Comedy is one of the fastest growing industries on the African continent and this year, The Annual South African Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards (CCAs), with Savanna Premium Cider as its main sponsor, is at the fore of celebrating this amazing progression and the individuals whose efforts have earned the industry such results. Once again, the numbers tell the story of an industry booming and being consumed en masse by patrons across platforms at a greater rate than ever before.
The biggest change in this year’s competition process was the move from mobile to an online voting mechanism for the Audience Choice category. We saw well over 100 000 votes come in for 287 comedians from across 70 countries, highlighting that African comedy is truly a global product.
Segmentation, although generally perceived as negative, has been good for comedy and is evident with the Native Tongue category growing considerably over the last 2 years. This subtle market dissection has compelled regions to start establishing venues to cope with this growth, which bodes well for the future of comedy.
The industry, its supporters and the media gathered at The Venue in Melrose Arch on Wednesday the 10th of July where the nominees were revealed. The list this year is one of the most exciting, featuring the very best comedic talent across the continent. The coveted Waldo statuettes will once again be up for grabs and seeking a new place on the mantles of the most deserving comics this year.
And the nominees are:
COMEDY G AWARD
Chris Forrest (JHB)
Loyiso Gola (JHB)
Barry Hilton (CPT)
Conrad Koch (CPT)
Celeste Ntuli (JHB)
SAVANNA NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Reagen Allen (CPT)
Cyril Basker (DBN)
Waylene Beukes (JHB)
Emilio Tobias (JHB)
Chomi Ya Jeso (JHB)
NEXT LEVEL AWARD
Tsitsi Chiumya (JHB)
Bongani Dube (JHB)
Lindy Johnson (CPT)
Abuti Lolo (MPUMALANGA)
Nonto R (KZN)
THE NATIVE TONGUE AWARD
Chomi Ya Jeso (JHB)
Mashabela Galane (JHB)
Celeste Ntuli (JHB)
Siyabulela Seya (JHB)
Simphiwe Shembe (KZN)
THE FLYING SOLO AWARD
Loyiso Gola (JHB)
Skhumba Hlophe (JHB)
Conrad Koch / Chester Missing (CPT)
Mpho Popps Modikoane (JHB)
Celeste Ntuli (JHB)
THE COMICS’ PEN AWARD
Lazola Gola (JHB)
Kagiso Lediga (JHB)
Milo (Camilo Saloojee) (JHB)
Rea Moeti (JHB)
Mpho Osei-Tutu (JHB)
Almost News with Chester Missing (JHB)
THE BEST FRIEND OF COMEDY AWARD
Goliath & Goliath (JHB)
David Kau (JHB)
Parkers Comedy Club/Joe Parker (JHB)
Simphiwe Shembe (KZN)
#ER Comedy What What ((JHB)
THE HEADLINER OF THE YEAR AWARD
Robby Collins (JHB)
Skhumba Hlophe (JHB)
Mpho “Popps” Modikoane (JHB)
Siyabulela Seya (JHB
Carl Weber (CPT)
THE SAVANNA COMIC OF THE YEAR AWARD
Robby Collins (JHB)
Loyiso Gola (JHB)
Skhumba Hlophe (JHB)
Mpho “Popps” Modikoane (JHB)
Celeste Ntuli (JHB)
THE SAVANNA PAN-AFRICAN COMIC OF THE YEAR
Now in its third year, this award has transcended borders and helped many comedians speak the same language – funny. Savanna Premium Cider continues to support comedy across the continent, making it even more accessible to fans. This year the nominees feature luminaries revered on the African continent and beyond.
This year’s nominees are:
Kansiime Anne (Uganda)
Basketmouth (Nigeria)
Chingliz (Zambia)
Long John the Comedian (ZIMBABWE)
Alfred Kainga (ZIMBABWE)
THE AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
The voice of the fan is supremely important and this award is for them to shout their favourite’s name from the rooftops. With this being the only award that’s open for public voting, the five nominees in this category will have their work cut out for them in creating a campaign that garners them maximum votes from the public to ensure their victory. Voting for this category is accessible online at www.comicschoice.co.za and closes on the 31st of August 2019.
The nominees are:
Blaque Gzus (NORTH WEST PROVINCE)
Chantal Jax (CPT)
Thato Malebati (LIMPOPO)
Pele-Pele (JHB)
Kwanda Radebe (KZN)
THE LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT RECIPIENT
“The wise person doesn’t ask, What have I achieved?, but rather, What have I contributed?” – Marianne Williamson
This year’s recipient of the prestigious Lifetime Achiever Award is Soli Philander. Soli Philander is a South African actor, director, comedian, playwright and columnist. A well-respected member of the comedy fraternity, the Cape Town native is no doubt a pioneer and legend deserving of this accolade through his work on TV and at theatres around the globe.
As our Lifetime Achiever Award Recipient, Soli Philander will be featured in the ceremonial “Grilling of a Lifetime”, which will take place on the 21st of August 2019 in Johannesburg. We have become accustomed to this type of occasion being the ultimate sign of endearment within the comedy scene and this year will be no different.
About the Award Ceremony
The Savanna CCAs spring to life on Saturday the 7th of September 2019 at The Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City in Johannesburg. The night promises to once again elevate the status of comedy as an A-List offering. There will be fashion, entertainment and of course loads of laughs. The theme this year – “Funny Money,” – explores the journey of the comedian from Newcomer to Lifetime recipient and their interactions with unscrupulous promoters and managers. This one is not to be missed.
There are only a limited number of tickets for the award ceremony on sale to the public; get yours here:
The dress code is “glamorous with emphasis on designer labels”.
The Savanna CCAs thanks its partners – Savanna Premium Cider, Chatz Connect, Kaya FM 95.9, Channel24, Sound Stylists and Stageworks.
For more information:
Event Info: www.comicschoice.com
Email: info@comicschoice.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/sa.comics.choice.awards
Twitter: @Comics_Choice
Instagram: ComicsChoice
In partnership with Savanna Premium Cider, Chatz Connect, Kaya FM 95.9, Channel24, Sound Stylists and Stageworks.
Issued on behalf of The Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards
By Whacked Management
