Photo: youtube
He's from South Africa.
By Samantha Maffucci — Written on Jan 18, 2019
Comedians of the World on Netflix is certainly providing viewers with hours of entertainment. And with 47 comedians, each with a 30-minute stand-up set, that’s almost 24 hours of laughs! If you haven’t yet checked out the series, this selection is very diverse and features comics from 13 regions around the globe, including the Middle East, India, France, Australia, and others.
Each comedian offers a unique perspective of what life is like for them in their region of the world, and for Loyiso Gola, he does so using observational comedy and frankness. He’s been compared to Chris Rock and Dave Chappelle due to his high energy, but mixes in experiences and understanding from South Africa, his home country, to bring light to certain issues.
But just who is Loyiso Gola? Here are 5 things to know about the comedian.
1. He’s South African.
Gola was born in the Cape Town township of Gugulethu, but moved at age 14 to Woodstock, Cape Town. He described himself as “very reserved and shy” before becoming involved in comedy.
2. But he eventually got his foot in the door.
During high school, he performed stand-up for comedian Marc Lottering, and his drama teacher introduced him to the Cape Comedy Collective when he was 17. After this, he shadowed comedians from the troupe and started performing regularly with them. He then relocated to Johannesburg.
3. He’s been performing stand-up since 2006.
He mostly performs one-man shows in South Africa and international comedy festivals. He’s had seven one-man shows, including Loyiso Gola for President in 2007, Coming Home in 2010, and State of the Nation Address in 2014. He premiered his show Dude, Where’s My Lion? at the Edinburgh Festival in 2016, and had a debut U.S. stand-up special launched at the New York Comedy Festival.
He’s also traveled to the Sydney and the Melbourne International Comedy Festivals, has performed on the Melbourne International Comedy Gala, and the Perth Comedy Festival. In the UK, he’s been part of the Sugar Sammy International Galas, and LOL Live. He recently performed his show, Unlearning, at the Edinburgh Fringe Summer Festival in 2017.
4. He’s had a television and movie career as well.
Aside from stand-up, he’s appeared in numerous television programs and movies. He appeared on the Phat Joe Live talk show in 2002, and moved to sketch comedy on the Pure Monate Show in 2003. He then became the co-host of the Dinner with the President talk show. But in 2010, he became the host of Late Nite News, a satirical series he co-created with Kasigo Lediga.
He’s also appeared on Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, African Voices, and Comedy Central Presents. As far as movies, he’s appeared in Catching Feelings most recently, as well as Outrageous, Bunny Chow Know Thyself, and Copposites.
5. He’s won numerous awards.
His show Late Nite News was nominated for an International Emmy Award for best comedy series in 2013. He won the Sprite Soul Comedy Tour award in 2002, the South African Comedy Award for Best Breakthrough Comedy Act in 2007, and Comic of the Year at the Savanna SA Comic’s Choice Award in 2014.
Samantha Maffucci is an associate editor for YourTango who focuses on writing trending news and entertainment pieces. In her free time, you can find her obsessing about cats, wine, and all things Vanderpump Rules.