UKZN student Kwanda Radebe (24) is in the running for the South African Savanna Comics’ Choice Award in the “Audience Choice Award” category in which members of the public vote for their favourite comedian.
Regarded as the “Oscars” for comedians in South Africa, the Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards were started by comedian John Vlismas and Whacked Management’s Taffia Keight over a cup of coffee in 2011. Their aim was to recognise burgeoning stand-up comedy talent in South Africa.
Radebe, who is doing his Master’s in Population Studies and Statistics at UKZN, said his comedy routines are inspired by daily life experiences. ‘My comedy is mostly an observation of the world around me and my perspective on social issues and major events such as the Vodacom Durban July,’ he said, adding, ‘My jokes are observations that everybody encounters every day with a twist of funny.’
Radebe, whose favourite comedian is Chris Rock, is a heavyweight in the local comedy arena. Highlights from his career include winning the Young Blood Comedy Competition in 2015, scooping the Next Generation of Comedy Competition in 2017 and being Number 1 in Times Live’s TOP 7 List of Young South Africans set to take over the world! He debuted on national TV on Vuzu Amp, Vuzu and Mzansi Magic in 2016 and has performed at the biggest comedy venues in SA including the Goliath Comedy Club and the Cape Town Comedy Club.
Before doing his undergraduate degree in Geography and Environmental Management on the UKZN Howard Collage campus, he took a gap year to do some “soul searching”. That’s when he received the calling from the “comedy gods” to pursue a career on stage doing what he loves which is telling jokes.
South African Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards voting is open. Vote for Kwanda Radebe by SMSing 24635 to 45757. Text messages cost R1.50 each and you can vote up to 50 times per sim card. Voting closes on 31 August 2018.
Check out UKZN’s home-grown comedian Kwanda Radebe on social media:
Instagram: kwanda radebe
YouTube: Kwanda Radebe
Twitter: @Kwandaldhino
Facebook: Kwanda Radebe
Words: Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer
Photograph: Supplied