertainment) are now handling the business side of my comedy since I’m now busy with schedules. I only get to focus on writing jokes at ease knowing that everything else is covered,” he said.
The humorous youngster has a busy schedule till the tail end of the year as he hopes to attend the Matopo Gin Festival and host the Funny Stories That Heal shows in Harare, Victoria Falls and Bulawayo before he travels to Uganda. In between, he is set to film a series.
In the past, Umahlekisa Entertainment has roped in nascent talent in form of the late Clive Chigubu, Keith Nkosi, Long John, Zwelibanzi “Zwekxy” Mackena, Libo HO’ Ntaka, Elando Marshall and Nomsa Diana Moyo. – @eMKlass_49
Online Reporter
Bongani Ndlovu