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Tsitsi Chiumya says working on Trevor Noah's new series was 'life-changing'

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Tsitsi Chiumya (Photo: Phillip Santos)
Tsitsi Chiumya (Photo: Phillip Santos)

Johannesburg – Selected as one of 13 comedians to take part in Trevor Noah’s series Trevor Noah presents NationWild, Tsitsi Chiumya has described the experience as “life-changing”.  

The comedian, who hails from Limpopo, is a qualified game designer – a profession he says he got into by accident when his father called the wrong department at Wits University.

While in his third year as a game design student, Tsitsi made the choice to also pursue comedy.  

Speaking to The Juice, the star says once he made up his mind about a career as a comedian, the next step he took was hounding his favourite stars online.

“I messaged Loyiso Gola, I messaged Eugene Khoza on like Facebook. I messaged Lazola Gola, who is the only one who actually replied. I asked him, ‘Yo, my man. I want to do comedy, how do I start?’.”  

What followed was a number of open mic nights, which, we think is safe to say, has paid off.  

The star, who recently took home the 2018 Comics Choice Award for Best Newcomer, let us in on what it was like being on set with Trevor, saying that the experience “was really life-changing”.  

“We were doing makeup and he was sitting right next to me. And I could see how human he was, he had interest in my life. He was asking me about game design and Limpopo. That was beautiful. That was inspiring cause you’re working with someone who’s done all the things that you aspire to do, and you see how human he is and then you’re like this is not impossible for me to do or have that kind of impact, but in my own way, you know?” 

As for what fans can expect from his set on the show, Tsitsi let us in on a little secret.

“Spoiler alert – I cried on stage after the set because it was an overwhelming experience. And receiving a standing ovation at that level. The impact that one had on that crowd was life changing, and for me, was just really humbling.” 

Trevor Noah presents NationWild, a 13-part comedy showcase, is available on Showmax.

Each episode features a short set by Trevor as the host, an interview with the featured comedian about their journey to success, followed by that comedian's set.

(Check out the hilarious trailer for the show here).

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