Fame, self-delusion, and false validation were at the heart of the jokes cracked by comedian Japhet Mazimpaka during his one-man comedy show, Social Media Influenza, held at Urban Park Suites in Kigali. Drawing heavily from personal experience, Mazimpaka reflected on a time when life was tough, even as he had already begun pursuing comedy. Stories of being broke, relying on public transport, and living in a single multipurpose room where everything was crammed together formed part of his journey of self-discovery—one that eventually led to self-acceptance as circumstances slowly improved. Much of the material was inspired by his comedy journey alongside Etienne Iryamukuru, popularly known as 5K Etienne. The duo previously shared the stage at various gigs under their concept Bigomba Guhinduka. Beyond personal struggles, Mazimpaka also drew inspiration from the everyday chaos of social media, particularly user behaviour and online exaggerations. He kicked off the show with a true story about buying a car on Facebook after being confidently assured it was “in perfect condition”—a tale that immediately sent the audience into uncontrollable laughter. The harsh reality, he joked, soon followed: a car that could be inflated using a hand pump, an air conditioner that existed only in prayers, parking that required supportive tools, and uphill drives that demanded regular pushing, sometimes with help from strangers. The show poked fun at fake lifestyles, online overselling, and digital deception, turning social media lies into nonstop laughter. For anyone who has ever been misled online, the performance felt like therapy. Fellow comedian Michael Sengazi served as the MC, adding his own dose of humour. He shared a comical example from his home country, Burundi, where traffic police introduced alcohol-testing devices to curb drunk driving. Due to poor training, the devices were reportedly misused. Sengazi joked about being pulled over and tested, only to be told his alcohol level was “2.5” instead of the allowed 0.8. The police, he quipped, asked why he had drunk only 2.5 bottles instead of three—accusing him of contributing to poverty in Burundi by failing to support economic growth. Mazimpaka also revisited his university days, recalling how he bought a bicycle after realising that bus fares were too expensive and cycling would save money. What followed, he said, is history. Despite years of financial struggle while performing at various comedy shows, self-acceptance became his only option, teaching him invaluable life lessons along the way. Singer Chris Hat was among the performers of the night, entertaining the audience with songs including Motema, Niko Yaje, and others. Back on stage, the laughter continued as Mazimpaka joked about a work-related trip to China, where he was amazed by the efficiency of services—from restaurants and offices to transport systems. Upon returning to Rwanda, he felt inspired and believed he could transform many things, including the structure of his studio at the Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA), where he currently works as a radio presenter. However, reality quickly set in. Ideas about improving parking and office setups remained only in his mind, victims of false validation and overexcitement—a feeling he noted many people experience after consuming social media content. The show also served as part of Mazimpaka’s preparation to launch his upcoming book, Social Media Influenza, which is still in progress and promises to explore similar themes in greater depth.
