14 Dec 2021

Public appreciation of local stand-up comedy seems to have grown.

This has motivated a number of youth to find their way into the art.

One such youth is Ndiye Wally, alias Triccs, who is making strides both locally and internationally.

The Sebina-native possesses the rare gift of making audiences  laugh even before he speaks.

There is something incredibly funny about his facial expressions.

Barely five years into the industry, he has carved himself an image and has performed at the Soweto (South Africa), Swaziland and Zimbabwe comedy festivals in 2018 and 2019.

Locally, he featured at the Crackers Night comedy show for a year, while in 2017, he participated at the Roast of Kast Comedy and also released his debut audio album titled: Ke ene yo Triccs, among others.

Triccs’ comic journey started during a stand-up comedy show he was invited to by a friend.

His casual conversation throughout the show left his company awestruck and he has not looked back since.

He started sharing his jokes through his Facebook page named Triccs, which currently hosts 21 000 followers.

He says through the page, he interacts with followers and gets feedback that shapes the growth of his career.

“Comedy requires commitment; not everyone can fit well in the circles, coming up with a story idea is quiet easy, but shaping the idea into real funny stuff that will engage people and make them laugh takes a lot of hard work,” he explained in an interview.

Triccs said comedy giveshim a sense of purpose and belonging. It also reflects levels of unity, something that should be cherished considering that most societies are divided.

He said comedy also heals and has a monumental effect on all, despite social background, sexuality, ethnicity or gender.
His comic lines are enjoyed by people in their 20s, 30s and 40s.
Through comedy, Triccs says he intends to send out messages that can help people make informed decisions along the lines of entertainment.

He uses Setswana to encourage the upcoming generation to learn the language and embrace it as part of their cultural heritage.

While there is no specific dress code for stand-up comedians, Triccs said he preferred to be in smart casual and a Bennie, which is his signature look.

Although Triccs managed to remain on top of the league, he acknowledged that the profession comes with challenges; he cites the risks of crossing the lines between being funny and offensive.

“Being a comedian comes with challenges such as stage fright.

It becomes difficult to predict the response I will receive from the audience, nonetheless I always strive to maintain my creativity,” he said.

Triccs recently scored a deal at UPIC tv comedy screening platform, where some of his performances were recorded to be viewed locally and internationally.

UPIC tv is a home grown subscription-based streaming service that hosts a bouquet of local and international titles with a particular focus on locally produced dramas, movies, comedies and children’s programmes.

The platform also offers video-on-demand services and also includes access online TV and radio streaming.

It also has an App available both on the Google play store and Apple store to boost locally-produced creative content.

Triccs said landing in the comedy industry was a blessing for it has saved him from the pangs of hunger that comes with unemployment. ENDS