Comedians from across Zimbabwe recently gathered to address societal challenges, including the persistent issue of tribalism and its impact on everyday life.
The event, organised by Burg Comedy, took place at Hillside Walk’s Roasted Bean in Bulawayo, with comedian Frank Chirisa as the host.
The lineup featured local talents like Brandon Masuku and SindisoThePoet, as well as Harare-based comedians Chester and Chipenzi.
While the show primarily highlighted Bulawayo's stand-up comedians, it also incorporated a touch of Harare flavor. Frank Chirisa, in addition to his hosting duties and joke-telling, emphasised the importance of positive thinking.
Zimbabwe has a history of tribal tensions, and its legacy continues to manifest in institutions such as universities, workplaces, and public hospitals. The arts industry, however, has taken on the challenge of raising awareness about this issue, with Burg Comedy now joining the campaign.
“We need each other to survive. We were meant to coexist; there is no Shona, Ndebele, or Coloured. We are all human beings. We are all Zimbabweans, and we play a vital role in building the country,” Chirisa stated.
"Right now, the Shonas are angry at the Ndebele people, who, in turn, are also angry at Shonas. You see, even the Coloureds are angry at White people because they feel like they would have been completely white if their white ancestors had picked the ‘right’ partners," he joked, eliciting laughter from the audience.
“Right now, we have my friends here, this white couple in the audience. I met them at Alpha, a faith-based community group that brings together youths to talk about faith every Tuesday at Kings Kraal in Bulawayo. So now, we are also having a cultural exchange. Maybe when we pose for photos, we must not smile, so that when their friends see the photo, international aid will come,” he humorously added.
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Harare's Chipenzi also addressed drug awareness through his comedic routines, entertaining the audience throughout the evening.
Burg Comedy has announced plans for a "rival cities" show.
“Our next event is on April 12th, and we are having a battle of Harare versus Bulawayo comedians,” the organisers revealed. “We will have four comedians from each city.”
The lineup included Brandon Masuku, Sindiso the poet, Chester, and Chipenzi from Harare.
