Taking local comedy to another level

The 22-year-old originally from Pigg’s Peak is finally seeing the light towards his career and there’s nothing stopping him from becoming the country’s most well known comedian.

Shortly after completing his high school education at Mhlatane High School, the comedian joined Limkokwing University where he is a second year student studying towards a diploma in Journalism and Media.

His journey as a comedian started in 2007 but he was noticed and introduced to the public in 2010 when he was the opening act at David Kau’s show held at the Royal Swazi Sun Convention Centre.

It was at that show that the comedian was discovered and given a bigger platform to explore and expand his comedy talent.

"I was discovered by Mzwethu Nkambule, who was working at Lusweti then. He roped me and we travelled all over the country with the rest of the Lusweti crew during the ‘Stru! Awukaphephi’ road-shows," he said.

Being part of the Lusweti team was the beginning of great things for the comedian who has performed in a number of comedy shows and has left his audience laughing all the way home.

He recently opened the stage for award-winning South African comedian Loyiso Gola at the Convention Centre and added more fans to his list.

He performed alongside his local counterpart MK and together, they are planning to take comedy to another level.

"I am a self-motivated individual who believes that in life you have to have those certain individuals to look up to and draw some strength from," he said.

He is easily spotted in the country now because he has done his part in introducing himself to the public and he said it gives him hope when he is stopped along the corridors of Limkokwing by fans.

It has not been a walk in the park for the comedian to finally get where he is today and attributes his success to Mhlatane High School’s Arts Club which he says played a major role in shaping and sharpening his comedy career.

"The school’s Art Club gave me the platform to be me and I was awarded the chance to shine and be more creative," he said.

Being the only child at home after his younger sister died at an early age has not turned him into becoming a spoilt brat but has made him not to forget the principles of working hard in order to achieve his goals and dreams.

Among his many dreams, he wishes to meet comedians Trevor Noah and Rowan Atkinson, who plays ‘Mr. Bean’ in comedy movies and TV shows.

He says they both happen to be his role models in comedy and life in general.

Msibi said if he were given a chance to meet Noah, he would like to know from the horse’s mouth how he was able to make it big especially in South Africa where the competition is much stiffer.

"The reason I like Mr Bean is because he is both a comedian and an actor and I am also doing that. I wrote and acted in a play we once did at school," he said.

Besides the two comedians, the star pays respect to his parents who have done everything in their power to ensure that he goes through school and for being his number one fans.

"I am largely inspired by both my parents, my father is a hard working man and being the only boy in a family of five girls, I grew up a responsible somebody who had to ensure that my sisters are protected at all times.

"My mother on the other hand, has been through a lot and throughout those trying times, she always maintained a smile and that was even when I could see and sense that things were not okay," he said.

He said on his debut performance at the Convention Centre where he was opening for Kau, his father was there to offer support. Although parents don’t necessarily have to be there to prove their support for him.

"My parents were there when my career kicked off. I am from a happy family and I think I take after my father who is also a very funny man. You would be amazed at how much we laugh a lot at home," he said.

He made it clear that he never planned to become a comedian but it just happened.

"Just like one never plans to become a stepfather, I also never planned to become a comedian," he explained.

When asked about what inspires his acts, this is what he said, "I turn serious situations into a joke and I have got no limit, I make jokes about anyone and everyone.

"The good in this is I don’t crack jokes to hurt people but I only make them laugh and this is as long as they understand my jokes," he said.

Apart from being a comedian, Msibi declared his love poetry.

"I am a poet and guess what? I can memorise and recite an eight page poem without reading it. I write a lot of poetry," he said.

His next show is on November 20, 2012 at the Royal Swazi Sun where he will be performing alongside South African comedians Kagiso Lediga and Siya B, who plays Xolani in South Africa’s popular soap opera Ge-nerations.

You can catch Msibi on Facebook as Magiyakandaba Msibi and @magiyzo ntokozo Msibi on Twitter.

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