Finding the funny side in his home language
He indicated that he took Sepedi comedy seriously after his performance in Soweto back in 2017.
BURGERSFORT – He is one of the few comedians who joke in his home language Sepedi, but James Mahlokwane is a man who is determined to make it big in this tough and challenging industry.
Born at Ga Mahlokwane just outside Burgersfort, this stand-up comedian is dreaming big. The 29-year-old comedian is mostly known by his stage name Chomi Ya Jeso (‘Jesus’s friend’).
He told Steelburger/Lydenburg News that his love for comedy started during primary school days. “I was still young, but people would laugh at everything I did and uttered,” said Mahlokwane, who also works as a journalist for IOL and Pretoria News.
“In 2016 I got on stage for the first time after attending David Kau’s Blacks Only show as a journalist covering the event.
“I was so inspired seeing people doing something that I love. I knew even when I was laughing that I was not meant to be in the audience, but on the stage.”
He indicated that he took Sepedi comedy seriously after his performance in Soweto back in 2017.
“I performed for the first time in Sepedi at Maponya Mall in Soweto and the people loved me. It was my very first show, but I was the performer of the night. Even the other comedians didn’t know it was my first time performing in vernacular. After that I said: this is it! I’ll master vernacular first and then do English when I’ve found my character and voice.”
Mahlokwane made history when he scooped the Best Newcomer Award at the Savanna Comics Choice Awards held at Gold Reef City on September 7. ” I made history becoming the first comedian who jokes in a vernacular language to win best newcomer at the awards. These are the biggest comedy awards on the continent,” the funny man told Steelburger/Lydenburg News.
The award saw the comedian being invited to the Ekurhuleni Council Chamber, where he got a standing ovation from councillors and the mayoral team.
“I always loved making people laugh. I made other funny people seem unfunny in social circles. I was always hilarious and people loved me for that.
“I knew that I could do well as a stand-up comedian, because I believed I had the gift to make people laugh out loud without preparing or even planning to make a joke.”
He is gradually climbing the ladder in the entertainment industry, and was among the nominees for Best Sepedi Comedian in the 2019 Sepedi Music Awards that took place in Polokwane. The award was won by Elaneng Skobo.
He concluded by revealing that he dreams to one day work with award- winning comedian, Mashabela Galane, who is also his role model.
