I’m not going to lie. At the end of last year I was feeling pretty beaten up by all the negativity in South Africa. Politics, racism, emigration, crime, it’s exhausting – especially on social media!
I find many people take a populist view so that they can be seen to do and think the right things like, “Look, I’m white! I can say all the right things and get a bunch of likes!” Shut up, please.
And when I was asked for the “land back” at a media dinner two weeks ago by someone who couldn’t believe my friend (of colour) was my guest for the evening (apparently people of different races can’t be friends?!) then I really knew SA was in trouble. EISH.
Anyway, let me not get into it because I’ve decided to be the change in the world instead of just contribute to the negativity.
Having a Laugh at the Cape Town Comedy Club
Last Sunday I took my Dad, his bestie, his son (my mate) and Mr John to the Cape Town Comedy Club, thanks to Savanna Cider. I’m not a big stand up comedy fan as I find it annoying when comedians laugh at their own jokes that, more times than not, aren’t that funny. So I don’t usually go to stand up, but I know my Dad loves a good laugh so I thought we could go together.
We parked at the Watershed parking and popped over to the Comedy Club. If you don’t know where it is, it’s right next to the Aquarium but the entrance is slightly awkward as it’s around a bend. The Cape Town Comedy Club is hosted in the old Pump House – a comedic name by itself!
The building is surprisingly warm considering it has stone walls! Don’t get me wrong, it’s not hot inside, but it’s just warmer than one would imagine.
Dusty Rich
I chose to come this evening as I wanted to see a guy called Kagiso. I saw him open up for Jim Jeffries at the Grand Arena a while back, and he was brilliant! SO funny and he has his own style of delivery; clear with slow mo swag.
But before we could get to KG, we were hosted by a Joburg comedian Dusty Rich. He was BRILLIANT! He’s clearly worked and worked and worked as he was really good at thinking off the cuff as well as delivering his prepared content with a freshness, he didn’t make it sound like the same old, same old jokes he told.
Well! To jump to the chase, we had an absolute BLAST! SO much politics came up that night, but it was so funny, unifying, relaxing and it made me feel totally different to how I’d been feeling for the last year or so. There was black gentleman who was being teased for dressing all “white college student guy” like. He had to pick a name for his team (the left side of the room, us), and chose DA! So anytime we had to cheer for ourselves, we had to shout DA! Like, “Who’s the best team?” “DA!” Or “Whose drinking more?” “DA!” It was hilarious! Kind of like a real life Cards Against Humanity where the worst combinations are put together!
Prins
The first comedian we heard was Prins. He says he’s from Jozi but he knows all the colour accents so maybe he recently moved there? He’s new and did a good job, but I think he was a little nervous. Still one of the better younger comedians that I’d seen.
Nkosinathi Maki
Next was Nkosinathi Maki, I think he’d had a few toots or a joint before he got there, LOOOOOLLL! He was very funny, but a little all over the show. Still a good show though.
Kagiso Mokgadi
The headliner was KG, Kagiso Mokgadi who I believe grew up in Pretoria, but now lives in Cape Town. As I mentioned, he has the BEST comedy swag.
He speaks quite slowly, but when he digresses it actually helps you keep up. I’m making myself sound SO dof right now, haha! But often comedians just rush over all the jokes and you actually miss some of them. KG really lets his words sink in and if he digresses and comes back to the punchline, it’s even funnier as you realise how well it’s been constructed.
He’s my favourite South African comedian at present. You MUST catch him if you can. In fact, I think Rocking the Daisies should book him!
We all had a HUGE laugh and it made me realise just how much other people drag me down. BEING the change in the world is what really moves a country forward, what really promotes equality and kindness. That’s what I’m going to focus on these days and remember to have a sense of humour about things.
