Laughs from Mzuzu
The names that have all along topped the celebrity comedy list in Malawi have been Izeki ndi Jacob.
With their village-based laughs, the duo has sent Malawi into stitches for decades.
While the Blantyre-based comedians’ fame is slowly fading amid the rise of Lilongwe-based comedian Chindime and another Blantyre-based thespian Mr Jokes, Mzuzu comedians have remained silent in taking up the space vacated by Izeki and Jacob.
However, the good news is that the 2014-2015 Farm Input Subsidy Programme (Fisp) sensitisation and awareness campaign by the Malawi Police Service has unearthed comedians whose rib-cracking jokes promise to elevate them onto the national spotlight.
Performing as Phwathulani and Kawaza Mgeme, the pair exceeded people’s expectations during a function held in Traditional Authority Mtwalo’s area in Mzimba last week.
The comedians sent the gathering, at St Kizito Primary in Enukweni, Group Village Headman Nkomo Mdolo, into stitches of laughter with their entertaining skit about the dangers of selling coupon to unscrupulous vendors.
The comedians, real names James Mhango for Phwathulani and MacAnthony Mwandelire for Kawaza Mgeme, have been performing at a number of shows, using their talent to help in spreading a number of complex messages to the masses despite.
The act has attracted the attention of many organisations in Mzuzu and beyond.
Little wonder one their shows is constantly beamed on MBC TV on Saturday mornings.
“We have been invited by many organisations to perform at their events such as Plan Malawi’s sanitation project events,” said Mwandelire.
According to Mwandelire, their journey into theatre began 10 years ago when they joined a youth forum in Mzuzu.
“We started acting together some years ago when we met at a youth forum in Mzuzu and we have been acting together since then. And despite not rising to national recognition, we believe that our work has been exceptional. When we perform at a function, we are normally recalled to perform again,” he said.
To widen their reach, the comedians are recording a DVD in which they will tackle HIV and Aids, homosexuality, town life and village life.
The DVD, which is titled Tidzuke Malawi, is scheduled for release in December.
“We have complete a number of skits; we are now working out on the final product. I can assure you that by November, we will start promotional activities and launch the product in December,” said Mwandelire.
