The inaugural Savanna Serves Bafunny Bafunny: South Africa's Festival of Comedy has come to a close, with over 20,000 tickets distributed nationwide. The festival, captained by Trevor Noah and hosted by Eugene Khoza, took place in Tshwane, Durban, and Cape Town. The nationwide tour featured a lineup of comedians, including Learnmore Jonasi, Mbali Gudazi, and Thabiso Mhlongo, who brought laughter to packed arenas.
The festival's success was marked by three sold-out, full-capacity arena nights across the three cities. Trevor Noah and Eugene Khoza's sets had the crowd in stitches, with Noah dissecting everyday South African realities, such as security guards roasting him for presenting his new New York driver's licence. Khoza also brought down the house with his roasts, including jokes about men wearing pyjamas and a father and son who looked like they swapped bodies.
Eugene Khoza's comedy was particularly well-received, with the audience thoroughly approving of his claims about Durban being weird. He also joked about the audience members, including a husband who looked like he was brought to the show against his will by his wife. The humour spilled into the concourses, where roving comedian referees issued Yellow Cards to fans for funny everyday offences.
The festival's format included a unique element, where crowd reactions were displayed on venue screens as fans cheered, pleaded 'not guilty,' and celebrated as their Yellow Cards popped up. This added an interactive element to the show, with fans scoring exclusive Savanna x Bafunny Bafunny merchandise. The festival was a celebration of South African comedy, with a lineup of local comedians and a format that showcased the country's dry, unapologetic humour.
According to Eon Jacobs, assistant brand manager at Savanna Premium Cider, the festival was a way of championing South African comedy. "Savanna has championed South African comedy from small club corners to the Savanna Comics' Choice Comedy Awards for years," he says. "Assembling Captain Trevor and the Bafunny Bafunny squad was our way of celebrating the dry, unapologetic humour that unites us all."
The festival's impact extends beyond the shows themselves, with fans sharing their experiences on social media and creating a buzz around South African comedy. The success of the festival demonstrates the appetite for comedy in South Africa and the potential for local comedians to make a national impact. With Trevor Noah at the helm, the festival was well-positioned to succeed.
The Bafunny Bafunny festival has set a new standard for comedy festivals in South Africa, with its unique format and lineup of local comedians. As the country's comedy scene continues to grow, events like this will be crucial in showcasing local talent and bringing laughter to audiences nationwide. The festival's conclusion marks the end of a successful run, but fans are already looking forward to next year's event.
Key points
- Trevor Noah captained the festival, which featured a lineup of local comedians and had over 20,000 tickets distributed nationwide.
- The festival had three sold-out, full-capacity arena nights across three cities.
- The event was a celebration of South African comedy, showcasing the country's dry, unapologetic humour.
