Trevor Noah captains South Africa’s comedy squad as Savanna serves South Africa’s Festival of Comedy

No filters, no replays, no VAR: Savanna transforms everyday Mzansi absurdity into elite, arena-scale comedy experiences.

Image: Supplied

South Ahh is short of material. From taxi-window commentary to group-chat analysis and the everyday plot twists we somehow survive with a smile, this country knows how to turn real life into comedy. Our streets are the ultimate writers' room for comedians. South Africa is a funny place, and a funny place deserves a national team of comedy.

This September, South Africa’s Festival of Comedy with Trevor Noah and the Bafunny Bafunny squad, will bring a premium, arena-scale comedy tour to SunBet Arena in Pretoria, SunCoast in Durban and Grand West in Cape Town, with a line-up curated and captained by Trevor Noah.

Served by Savanna, the festival brings together some of South Africa’s sharpest comedic voices for a live experience built on what Savanna has always understood best: crisp, dry wit, real South African perspective and the kind of humour that turns everyday life into a national talking point.

For three decades, Savanna’s crisp, dry taste has been the perfect match for South Africa’s sharp, dry humour. This is not just a comedy show. It is a national call-up to gather, laugh and celebrate the talent what makes South Ahh so unmistakably funny. *Nxu strue! *

The headliners: From the streets to the Arena

Selected for their stagecraft, cultural sharpness and ability to command a crowd, this squad brings together different styles of South African comedy, from street-smart observation to arena-ready storytelling. With assists from Vice-Captain Eugene Khoza, the lineup combines everyday street, kasi, and ‘burbs humour with premium arena-scale performances.

*"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," *said Captain Trevor Noah.

Trevor Noah

Image: Supplied

Eugene Khoza

Image: Supplied

• **Trevor 'Mtana ka Patricia' Noah (Captain):**The global headliner making an epic homecoming to anchor the festival. Having mastered global stages, Trevor is returning to the source of his inspiration—the beautiful, unpredictable streets of South Ahh. He leads a premium showcase of local talent, proving that while he may play to international crowds, his comedic soul is still strictly fueled by unscripted Mzansi magic(although we aren’t sure if he can differentiate between a traffic light and a robot anymore). With 14 specials, seven Daily Show seasons, and six consecutive Grammys, his world-class stagecraft is unquestionable.
• **Eugene “Today is Tuesday” Khoza (Vice-Captain):**A 15-year veteran of the comedy scene and a master of multilingual South African storytelling, Eugene turns everyday realities into sharp, unexpected performances. Six languages, one microphone and absolutely no shortage of opinions. With iconic runs from local solo theaters to New York's Comedy Cellar, Eugene is a legendary cultural commentator; taking everyday realities and flipping them into brilliant, unexpected performance art.
• **Thabiso “Two Touch” Mhlongo:**Head writer for Comedy Central Roasts and star of Netflix’s- Catching Feelings. A master at dissecting the hilarious truths of Mzansi's social classes, he specializes in breaking the ice and melting the defenses of even the most stone-faced tenderpreneurs who refuse to laugh, even when they find the jokes funny.
• **Lindy “Vula Vala” Johnson:**Winner of Savanna’s- Show Us Your Applesand a Standard Bank Ovation Award winner featured on- Nationwild. Bringing sharp, highly relatable storytelling straight from the community to the big stage, her flawless crowd-work and observations capture the literal heartbeat of local humor.
• **Panch “Dancing Feet” Gasela:**Star of- Don’t Tell Comedy(USA) and Netflix hits- Justice Servedand- Soon Comes Night. A powerhouse of high-energy physical comedy, Panch translates the chaotic rhythm of South African street life into pure, undeniable, premium arena entertainment. This talented comedian recently survived open-heart surgery (true story, no lies!), so the chance of dying on stage doesn’t scare him in the slightest.
• **Mbali “Spy Two” Gudazi:**A breakout champion of the 2025 Jive Funny Competition, SA Comics’ Choice finalist and creator-performer of- MADLIYIDLA, Mbali is a self-starting comedic force who built her own stage and earned her call-up. No scouting drama required. The talent was already on the pitch.

Expect an unfiltered, fast-paced, and premium live experience.

Image: Supplied

The unfiltered festival experience

"We are bringing world-class, arena-scale stand-up to Pretoria, Durban, and Cape Town," says Captain Trevor Noah. "This is a showcase of elite comedic skill with no safety nets. You want to get your tickets early on Quicket because once we hit the stage, there are no replays."

"Expect an unfiltered, fast-paced, and premium live experience," adds Vice-Captain Eugene Khoza. "Don't watch from the sidelines. Secure your seats now before they sell out."

Comedians, their relatives, and Savanna team members won’t save you with complimentary tickets if you miss out on this social highlight of the year. Available exclusively on Quicket.co.za. Don't delay—get them now, not now-now, manje!

*(Visit Savanna's socials, join the banter, and stand a chance to win tickets and other exclusive prizes.) *

The festival dates:

• Pretoria: SunBet Arena – 4th & 5th September 2026
• Durban: SunCoast – 19th September 2026
• Cape Town: GrandWest – 25th & 26th September 2026