The Savanna Virtual Comedy bar, a SAFTA-nominated online series, has been renewed for a third season. The series will be starring comedians like Tumi Morake, Nina Hastie, Trevor Gumbi and Tyson Ngubeni.
Savanna says that when South Africa first faced a hard lockdown in 2020, it needed to find a way to support comedic talent.
This is how the Savanna Virtual Comedy Bar was born during lockdown level 5. It originally was hosted on Savanna’s Facebook and YouTube channels. The show subsequently got rewarded by the industry at the 2020 South African Comedy Awards with the Top Comedy Sponsor and Top Online Show Awards.
Comedy Central Africa, being the global authority in comedy, took note of this comedic initiative and picked up the show for its first season on TV in October in 2020.
The show continued to host comedians such as:
- Lihle Msimang
- Schalk Bezuidenhout
- Ebenhaezer Dibakwane, and
- Farieda Metsileng.
Savanna adds that the show’s authenticity and audacity saw it nominated for a 2021 SAFTAS Best Variety Show Award.
“The comedy industry is very close to our heart and our brand. The wellbeing, continuous growth and development of comedic talent is our priority,” says Savanna.
“With limitations still in place when it comes to public event gatherings, international travelling and many annual events being cancelled, the Savanna Virtual Comedy Bar is a steady platform for comedic talent to continue to do what they love most. And let’s face it, no store accepts punchlines at the tills,” says Eugene Lenford, marketing manager for Savanna.
“So, every time you put a crisp, dry, delicious Savanna to your lips, you’re getting more than just a sip, you’re getting a taste of comedic support too. You’re funding the funny in a roundabout way. Every sip counts,” concludes Lenford.
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