08 Jul 2019

Bokamoso ‘PenenePonono’ Nthompe has won this year’s President’s Day Competitions in the comedy category, the title he won in 2017.

Kelebogaone Maboyoboyo came second position while Sedimba Shitha got third position. 

Opener of the act, ‘Penene Ponono’, had a high note opening line about his childhood and the effect of performing in vernacular language had more punch and he set pace for the next performers.

Seasoned comedian Augustus Phillimon  from Francistown, who has performed alongside big acts appeared nervous, lost the audience quickly and never regained their attention. 

His jokes, although a little funny, were mostly directed at the audience and his recklessness of losing the plot did not reward the audience for sticking up with him.

However, Maboyoboyo redeemed the show and turned a corner with his laid back jokes, which secured him second place in the competition. 

His delivery of how the Sekgalagadi is similar to the Chinese was sarcastic and amusing, with an added dash of sauciness to it all. 

Then things really took off with Sedimba, the dark skinned full bearded Maun native, who goes by the stage name Yellowbone. 

Sedimba, who claimed the national championships five times consecutively from 2012, commanded the stage cracking a couple of breezy icebreakers before launching into the crack of his set. 

A full-on comedian, Yellowbone’s cornerstone of his routine was on timely events especially on the political scope of the country at the moment. 

Yellowbone’s tale unfolded with UDC leader Duma Boko’s use of big English words. 

His strong Maun accent also had the audience hooked on his thoroughly prepared set.

Eight acts competed in the final for the P10 000 prize, and most of them had already had a taste of the first prize at some point. Meanehile, in the drama category, Peo Creations from Molepolole scooped first position with prize money of P30 000 while A di Lele from Palapye came second and Seboana Theater Group from Kasane got position three. 

The winners will be awarded at a ceremony on July 16 with all other winners from all categories in the 2019 President’s Day Competitions. ENDS