Tell us about your show. Why should we go and see it?
My show is called the Mandela Effect, which refers to a phenomenon where a large number of people misremember a historical fact, and in my show I take the audience on a journey that reminds them of historical facts that the majority of people in first world countries have forgotten about African history.
You should see my show if you want to laugh and be educated. In my culture we welcome laughter even in the midst of pain and in my show I share my story as a South African who grew up in apartheid South Africa and my experience of living in different first world countries.
What are your hopes and dreams for the Fringe?.
I am hoping that the Fringe will expose my talent to industry professionals like producers and promoter’s and get me work, possibly a tour. I would like to get on to bigger shows like Live At The Apollo. I am also hoping to meet other comics that I can collaborate with, I have a YouTube channel with over 40million views, where I do comedy skits in my home language Zulu and I am planning to start producing some comedy sketches in English with other comics.
What makes you laugh?
There are so many things that make me laugh, funny memes on the internet, untalented people who enter reality shows, especially singing competition, why can’t their friends and family tell them the truth!? I also love a good sketch show, the two Ronnies is my favourite to date.
What three words best describe your performance style – and why.
Deadpan. I don’t joke with my jokes, I am serious on stage.
Observational. In my comedy I take about issues that are common knowledge but not commonly discussed.
Educational. For a long time the African story has be told by the non-african and I am using my comedy to tell the story from an African’s point of view. In Africa we have a proverb that says:
“Until the story of the hunt is told by the lion, the tale of the hunt will always glorify the hunter.”
How will your audience think/feel differently after an hour in your company?
I believe that my audience will feel happy and entertained, if I do get any racists in the audience, they will feel guilty and hopefully change their ways.
What kind of shows – apart from your own – are you looking forward to seeing at the Edinburgh Fringe?
I am looking forward to seeing Matt Price’s As Seen on CCTV. Mr Price is one of the comedians I look up to, he is a gifted comedian with some of the most extraordinary and outrageous stories, I also want to know why he has a goat on his poster, an animal which has an important cultural significance in the Zulu culture. I am also looking forward to watching Steven N Allen’s Alzheimer’s because not only is he a funny comedian but his show is on a topic that’s close to my heart, in Africa Alzheimer’s is perceived as witchcraft and sufferers are often violently attacked,
I am heavily involved with educating communities in villages and townships about the disease so it will be interesting to hear a comedian’s take on it
Outside comedy, I am looking forward to watching The Soweto Gospel Choir.
The cost of living is a big issue this year – will it make this Fringe more challenging?
The cost of living is definitely making the Fringe more challenging, it’s been very hard to save with everything being so expensive and the cost of accommodation in Edinburgh during the Fringe is also crippling. We need a law that makes Edinburgh families swap homes with comedians for free during the festival.
What do you predict will emerge as the big themes of this year.
I think mental health and gender identity will be big themes for this year.
Who is your showbiz idol and why.
My overall showbiz idol is Beyonce. She is just phenomenal. Beyonce started singing when she was around 4, she got her first record deal when she was 15. Now with over 313 million Instagram followers and a net worth of $540m, Beyonce still gives it her all. If she can wake up every morning, and give her career-and her goals everything she has- she makes me want to push harder every day.
What is your idea of a perfect Fringe moment?
A perfect Fringe moment would be to finish a show with great applause and a standing ovation and to be approached by two audience members who introduce themselves as NETFLIX executives and offer me a Netflix special.
Thenjiwe: The Mandela Effect
14:25
Just the Tonic Cask Room
August 3-28
https://tickets.edfringe.com/whats-on/thenjiwe-the-mandela-effect
