The 6th Annual SA Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards 2016® Nominees Announced!
With support from Edgars, Vuzu, Sunday World and Kaya FM 95.9
The press, registered comedians and other industry insiders gathered at iconic and upmarket Johannesburg bar, Katzy’s today in anticipation of big news.
The announcement of the nominees for the ten categories in The 6th Annual Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards® (CCA) generates huge excitement amongst comedians as there are only 10 awards up for grabs, and receiving one means your professional peers have bestowed the honour upon you.
In 2015 two new award categories were introduced (The Non-English Award & The Best Friend of Comedy Award). 2016 sees the return of The Breakthrough Award – now awarded to any act in any category that has made a significant breakthrough during the course of the last 12 months.
Attendees couldn’t wait to hear who had made the cut, and stood a chance to take home a coveted Waldo statuette at the main show on September 3rd. Master jeweller, David Bolam crafts each Waldo by hand, and he was present to discuss his labour of love.
Edgars were welcomed to the Comic’s Choice family with hoots and cheers of gratitude from the industry as they announced their sponsorship of the Comic Of The Year category.
“Every year, we are amazed at the quality of the results. It is very evident that the vast majority of comics who vote put a great deal of thought into their voting,” says Savanna CCA Project Co-ordinator, Jade Sellers.
The nominees are:
The Savanna Newcomer Comic:
Snooze Kambuwa
Farhan Esat
Ebenhaezer Dibakwane
Phil de Lange
Thabo Kgaphola aka Summary
The Intermediate Comic:
Virgil Prins
Elton Mduduzi Ntuli
Glen Biderman-Pam
Yaaseen Barnes
Alfred Adriaan
The Comics’ Pen:
Christopher Steenkamp
Kagiso Lediga
Mojak Lehoko
ZA News
Lazola Gola
The Best Friend of Comedy:
Goliath & Goliath
David Kau/Blacks Only Brand
Cape Town Comedy Club
On Fire Comedy/Jess Knauf & Jem Atkins
Gino Fernandez
The Flying Solo Comic:
Loyiso Gola
Marc Lottering
Alan Committie
Mashabela Galane
Skhumba Hlophe
The Non-English Comic:
Celeste Ntuli
Skhumba Hlophe
Chris Mapane
Mashabela Galane
Collen Chepi aka SALESMAN
The Edgars Comic Of The Year:
Loyiso Gola
Skhumba Hlophe
Boitumelo Osei-Tutu aka TUMI MORAKE
Mashabela Galane
Carvin Goldstone
The Breakthrough Award:
Skhumba Hlophe
Alfred Adriaan
Virgil Prins
Celeste Ntuli
Dillan Oliphant
The Savanna Audience Choice Comic:
As always, this award allows the public a chance to have their say in who they think should take home a Waldo, and voting stays open until August 26th. If you want to win a VIP experience to the awards bash, vote now by SMS’ing your favourite comedian’s unique code to 37303.
You can vote 20 times (if you can’t choose just one favourite comedian!)
· Thabo Kgaphola aka SUMMARY unique code 64262
· Godfrey Marosha unique code 36524
· Gabriel Thaelo Dibe aka MALOME SHORTY unique code 39999
· Elton Mduduzi Ntuli unique code 48936
· Collen Chepi aka SALESMAN unique code 79867
The Lifetime Achiever:
And of course, in what has become the traditional high point of the Savanna Comics’ Choice Press Lunch, the recipient of the Lifetime Achiever was announced.
Casper De Vries is undoubtedly a pioneer in South African comedy. His career has spanned television, film and stage.
In true CCA style, Casper de Vries will be ‘grilled’ by the cast of the recent hit Afrikaans stand-up extravaganza, “Magtag!” at Parker’s Comedy Club on July 27th. To watch a panel of ‘grill masters’ hurl comedic insults in the most endearing way, book your tickets from the venue directly or through Computicket.
The main awards ceremony takes place at The Teatro at Montecasino on September 3rd. This year top comedian and TV director, Rob van Vuuren takes the helm to direct what will no doubt be another hilarious variety show made up of sketches, stand-up, impressionists, celebrity performances, choreography and witty one liners delivered by SA’s top comedians.
Limited tickets are available to the public, so book now through TicketPro:
http://www.ticketpros.co.za/portal/web/index.php/event/3d708d44-c68c-d10e-7a4f-57187650ef22
Ticket prices from R 250.00.
The comedy industry thanks Edgars, Savanna, Vuzu, Sunday World and Kaya FM 95.9 for helping to build comedy history.
Visit www.comicschoice.com to vote and for more information.