Savanna Serves South Africa’s Festival of Comedy with Trevor Noah and Mzansi’s comedy squad
Trevor Noah captains an all-star South African comedy line-up heading to Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town this September
South Africa has no shortage of material for comedians. From taxi-window commentary and family-group-chat debates to the everyday plot twists that somehow become funny, Mzansi has a unique ability to turn ordinary life into comedy.
This September, South Africa’s Festival of Comedy with Trevor Noah and the Bafunny Bafunny squad will bring that distinctly South African humour to audiences in Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town.
Served by Savanna, the arena-scale comedy tour will take place at SunBet Arena in Pretoria, SunCoast in Durban and GrandWest in Cape Town, with global comedy star Trevor Noah leading and curating the line-up.
The festival brings together some of South Africa’s established and emerging comedic voices for a live celebration of local humour, storytelling and cultural observation.
Trevor Noah leads the comedy squad
At the centre of South Africa’s Festival of Comedy is Trevor Noah, who returns home to headline a showcase built around the humour and experiences that have long shaped his comedy.
The global star, who hosted The Daily Show for seven seasons and has released multiple comedy specials, will captain the festival’s comedy squad as it takes South African humour to major arenas.
“Because we’ve chosen the best players to represent the South African National Team of Comedy, this promises to be an explosive experience that fans should look forward to,” says Noah.
Joining him as vice-captain is Eugene Khoza, a veteran of the South African comedy scene whose performances draw on multilingual storytelling and everyday experiences.
Khoza has spent more than 15 years performing comedy and has appeared on stages in South Africa and internationally.
A diverse line-up of South African talent
The festival’s line-up reflects the diversity of South African comedy, bringing together performers with different comedic styles and perspectives.
Thabiso Mhlongo, known for his work as a head writer on Comedy Central Roasts and his appearance in the Netflix film Catching Feelings, brings his observations on South African society and its different social worlds.
Lindy Johnson, a winner of Savanna’s Show Us Your Apples competition and a Standard Bank Ovation Award winner, is known for relatable storytelling and crowd work.
Panch Gasela, who has appeared in Don’t Tell Comedy in the United States as well as Netflix productions including Justice Served and Soon Comes Night, brings a high-energy physical style to the line-up.
Mbali Gudazi, a breakout champion of the 2025 Jive Funny Competition and SA Comics’ Choice finalist, joins the squad with her own distinctive performance style. She is also the creator and performer of MADLIYIDLA.
Together, the comedians represent different sides of South African humour, from street and kasi observations to stories about life in the suburbs and the experiences that connect audiences across the country.
From everyday Mzansi life to the big stage
The appeal of the festival lies in its distinctly local perspective.
South African comedy has long drawn inspiration from everyday experiences, social dynamics, language and the often-unexpected situations that form part of life in Mzansi.
South Africa’s Festival of Comedy aims to take those observations to an arena-scale production while retaining the spontaneity and relatability that make local comedy so popular.
For Savanna, the partnership is also a natural fit.
The brand says its crisp, dry taste has long been associated with South Africa’s sharp, dry sense of humour, making the festival an opportunity to celebrate both comedy and the culture surrounding it.
Three cities, five shows
The festival will travel across three major South African cities during September.
Pretoria will host the opening shows at SunBet Arena on 4 and 5 September 2026, before the festival moves to Durban for a performance at SunCoast on 19 September.
The tour concludes in Cape Town, with performances at GrandWest on 25 and 26 September 2026.
Audiences can expect a fast-paced live comedy experience featuring the festival’s headline performers and a range of South African comedic styles.
Trevor Noah has encouraged fans to secure their tickets early, warning that there will be no replays once the comedians take the stage.
Get ready to laugh, Mzansi
For audiences, the festival promises an opportunity to see some of South Africa’s most recognisable comedic voices together on one stage.
It also provides a platform for performers from different backgrounds and generations to showcase the humour that makes South African comedy distinctive.
Tickets are available through Quicket, with the organisers encouraging fans to secure their seats ahead of the performances.
For those who enjoy comedy that reflects the realities, characters and everyday experiences of South African life, South Africa’s Festival of Comedy is set to provide plenty of reasons to laugh this September.
Festival dates
- Pretoria: SunBet Arena — 4 & 5 September 2026
- Durban: SunCoast — 19 September 2026
- Cape Town: GrandWest — 25 & 26 September 2026
