The 2025 Savanna Newcomer Showcase is rolling into Sandton, and with Tumi Morake at the helm, you’re guaranteed a laugh-till-your-face-hurts extravaganza.
On Sunday, 26 January 2025, the iconic Maslow Hotel will be transformed into a comedy playground, where 20 emerging comedians from across the country will have just five minutes on stage to showcase their talent and vie for a chance to secure a nomination in the highly coveted Savanna Newcomer Award category at this year’s awards.
If you want to discover the next big thing in comedy, this is the event to be at! Prepare for quick wit, sharp satire, and hilariously relatable digs as these newcomers pull out all the stops to make their mark.
The Savanna Newcomer Showcase – Where Laughter Meets Opportunity!
Why You Can’t Miss This:
- Tumi Morake is your host. Enough said.
- 20 newbie comedians are bringing their funniest material to the stage.
- Tickets are just R150. Tickets are limited, so book now on Quicket.
- Oh, and there’s a free Savanna on arrival because laughter is thirsty work.
Meet the 20 Fresh Faces of Funny:
- Aiden Ho – (@aiden_.ho)
- Chantal Harris – (@chantal_harris_comedy)
- Christie van Niekerk – (@christievniekerk)
- Daniele du Plessis – (@daniele.bia)
- Dombolo – (@domboloralo)
- Dr Mathews (@_drmathews)
- Farieda Metsileng – (@pharoahfi)
- Jerry McSpanky – (@jerry.mcspanky)
- Kamaney – (@g_kamaney)
- Keketso Hutamo – (@keketso_hutamo)
- Khanyisile Ngwenya – (@khanyisilecomedy)
- Nate Levinrad – (@natevuyolevinrad)
- Ngosa Kangwa – (@ngosakang)
- Ntsundeni Ndou – (@ntsundenindou)
- QuarterLeg De Comedian – (@quarterleg17)
- Rafique Ismail – (@rafique_ismail)
- Sala – (@sala_u_joke_2_much)
- Thendo Musetha – (@thendo_m)
- Wesley King – (@wesley_king__)
- Zaheer Gaida
Tips for Maximum Fun:
- Arrive at 16:00 for pre-drinks and mingling.
- Show starts at 17:00 sharp, don’t be late unless you want Tumi to roast you in front of everyone.
- Stick around after the show to meet the comedians and toast to a night well-laughed.
This isn’t just a showcase; it’s a chance to witness the future stars of South African comedy in their breakout moments.
Tickets are limited, so book now on Quicket.
If you want to see who wins the award, the Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards takes place on 12 April in Johannesburg. Keep your eyes on social media for details and ticket sales.
#SavannaCCA
ABOUT THE AWARDS
Now in its 12th year, the Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards was created to build the industry, to highlight the stalwarts that have pioneered new paths, and to support emerging talent to be the best it can be.
The aim is to elevate careers, to help comedians sell out their shows, and for corporates to look to comedians to MC and host their events. The ultimate goal is for international comedy festivals to book our incredible local talent to perform abroad, and for South Africa to be attracting top international acts to tour here too.
ABOUT THE COMEDIANS
Aiden Ho
Aiden Ho is a comedian from a mixed background, father Chinese, mother white South African; born in Johannesburg, primary school in China, high school onwards in South Africa. Offering his fresh perspective on the diverse South African landscape with smart word play and provocative performance.
Chantal Harris
At the pivotal point in her life of 55, with approximately 20 years left to reinvent herself – Chantal Harris decided to opt for a more satisfying and potentially fun career. The final toss up was between politics and comedy – but the winner was comedy. Chantal has been on line ups with some of South Africa’s funniest people, including Khanyisa Bunu, Jam Jam, Tats Nkonzo, Jaxx Justice and she opened for Barry Hilton in March 2024.
Christie van Niekerk
Christie is a performer with the goal of elevating every day experiences in to something that could be laughable. Personification of inanimate objects, comedic songs, storytelling, caricature acting and improvisation with audiences are her main methods of stand-up and largely draws from her Afrikaans background and life experiences to create content.
