SA’s comedic revolution: The Trevor Noah phenomenon
27 January 2016 – By Lyn Snodgrass, MG
The Noah phenomenon speaks to an influential comedic revolution that is happening in South Africa.
Humour as social commentary and critique
Late-night talk shows and comedy clubs are increasing in popularity in South Africa. They involve a montage of humorous skits, jokes and amusing anecdotes often underpinned by incisive, satirical commentary. This comedic revolution is dominated by a growing number of young, black comedians. Like their peers worldwide, they are pushing the boundaries on controversial issues.
They search for material drawing from the messy business of “real” life, wrestling with topics relating to racism, sexism, prejudice, abuse and religiosity. Public and even iconic figures are considered fair game and there are no sacred cows.
Comedians are not idealists. But in the single-minded pursuit of their agenda – laughter – they inadvertently provide the sociopolitical critique that has the potential to activate transformation in society.
Humour as therapy and a force for reconciliation
In an increasingly complex, high risk and conflict intense world there is much cause for anxiety and uncertainty. For South Africa, a post-conflict society grappling with issues of race, inequality and a weakening economy, these factors are pronounced.
The country’s stand-up comedians and satirical artists offer the opportunity to laugh, providing a Freudian catharsis – a release of emotional stress and tension – with therapeutic benefits. This comic release is beneficial in activating coping mechanisms to deal with the anxiety and insecurity of deeply divided societies.
Research has shown that humour can be used as a form of resistance and protest in times of intense conflict. Researcher Don Nilsen describes how Jews in Nazi concentration camps used humour to take some control of their own lives.
Developing economies often struggle with freedom of expression, especially when regime abuses and dominant discourses are challenged. The current South African government is no exception. President Jacob Zuma has provided a wealth of material for comedians, artists and cartoonists such as Zapiro.
More recently, however, the governing African National Congress appears to be taking an adversarial stanceagainst artistic expression.
A revolution of comic proportions
Young, black, stand-up comedians such as Tumi Morake, Loyisa Gola, David Kau, Kagiso Lediga, Tats Nkonzo and many others are performing increasingly to black, middle-class audiences. Kau jokes that he no longer has to rely on white patronage because black South Africans have money and attend his shows.
Satirists can certainly help South Africa deal with building a vibrant democracy. Satirical comedy provides an alternative learning platform by offering competing narratives, subverting stereotypes and deconstructing dominant discourses.
Source: South Africa The Good News