South African comedian Nik Rabinowitz has spent the last twenty years performing stand-up. Before that he grew up on a farm outside Cape Town, delivering soliloquies up pine trees and commentating on his own rugby games in three of the country’s eleven official languages. Mid-pandemic, Nik sat down to record a series of conversations with fellow performers to reconnect and reminisce about the pre-covid “olden times”, and explore a range of other topics including the behind-the-scenes world of stand-up, and the evolution of South African comedy.
My guest on our season 1 finalé is Ladysmith’s finest export since André Joubert, Salted Butter, and Black Mambazo.
He is a two time Fleur du Cap theatre award winning actor, dancer, singer, guitarist, drummer, beatboxer, music producer, impressionist, stand up comic, TV star, voice over artist, and writer. Before that he was an award-winning personal trainer, puppeteer, youth pastor, church organ player and child chess prodigy.
Please enjoy this conversation with my dear friend, the exponentially talented Seneliso “Sne” Dladla.
(Catch Sne’s incredible voice note inspired album VNLN Pt1. on Apple Music or Spotify by searching for “S.N.E”)
2 Nov 2021
9. Mel Jones: Princess of Wales
After being comedic ships in the Cape Town night for two decades, I finally sat down with someone I started out with at The Armchair Theatre in 2001.
Aside from being hilarious, excellent at baking, and a single mother to three dogs, two cats and one human, it is suspected (by me) that my guest on this episode is also descended from Welsh royalty.
Please enjoy this conversation with chocolate eclair influencer, gaming queen, and self-confessed favourite of her mom’s three kids, comedian Mel Jones.
25 Oct 2021
8. Angel Campey: The Fatherload
Acclaimed comedian, radio presenter, plant communicator, under-cover oil painter and daughter of the “People of the Light” Angel Campey and Nik discuss many things, culminating in the attempted scattering of her father’s ashes in the Indian Ocean.
18 Oct 2021
7. Kurt Schoonraad: Too Damn Duidelik
My guest on episode seven is one of the OGs of the South African stand-up comedy scene. A former courier, counterfeiter, and classic car collector, he is also the founder of one of the top ten rated comedy clubs in the world. Please enjoy one of my favourite episodes of season one with comedian, actor, and german wrangler, the lovable Kurt Schoonraad.
11 Oct 2021
6. Marianne Thamm: You Have To Watch The Nazis
My guest on episode six of Driving to Pretoria is an award-winning journalist, author, satirist, columnist, and recovering Roman Catholic / stand up comedian. Many credit her with helping save South Africa from the jowls of the Guptas. I credit her with being one of the smartest, bravest, funniest people I know. Please enjoy this rambling discussion with the brilliant, razor-sharp witted, and thoroughly ungovernable Marianne Thamm.
4 Oct 2021
5. Alan Committie: Nil Nisi Optimum
This week on the podcast I take a metaphorical drive to Pretoria with one of South Africa’s most gifted, respected and prolific comedians / actors / comic actors / qualified high school teachers.
According to a pre-pandemic Wikipedia entry, he’s performed “on stage, television, radio and the Internet” - proof that the man is simply way ahead of his time.
We don’t get into his relationship status on this episode, but according to www.datingcelebs.com, “we are currently in process of looking up information on his previous dates and hookups.” The same website also notes that “his birth name is Alan Committie” but that “she is currently 47 years old”. Also something we will have to revisit in part two.
Please enjoy this conversation with one time captain of the Westerford High School 2nd XI cricket team, the South African Truck Drivers Association comedian of the year (1999), Tokai’s Basil Faulty, Bergvliet’s Mr Bean, the brilliant Alan Committie.
27 Sept 2021
4. Kaneez Surka: Let Her Do
South African born stand up comic, actor, vlogger, and improv star Kaneez Surka grew up in a former apartheid Bantustan (The Republic of the Transkei) before embarking on a gap year to India.
Eighteen gap years later she visited my house to discuss her remarkable trajectory to Indian fame, how we both landed up presenting the same titled show on different continents, and her shameful lack of cricket knowledge.
Unfortunately my hopes of expanding my repertoire of Hindi swear-words remain unfulfilled, along with my intention of establishing how I, as a forty-four year old cisgender heterosexual white male could become an Indian YouTube Star. Other than that we had a lot of fun.
Please enjoy this conversation with my long lost chaddi buddy, the fabulously talented Kaneez Surka.
Find Kaneez @kaneezsurka (https://www.instagram.com/kaneezsurka) on all socials.
Watch her in “Ladies Up” and “Comedy Premium League” on Netflix, and/or “Comicstaan” on Amazon Prime.
Check out her YouTube vl (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6a7TnbzoeggcDscJBrR0kw/featured)og here (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6a7TnbzoeggcDscJBrR0kw/featured). (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6a7TnbzoeggcDscJBrR0kw/featured)
17 Sept 2021
3. Yaaseen Barnes: Falafel Influencer
My guest in episode 3 of Driving to Pretoria is not a father, but despite this obvious disadvantage has still managed to establish himself as one of South Africa’s most prolific dad jokers.
I first met him before he’d cultivated either his impressive instagram following, or his voluptuous beard. Five years ago he opened for me at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town, and after careful scrutiny, I can confirm his claims (in this episode) that we have been firm friends since.
Please enjoy this conversation with my good friend, comedian, social media person, and now, thanks to me, Falafel Influencer, Yaaseen Barnes.
10 Sept 2021
2. Rob van Vuuren: Golden Leotards and Giant Fake Penises
Renowned slash revered South African actor-comedian-dancer-boxer, and former manager of the Bronkhorstspruit Caravan Park (and rooms), the “currently-buff-looking” Robert Janse van Vuuren (aka Icarus-guy, aka Twakkie, aka Robbie-Rob-Rob) discusses some of his worst on-stage moments. Also included in this episode is a brief masterclass on how to assault hecklers without being arrested.
3 Sept 2021
1. KG Mokgadi: Your Highness I Don't Know What To Do Now
In between banging his fists on the table a lot, stand up comic Kagiso “KG” Mokgadi discusses some of the challenges of being a South African comedy heavyweight, including landing on your face, dying in a casino, and being forced to perform in feathers, by candlelight, for a sultan and a woman in thrifted high heels.
2 Sept 2021
Driving To Pretoria - Available 3rd September 2021
South African comedian Nik Rabinowitz has spent the last twenty years performing stand-up. Before that he grew up on a farm outside Cape Town, delivering soliloquies up pine trees and commentating on his own rugby games in three of the country’s eleven official languages. Mid-pandemic, Nik sat down to record a series of conversations with fellow performers to reconnect and reminisce about the pre-covid “olden times”, and explore a range of other topics including the behind-the-scenes world of stand-up, and the evolution of South African comedy.
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