The top 10 South African stand-up comedians

With a country that is crazy as ours, there is loads of material for comedians to get stuck in and make people laugh. South Africa has created a pool of talent that has made South Africa and the world laugh.

Here’s our list of some of the funniest people from the southern tip of Africa.

Trevor Noah

Selling out concert halls across the world and appearing on the Jay Leno show, Trevor Noah’s career does not look like it’s going to slow down anytime soon. Noah is the favourite South African comedian who has sold more DVDs than any other stand-up on the continent.

 Nik Rabinowitz

Recognised as the world’s leading Xhosa-speaking Jewish comedian, Rabinowitz is famed for his political incorrectness and his famous Desmond Tutu impersonation. He has appeared on BBC’s Mock of the Week and he presents the Week That Wasn’t on 702 Talk Radio.

Loyiso Gola

Hosts the Late Night News on the Enews channel, Gola has worked tirelessly to achieve his dream, to be the best comedian he could be. He has been invited to perform in London, Dubai, Gaborone and Lusaka to name a few.

Marc Lottering

An all time South African favourite, Marc Lottering has been in the funny business for 13 years and continues to keep audiences in stitches across the country and abroad. His self-scripted one-man shows, which often feature his unique and popular characters, continue to play to packed houses.

Riaad Moosa

Famed for being a doctor as well as starring in the film Material, Moosa has achieved much in his career as a comedian. In January and February 2013, Moosa performed at the Baxter Theatre with a show called “What’s Next.” Later in the year he will be going on his “Doctor’s Orders Tour” throughout South Africa, Africa and the United Kingdom.

David Kau

David was South Africa’s representative at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, Canada in 2001. He performed in a show called Globecom, alongside comedians from New Zealand, Australia, Europe, and Canada.

Barry Hilton

“The Cousin”, enjoys international status as a stand-up comedian and is undoubtedly one of South Africa’s top comedians. Barry Hilton prides himself on his clean brand of humour and optimistic, patriotic, outlook on South Africa. He also makes regular visits to the UK, and was the first South African stand-up to perform at the London Comedy Store.

David Kibuuka

He may not be South African (Ugandan actually), but he is one of the most prolific comedians in the country. He was cast as the lead in MTV Film’s Bunny Chow, the movie which went on to win accolades worldwide. In 2013 the prodigious talent that is David Kibuuka is definitely launching a full scale assault on entrenching himself as a superstar, not only in South African comedy but in the entertainment industry as a whole.

Deep Fried Man

Deep Fried Man is a South African musical comedian and writer based in Johannesburg. He describes what he does as “stand-up comedy with a guitar.” He adopted his stage name, a play on his real name (Daniel Friedman), because “it went along with the kind of musical comedy I wanted to do, which was an unhealthy kind of comedy.”

Tats Nkonzo

Nkonzo is set to break out and establish himself as a comic force to be reckoned with. With his arsenal of humour, intellect and a guitar, He brings a flavour to stand up comedy that is unrivalled. This man is one to watch.