For most performers, upsetting the audience can harm their career, but for comedians, pushing boundaries and sometimes making people uncomfortable is often part of the craft.

Belly2Brain hosted their Comedy4Community fundraiser event on September 4 at Cradlestone Mall’s cinema, featuring eight amateur comedians vying for the chance to open for South African comedian Chris Forrest, who also served as a judge.

The event raised awareness of Belly2Brain’s various outreach programmes and their “3 500 campaign” calling on 3 500 individuals and companies to partner for a monthly contribution to help support their ongoing initiatives and their vision of opening their foster house of safety for 12 boys.

Founder Dominique Tibbles introduced Chris as a legend, but he joked during his performance that ‘people who are called legends are just getting old’.

Before the show, Chris encouraged the performers, saying, “Getting on stage is the first but hardest step for comedians, but don’t show you’re hurting inside.”

The first performer, Melissa Nieuwoudt, was a newbie who had signed up the evening before.

She brought numerous props, including a photo frame, joking, “This is a moment I can frame forever,” and added that she could wing the show, even without a Red Bull.

Connor Cress shared stories from his dating life.

“Money, attractiveness and humour, so I picked the final option, which is why I am a comedian. But the most effective way to get a girl’s number … is to crash into her car.”

He also recounted his first gig.

“I performed in front of my colleagues. They thought my jokes were so funny that I had to tell them later to HR,” he added.

Simon Harding joked simply, “I got drunk one night, now I’m here.”

Gavin McGregor cracked Krugersdorp jokes, saying in Afrikaans, the town’s name directly translates to ‘you should not leave your car unlocked’. He followed that by saying he Googled things to do in Krugersdorp, and it said ‘leave’.

Thumamna Sibhozo said when he speaks to his Afrikaans friends, he likes to use the word baie … as it means a lot to them.

When Chris took the stage, he admitted it was a great show. He judges plenty of new comedians, and said, usually they are not good. His performance had the crowd laughing and cheering throughout.

The big moment came when the judges had to pick the winner of the competition, which was Thumamna, who will open for Chris Forrest at a future show.

“We’re thrilled with the outcome of the inaugural Comedy4Community Event and grateful to everyone who contributed to its success. This event not only brought laughter and joy but also made a tangible impact on our awareness of our community’s needs,” concluded Dominique.