With a crisp, dry taste and an even drier sense of humour, Savanna Premium Cider has spent the past 13 years investing in South Africa’s comedy scene — backing bold voices brave enough to step up to the mic and own the punchline.
This past Sunday, The Maslow Hotel in Sandton transformed into a comedy pressure cooker as 20 of the country’s most exciting new comedians took to the stage at the Savanna Newcomer Comedy Showcase. Performing in front of comedy fans, industry insiders and seasoned professionals, the newcomers had just five minutes each to prove they belong among the next generation of headliners.
For those who missed the live experience, the showcase will air on eTV on Saturday, 7 March at 22:00, with a repeat broadcast on Saturday, 14 March at 14:00.
Hosting the evening was reigning Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards Comedian of the Year, Celeste Ntuli, whose warmth and commanding stage presence anchored a night firmly focused on emerging talent. Also setting the tone was 2025 Savanna Newcomer Award winner Khanyisile Ngwenya — a reminder of how quickly the “newcomer” title can evolve into national recognition.
“They walked up as some of SA comedy’s freshest faces and walked off leaving a packed room convinced we’ve just met our next generation of headliners,” said Kayla Hendricks, Marketing Communication Manager at Savanna Premium Cider. “The 2026 Savanna Newcomers came out swinging with sharp ideas, big confidence and a crisp, dry point of view. It’s an honour to host a stage that brings South Africa’s next comedy headliners to the front — one punchline at a time.”
The Savanna Newcomer Comedy Showcase was created to give agencies, casting directors and established comedians a front-row seat to the country’s freshest comedic voices. In simple terms, this is where the industry comes to spot tomorrow’s stars while they are still earning their stripes.
Celeste Ntuli echoed the importance of such platforms, adding, “Comedy needs spaces where new talent can learn, grow and find their voice. The Savanna Newcomer Comedy Showcase does exactly that.”
The 20 performers now wait to see which five will be named official Savanna Newcomer Award finalists. The announcement will take place at the Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards Nominee Event, alongside contenders across all 12 award categories.
The winners will be crowned at the Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards on 2 May at The Lyric Theatre, Gold Reef City. Recognised as South Africa’s premier comedy award show, the annual event celebrates excellence across stand-up, television and online comedy content.
Now in its 13th year, the Savanna Comics’ Choice Comedy Awards continues to grow the local comedy ecosystem — helping comedians sell out shows, secure corporate bookings and expand into international markets, while strengthening South Africa’s position as a powerhouse of comedic talent.
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.
For more information, visit www.comicschoice.com.
Savanna promotes responsible drinking. Not for persons under 18.
