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99% Zulu ComedySouth Africa's longest standing and undoubtedly funniest vernacular stand-up comedy show, 99% Zulu, is about to hit Jozi for the first time. With a line-up featuring some of the best comedy talent in the country, this one-night-only performance is set to be one of the hottest tickets in town! The show, produced by Monwabisi Grootboom, will be loud and on stage at Gold Reef City's Lyric Theatre on 16 February at 20h30. Tickets cost between R150 and R180. 'The purpose of the concept is to enrich African languages in a country that is fast losing its cultural heritage. There are gags that are simply better appreciated when expressed in an African Language,' says Monwabisi. 'Performing in mother-tongue is perhaps the most revolutionary development in our little SA comedy industry. This helps spread and broaden the comedy economy, whilst giving our vernacular languages more commercial value.' The show features several recognisable and respected stand up comics including KZN's Felix Hlope and Simphiwe Shembe. They will be joined by Celeste Ntuli, perhaps the strongest Black comedienne in the country. A vernacular comedy show would be incomplete without the presence of Sya B AKA Siyabonga Radebe and better known as Xolani in the popular soapie, Generations. Sya B is an experienced and versatile comedian having performed all over the country. Representing the 'township talent' is Tembisa-born Skhumba Hlophe who has been seen in Blacks Only and Vosloorus' Isaac Gampu. The show's director, the legendary TallA$$ Mo (Mongezi Ngcobondwane), also hails from township beginnings and this together with his Model C education provides him with an endless source of humorous observations and hilarious material that keep audiences laughing for more. TallMo has become one of South Africa's most well known comedians in a very short space of time and was nominated in the 'Best Newcomer' category in the first Comic Choice Awards in 2011. 'Most Black comics on the current comedy scene in SA are born and raised in rural and township areas and now many reside in urban areas of big cities. Performing in their mother-tongue reconnects them with their background in many ways. They also get to educate many people in the audience about their cultural heritage and general nuances,' comments Grootboom. 99% Zulu will be a completely different experience for the people of Jozi, but Grootboom is convinced the audiences will identify with the humour. He says that the show speaks to the core of our collective African identity and reflects the lives of the urban Black between the ages 25 - 50. It is easily understandable to every Black African as it is in Nguni languages with lots of street English thrown in. *The show will take place at 20:30 on 16 February. Tickets are priced between R150, R165 and R180 and are available through Computicket, Shoprite/Checkers or at The Lyric Box Office on 011 248 5168. Log onto www.goldreefcity.co.za for more information or follow @GoldReefCitySA on Twitter to keep up with Gold Reef City news and events. Date: 16 February 2013Time: 20:30 - 23:30 Venue: The Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City, Johannesburg Cost: R150 - R180 More info: Cnr Northern Parkway and Data Crescent |