Thenjiwe Moseley is an internationally acclaimed comedian that gained a strong fan base from her hilarious and relatable YouTube comedy skits that became an instant hit on social media. Her belief that laughter is the best medicine has seen her become one of the country’s favourite female comedians.
She chats to us about the art of being a comedian.
By: Fundiswa Nkwanyana
Pics: Thenjiwe IG
1. I’m a social commentator who uses my gift of comedy to address social ills. Having dual citizenship in South Africa and the UK has opened my eyes to the harsh realities of the world. I often address cultural issues that people go through on a daily basis. It is important for me to express my values and opinions through my comedy.
2. The South African comedy scene is improving. Events such as the Heavyweights International Comedy Show, that feature comedians from across the continent, prove that our audiences are growing. Nowadays, local comedians can fill up large arenas; I also get bookings on a regular basis. I’m grateful that people spend their money on tickets to see me perform.
3. A lot of work goes into being a stand-up comedian. I don’t like viewing the world from social media. So sometimes, I take a taxi just to observe different characters and start random conversations with commuters. After doing my research,
I spend time on fine-tuning my ideas into jokes.
4. I have exciting new projects underway. I have a new web series titled Meet the Khambules that I wrote for my YouTube channel. My team and I are currently shooting it, and can’t wait for our fans to see it so they can laugh with us.
Here are some of our all time favourite Thenjiwe skits.