Life is just one big laugh for comedian Skhumba
After two weeks of trying to track down Skhumbuzo “Skhumba” Hlophe, we finally meet at the least place I thought I would catch sight of him: the Barnyard at Gold Reef City where the after-party for the Savannah Comics’ Choice Awards is being held.
Surprisingly, he remembers me from a telephonic interview we did a week ago. He receives me with a hug and introduces me to fellow comedian Tats Nkonzo.
“Thabang asked me who my favourite comedian is, and I told her it’s you,” he tells Nkonzo, beaming with happiness.
However, Nkonzo appears almost nonchalance about the statement.
Not only was Skhumba the most nominated comedian at the Comics’ Choice Awards, he also nabbed two gongs, making him the big winner of the night.
He received the Flying Solo Award, as well as the most prestigious award, the Savannah Comic of the Year Award, where he was up against Celeste Ntuli, Carvin H Goldstone, Kagiso Mokgadi, and Loyiso Gola.
In between shooting his TV show Throwback Thursdays, preparing for his comedy shows and hosting his radio show Skhumba on 180 with Bob on Kaya FM, he also needs to squeeze in time to be a family man, which explains why it took so long for us to have our interview.
Flashback to our interview the week before: Skhumba said that he was looking forward to the award ceremony, and going back to the Lyric Theatre in Gold Reef City again, where he performed his one-man show #ItsAShubile, back 2015. The one-man show was a hit, with all three shows selling out within weeks. “I started doing comedy 10 years ago, but the media only started taking notice of me about three or four years ago.” Skhumba was born and raised in Tembisa. His career took off seven years ago when he appeared at the Soweto Comedy Festival. Since then, he has been featured on several shows, including the Stand-up Zulu Festival, Mojokes, Skhumba and Friends and many more. “I am currently preparing for my oneman show called Just for Kontrol. I am doing it just for control you know?” He laughs. At this point, I realise that it is impossible to have a formal interview with a comedian. He cracks jokes in between questions. Whimsical jokes that would get individuals with the driest sense of humour laughing. “If I was not a comedian, I would probably be a street vendor, ngiblome ekhoneni (chilling by the corner) selling goods,” he says. “No, I am serious, I am really not joking right now,” he says, after sensing my scepticism. “Tembisa is a very rough kasi, the people there hardly amount to anything in life. “You are expected to be some criminal and steal cars.” His career highlight thus far isn’t anything tangible such as an award, but the fact that, after 10 years of being in the comedy scene, he can perform in his mother tongue and still be comfortable doing it. For him, being recognised and put in the same calibre as English-speaking comedians is an achievement on its own.
He even expressed this during his acceptance speech after winning the Flying Solo Awards.
He also revealed that he only quit his full-time job as a SA Police Service clerk in December last year.
Before we conclude our interview over the phone, he jokingly says: “I hope you write only the things I said, okay?”
You can catch more of this comedian on SABC 1, on his show Throwback Thursdays, as well as on Kaya FM on his show Skhumba on 180 with Bob.