Four comics chosen for TV show

2008-10-14 18:04

Thobile Mlangeni and Tshwarelo eseng Mogakane

Nelspruit - A group of four young comedians from KaNyamazane outside Nelspruit in Mpumalanga have been selected as finalists for SABC 1's upcoming reality television show, So You Think You Are Funny.

During auditions held in Nelspruit on October 5, the lads, who call themselves Amahlaya (a Zulu word for comedy), were selected to represent Mpumalanga in the finals of the search for South Africa's best comedy act.

"We are very excited to be chosen as the best comedians as far as Mpumalanga goes. We plan to show South Africa what people from this side of the world are made of," says group leader, Andrew Mavuso, aged 21.

Celebrity comedian David Kau produces the TV series in collaboration with Coca-Cola's soft drink brand Fanta.

Kau has been going around the country selecting finalists who will face-off against each other until the final showdown in the 13th episode of the TV series.

Cash for the winners

The series begins on November 11 and will feature the elimination rounds for the talent search. Soul City actor Thomas Gumede will present the show.

The auditions have already taken place in towns such as Pretoria, Durban, Port Elizabeth, Polokwane and Nelspruit.

Kau and his crew will still to visit Bloemfontein, Vereeniging, Cape Town, East London and Johannesburg.

The finalists stand a chance to win R100 000 in cash and an opportunity to work with Kau on future commercial projects.

Kau says he is looking for a unique individual or group that can make the whole country laugh.

Keep it fresh

"Anyone can tell a joke, but not everyone can make people laugh. Through my experience I've learnt that the trick is to keep it fresh all the time. That's what I'm looking for in this province and the rest of the country," says Kau.

Amahlaya hope to be just what Kau is looking for.

Mavuso and his mates Bongani Malope (19), Mkhuleko Madalane (19) and Agreement Sifundza (20) have been doing comedic acts since 2002 when they started their group.

They all attended Sitintile high school in KaNyamazane, where they gained popularity as "the funny guys", winning trophies, certificates and trips around the country.

Malope and Mavuso completed their matric last year while Madalane and Sifundza will write final matric examinations this year.

The group members write their own script and say they have been "addicted" to comedy since they were little boys, inspired by famous comedians from Joe Mafela to Rowan Atkinson.

Recently, Amahlaya produced a movie titled Endumbeni (The Rondavel), named after a local bar and restaurant in the area.

The movie, which is planned for independent release next year, addresses daily challenges that affect young people, which includes alcohol abuse, drug-abuse, gangsterism and violence.

- African Eye