Kodwa determined to grow E Cape comedy brand
NDEVANA-BORN comic Luphelo Kodwa is taking the comedy scene by storm with his rural stories.
Known for his vaskom story, Kodwa is currently travelling around the province gunning for votes for the Comic Choice Awards’ ‘audience choice’ category.
The public gets to nominate their choice ahead of the official announcement in September.
Out of more than 200 comics, only four will make it to the audience choice finals.
“Voting lines close this Friday and I have been busy getting people to vote for me,” he said.
Kodwa recently opened at the East London Comedy Night show, which featured Tats Nkonzo, Schalk Bezuidenhout, Zimvo and Loyiso Madinga. Since his comedy debut in 2014, Kodwa has been featured on David Kau’s More Jokes tour, and 99% Xhosa Comedy.
He also opened for Sifiso Nene and was recently an opening act at the East London Comedy Night show.
“With arts one cannot say one chooses it – art chooses people. I left a corporate job for comedy and I do not regret it,” he said.
Within three months of leaving his job, Kodwa said doors started opening for him and that confirmed to him that he was on the right path.
“Within three months I was on 99% Xhosa Comedy at Hemingways and six month later I landed my first acting job on e.tv’s drama series, Matatiele. I knew from there that comedy was indeed where I was destined to be,” he said.
Kodwa said this was the second time he had been nominated for the Savanna Comic Choice Awards.
“Last year I was nominated in four categories, including best new comer. I did not follow up on the nominations and ask for votes because I compared myself with other comedians in the categories, who had big social media followings.
“This year I decided to act on my nominations and encourage people to vote for me,” he said.
While Kodwa feels honoured by the nominations, he says he will continue working hard to fill up The Venue@Hemingways.
“I am trying to raise awareness and expand the Eastern Cape comedy scene. I have not done much for Eastern Cape comedy and until I have I will be excited about such nominations.
“As Eastern Cape-based comedians we need to grow our brands and be able to pull crowds without relying on big names to do that,” he said, adding that with the assistance of bigger comedians, the upcoming comics would also get to a point where they are able to do their own shows.
To vote for Kodwa for the Audience Choice Award, sms “40009” to 45757.
Kodwa said he would be hosting his show, Fresh Outta Vaskom at the Steve Biko Centre in Ginsberg on Friday.
The event, presented by the Steve Biko Foundation and T D Jokes Entertainment, will feature comics such as Shuz Sigobelwane, TD Jokes, Sir Nkaa and Mribo.
● Tickets cost R60 and available at the door.
For more details, contact 043-6056700. — will be