The renowned comedian Daniel Ndambuki, popularly known as Mwalimu Churchill, has plans to extend his comedy show into Tanzania.
This comes after Tanzania’s regional commissioner Paul Makonda requested him to nurture talents in Arusha.
“We want to groom the new young Generation in Arusha. Tunataka Arusha iwe mkoa wenye pesa tu,” Regional Commissioner Paul Makonda said.
In response, the comedian noted that it is not just Arusha which would benefit from the expansion of his show, but the entire East African region.
“Talanta zinafaa zitafutwe, zitengenezwe na zinufaishe jamii. I’m humbled by the request. Niko tayari kuwajibika,” Churchill said.
While reflecting on their meeting, Churchill noted that their conversation was fruitful.
“We are very excited to announce there’s a new partnership for our brands coming up. This collaboration will help bring closer the East African unity dream and create more careers under the creative economy. By working #together, we can better support.”
Churchill added: “Personally, let me sincerely thank the amazing Tanzanian president, Mama Samia Suluhu Hassan and the great people of Tanzania for the opportunity through Arusha RC for supporting the Churchill Show.”
The Churchill Show has been described as one of the most watched and longest running television programmes.
“Churchill Show is credited for bringing into limelight a host of comedians such as Eddie Butita, Mammito (Eunice Wanjiru), YY Comedian, Paul Wakimani, Chipukeezy, George Njoroge alias Njoro, Zainaibu Zeddy, the late Othuol Othuol, Fred Omondi, Njenga Mswahili, Ayeiya (Emannuel Makori), Kasee (Joseph Kivindu) just to list a few,” a national publication reports.
The comedy show premiered in 2007, and is recorded live in Nairobi.
A report done by pHD Patrick Lumasia for the department of literary studies at Rhodes University, South Africa argues that the Churchill Show, besides entertaining its audiences, addresses serious issues in Kenyan society through an aesthetics of escapism.
“By employing transglossic language practices, Churchill comedians transgress language codes and upset stereotypes via a political aesthetics of postmodern humour.”
The report adds: “It manipulates language by employing devices characteristic of verbal play such as punning, intonation, and metathesis and ethnic and/or other accents, often accompanied by non-verbal reinforcements such as gestures and mime. Satire, irony, sarcasm, contrast, and hyperbole help comedians caricature and parody those in authority and dexterously address serious societal concerns.”
