Celeste Ntuli/ Picture: Instagram
Savannah has shown South Africa and the rest of the world the true definition of black excellence at the recent Comics’ Choice Awards hosted at Gold Reef City’s Lyric Theatre, where a myriad of black comedians emerged victorious for their contributions to the industry.
For a long time, similarly to many other industries in South Africa, the faces of the comedy industry were not an accurate representation of our diverse and united country, as many comedians of colour were not afforded the same platforms as their white counterparts were. However, thanks to pioneers and visionaries such as David Kau, Marc Lottering, and Pieter-Dirk Uys, who played a significant role in the comedy world we are able to enjoy today.
The Savanna Comics’ Choice Awards are an annual event dedicated to celebrating and uplifting South African comedy, while highlighting some key figures that stood out against their peers with some key, well-deserved awards. Known popularly as the pinnacle of mzansi’s comedy excellence, this year’s edition was successfully hosted by Mpho ‘Popps’ Modikoane, and whether intentional or not, became the ultimate display of black excellence, as the majority of the winner’s circle were black, or people of colour, which is always an emotional and overwhelming sight to see.
The winners list is as follows:
- Celeste Ntuli: Comedian of the Year
- Robby Collins: Headliner of the Year and Best Solo Show for his Come As You Are Tour
- Sifiso Nene: Winners’ Choice Award (new category, voted by past winners) and Joe Mafela Award
- Khanyisa JamJam: Savanna Newcomer Award
- Khanyisile Ngwenya: Sauce of the Year (public vote, presented by Mrs. Ball’s)
- Céline Tshika: Breakthrough Act of the Year
- Noko Mashaba: Innovative Comedy Performance (new category)
- King Flat: Funny is Funny Award
- Moveable Feast Comedy Night: Best Comedy Festival/Show
By headlining black comedians, honouring their legacies, and providing platforms for new voices, the 2025 Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards powerfully emphasised black excellence as a cornerstone of South African comedy, celebrating their creativity, resilience, and cultural significance.
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