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Comedians and lovers of comedy came together on Saturday to celebrate and affirm those who do well in their craft at the 11th Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards.
The ceremony took place at the Lyric Theatre in Gold Reef City, Johannesburg. Out of 12 categories, TV presenter and comedian Mpho “Popps” Modikoane walked away with the biggest award of the night, while Sifiso Nene and Vafa Naraghi scooped two awards each.
Taking the first award of the night, which was Breakthrough Act of the Year, was stand-up comedian and social media darling Naraghi, who does most of his videos in vernacular. During his five-minute comedy set, which served as all comedians’ acceptance speeches, Naraghi, who also scooped the Sauce of the Year Award, said he was nominated last year, but did not win.
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He jokingly said he thought the awards were rigged, but changed his mind after seeing that the panel of comedians chose him as the winner.
“These awards are going to people who deserve these awards. Do not be fooled by what happened last year, it was just a test round. I feel privileged to represent the minority here among comedians, people from Mafikeng. When my parents made that long trip from Iran, they did for this thing,” he said.
Presenter and content creator, Chanley Wong spotted at the 11th #SavannaCCA black carpet. pic.twitter.com/YvQOmLpo4w
— Karisa (@MpumeeMagagula) April 13, 2024
The first winner of So You Think You Are Funny, Nene, won the Joe Mafela award presented to comedians who proudly did their sets in vernacular. He also took home the Best Solo Show Award for Baby Mama Drama.
Host of the night Modikoane, who had three outfit changes, appeared emotional when he accepted his Comedian of the Year Award. He beat fellow comedians Celeste Ntuli, Kagiso “KG” Mokgadi, Robby Collins and Schalk Bezuidenhout.
The Popcorn and Cheese presenter said he had prepared for the entire show, but never for winning.
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“I actually prepared not to get the award. I prepared my walk [of shame] like ‘really guys, so you have been laughing for free the whole night? You bunch of Judases.’ This means so much to me…the first time I ever watched stand-up comedy, I sat at the back corner, the last row [of Lyric Theatre] with my sister and two of her friends in 2009,” said the comedian.
He added:
Marc Lottering was honoured with the Hall of Fame Award, which is similar to a Lifetime Achievement award. Lottering who had never won any Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy award before, thanked his husband, Anwar McKay, for being his biggest supporter and biggest critic.
The full list of winners are:
- Breakthrough Act of the Year Award: Vafa Naraghi
- Savanna Newcomer Award: Callum Hitchcock
- Joe Mafela Award: Sifiso Nene
- Funny is Funny Award: King Price for Generating Gees
- Best Comedic Show/Festival Award: Bioscope Sundays
- Hall of Fame Award: Marc Lottering
- Best Comedic Writer Award: Kagiso Lediga
- upLiFTing Comedic Content Award: Costa Carastavrakis
- Sauce of the Year Award, presented by Mrs. Ball’s: Vafa Naraghi
- Best Solo Show Award: Sifiso Nene for Baby Mama Drama
- Headliner of the Year Award: Robby Collins
- Comedian of the Year Award: Mpho “Popps” Modikoane
