Zimbabwean comedy is full of potential

BUDDING stand-up comedian, Mbongeni Ignatius (born Mbongeni Ignatius Ndlovu) attests to Zimbabwean comedy’s fame beyond the country’s borders after his recent visit to Botswana where he performed alongside Botswana and South African comics.

The gig dubbed “Simply The Best: Comedy Night” took place at Ariranga Restaurant in Gaborone, Botswana last month.
There, the local comedian cracked ribs, taking a comic swipe at Motswana singer and dancer Slizer, something that endeared him to stand-up comedy lovers in the neighbouring country. Flanking Mbongeni Ignatius were South Africa’s JayBoogie and comics from Botswana; Thapelo Malanl Shaka, Ribcracker Chopiro, and Maatla Ephraim Basha.

Anyone who thought Zimbabwean stand-up comedy was just a mere spark must know that it is a full-blown flame, a consumable form of art on an upward trajectory.

This was fortified by Mbongeni Ignatius when he told Chronicle Showbiz of how the people of Botswana were fond of Zimbabwean comics; past and present.

“The show in Botswana went well, in fact, way beyond what I expected since it was my first performance outside the country. From the minute I made a joke about their icon musician Slizer and her hit song Zimbabwe, the connection between the audience and I was magic all the way,” said the comedian.

“Also, I realised that people in Botswana know comedians from Zimbabwe. They kept telling me that I reminded them of the late Clive Chigubhu. They also alluded to Ntando Van Moyo, Carl Joshua Ncube, and Doc Vikela, a testament to how marketable our material is,” added Mbongeni Ignatius.

He said local comedy has all the hallmarks of competing with the continent’s best only if they push harder.

“Clearly, they know us out there. Those who came before us paved the way and laid a strong foundation and now, it’s up to us to build the house moving forward and we have that potential,” said the comedian.

Barely in its embryonic nature, Mbongeni Ignatius’ comic career has made major strides. It began in 2020 when he hung his dance shows which had made him famous in the choreography scene, impersonating the late King of Pop, Michael Jackson. That night, Mbongeni Ignatius stood before 3 000 church congregants at Eagle Life Assembly and mimicked Bishop BS Chiza’s voice, much to the amusement of the congregants and that’s how the dam began to burst.

Since then, he has managed to appear in prominent festivals in the precinct and these include the Intwasa Arts Festival koBulawayo and Kwantuthu Comedy Festival. He has had the chance to rub shoulders with the who’s who of local comedy, including Maforty, Ntando Van Moyo, Doc Vikela, C’khanyiso Dat Guy, Zwe Hlabangana, TT Phasha (South Africa), Chingliz, Gabbi (Zambia), and Mdura (Eswatini).

The comic with an energetic stage presence also had a cameo role in Daniel Lasker’s first IsiNdebele scientific film, The Signal last year. —@MbuleloMpofu