The funny way to deal with loss
Kagiso Lediga reveals how he and the production crew deals with deceased co-host and musical icon Hugh Masekela’s absence on satirical comedy show The Bantu Hour.
The Bantu Hour
Season 2 Friday SABC2 (*192) 19:00
“Bra Hugh played a huge part of the show. He might be gone but his vision and ideas live on,” says Kagiso Lediga, creator and host of comedy sketch show The Bantu Hour (2015- current) about his deceased co-host Hugh Masekela, who died in January this year after complications due to prostate cancer. While The Bantu Hour present social and political issues in a comical way, music is also a big influence as each week there’s a musical performance to close the show wherein Hugh featured as the band leader. “It’s hard for everyone but we got through it [his death] together. Because the production crew is close and we are like family, it felt like we were losing an uncle who was always there for everyone. But we are eager to proceed with the show that includes his creative vision,” adds the comedian.
The Bantu Hour returns for the second half of season 2 on Friday 7 September; what about it is different besides Bra Hugh’s absence? There’s a batch of new comedians joining us and I’m thrilled to be working with them, like comedian Robby Collins’ sister Meryl Collins and she is beyond hilarious! We also feature upcoming talent from Pretoria, like Tshepo “Bugzito” Seagiso. What separates The Bantu Hour from other shows in this genre? It’s written and performed by stand-ups – what I like to call comedy practitioners. These are people who interact with the audience, outside of just being writers. They do comedy for a living and they understand what the audience would like to see and hear. What was the thought process behind selecting the comedians this time? We started filming right after season 1 and comedians came crawling out of the woodwork and reached out to us to be part of the show. Our goal was to get as many funny people with crazy but strong ideas in one room and, of course, behind the camera. What was the team’s reaction when Bra Hugh passed away? It was very sad, especially because we have an intimate relationship. Bra Hugh was a global figure, so while we were mourning this great figure in our lives, the whole world was doing it too. Similar to any legend’s family, when they’re coming to terms with a loved one’s death, they later realise that there are stadiums of people across the world doing the same, with matching intensity. Bra Hugh touched a lot of lives and we continue to mourn and miss everything about him. Has his absence made the team consider a new band? Not at all. We have the same band. The only person missing is Bra Hugh and it would be weird cutting off the band and getting a new one as we have already formed strong bonds. How are you making sure that he’s still part of the show even though he’s not here any longer? He passed away while we were filming, so his voice and ethos are still there. The intro sequence still has his voiceover and the musical interludes have his signature trumpet. He is still alive in the show!