By Patience Maganzo
Harare, Zimbabwe (News Of The South) – 2018 BAA award winner, NAMA and BAA 2019 nominee Maforty will be performing on May 25 and is looking forward to reconnecting with the Bulawayo audience.
The Zimbabwean Comedian raised in Bulawayo is recognized internationally. He has performed at Maun International Festival, as well as in Gaborone, Botswana. His names are Hubert Dumisani Ndlovu aka Maforty, and his brand fuses clean, witty and intellectual comic content to make everyone laugh.
Why comedy?
“I saw that there was gap as far as family oriented comedy (clean comedy) was concerned. A number of people had been pushing me to try out standup comedy because I enjoy joking around. It was then my desire to create comedy that can be enjoyed by a father and his daughter without having that awkward experience as with most comedy. I’d like to believe I inspire myself although I look up to Kevin Hart. I have been performing for almost 4 years now.”
In the interview, he said there are two songs that are a sound track in his life; T1nda feat Luminous – I stay in my lane and HHP, Teargas and Liquid Deep – Born for this. Just before performing, with earphones on, he always listen to these. The songs have an uplifting message and resonate perfectly with his life and one can understand his good choice of music.
Tell us more about your brand
“I am the founder of LOL Entertainment Zimbabwe, which is registered as HubForty Entertainment Pbc. The company has interests in the Arts and Entertainment Industry. The company together with Touch of Heaven productions will be launching a comedy club in Bulawayo called Sanctified Comedy Club, which will push clean comedy which is currently on demand, not only in Bulawayo but in the country.
We launched our podcast “Peas in a Pod-cast” https://iono.fm/c/4039 on the Memeza Network which centers on highlighting the topical and seemingly taboo subjects that affect the everyday African Youth living in the global village. The idiomatic name of the podcast, peas in a pod is usually used to refer to things that are very similar to each other. As such, one of the main thrusts of the show is to highlight a modern connotation of the African ideology of Ubuntu, Demonstrating that despite our varied opinions and contrasting experience, we are all peas in a pod- sharing and engaging in pertinent conversations. The company will also be managing some artists in Bulawayo.”
Would you encourage someone to become a comedian?
“Yes, if they want to they should go for it. Being a comedian is fun at times, it’s one of the few jobs where you can have fun at work and your hard work is paid off when the audience is cracking at your jokes.”
What is one embarrassing thing that occurred to you?
“As I was performing at Churchill Boys High School, I realized that no one was paying attention. I left the stage after 3 minutes, I am grateful they didn’t boo me out of the stage. It could have been worse hey”
What is the most interesting thing a fan has done to you?
“She followed me to Harare to watch me perform, and I tell you that was mind-blowing. I mean, the person was at my Bulawayo show but I guess couldn’t get enough and had to follow me to Harare with her friends.
Whom would you like to work with, in Zimbabwe and abroad?
“In Zimbabwe I would love to work with whoever thinks we can do something amazing, I’m all about local content but I believe we have to keep on pushing ourselves and reach our full potential so as to compete with international acts. Abroad I would go for Shonda Rhimes, I enjoyed what she did with How to Get Away with Murder.”
Whom would you crown the best comedian of all time and why?
“Dave Chapelle, he’s just incredible to watch. That guy is phenomenal. He has a bag full of classics but he is still going strong, his recent Netflix specials show he is not slowing down anytime soon”
What is your desire for Zimbabwe?
“To be the centre for arts and entertainment in Africa”
I know it will probably look like I am exaggerating on how good the comedian is so here are a few reviews from other authorities in the industry;
“MaForty has a keen eye on social satire and easily picks out what people can laugh and how to make the laugh. He makes short work of the huge task of making a large crowd laugh. A notable arrow in his quiver is that he has a brand of humor that I like to label as intelligent humor. It’s not your everyday humor that any Jack or Jill can crack to his friends. The audience can tell that there has been serious thought put into coming up with his jokes (however I doubt the jokes are overthought; its comedy not politics)”
@RaisedonB “Totally surprised by Ma Forty’s comedy set. Intelligent comedy, well thought out! Comedy is growing in Bulawayo.”
“So last Friday I went to The Vista with high hopes for this milestone. It was a colourful line up which unfortunately was nowhere near funny. I can only single out Maforty, Ckanyiso and Clive as the truly bankable comics for the night.”
“Not every stand-up comedian gets an opportunity to headline two platforms from the two biggest Arts festivals from his country. However, Hubert Dumisani Ndlovu aka Maforty managed to do that by performing at two festivals in Zimbabwe which are regarded as international festivals within 24hrs.”
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