Abdallah Utumatwishima, the Minister of Youth and Arts on January 11, joined comedy enthusiasts at the Kigali Conference and Exhibition Village (KCEV) as Rwanda's rising comedians took center stage at the debut edition of 'Gen Z Comedy Show' 2024. His presence came after he tweeted on his X platform, tagging funnyman Fally Merci, real name Merci Ndaruhutse, saying, “In January, making us laugh is quite challenging and requires a lot of creativity.” He jokingly requested to reserve his seat among the affordable Rwf5,000 seats. With a mission to propel young and emerging comedians into the limelight, Fally Merci founded the 'Gen Z Comedy Show' to provide a platform for undiscovered talents, addressing a critical challenge hindering the development of comedy in the country. The event attracted a diverse audience, ranging from comedy enthusiasts and socialites to the minister himself, highlighting the show's significant impact and broad appeal. ALSO READ: Gen Z Comedy Show thrills fans in style As soon as the show kicked off at 7 pm, the house transformed into a room of laughter as comedians Mavidi and Pazzo, Isakari, Kasongo, Tizzy, Rugamba, Rumi, Dudu, Nepomuscene and others, graced the stage with their unique comedic styles. The spotlight, however, shone brightest on comedian ‘Umushumba Isekere’ whose real name is Senegali Tuyishime, the talented comedian took center stage, dressed as an elderly man with a suit jacket, oversized trousers, sneakers, and books in hand. He entertained the audience with his wit and humor, covering a range of topics from personal experiences to real events, earning him the well-deserved title of the ‘Man of the Show’. As he took the stage, applause echoed, highlighting the eager anticipation of the crowd familiar with his established identity as a skilled comedian. Umushumba, in his preaching style, entertained the audience with humorous narratives about motorcyclists in a neighboring country who carry an excessive number of passengers, some of whom use Islamic caps (Taqiyah) as helmets. He also made jokes about the collaboration between actress Nyambo and comedian Nsabi, playfully suggesting that Nsabi might be perceived as the one taking bribes. Among other comic moments, Umushumba left the fans laughing without any breaks. ALSO READ: Gen Z Comedy had a successful year, says Merci As the night unfolded, around 10 pm, comedian Dr. Nsabi, donned in his signature attire – a long tie, suit jacket, hat, and half-eye frames, was joined by KillerMan on stage. Together, they entertained the audience with a sketch about male circumcision. In the act, KillerMan assumed the role of a doctor, while Nsabi played his apprehensive patient. As the doctor unveiled an array of tools, including a big scissor, hammer, hand saw, knife, big syringe, temperature measure and others, he resembled a carpenter rather than a medical professional, the audience noticed. Puzzled, Nsabi questioned the purpose of these tools, unsure why he was there for a circumcision service. Despite the initial scare, the act took an unexpected turn as Nsabi decided against undergoing the procedure, leaving the audience in endless laughter as he was reluctant to decide about the choice. The show ended at 11 pm, leaving fans happy and eagerly awaiting for the next edition.
