#ATYPICALINTERVIEW: SAMEER NAIK
Award-winning comedian and actor Schalk Bezuidenhout is one of the most exciting voices in South African comedy, bringing his unique contemporary Afrikaans perspective to the global comedy stage.
With a host of accolades including winner of the Savanna Newcomer Award at the Comics Choice Awards 2013, nominee for Breakthrough Act at the Comics Choice Awards 2014, and winner of the Intermediate Award at the Comics Choice Awards 2015, Bezuidenhout also has a number of high-profile live appearances to his name: opening for Trevor Noah in 2015 and 2017, and recording his own standup special for Comedy Central.
In 2022 Bezuidenhout recorded a second stand-up special for Netflix as part of Only Jokes Allowed. As well as being a top stand-up performer, he plays the lead role in Kanarie, a major feature-length film.
Bezuidenhout’s international career has seen him sell out runs of his oneman show South African White Boy at London’s Leicester Square Theatre, Soho Theatre and Edinburgh Fringe Festival. He has also performed at the Trending Comics Gala at Montreux Comedy Festival in Switzerland and Dubai.
If Schalk Bezuidenhout wasn’t a comedian, what would he be?
You’ll think I'm joking, but I think a game ranger hey! I love the bush and as I am getting older I am enjoying the quietness more and more. When I was young I could never be alone for even one second! I was always looking for someone to go have a drink with or something. Now I could quite see myself driving around in the bush going: “Oh wow, an elephant took a k*k here less than 10 minutes ago.”
The meal that most reminds you of your childhood is…?
A single cold wet vienna on a plate. You are able to share the stage with any comedian in the world. Who do you choose?
Yoh that’s tough. I am a big fan of John Mulaney at the moment and think he would be a fun guy to tour with! He tours in big tour buses. I think I’d have impostor syndrome on a private jet.
What is the biggest misconception people have of you?
That I’m funny all the time. The biggest mistake I make is to go sit at someone’s table and kuier with them after a show. They eventually ask me to leave just out of sheer boredom.
You’ve been invited to take part in a charity boxing match. You are able to go 12 rounds with any SA celebrity. Who do you choose?
Here is me now googling: “Famous SA celebs under 12 years old”.
You are stuck in an elevator with President Cyril Ramaphosa. What is the first thing you ask him?
Do you want a hug?
Your favourite item of clothing in your closet is…?
I’d have to say all my jerseys. I love all of them equally. Old, new, smells like mothballs, doesn’t matter.
What Netflix show should every South African be watching?
Breaking Bad. You’d be surprised how many people haven’t watched that show! It’s so good! I told my dad to watch it the other day and my mom almost divorced him. He did not get up from that chair until he was done with all five seasons. That is the most addictive show I have watched.
What has caught your attention on social media in the last week?
Well, the Queen passing away. Some people posting something about the Queen on social media and you think: “Wow! You? I would never have imagined you would be this sentimental about the Queen of England.” Or equally: “Geez, didn’t think you are the type of person to say such harsh things on a public platform.” People surprise me every day.
You are on death row. You are allowed one last meal and drink. What do you choose?
Five Guys (a fast food place in the UK) with a Dr Pepper. The prison tannie would struggle to make my first choice: my mother’s pampoenkoekies.