PREPARE yourself to enter a new decade of laughs as Simuka Comedy, the home of stand-up comedy in Zimbabwe, has just announced the dates of its inaugural comedy festival.
Dubbed Simuka Comedy Virtual Festival, the fair will happen from the 27th to the 29th of November 2020, giving viewers a three-day marathon of non-stop laughter.
Because of the prevailing lockdown regulations that forbid the gathering of a crowd, the festival will be streamed live on Simuka Comedy’s Facebook and YouTube channels, presenting a recorded 11 episode stand-up comedy series “Simuka Phakama” video skits, comedy sketches, online comedy workshops and symposiums.
A veritable feast of comedic treats that includes Doc Vikela, Clive Chigubu, Ntando Van Moyo, Munya, Tanya, Simba Kadem the Comic, Clinton K Tavaziva, Ckanyiso Datguy, Bhutisi, Tinaye Wayne, Mandla Da Comedian, Cde Fatso, Boss Keda and Comic Pastor will take to the stage, serving up a slice of the best local offerings.
The festival will also present panel comedy show discussions with foreign-based Zimbabwean comedians Louis the Prince of Comedy, Charles Manase, Long John, Q Dube, Chik Aljoy, Courage the Comedian, King Kandoro and international/regional acts the likes of Triccs & Jonny Pula (Botswana), Panch Gasela (South Africa), Chingliz (Zambia), Napoleon (Uganda) and United Kingdom’s Ava Vidal sharing jewels and their experiences.
With a cluster of local and regional stars lined up, something tells me this is going to be one popular virtual exhibit of humour in Zimbabwean history.
In an interview with #enthuse, headlining act Kadem, born Wencelacy Katuka, also confirmed such as he made a clarion call to fans to celebrate local comedy in what he called a re-introduction of the Zimbabwean comedy scene to the world through cultural exchange.
“Fans should expect to celebrate the growth of the Zimbabwean comedy scene in all forms (standup comedy, film, theatre, parody, satire). Our theme for the 2020 edition is Rise Again-Simuka Futi-Phakama Futhi as we make a clarion call to all the fans to celebrate local comedy as we re-introduce the Zimbabwean comedy scene to the world through cultural exchange between local and international stars. This for Simuka Comedy is a very huge milestone as it is our Inaugural comedy festival and we are very pleased as this is a sign of growth in the Zimbabwean comedy industry. It also talks to the hard work and consistency put in by the team and the comedians to ensure that the festival becomes a success,” he said.
The intelligent humorist who juggles comedy with auditing, also said that they were hoping to do a live festival next year when COVID-19 restrictions were uplifted.
Never before has this huge showcase of comedy been seen in Zimbabwe. Now, finally, it is the southern African country’s turn to soak it all up in endless chortling.
Check out the Simuka Phakama: An Original Stand-up Comedy Series official trailer below.
