Soul Food Comedy opens on a high

Kgomotso Molelekeng | Tuesday February 4, 2014 15:04

Following auditions from the previous week where a large number of hopefuls came to try their luck, only six poets made it through to the competition. This is where the overall winner stands a chance to walk away with P2,000 and other great prizes yet to be confirmed. 

Speaking to the organiser, spoken word artist Maya Roze told Showbiz that the competition has identified comedy as a growing art form in Botswana, but is not receiving its deserved attention.  She said as a result the competition plans on changing this norm and giving it the platform it deserves.

“The Soul Food Comedy contest was created because of this and it seeks to network individuals involved in the craft, draw desired attention to the art and help performers harness their skills.  The show will comprise of three segments,” she said.  

 She added that they choose to stick with roasting as it is a popular satirical manner of performance and has become the culture in comedy for the past few decades.  She said the craft involves acquiring a subject, which is normally a well-known figure that is willing to be part of the competition as a ‘prop’.

“Celebrities approached to offer support are Mod the Comedian from the Laff A Lot Movement, Poem Tha Ansa, a well established spoken word and slam artist, entertainment veteran DJ Sid as well as popular hip hop artist ATI,” she said.

She said that they decided to engage these performers based on their ability to pull crowds, as they are all talented in what they specialise in.   Roze said after they held auditions, contestants were selected based on their originality, style of delivery, crowd response and interaction.

“The finalists that have made it through to the first round are Tulani Tau, Daddy Cheng, Panashe Santos, Isaac Lungu, Charles Zim Comic as well as Bambino,” she said.  Roze further mentioned that each contestant brought something different in their performances and stood out for the judges.

“With cash as well as other prizes, the competition aims to create incentive for the participants through assisting in their talent development and progression,” she said.  She added that the competition would continue till the judges feel they have found their star but that will happen after different tests have been done to them. She said, “so far the reception towards the first round of the competition has been phenomenal.  People love the poets and one can see that the contestants are in this to win it. They are hungry for the title”.