Young comedian goes against the tide
Larona Makhaiza | Sunday April 23, 2023 06:00
Twenty-one-year-old, Zeze The Comedian is one of those new entrants who is ready to move against the odds and stake his claim in the local comedy scene. He has been that one young comedian that has not been demoralised to venture into comedy.
In an interview with Arts & Culture, Zeze The Comedian, whose real names are Wandalika Mokokwa, said comedy is one thing that he has developed the love for and will never stop doing it under any circumstance. “I think comedy is something that has really been part of my life. I believe I was born a comedian and being a comedian I don’t think I will ever stop being a comedian even though the comedy industry in Botswana is not that big. It is currently struggling but there is hope,” Zeze The Comedian said.
The young comedian from Shakawe said he was encouraged by his friends and people close to him to explore his talent. He said he has been a ribcracker and always kept his company entertained with his jokes. “Whenever I was with my friends or family, they would always be laughing because of my jokes. People would always vibe to my sense of humour and that is what motivated me to take comedy seriously. My friends then advised me to start pushing comedy content on social media platforms,” he added.
Furthermore, the youngster elucidated that his career in comedy dates back to 2020 when he started pushing his own content and uploading it on social media platforms. He said most of his work has been uploaded on Facebook which is mostly used by comedians in Botswana. Although Zeze The comedian strongly believes in the comedy industry, he also says he has had his fair share of difficult moments that other comedians in the country go through. “I really have learnt that one has to learn to be patient with comedy in Botswana and work hard, as a young comedian or upcoming one because no one will come to you to give you a helping hand in your career.
You have to struggle all by yourself until you reach that point you want to be at in comedy,” he said. The young comedian said he has been working alone since he started comedy. However, he hopes to jump to any collaboration opportunity that may come his way as time progresses. With the comedians struggling to earn enough income from their work, Zeze The Comedian has warned upcoming comedians to find other means to sustain themselves. However, he warned them not to despair but continue the trade. “Comedy does not really have money and for me when I am not doing comedy, I do photography which is one other thing that I have the love for and make a hustle out of it,” he said.
Giving advice to fellow young comedians, Zeze The Comedian said people should always keep on grinding until their time comes and reminded them that the beginning is always the hardest step.