He is arguably one of the most sought after comedians on the continent, if not the very best, and for some time now, comedian and radio personality Arthur Nkusi has been trying to get him to Kigali. It looks like this is finally going to happen. Googly-eyed Nigerian funnyman Basketmouth, real name Bright Okpocha, will grace the forthcoming SekaFest 2019, with a performance on March 31. The ace comedian, who also doubles as an actor, will perform alongside top local and regional comedians including Kenya’s Eric Omondi, and Salvador as well as Alex Muhangi—both from Uganda, among others. SekaFest, a week-long event, organised by Nkusi’s company—Arthur Nation, will this year be graced by some of the best comedians in the region and on the continent, but Basketmouth will be the highlight of the annual festival, having never performed in Rwanda. While the rest of the performers are yet to be unveiled, according to Nkusi, SekaFest this year promises to be the biggest comedy show Rwanda has ever seen. “Basketmouth is coming to Rwanda to do his one-man show dubbed: “The Son of Peter”, during the SekaFest week,” Nkusi told The New Times. “This year we wanted to invite big comedians that have established comedy specials on the continent. We shall have comedians from different African countries performing the comedy specials (one-man shows). For now we have only unveiled Basketmouth, but many more are coming,” Nkusi added. Basketmouth will perform on March 31, the closing day of the festival. The Nigeria superstar, who has been in Rwanda on at least two occasions, but without performing, said on Instagram that he is ready to rock Rwanda. “Before I forget….Rwanda!! You’re mine next,” he posted on February 20. Arthur The 40-year-old native of Lagos has cut a name as one of the very best and highly paid comedians on the continent having started his career as early as 2000. “People should expect not only laughing, but a chance to rub shoulders with legendary comedians on the continent,” Nkusi noted, adding that: “We will also give a platform to Seka rising stars, young talented comedians we discovered during SekaFest2018 auditions.” There will be shows at Petit Stade in Remera, and other venues that are yet to be confirmed. The University of Benin sociology and anthropology graduate, made his major breakthrough on the continent with his “Two things involved” skit, which got many talking. Patrick Idringi He has since never looked back, coming up with major rib cracking productions that have put him on the global stage. From 2005 onwards, he has hosted sold out stand-up comedy shows across the globe, putting himself among the very best of the craft. In Kigali, he will perform alongside known faces including Omondi, who is already popular in the country, as well as Nkusi himself, and other local talents. Like the previous edition, the SekaFest 2019 will feature a bus comedy show on the first day of the festival. Brace yourselves for the very best in comedy. editorial@newtimesrwanda.com
