The increasingly growing comic
Spira Tlhankane | Friday January 22, 2016 15:56
He is the kind of guy who would make people laugh without saying a word. His jokes and expressions have the ability to trigger every tickle bone and ignite endless smiles.
Born and raised in Mochudi, Phaladi was always regarded as a humourist (leclownara) during his school days.
It was not until 2010 that he debuted on stage during the President’s Day competitions. Though he did not win that year, his virtuosity in front of the audience propelled him to come back the following year. He was starting out career during a time when stand up comedy was not everyone’s cup of tea.
Phaladi was entering a business dependent on laughter and applause, but he knew what he was getting himself into.
As more people began to understand his act, local talent management firm Major Moves Comedy signed him. His knack for creativity and great potential won him more audience as he began to traverse the country with Major Moves.
In an interview with Arts and Culture this week, Phaladi arrived at Mmegi offices full of energy and vitality.
Joking about the dark Mmegi elevator he just exited, Phaladi spoke with hilarity, his posture and facial expressions proving beyond reasonable doubt that the man was born to make people laugh.
Looking back, Phaladi said he always had a verygood sense of humour.
“I have to admit, I have been this way from the onset. I could make people laugh without saying anything and in most cases it was unintentional,” he said.
“I had known my potential in the comedy industry. I was skeptical about making a move, but the President’s Day competitions opened my eyes and motivated me to work harder.”
He said being surrounded by cheerful people also helped him stay focused.
“I love to see people happy and I want to remain that person who makes others smile,” he said.
After participating in the competition, Phaladi said that he then opted to work with Laugh A Lot and Major Moves.
“They help me tour the country and I have never stopped since,” he said.
He said he would continue working with Major Moves because they elevated him into the recognised comic he is today.
Phaladi said he gained a lot of experience during these shows until he made a breakthrough last year following an invitation to perform in Pretoria, South Africa where he received a standing ovation.
“Experience counts and I have managed to grow with every performance,” he said.
Phaladi said he ventured into the industry without certain skills.
He admits he was clueless at first, but every performance was an eye opener for him.
“After a wonderful performance, I continued to learn more about comedy because it entails a lot of elements,” he said.
Phaladi said as a comedian, one should know how to analyse his or her audience and bring versatility in the jokes.
“Some of the material I use in Gaborone cannot work in Gantsi so my craft requires a lot of research about different places and people,” he said.
He indicated that jokes are reliant on current affairs.
Phaladi said he now uses stage experience to better his craft to the highest level and knows what the audience needs.
He even said that performing outside the country is even more difficult because it needs extensive research and even better approach on language.
On January 28, 2016 Phaladi will record his ‘One Man Show’ DVD at Pavilion Restaurant in Gaborone. Speaking about his upcoming show, Phaladi said people should expect the best of him.
“I am even surprised at the kind of material I have prepared. It is going to be the first time I perform for more than an hour,” he said.
Phaladi said he expects people to come to his show in large numbers because he is yet to unleash his best.
“There are a lot of expectations from people who have been following my shows and I won’t disappoint,” he said.
He indicated that this is not his first DVD recording after featuring in Mawee’s DVD.
“Now I will have something to show because people wanted me to leave them with my work every time I performed,” he said.
Phaladi said standup comedy has grown compared to the time when he started. “People used to refer to us as maclownera and they thought comedy is about acting in dramas,” he said.
Phaladi said people did not understand what standup comedy is all about, no wonder Radijo’s dramas were prevalent at the time.
“Now they understand that we are loners who stand in front of an audience to make people laugh,” he said.
He said more people are starting to embrace their shows with satisfying numbers.
Phaladi said featuring on a lineup of established comedians from other countries such as South Africa and Zimbabwe had put more faith in him.
He also indicated that he sometimes works with upcoming artists to exchange ideas.
“They come to me for advice and I am grateful to help because I want to see them succeed as well,” he said.