27 Jan 2019

Since his days at Thini Primary School, Denjebuya Junior Secondary School and McConnell Senior School, Mugende, aka Mdala Ka Tjeludo as he is affectionately known in comic circles, has always liked performing, or as they say, playing to the gallery.

From the podium of his senior school days where he performed the award winning one man act titled A man with a certificate, to the Duma FM studios where he co-hosts “The only political satire in Botswana”

Mugende is slowly climbing the ranks of political comedy stardom.

Definitely not an easy task to get your audience something both entertaining and informative, Mugende believes the kind of comedy he is involved in requires dedication and a high level of commitment.

Popularly known by his tagline “Ditori tse di serious!!” Mugende is able to transform a lot of things in the day-to-day life into an amazingly funny topic with his heavy tinge of Kalanga accent.

It was only last year when Duma FM Extra Talk show host Cornelius ‘Costy’ Moloi invited him to the studio and they tried something out behind the microphone.

That was the moment when he gave his first attempt at political satire.

Since then Mugende has been a rising star and his popularity is gaining speed on the national comedy circuit.

Everywhere he goes and whatever he does Ke ditori tse di serious!

in and week out, Mugende captivates his audience with his energetic persona and thought provoking analysis of the latest political issues locally.

He uses witty humour as a tool to convey his political opinions.

Mugende chooses and picks his topics neatly.

He applies his own personal experiences and what is happening in the world around him.

Personally he has seen it all.

Like any other young person, Mugende had a real push to establish a stable career upon completion of his tertiary education.

Though it remains one of the lowest moments in his life, he still believes being expelled from school twice was a great lesson for him.

Quizzed on what led to his dismissal, Mugende does not want to dwell much onto it and immediately pulls a somber face.

At the end of it all he had to soldier on with his studies after being reinstated and is a proud holder of a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) accounting and finance.

“I knew comedy would always be my career. I grew up involved in theatre and was voted the best actor during my secondary school years,” he added in a casual interview this week.

 The biggest break for Mugende came when he won the national drama competitions competing against a full cast Ledumang Senior Secondary School drama group.

He actually ushered in the one man act for his sterling performance of a man with a certificate play.

Quizzed on whether he intends to be involved in politics, he said the ambition now was to do as much comedy as possible especially that stand up comedy was gaining attraction locally.
 

Though some topics could turn up offensive it requires the quick wit of the likes of Mugende to hastily cover up the mess.

On the 1st of February Mugende will rub shoulders with some of the finest comedians in the region when he hosts the likes of Madeza Makhotla from South Africa, Emmanuel Musaka from Zambia and the upcoming funny lady Lebo English.

The name of the show is First Friday Comedy Night by Major Moves Comedy. ENDS