The Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards is the country’s longest-running comedy awards event. It honours registered comedians across nine categories.
‘There were more comedians registered this year than any other year,’ said John Vlismas, co-founder of the awards.
In celebration of the fifth birthday of the awards, three new awards have been added: The Non-English Award – recognising the fastest-growing segment of South African comedy; The Best Friend of Comedy – to thank those who work behind the scenes for their contribution to local comedy; and the Flying Solo – for the best one-person show of the year.
Here are the categories and nominees:
The Savanna Newcomer Comic - Mo Mothebe; Glen Biderman-Pam; Yaseen Barnes; Farhan Esat; Noko Mosoete;
The Intermediate Comic - Kagiso KG Mokgadi; Loyiso Madinga; Schalk Bezuidenhout; Jason Goliath; Alfred Adriaan;
The Comics’ Pen - Nina Hastie; Camilo Saloojee; Christopher Steenkamp; Rob van Vuuren; Lazola Gola;
The Best Friend of Comedy - Joe Parker; Des McKie; Goliath & Goliath; Gino Fernandez; Cape Town Comedy Club;
The Flying Solo Comic - Celeste Ntuli; Marc Lottering; Alan Committie; Trevor Noah; Loyiso Gola;
The Savanna Audience Choice Award – Khanyisa Bunu; Thenjiwe Moseley; Collen Chepi; Darren Maule; Lukhanyiso Matshoba;
The Non-English Comic - Isaac Gampu; Mashabela Galane; Collen Chepi; Tshepo Sethosa; Smowkey Nyembe; and
The Comic Of The Year - Tumi Morake; Loyiso Gola; Tats Nkonzo; Trevor Noah; Mashabela Galane.
The Lifetime Achiever – Joe Mafela
The legendary Joe Mafela took to stage to acknowledge the industry he has served for over 50 years, recalling a few people he’s worked with and how the industry was in the past.
‘Back then there was no money; we were just happy to be on stage,’ he said.
Mafela joins other local comedy legends, Mel Miller, Joe Parker, Barry Hilton and Mark Banks, who share this accolade.
Mafela’s closest peers will ‘roast’ him at a special night at Parker’s Comedy Club on Wednesday, 15 July, just a few weeks before the award ceremony.
The main awards ceremony will take place at The Teatro at Montecasino on Saturday, 15 August.