Fresh Faces, Fearless Punchlines: Savanna’s Newcomer Showcase Unveils SA Comedy’s Next Stars

With a crisp, dry taste and an even drier sense of humour, Savanna Premium Cider has spent 13 years backing the bold voices of South African comedy — the ones brave enough to step up to the mic and trust the punchline will land.

This past Sunday, that commitment took centre stage at The Maslow, where 20 of the country’s most exciting emerging comedians stepped into the spotlight at the Savanna Newcomer Comedy Showcase. The room was packed with comedy fans, industry insiders, familiar faces and curious first-timers — all waiting to see who might become tomorrow’s headliner.

They were not disappointed.

Five Minutes to Make It Count

Each newcomer had just five minutes to win over a room full of comedy connoisseurs. No safety net. No extended set. Just original material, sharp timing and the nerve to hold a crowd’s attention.

One by one, the 20 comedians delivered their unique brand of funny, armed with fresh ideas and fearless delivery. They walked up as some of South Africa’s freshest faces — and walked off leaving the audience convinced they had just witnessed the next generation of headliners.

Kayla Hendricks, Marketing Communication Manager at Savanna Premium Cider, summed it up: the 2026 Savanna Newcomers came out swinging with sharp ideas, big confidence and a crisp, dry point of view — a fitting echo of the brand that has championed them.

A Stage with Purpose

The showcase was designed with clear intent: to give industry agencies, casting directors and established comedians a front-row seat to South Africa’s newest comedic voices. In simple terms, this is where the industry comes to spot tomorrow’s stars while they’re still technically “new.”

Judging by the buzz in the room, nobody wanted to miss the chance to later say, “I saw them when…”

Hosting the evening was reigning Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards Comedian of the Year, Celeste Ntuli, who brought warmth, wit and effortless authority to a night dedicated to emerging talent.

Also setting the tone was 2025 Savanna Newcomer Award winner Khanyisile Ngwenya — living proof that the “newcomer” label can quickly evolve into a respected name in South African comedy.

Ntuli underscored the importance of the platform: comedy needs spaces where new talent can learn, grow and find their voice — and the Savanna Newcomer Comedy Showcase delivers exactly that.

Catch the Laughs on eTV

For those who missed the live experience, the laughter doesn’t end there. The Savanna Newcomer Comedy Showcase will air on e.tv on Saturday, 7 March at 22:00, with a repeat broadcast on Saturday, 14 March at 14:00.

It’s a second chance to see who commanded the stage — and who might soon command much bigger ones.

The Road to Comedy’s Biggest Night

The showcase now moves into its next high-stakes chapter. The 20 performers await the announcement of which five will be named official Savanna Newcomer Award finalists. Their names will be revealed at the Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards Nominee Announcement event, alongside contenders across 12 award categories.

The winners will ultimately be crowned at the prestigious Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards on 2 May at The Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City — South Africa’s premier comedy awards show celebrating excellence across stand-up, television and online content.

Tickets are available via Quicket.

Meet the 2026 Savanna Newcomers

Representing regions across the country, the 2026 Savanna Newcomer Comedy Showcase featured:

#PrinceK, Akhil Maharaj, Di Frost, John Jay, Kevin Lindsay, Kingsbuda, Liam Whitcher, Mat Maluks, Modipane Alister, Mzwa Seme, Tristan Perry, Nathan Kalala, Nishen, Rae du Plooy, Rowen Clegg, Sacre Kayemba, Sjika Da Thirdborn, SQ Mangcu, Uncool.Tea and Yerik Jomei.

Together, they reflect the diversity, sharp wit and fearless honesty that define South Africa’s comedy scene — a scene Savanna Premium Cider continues to nurture year after year.

Thirteen years in, the formula remains simple: give emerging comedians a stage, a microphone and a room willing to listen.

The rest is punchline history.