The 10th Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards presents the Savanna Newcomer Showcase, a platform given to 20 up-and-coming comedians to show audiences what they’re made of – in just five minutes each.

The Savanna Newcomer Showcase is the first in a series of build-up events ahead of the upcoming Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards and has become a staple on the annual comedy calendar.

The platform was created a number of years ago to introduce the newcomers to the rest of the industry so that they’d know who to vote for in the newcomer category for the awards.

However, the platform quickly grew a personality of its own, and has become a bit of a ‘if you’re in the know, you’re in the know’ kind of a gig. Today, it is attended by some of our country’s best comedians, ad agencies, casting agents and talent scouts - all looking to discover the ‘next big thing’.

This year, the Savanna Newcomer Showcase makes its way to Cape Town for the very first time and is hosted by two-time award winner Schalk Bezuidenhout, who won the Savanna Newcomer Award in 2013 as well as the Intermediate Award in 2015.

The 20 newcomers who will be showing off their comedy chops are Simunye Church Boy, Wandile Waka Zwane, Dakes, Wazi M Kunene and Mbali Gudazi from Gauteng, Prince M’Baya, Ntobeko, Ayabonga Kene, Supa Mario, Tumi Mkha’, JamJam, Candace, Arlene Petersen, Mira, Vision Masango and Vafa Naraghi from the Western Cape, Moe Latif from the North West and Felicia Pillay, Thami Dlamini and Annie Botha from KwaZulu-Natal.

These newcomers were shortlisted to perform by the local comedy industry and were rated on drive, delivery, confidence, their jokes from an entry video and if they managed to stand out of the crowd. The platform was created to shine a light on up-and-coming talent and give them a platform to shine on.

“This showcase is vital for newcomers, as it gives them the opportunity to perform live for the industry, and for the very people who are likely to book them for shows”, comments the awards’ producer and MD of One-eyed Jack, Manuela Dias de Deus.  “It’ll be the first time that most of them have performed on a theatre stage, instead of at a comedy club, and they’ll get to meet other newcomers, network with the ‘who’s who’ in the industry, meet the press and build their careers. It will also be filmed for TV, so their families at home will get to see them too. It really is genuine career stepping stone for an up-and-coming comedian.”

The Savanna Newcomer Showcase takes place on Friday 17 February 2023 at the Star Theatre at The Homecoming Centre in Cape Town.

Tickets are only R120 and include a complimentary Savanna on arrival. And loads of laughs (on the house).

Seats are limited, so get your tickets now from Quicket https://www.quicket.co.za/events/204756-the-savanna-newcomer-showcase/. All proceeds go towards a newcomer incubator workshop for emerging talent.

Pre drinks at 18:00. Show starts at 19h30 and everyone’s invited to stay for mingling and hobnobbing afterwards.

For those unable to attend the Savanna Newcomer Showcase this year, the event will be streamed on TikTok live on https://www.tiktok.com/@comicschoiceawards.

No under 18’s. Alcohol not for sale to persons under the age of 18. Visit www.comicschoice.com for more information and to register for tickets to the awards on 15 April 2023. The 10th Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards is proudly sponsored by Savanna Premium Cider, LIFT, Mrs. Balls Chutney, Me Channel 115, One-eyed Jack, NewsClip, amaSocial and the Homecoming Centre.