WeeklySA_AdminGALES:Stomach ripples galore as funnyman hits town
By Gugu Sibiya
When Skhumba Hlophe is bringing the house down with gut-splitting laughter at Market Theatre in Newtown, Johannesburg. His laugh-a-minute mania began yesterday and continues tomorrow, and again with two more shows next Thursday and October 9.
The popular comedian, Kaya fm breakfast show co-host and television personality is killing his audiences with an avalanche of laugh-a-minute jokes.
As usual, no holy cows are spared – and the bloodbath continues in his current Weekend Comedy Special 2021, which follows a two-year absence brought about by the pandemic. It started yesterday, continues tomorrow, then next Thursday, October 7 and finally on October 9, from 6.30pm.
Talking about his current show, Skhumba says “I’m so excited about taking to the mic at the Market for the very first time, but I’m ready to have a good time. Unlike a club, where people get side-tracked by various things going on there, theatre audiences are focused.
“If they come for a stand-up comedy, that’s what they expect. Hilarious moments, laughing till they can’t take it any more. That’s what I intend to deliver at these shows,” promises a chilled Skhumba.
On a reflective tip, the funnyman says, “When I got this call from the Market, I was so excited and grateful for this opportunity. We’ve been languishing at home for two years.
This gig has given me a chance to invite my established and unknown friends to share the stage with me. I’m not ready to go it solo nor cheat myself out of a phenomenal experience.”
Coming alive, Skhumba says initially they were given a smaller venue. but the sold-out show saw an extension of their performances. “For this week’s shows, we’ve been moved to the bigger John Kani Theatre. It shows how much people have missed comedy.
“Comedians have also missed dishing out laughter to live audiences. I’m luckier that every Monday to Friday, between 6am to 9am, I get to churn out doses of humour on the Kaya fm show I have shared with Thomas Msengana for eight years. I also incorporate that into my TV show.”
On the secrecy around his friends in the line-up, he responds thus, “I refuse to have my shows defined by personalities. Before you know it, somebody won’t come to the show because they don’t like somebody or what’s said about them on twitter. If you like Skhumba, come to my show and be surprised.”
“Regulars to my show know that you laugh from the moment you come in until you leave. I joke about anything and everything. Naturally the repertoire will include Covid blues. We’ve all gone through it and lost family, friends and people we know.
“If you’re sensitive to whatever we dish, that’s on you. Whatever I say, is my perspective and how I see it. I don’t want to doubt myself by wondering how my jokes are landing,” says the comedian, warning fans to have their tissues ready and not to pee on themselves as they laugh uncontrollably.
“Comedy is good for the soul. It’s like a drug you can’t shed. It’s a good exercise to see how far we can take it. After all, people need to laugh, to heal and forget where we’ve been.
“Fans can expect the best from me. I’m blessed to have truckloads of successful, sold-out shows behind me.
It makes me happy that 16-years on, comedy lovers still pack my shows and enjoy them.
“I’d be happier if I could build a legacy like that of the late Joe Mafela. Everywhere he went people knew him as Sdumo than by his name. No matter how many times you’ve seen his sitcoms, they’re still funny. I’d love to be that big, that good.
The trick is to be relatable. If I tell a joke, it should remind you of that one-legged uncle who’s a problem.
“Comedy is my life, whether I’m on TV, radio or stage. It’s me, it’s my life! I had to have faith and hope that I would succeed as a stand-up comedian to leave my secure job with benefits and start afresh. My mother gave me her blessings.
“I’m that guy who didn’t have a degree, acting career, sphaza or taxi to fall back on, nor the luxury of failure. That’s the best recipe for success,” explains the all-rounder whose tenacity sees him celebrating 16-years in comedy.
Talking about his charity Walk This Way Wheelchair Campaign, Skhumba’s joy mingles with sadness. “I’m glad and excited about the 600 people we’ve already helped since 2016.
I’m saddened by stories of people like the lady who was confined home for 27years. Her sister couldn’t stop crying when I gave them the wheelchair. She told me she was going to wheel her sister everywhere especially around the mall so that she can catch up on everything she’d missed out on,” recalls Skhumba.
“Sadly, wheelchairs are expensive. I always rope in my friends for my fundraising charity shows. All of us have been out of joint and the industry hasn’t completely opened up. So, I can’t expect them to give what they don’t have. That’s why I’ve put this project that’s close to my heart on hold,” he says sadly.
When funny man Skumba wraps up his gig at the Market, Carnival City is next for the Skhumba touch or goose bumps. Tickets cost R200.
