Eswatini-born comedian Darren, whose real name is Ciniso Gamedze, has started a new chapter in his career following the end of his creative partnership with Bongiswa Masondo, known as Fohlas. Darren was born and raised in Mbikwake, Matsapha, and discovered his passion for comedy after watching local entertainer Gedlembane perform on stage. This experience inspired him to pursue a career in comedy, and he quickly learned that audiences love and enjoy comedy shows. His style of comedy, rooted in his home township culture, resonates with diverse crowds.
Darren's journey in comedy began with drawing inspiration from fellow comedian Bongiswa Masondo, as well as several prominent South African acts. He has performed at various venues, including the SibaneSami Hotel International Comedy Festival, which coincided with his birthday and allowed him to fully enjoy the moment. However, building a name in the industry was not without its hurdles, as financial difficulties frequently made progress tough. Despite this, Darren persevered and continued to hone his craft, eventually becoming a skilled professional dancer.
The end of Darren's creative partnership with Bongiswa has forced him to consider what he can create without the identity of Angisati Ngitsin beside him. During a recent podcast, Darren acknowledged that he was still searching for closure and had questioned why he was removed from the partnership. The uncertainty also made him question whether he had been good enough. However, he made it clear that the separation had not destroyed his personal relationship with Bongiswa.
Bongiswa explained that the two had grown and eventually reached a point where they were pursuing different paths. His explanation did not portray the separation as the result of a major dispute. Darren also acknowledged Bongiswa's skill as a comedian and wished him well in his future work. The two, however, have not seen each other since the split, with Darren saying they had planned to meet but Bongiswa did not show up.
Questions surrounding the Angisati Ngitsin social media page also surfaced during the discussion, with Darren responding humorously and maintaining that there had been no major fallout between them. For audiences who followed the duo, the separation represents the end of a familiar comedy partnership. For Darren, however, it marks the beginning of an entirely different professional challenge: establishing a name that can stand independently.
Darren's experience provides a solid foundation to build from, having worked in various aspects of the entertainment industry, from social media comedy to live stage performances, collaborations, and theatre. He and Bongiswa won the 2022 Social Media Award for Best Comedians of the Year and received a nomination for Best Comedy Series at the 2020 MTN SWAMA Awards. In 2024, they expanded their creative work into theatre with their one-act production, 'As We Were Saying'.
As Darren embarks on his solo journey, he must now determine what his individual comedy will look like, what stories he wants to tell, and how he wants audiences to experience him outside the partnership. With his talent and experience, Darren is poised to make a lasting impact in the entertainment industry. His appearance on Banele WJLM's podcast offered audiences a look at the person behind the jokes and the uncertainty behind the performer.
Key points
- Darren, a comedian from Eswatini, begins a solo career after the end of his partnership with Bongiswa Masondo.
- The separation has forced Darren to consider what he can create without the identity of Angisati Ngitsin beside him.
- Darren's experience and talent provide a solid foundation for his solo career in comedy.
