The comedy industry in Botswana is growing in leaps and bounds and 2013 is proving to be a particularly great year for the Laff-A-Lot comedy crew. Their new home at Cresta President Hotel has also proven to be a hit with the patrons as they managed to have sold-out shows at their past shows. The Laff-A-Lot crew has, so far, hosted top notch South African comedians, Thapelo ‘Shampoo’ Seemise, Mashabela Galane, Nicholas Welch aka Pule, and Roni Modimola who had rave reviews in local media and among the public alike.
In their quest to present fresh and innovative concepts, Laff-A-Lot is back after a winter break to present Botswana’s First Female Comic, Amantle Mmonadibe. According to Media Liaison Officer for Laff-A-Lot, Gaolathe Kediemetse, “Amantle was discovered during the President’s Day competitions and she was the only female competing at the tough Top 8 National Final event that is coordinated by the association ‘Comedy for the Nation of Botswana (COFONABO)’. Including her in our events will give her the necessary platform to perform with top comedians so that she gains firsthand experience in comedy.”
The First Lady of Comedy, as Amantle is known, will be given workshops by top Botswana comedian Bafana ‘Ribcracker’ Letsatsi, who is also the COFONABO chairman. Ribcracker who has shared the stage with among others, Dignash locally, Top South African comics Trevor Noah, Chris Mapane and David Kau, and performed at the recent Miss Botswana pageant, will impart important knowledge to the new comer.
He has also had formal training on comedy by NuBreed Comedy in South Africa at the beginning of his career.
“There is still a huge gap left for female comics to fill in Botswana, and we hope performances from Amantle will encourage more talented female comedians to come up and show their skills. Laff-A-Lot is always ready to help and develop talent, and also give a platform to all upcoming comedians so we build a vibrant industry,” said Ribcracker.
According to Laff-A-Lot Secretary General, Modiri ‘MOD’ Keseabetswe, the aim of Laff-A-Lot comedy shows is to inspire and motivate more comedians to work hard so as to create a professional comedy sector in Botswana.
“Over the years that we have been involved in the President’s Day Arts Competitions, we realized that there is a greater need for comedy shows in the country. There is plenty of talent out there and audiences react positively, but the problem is the competition comes once a year, and there is nothing else to help these comedians hone their skills, hence events of this nature.”
The upcoming show also includes a performance by South African comedian, Franco Skim Sa Mapantsula, who will be performing in Botswana for the first time. The event’s venue sponsor is Cresta President Hotel and the show is slated for Friday 02 August 2013 at 7pm. The supporting acts for the show include Laff-A-Lot crew members, Augustus ‘Legusty’ Mokgadi, Oefile ‘Mawee’ Mokgware, Odirile Brooks, Zimbabwean born Charles Manase and the Laff-A-Lot pioneers Bafana ‘Ribcracker’ Letsatsi and Modiri ‘MOD’ Keseabetswe who will be the host. The Laff-A-Lot crew will also be invading Mahalapye for the first time on Sunday 04 August 2013, 2pm at Cresta Mahalapye Hotel.
“We have had tremendous support for our past shows from both the public and the media alike and we would like to thank them dearly. We promise a scorcher of a show with this production as we promise to surpass all the previous shows with brand new concept of fresh comedy,” says Kediemetse, who is also the event coordinator. “The main aim really is to spread awareness about standup comedy as an alternative form of entertainment that is abundant in Botswana. But the ultimate goal is to help comedians turn their talent into a livelihood.”
