Described by CNN African Voices as the “New face of Zimbabwean Comedy” Carl Joshua Ncube has been making us laugh for the past four years. Journalist Lance Guma caught up with the much-travelled comedian.
Lance Guma: So how did you get into comedy?
Carl Joshua Ncube: First it was genetics. My dad was a part time comedian, teacher by profession but he performed at weddings etc. I always wanted to be like my Dad, but I never thought I was as funny. I finally got my shot to perform by Tariro Negitare at her acoustic nights. She always used to think I was funny and asked me to do one joke. The rest is history.
Guma: When was this?
Ncube: This was in 2010
Guma: How tough is your typical Zimbabwean crowd?
Ncube: Zimbabweans are generally exposed to stand up comedy so the audiences aren’t difficult. Although I find some subjects a little difficult on social media like politics, religion and tribe but generally Zimbabweans who come to the comedy shows are very open minded.
Guma: Your recent skit “Why we love our President”, that was like super funny. How much bravery did you put into that?
Ncube: I am a great fan of ZBC and somehow wanted to show off ZBC somehow in my comedy. The exaggeration of what actually happens on ZBC gave me the opportunity to tell the joke. Although the joke isn’t really about the President, it looks more at the packaging of ZBC instead.
Guma: You seem to in your zone when you doing jokes tapping into the nostalgic past. I remember your sets on freezits, call boxes and the old adverts on ZTV.
Ncube: It’s always an aspect of Zimbabwe that Zimbabweans love. The past and the Zimbabwe we know and love, we have obviously been through our challenges and Zimbabwe has taken a different form, our audiences therefore are optimistic of merging this past we had with the future we want to see.
Guma: Who would you count as your inspiration?
Ncube: Wow! I am inspired by other comedians like Michael McCintyre and Kevin Hart but I find guys like Steve Jobs are my true heroes. I feel I am a pioneer, a trendsetter and fearless in venturing out where others dare not cross.
Guma: A lot of American stand up comedy has a lot of swearing, what’s your attitude to it?
Ncube: Personally I don’t think swearing should be the joke. If swearing is showing your current emotional state on a topic i.e. anger then sure I will swear coz I am a story teller and want my story to reflect the truth of what happened. So if I was angry I will paint an exaggerated picture of anger but certainly I am trying to make my content as clean as possible language wise, but I love being suggestive.
Guma: You have a new idea for a TV show, going into people’s homes, tell us about that?
Ncube: “Carl Can Cook” home edition is an extension of my current TV show. I want to bring smiles to my fans by coming to cook for them. Its not everyday someone comes to cook a special three course meal for you.
Its part of my feel good Zimbabwe initiative. My show gives me an opportunity to connect with my fan base in ways I never imagined. Am so excited about it, it will hopefully air in the ZBC season in 2015, as we are currently in production selecting homes.
Guma: Are you a full time comedian?
Ncube: Yes I am, well I guess now with the cooking will have to decide which is part time loool.
Guma: What challenges do you face as a comedian and what sort of help ideally would help take you to the next level?
Ncube: A functioning economy. Well the thing is, its hard to try and be an international comedian when you are in a liquidity crisis, corporates are struggling and there are very few or no angel investors in a normal economy.
I would have a restaurant or my own comedy club by now, TV deals etc. but we have to work around our challenges. Mostly my fellow comics have such great local corporate support from telecoms deals, beverage companies in full support of their gigs car hire companies and airlines sponsoring tours.
I am pretty much financing most of my activities myself although personally I am fortunate to have some corporates who do believe in what I do like AFDIS for example who have sponsored one or two of my tours.
Guma: Lastly, what’s your favourite joke?
Ncube: As in my personal joke?…… White people are always trying to save all the things that black people want to eat.
