Mashabela will also be performing at the Weekend Comedy Showcase hosted by Savannah Comics' Choice Comedy Awards this weekend.
For experienced comedian Mashabela Galane, returning to Wits University to perform at the university's Pitso ya Kalanen Festival will be a full-circle moment.
“I came to Joburg when I was studying at Wits and discovered stand-up comedy. I used to watch people like Tumi Morake, who was a little bit ahead of me, doing it. I thought I could do this too,” the comedian said. citizen.
“The Pitso ya Kalanen Festival contributes to a holistic student experience. This event was created by Wits Theater staff, who have seen the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on theaters. Wits Theater continues to be an important hub in our arts and culture precinct,” said Wits School of Art Professor René Smith.
Mashabela, who studied theater arts and media studies at Wits University and is known for his Sepedi jokes, said he was keen to participate in the festival.
“I was approached and I had no hesitation about participating. Wit holds a special place in my heart. It means a lot to me to be a part of this,” Mashabela said. Told.
Event organizer and former Wits student Lerato Sekele said audiences can look forward to productions showcasing student work from Wits School of Art, AFDA, Tshwane University of Technology, Market Theater Lab and Drama for Life. he said.
Mashabela is also an entrepreneur after starting a gin brand.
“I use the money I make from my business to create a platform for young comedians,” he said.
He was happy to supply Wits University with gin during the Pitso ya Kalanen Festival earlier this week.
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vernac comedy
Mashabela is one of the champions of local comedy alongside the likes of Sukumba Hlofe and Celeste Ntuli.
“When I started around 2005, it wasn’t easy to do stand-up in local languages,” Mashabela said.
“Actually, I started doing comedy in English because Vernac's Comedy Club didn't exist. I was doing shows in Melville hosted by John Villismas, and Joe Parker was doing shows at Carnival City and Montecasino. I remember doing a show there.”
The comedian still performs his sets in English when he plays corporate gigs.
“I still study English, but not as seriously as Vernac. Sometimes when I try to translate a joke, the punchline just doesn't come out the same,” he said.
Mashabela became famous after the recording of. Vernac to be exact, this was a bootleg DVD made all over the United States. The show featured baby-faced entertainers such as a young Mashabela, Mpho Molepo, Nicholas Welch and Thomas Gumede.
“That opened the door. I was actually performing in front of them. rhythm city crew,” says Mashabela.
As a sign of how far he has come in the industry, Mashabela weekend comedy showcase Organized by the Savannah Comics Choice Comedy Awards, which showcases the finest work from the local comedy scene, with the aim of introducing comedy to new audiences at the Delta Environmental Center in Delta Park, Blairgowrie.
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