It was a night of rib-cracking comedy

MONKAGEDI GAOTLHOBOGWE
Staff Writer | Friday December 17, 2010 00:00

 

For about three hours, the comedy lovers who included some of Gaborone city's big names were given a five-star treatment by the South Africans who were led by the famous Joey Rasdien. 

Rasdien, who was also the master of ceremonies (MC) for the show, also poked fun at some of the VIPs who sat in the front rows that included CA Sales chief, Jagdish Shah.  The naughty comedian thrilled the audience when he snatched a cell phone from a woman as he mimicked a South African pickpocket.  He kept the phone in his pocket until her boyfriend phoned, only to be put on a loud speaker by the comedian as he made fun of him much to the delight of everyone in the hall.

It was indeed a night of sophisticated jokes as Rasdien also demonstrated that he reads widely as he presented contemporary issues and events not only in South Africa but also around the world, showing his grasp of global issues with a twist of comedy.

How Rasdien appreciated the new look Sir Seretse Khama International Airport left everyone in stitches as he painted the simplicity of the old airport with dramatic effect.

Slow speaking Roni Madimola, with his jokes on drug abuse and life of crime, was probably the star of the night more so that most of his jokes were also told in both Setswana and English.

Dignash, Botswana's only big stage comedian, was not over-awed by the heavyweights of South African comedy. 

Instead the 'home boy' came with all guns blazing and even threatened to turn the night into a Dignash show, thanks to his wide rage of funny talk that included challenging President Ian Khama to use Chibuku trucks to get to the far flung areas of the country as chibuku distributors have developed strong ties with the rural folk.

Then he claimed alcohol abuse in the country is only a problem among Chibuku drinkers.  He likened the Botswana Movement for Democracy (BMD) leader, Gomolemo Motswaledi, to a lion that was chased from the pride and now cannot chase and kill its prey.

Perhaps the best part of Dignash's comedy was when he paid tribute to the late Uncle Parks Gaobakwe who died this year.

The crowd burst into laughter when the comedian said that when Uncle Parks reached heaven, he was met by the late Sir Seretse Khama and Peter Mmusi, both demanding to be paid what he owed them.

Even the late Louis Nchindo was not spared the comedian's bunter when Dignash claimed that he (Nchindo) would be spending Christmas holidays in the Okavango Delta area hunting for any animal that might have swallowed a Rolex watch.

Dignash, thanks to the eight years of the Kings of Comedy show, has shared the stage with the likes of Trevor Nouer, David Kau, Chris Forest, Loyiso Gola, Kagiso Lediga and Conrad Kok who all have been coming to entertain Gaborone revellers and share their skills with Botswana's budding comedians.

With big names in the comedy business honouring this concept over the years, Botswana's corporate sector has also played a positive role as Debswana, Bifm, FNB, and BIC have been some of the big supporters of the annual event.

For Dignash though, this year's show meant a lot.  For the first time in the eight years of the show, Dignash says, he was performing to an audience without his beloved friend, Uncle Parks, who died in August and that it was important that 'I put up a show of a lifetime to pay tribute to my friend and mentor.'

Dignash's talent in poking fun at society has also made him a household name with his radio shows at Gabz fm, RB2, and Yarona fm, rated the busiest.

Meanwhile, one of the promoters of the Kings of Comedy concept, Bissau Gaobakwe has told Arts & Culture that he hoped the comedy show, just like in the past seven years, has inspired Botswana's budding comedians to learn from the best in the business.

Gaobakwe said in the past they had used the annual event to mentor and feature Botswana's young comedians, but he was disappointed that talent here is slow to take off.

Gaobakwe stated that the backers of this year's international show are Tau Pride, Estate Construction, Garona Foreign Exchange, Air Botswana, Leapfrog, 63 Entertainment and Katalyst Media.

About the Tuesday comedy show, Gaobakwe told Arts & Culture they were very happy with the turnout.

His partner at Leapfrog, Thapelo Pabalinga, said the show that has been consistently staged for the last seven years has grown in leaps and bounds as it now has its own niche.