You can count on Mo to raise laughter
COMEDY breaks barriers and takes on all the “isms”, such as racism and terrorism. And Durban audiences are a very together bunch when it comes to having a laugh. That’s from Durban comic Mo Vawda, whose day job is lecturing statistics at the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Vawda, who will appear in Butlers Comedy Night in Hillcrest next Saturday, said that bringing humour into issues helped to raise awareness. “It allows you to be cognisant of what is going on around you and creates awareness. It allows us to face issues together and laugh about them. It breaks down barriers and lets us laugh at all those ‘isms’, from racism to terrorism. “Durban is very united in their laughter which is also loud and appreciative,” he says. Born in uMzinto, Vawda has spent his life in a home where humour was highly valued. “My mom was a lady who could sing. She had a fantastic voice which would warm people’s hearts, and my dad was very funny. He would create humour wherever he went. I always remember people were so happy around him and their faces would always light up. That’s what I love to see, which is what inspired me to do comedy,” he said. And while he also teaches statistics at university, which may be perceived by some as a dry subject, Vawda said though the two spheres of his life were very different, they were also similar in that they were both structured. “Comedy is always dynamic and never perfect. I also love the balance of my life. I love teaching and my students are the next generation who will influence future policy in our country. I also bring some humour into my class,” he said. Having only been in the comedy game for a couple of years, Vawda said he has tried to create his own unique style and remain authentic when it comes to connecting with his audience. “Sometimes the audience won’t like what you are saying, so you have to be able to chop and change quickly, but I also believe in keeping to who you are on stage.” Also appearing with Vawda at Butlers Comedy Night for the 80-minute show is Durban’s Jem Atkins, Gauteng’s Glen Bo and Cape Town’s Devin Gray. The show takes place at Butlers Restaurant on Saturday, September 2 and starts at 8.30pm. Tickets are available from www.quicket.co.za or at the door.
Sometimes the audience won’t like what you are saying, so you have to be able to chop and change quickly Mo Vawda