Finding the humour in isolation
South Africans are a creative bunch. Even in the heart of a pandemic there’s always room for laughter.
Many have taken to making videos during the lockdown, posting them online and saving many from depression with their shenanigans.
One such person is comedian Alfred Adriaan. Although a professional comedian, it’s his Youtube channel that has gained him popularity overnight. In isolation with his wife, Natalie, and toddler, he documents their time together during the lockdown.
One of his first videos explaining to non-black South Africans how to stretch the rand went viral with hundreds sharing it on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Adriaan says he initially started the Youtube channel in June last year – but the lockdown inspired him to feed it with different content.
“I always wanted to tell my story through a vlog because I thought it would be interesting for people to see behind-the-curtain of a comedian’s life. But lockdown just made me tell the stories in short funny clips around the house. So when I have a thought or my wife says something funny, I just take the phone out and record. The short clips have been so popular I decided to stick with it,” he says.
But he didn’t quite expect the positive response and says he has found a new audience.
“They watch because a friend sent them the videos and then later they figure out that I am a comedian. The support has been heartwarming. I am still shocked how people are sharing and responding to these little videos. I get messages from South Africans all around the world, not just here at home.
“It went from just a few views a day to thousands of people watching. It’s been really exciting. The stand-out video has to be the video where I give advice on how to stretch the rand over the lockdown.”
Natalie has also gained popularity as a result.
“Natalie has no idea why people love her on these videos. I think it’s what makes her endearing. She really does not try. She is herself at all times. Also,
remember we have not left the house. I think she will be shocked when people ask her for a picture on the street.”
Another couple who share their lockdown diaries is Regomoditswe and Modise Khoele, who call themselves Regodise.
Although one can relate to their struggle of having to cut one’s own hair – fade and all, the delivery seems rehearsed and is not funny.
Waffles and Mo, who have been entertaining South Africans for well over two years, continue to deliver barrels of laughter. Whadia “Mo” Samuels started the videos with her 14-year-old daughter, Wafeeqah or Waffles. Later, her husband, Ikie, entered the mix. In the latest video, Mo gets a call from a guy, Kyle, but denies this saying the phone has a virus – the coronavirus and her phone is made in China.
Angel Elsa Majimbo is from Nairobi, Kenya, but is getting
Lockdown made me tell the stories in short and funny clips
most of her love from her South African fans. The Kiswahili-speaking teen has been hailed as the new internet queen after her video confessing how she misses no one during the lockdown went viral.
The 18-year-old is authentic and many relate to what she says. She says although her “quarantine” video brought her fame, it’s her video explaining how she’ll never repeat clothes because she owns a washing machine that’s funnier. Her inspiration to make these skits, she says, is because it makes everyone feel better. “Sometimes you just want to say what everyone else is thinking,” she says.
Another hilarious series is the Swati comedy series by Smallz The Comedian and Gogo – who he happens to be in isolation with. Gogo is always the butt of his jokes. They say in every crisis lies an opportunity.
What the lockdown has done is to show us that many ordinary people have an inordinate sense of humour.