South Africa’s biggest comedy spectacle, the Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards, took over the iconic Lyric Theatre at Gold Reef City on Saturday, 2 May, bringing together the country’s finest comedic talent for its 13th edition.
This year’s theme, “A Family Affair,” placed the spotlight on the Goliath family — Jason Goliath, Donovan Goliath, Nicholas Goliath, and Kate Goliath — who were brought in to host the evening. However, instead of steering the show with humour and keeping the audience engaged, large parts of their set leaned heavily into highlighting their own achievements and brand journey. What should have been a tightly run, entertainment-driven hosting segment began to feel more like a prolonged pitch, leaving sections of the audience disconnected from the core purpose of the night — celebrating comedy.
The night, expected to deliver glamour and seamless entertainment, instead revealed visible cracks. A chaotic Yellow Carpet left many struggling to tell who’s who in the comedy scene, while journalists were left parched — with even basic refreshments like water not readily available. Only the bold, myself included, resorted to paying for non-alcoholic drinks that should have been freely accessible — including a simple bottle of water that was supposedly free.
Before unpacking the full extent of what truly went down, congratulations are in order for the night’s award recipients, who managed to shine despite the surrounding chaos.
Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards 2026 winners:
Savanna Newcomer Award: Rae Du Plooy
Breakthrough Act of the Year Award: Linde Sibanda
Best Comedy Festival or Show Award: Ground Culture Comedy
Joe Mafela Award: Siya Seya
Innovative Comedy Performance Award: Conrad Koch & Chester Missing
Beyond the Mic Award: Kagiso Lediga for voicing young Rafiki in The Lion King
Best Friend of Comedy Award: Yaaseen Barnes
The Legacy Award: David Kau
Comedic Content Award: Vafa Naraghi
Best Solo Show Award: Dillan Oliphant for Masekind
Headliner of the Year Award: Celeste Ntuli
Comedian of the Year Award: Dillan Oliphant
A very big congratulations to Savanna Newcomer Award Rae Du Plooy who really shined at the showcase, personally I think i would have been disappointed if anyone else won.
Now, let’s get to the real tea.
It’s important to note that this was my first time attending the Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards, so I walked in with no expectations and a completely open mind. However, after following the journey through the showcase and nomination events, the final production felt like a letdown.
From a production standpoint, the format missed the mark. Winners were expected to immediately switch from emotional acceptance to delivering a five-minute comedy set — a transition that proved unrealistic. Many struggled, and rightfully so. Winning an award is a personal milestone; naturally, recipients want to express gratitude, not jump straight into performance mode.
The show also felt under-resourced. Relying solely on comedians for entertainment placed unnecessary pressure on winners. Incorporating musical performances or alternative acts could have balanced the energy and enhanced the overall experience. As it stands, the format simply didn’t work.
The media experience highlighted deeper issues. Journalists were placed in the gallery, limiting access and visibility, which ultimately affected post-show coverage. Interviews were nearly impossible to secure, while influencers were prioritised with front-row seating — a clear imbalance in how access was distributed.
While influencers enjoyed premium positioning, members of the media were left negotiating for proximity, some even pleading for better placement just to capture usable content or secure quick comments from winners.
The situation worsened post-event. Several media representatives were denied access to the after-party, leaving many without food after a long night. Inside the main event, hospitality raised further concerns — many attendees, myself included, had to pay for bottled water while alcoholic beverages were readily available. There was little to no consideration for non-drinkers, making the experience feel exclusionary.
For an event of this magnitude, the disconnect is hard to ignore. The Savanna brand may need to reassess its strategy, as prioritising optics over experience risks diluting the credibility of what should be a flagship celebration of South African comedy.
For those who missed the event or simply want to relive the best moments from the official show special will air on ETV on 13 June at 21h45. Keep an eye on the Awards’ social media channels for updates.
