Moroke Sekoboto
RENOWNED comedian Tšepo Mpiti, popularly known as Masapo, is among top comedians on a mission to transform the stand-up comedy scene in the country.
Speaking to this publication, Masapo shared his vision of creating a platform for upcoming comedians by hosting three major stand-up comedy shows this year, starting with the Lovers and Friends Extravaganza.
Organized by Cura Group of Comedians, the Lovers and Friends Extravaganza is set to take place on February 15 at Victory Hall.
The event will be hosted by veteran comedian, Cura, featuring legendary actress Lillian Dube, Masapo, Letooana, Summary, and Torres—a rising content creator and comedian.
Cura Group of Comedians is a local collective dedicated to improving the quality of comedy in Lesotho.
According to Masapo, the country’s comedy industry is nearly non-existent, and he plans to leverage his 14 years of experience to create opportunities for aspiring comedians. Additionally, he aims to spotlight emerging talent, particularly female comedians, as part of his broader effort to grow the arts sector.
“There will be pop-up shows to accelerate the growth of stand-up comedy and ensure comedians can make a living from their craft,” Masapo said.
“We plan to host three or four major stand-up comedy shows this year to revive the struggling comedy industry. Alongside these, we’ll organize smaller pop-up events across the country to give a platform to upcoming and established artists while discovering new talent.”
Masapo further revealed plans to invite comedians from across the SADC region to enrich local performances. Drawing from his extensive experience performing in countries like Zambia, Botswana, eSwatini, and South Africa, he expressed confidence in his ability to influence and grow Lesotho’s comedy industry.
“We want to be functional and consistent. With my 14 years of experience in the field, I believe I can bring life to our shows and establish a thriving comedy culture here in Lesotho.”
Masapo criticised the lack of government support for the arts sector, highlighting how Lesotho lags behind countries like South Africa, where comedians can earn a decent living.
“The government doesn’t contribute to the growth of the arts industry. There’s an urgent need for the government to create or facilitate dialogue among artists to generate ideas for growing this sector,” he said.
He also stressed the importance of educating people about comedy and its potential as a career path.
“People don’t understand comedy or take it seriously. Through my experiences, I’ve seen how stand-up comedy can be a lucrative profession. For example, in South Africa, comedians can earn R80,000 for just five minutes of performance. That’s why I want to establish Lesotho’s footprint in the comedy world—it’s my passion.”
