25 Jul 2021

 The name Xolo Black may sound foreign to some while for others it might generate some interest in the character behind the moniker. 

Perhaps it is all about the person behind the title, local comedian Xolo Black born Boago Moroka commands attention when he takes to the stage. The 24-year-old is committed to bringing a bit of cheer through his comedy during the dreary times of the COVID-19 pandemic by taking advantage of the available social media platforms. 

The young lad, a resident of Mochudi credited social media for having helped him to reach out to his diverse audience and for serving as an alternative means of keeping afloat since the closure of entertainment spaces. 

He said before the pandemic, he used designated locations such as theatres studios to share with the audience his genre of comedy dubbed slapstick.  

For Xolo Black, even though comedy has to be funny, he said it should also be mind-expanding, the more reason why he found it important to focus on real-life issues though glazed with humour. 

He also said the pandemic had amplified the role that comedy could play and brought home reliance on humour either on the television or as one connects with others in social media to break away from the gloomy times of the pandemic

Xolo Black said he ventured into comedy in 2018, a project he started by collaborating with one of the renowned comedians, Motsetserepa (William Last KRM).  Xolo Black currently has more than 100 000 followers on Facebook where one is privileged to watch a collection of his short videos among them: Ditlamorago tsa go kgotlela tikologo, Ditlamorago tsa go nwa, Ke mojolo and Matholwane. Xolo Black who draws inspiration from the popular Mr Bean or Rowan Atkinston and local comedian Joel Keitumele aka Ntsoro said he had shot more than 50 videos since 2018. 

The determined comedian said despite criticism from scores of people who see comedians as somehow a waste of time, he was striving for stardom.   

“I believe being a comedian is a trait that one is born with and must be nurtured to move on with the changing times,” he said.  He was of the view that despite the challenges, comedy would remain relevant and take the lead in the entertainment industry.

Xolo Black said to make ends meet, his social media platform was not only used to share videos of his comedy work but served as an advertising platform for some local companies and individuals.  

Xolo Black also generates income by directing proceedings as a Master of Ceremony at social and corporate events.   He said his current project a series titled: Matholwane was aimed at harnessing youth talent. 

Xolo Black has also collaborated with other popular local comedians among them Jujuvine, Troy April, Maatla Ephraim Basha and William Last KRM.  Quizzed on how he got his stage name Xolo Black, he said it was derived from one of the main characters of Uzalo, a South African television series. 

“I loved the character Mxolisi hence the name Xolo. He is a natural and talented actor. As an African, I settled for the name Xolo Black. The name is working in my favour both locally and even in neighbouring countries like South Africa,” he said. ENDS