One of Barberton’s comedians, Thabiso Trevor Mhlongo, is becoming a respected stand-up comedian not only in the country, but continentally.
This follows after Mhlongo added the Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards’ newcomer award to his growing list of accolades.
The awards were held last Saturday at the Lyric Theatre in Johannesburg. Mhlongo walked away with a coveted trophy and R10 000.
Born in New Village in Emjindini in 1988, Mhlongo started his schooling at Madam Fisher Creche. He did his primary schooling at both Gateway Christian and Barberton Primary schools, and completed matric at Barberton High in 2007.
Mhlongo left Barberton in 2008 to seek greener pastures in Gauteng.
Before entering the entertainment industry, he armed himself with a national diploma in sport management as something to fall back on should he not succeed as a comedian.
“I’m just an ordinary boy born in New Village. I really didn’t decide to be a comedian. Life kind of decided for me. But it is the best decision that I have never made,” said Mhlongo in an interview with Barberton Times.
Asked as to who inspired him to join the entertainment industry, Mhlongo said no particular person, “Life inspired me to do this. It is a culmination of different things, but they all led up to me getting on stage and telling jokes,” he added.
Despite all the individual accolades, and having rubbed shoulders with the who’s who of the comedy industry since 2014, Mhlongo said he is still not satisfied with his achievements.
“It feels like I have not yet started in the industry. I have already performed on the same stages as almost all the household names. I have performed on the same stages as Trevor Noah, Loyiso Gola, Tumi Morake and Skhumba Hlophe. I mention them because their names might be recognisable.
“For now, I just want to be the best comedian I can be. The plan is to feature more in public spaces and build my brand to the next level,” continued Mhlongo.
Mhlongo is currently the Comedy Central Grab The Mic champion, which is one of the biggest comedy awards recognising upcoming comedians in Africa.
He is also the winner of the sixth edition of the Comedy Central Roast Battle.
“My advice to the youth, especially of Barberton, is not to be scared to do anything you dream of. Do it, do it even if you are scared, but do it. You are capable, you have all you need. Be what you want to be. Go out there and be great. If you want it, you can get it,” added Mhlongo.
He also dabbles in television as an actor and presenter.
He has a number of extras and has featured in some roles with some of South Africa’s most recognisable television shows.
He is a resident presenter on a segment called The Sin Bin every Friday on ANN7’s Game On sports show.