Troy’s jokes ring true
Humour tackles tough issues
THE idea behind funny man, Troy Tesla’s comedy is to create a conversation through comedy. Durban-based, Tesla is gearing up for his first oneman show, Whose Land Is It Anyway? at the Durban Jewish Centre on September 1.
The show takes on issues of today with Tesla holding a unique point of view on the land debate which stems from his Zimbabwean heritage.
At the height of Zimbabwe’s land reform programme, his family were targeted victims of the political persecution that ensued against white farmers and black citizens.
“My family moved from Zimbabwe to South Africa. It wasn’t the second wave of people that came through the economic instability but because of the land reform stuff, my father was working with white partners and so when the whole thing started, he was chased,” Tesla said.
“He was the first to leave because he was the target man and the whole family soon followed him. Zim is structured in such a way that the conversations are happening in South Africa where the majority of non-white people are struggling with poverty.
“Now they’re suggesting that society needs to reset itself in terms of the land conversation particularly. I’m coming from a place having seen or experienced it – or at least having a direct relationship with the conversation I endured there. It’s actually personal to me. I’ve experienced the other side of expropriation. I guess I’m more informed than anybody else.”
Tesla will also tackle other issues in his show, from race and homophobia to the #MeToo movement.
“Comedy in the world has matured to a point where people are kinda like ‘yeah it’s funny but then what’. So my show is topical. It’s really about having a conversation that needs to be had and it’s a very emotional discussion for everyone. I’m bringing about a way of having a difficult conversation but with jokes.”
Tesla said he took up public speaking when he was in Grade 3 and he’s never had difficulty speaking in front of large crowds.
He started doing stand-up comedy three years ago after failing to impress a girl: “I was trying to flirt with her and she was like, you’re so funny and suggested I do stand-up. I took her advice so I think my jokes are better than my ability to charm women.”
Asked what comedy lovers can expect from his show, Tesla said it will be a bit more structured than his usual shows. “It will touch on relevant issues. And 90% of the content is going to be first heard at the show. I never do it outside the one-man show.”
Local comedians, Mo Vawda and Shannon Rice will open for Troy Tesla’s Whose Land Is It Anyway? at the Durban Jewish Centre.