Daniele Du Plessis
Originally from Joburg, Daniele du Plessis is a Cape Town based Actress, singer, writer and stand-up comedian. She started her career in stand-up in 2022 and has quickly become a familiar face in the Cape Town comedy scene since.
Dombolo
Dombolo is one of the youngest comedians in GQ, he started doing comedy when he was 17 years old after a poor singing performance, since then he has been entertaining audiences all over GQ and outside with his observational humour and funny story telling.
Dr Mathews
This is Dr Mathews is an vernac comedian from Rustenburg north west. In a very short period, He has curated his own shows and work with the likes of Kedibone Mulaudzi, Zikho Sithole, Khanyisa Bunu and many more Comics.
Farieda Metsileng
Farieda Metsileng is a South African actress, comedian, VJ, voice-over artist, and production manager. She began her career as a comedian and later landed a television presenting job on MTV Base.
Jerry McSpanky
Jerry McSpanky is 23 years old stand up comedian living in Johannesburg. In his free time he works as an actuarial analyst in the insurance industry. He grew up in a big village called Mukumbani in Venda, Limpopo. He has just launched a podcast called The Random Guys which has drawn a lot of attention from social media with over a million views on Instagram.
Kamaney
Kamaney is no stranger to the stage, starting her entertainment career in the theatre; directing two plays for the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre and acting in numerous others. These days, she can be found on stages performing stand up in Durban, tackling current events and unpacking political, cultural, and social issues through an absurdly hilarious lens.
Keketso Hutamo
Keketso Hutamo is a stand-up comedian from the east rand in Vosloorus. He has performed in small and big stages, he has performed at the Johannesburg International Comedy Festival and has been on Let there be laughter on One Gospel on DStv.
Khanyisile Ngwenya
Born, bred and buttered in Soweto, this petite human with a big heart is a firecracker that can set any room she is thrown into, on fire. Though physically brittle due to being diagnosed with Osteogenesis Imperfecta at birth, Khanyisile Ngwenya’s unbreakable spirit pushed her to finally jump onto the stage.
Nate Levinrad
Nate Levinrad is a writer, and comedian. Nate is an exciting young comedian from Cape Town who has been making waves with his dry, acerbic style on.
Ngosa
Ngosa Kangwa is a storyteller at heart, blending his Zambian roots with a global outlook to create sharp, boundary-pushing comedy. With a background as a software developer, he brings a unique analytical perspective to life’s absurdities.
Ntsundeni Ndou
Ntsundeni Ndou’s journey began in the rural village of Mukula in Limpopo Province. He started his comedy career in 2021 and has since performed for diverse audiences. Ntsundeni’s comedy explores the humour in everyday life, blending themes of love, education, religion, and personal growth.
QuarterLeg De Comedian
Thekiso Maarman also known as QuarterLeg De Comedian, born and bred in Free State Virginia started doing my professional comedy on 2022. He won his first award March 2024 for best Comedian at CCI Awards and has shared the stage with the likes of Skhumba, Mashabela, Salesman, Blaq Gezus, Khanyisa Bunu, David Kau and more!
Rafique Ismail
Rafique has been doing comedy since 2021 and loves making people laugh with his stories of how he grew up as a coloured kid. 42 year old, married with 2 kids. Insurance broker by day and comedian at night.
Sala
Sala is a fairly new comic, officially starting his comedy career in 2021 and has never looked back.
Thendo Musetha
Thendo Musetha from Pretoria made he’s way to Joburg to achieve a dream of becoming a comedian in 2022. His comedy includes dark; self-deprecating humour and social commentary.
Wesley King
Wesley King is a comedian from Cape Town, working a 9-2, then studying, then doing comedy in the when the sun goes down.
Zaheer Gaida
Zaheer Gaida is a 32 year old full time pharmacist and part time comedian from Gqeberha with his sights set on growing as a comedian.
Savanna promotes responsible drinking. Not for persons under 18.
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Mzansi Life & Style by Mishkah Roman-Cassiem 