The Sunday Mail
Dennis Chimanzi
BUSINESSMAN and banker Dr Nigel Chanakira has set his eyes on the local comedy industry.
Dr Chanakira opines he is a “good jester” with potential to bring some vibe to the sector.
He intends to use his business influence to promote the comedy industry, which visibly suffers from poor funding.
Dr Chanakira notes promoters scramble for the music sector at the expense of other forms of art like comedy that boast vast talent.
The businessman’s debut public dance with comedians was on November 22, when he was a guest at the “Simuka Comedy-sponsored Roast” held in Harare.
A comedy roast is an event in which one particular guest is joked about and made fun of by his peers, usually in front of an audience.
“I will be on the roast to be roasted, supposedly. Some nobodies think they can roast me that evening. However, I think I have a few nuggets on them and I will roast them, instead,” he jestingly said prior to the show.
The event was graced by high-profile comedians, musicians, radio personalities and socialites.
During that concert, Dr Chanakira thrilled the crowd with his rib-cracking antics.
In an interview with The Sunday Mail Society, the businessman-cum-philanthropist said he had decided to get involved in comedy.
“I saw it necessary to put my hand into the comedy industry because it is facing serious neglect from arts promoters,” he said.
He added that there is great talent in the country, with some individuals showing potential of becoming global giants if they get proper support.
“If we fund and support our comedy industry very well, it has a potential to put a mark on the global stage considering the talent we have. Our country has a high literacy rate, meaning we have capacity to produce quality scripts,” reckons Dr Chanakira.
Countries like Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa and Kenya have thriving comedy industries.
“In West Africa, comedians earn a decent living because the sector is well-supported.
“The way we support music should be the same way we support comedy. I will play my part and hope others will follow suit,” he said.
Locals, he added, should support their stars first before opting for foreign content. According to the businessman, this also helps fight cultural imperialism.
“If we continuously consume foreign content, eventually, our local culture will be eroded,” he argued.
