Showmax and Laugh Africa reveal panelists for the roast of Minnie Dlamini

March 25, 2024

With just a few days to go until the Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini, the panel set to heckle the media personality has been announced. The lineup is star-studded with two celebrated TV broadcasters, an award-winning YouTuber, an actor activist, a cut-throat journalist, a South African rapper, and two local comedy bigwigs.

At the Roast Master helm are comedy heavyweights Tumi Morake and Jason Goliath – both will ensure that the jests and jabs hit nowhere else but below the belt. The selected panellists are Trevor Gumbi, Shahan Ramkissoon, Celeste Ntuli, Lasizwe, Penny Lebyane, Da L.E.S, Siv Ngesi and Robert Marawa.

The Showmax Roast of Minnie Dlamini, which marks day one of the much-anticipated Laugh Africa Comedy Festival, will be recorded live on 5 April 2024, and will air exclusively on Showmax from 26 April 2024.

Stuart Taylor, Laugh Africa Comedy Festival Creative Director, says: “Putting this panel together has been a nail-biting yet thrilling task, a cocktail of chaos wrapped in laughter, affection, and a celebration of the one and only Minnie Dlamini. Thank you to everyone who has ridden shotgun alongside me on this rollercoaster ride!”

Laura Cooke, Head of PR & Communications at Showmax, says: “African-centred comedy and entertainment is part of what Showmax is about, so there is no doubt the roast of Minnie Dlamini will thrill our audiences all over the continent.”

3 days of pure laughter

The Savanna and Showmax Laugh Africa Comedy Festival will take place from 5-7 April 2024 at the Sandton Convention Centre, with over 50 comedians across three genres – English, Vernacular and Afrikaans.

The festival line-up is a melting pot for South Africa’s diverse comedy scene and features both renowned and up-and-coming fan favourites including Eugen Khoza, Alfred Adriaan, Chantal Jaxx, Chris Mapane, Conrad Koch, Trevor Gumbi, Dalin Oliver, Kate Pinchuck, Kedibone Mulaudzi, KG Mokgadi, Lindy Johnson, Mashabela Galane, Mel Jones, Celeste Ntuli, Nonto R, Q Dube, Rob van Vuuren, Rory Petzer, Sifiso Nene, Skhumba Hlope, Thabiso Mhlongo, Devon Saunders, Dillan Oliphant, Melt Sieberhagen, Hannes Brummer, Jam Jam The Comedian, Tumi Morake and Vafa Naraghi.

Eddie Griffin comes to Mzansi

The internationally acclaimed comedian Eddie Griffin is set to headline the festival, performing on Saturday and Sunday evening. Eddie, popularly known from his hit sitcom Malcolm and Eddie, is known for his electrifying stage presence and unique style. With a career spanning numerous stand-up specials and more than 50 film appearances, Griffin’s participation is a testament to the festival’s prominence.

As a first at a comedy festival, Laugh Africa is introducing an exclusive stage for social media comics, where popular social media comedy sensations will join the traditional stand-up acts, by adding a chuckle or two to the lineup. The stage is proudly, and aptly, sponsored by Chuckles.

Introducing the Festival Pass

Attendees will require only one pass to access all shows on their ticketed days, with each day consisting of four to five different acts. The Festival Pass allows you to dive into a sea of laughter brought to you by Savanna Premium Cider and Showmax.

More about the Roasters and the Panellists

Jason Goliath

Jason is a stand-up comedian, MC, facilitator, actor, and television presenter. He recently appeared in Laugh Out Loud with Trevor Noah and is a co-presenter on the television gameshow Celebrity Game Night. A career highlight was a spot on Kevin Hart’s special at the Just for Laughs Festival in Canada.

Tumi Morake

Tumi has steadily grown into a trailblazer for performers on the African continent. She has channelled her comedy into writing, acting, and producing. Today, she is one of the most sought-after headlines acts globally. She is the current host of the award-winning celebrity reality TV show Sunday Sexy Love.

Trevor Gumbi

With his sharp wit, unmistakable charm and thought-provoking comedy style, Trevor

Gumbi has been entertaining audiences for over 20 years. A few career highlights include Netflix’s How To Ruin Christmas as Uncle Siya Twala for three seasons. Trevor also entertained us on Rockville, Thandeka’s Diary and Black Tax.

Siv Ngesi

Siv began performing at the age of nine as Gavroche in Les Misérables. Not only did he tour Asia with the show, he sang at Nelson Mandela’s birthday party. An award-winning comedian, he has performed at every venue and to every audience possible in South Africa, as well as in the United Arab Emirates, UK, and USA.

Shahan Ramkissoon

Shahan is a dynamic force in the world of media, celebrated for his unwavering commitment to delivering impactful journalism. With a captivating presence as both executive producer and host of The Last Word with Shahan Ramkissoon, he commands attention with his thought-provoking insights and probing interviews.

Penny Lebyane

Penny is a multi-level media practitioner, with more than 20 years’ experience in both radio and television. Her career started at community radio station The Voice of Soweto, and from there she moved on to host many other shows on both TV and radio, including eTV’s Sunrise, and Motswako on SABC2. She is a Global CitizenChampion of Change Ambassador.

Lasizwe

Lasizwe is a multifaceted South African media personality with a unique blend of humour and insightful interpretations of everyday human behaviour. He is a TV host, YouTuber, and social media sensation, creating and starring in the reality TV show @Lasizwe: Fake It Till You Make It on MTV Africa.

Robert Marawa

Robert is one of continent’s most iconic and decorated sports anchors, as well as an author and media personality. Robert has amassed both local and international sports awards. He has a YouTube channel called Marawa TV and, in 2022, published his first book, Gqimm Shelele: The Robert Marawa Story.

Celeste Ntuli

Celeste both starred in and produced the film Looking for Love, available on Showmax. She co-hosted the widely popular Sunday television show Our Perfect Wedding, leading to her hosting a spin-off, Gift of Love. She has been the recipient of numerous awards, including two SA Comic Choice Awards.

Da L.E.S.

Da L.E.S. is a sought-after performer inaugurated into the South African hip hop hall of fame. He has graced stages alongside Kelly Rowland, Rick Ross, T-Pain, 2Face, Kendrick Lamar, and Big Sean. He took victory on Tropika Island of Treasure Season 5, earned the title of GQ’s best dressed multiple times, and has received numerous music awards.

Ticket prices range from R340 for general access, making the festival accessible to all comedy lovers. Tickets and the festival line up are available on www.ticketpro.co.za or www.laugh-africa.com. The festival is open to people 18 years and older.