Frank Chirisa says he never planned to be a comedian.
When he stepped onto an open mic stage in Cape Town on February 15, 2020, it was simply because someone dared him.
He was taunted with a homophobic challenge that left him no choice.
Fuelled by pride, he grabbed the microphone, and to his shock, the audience laughed.
“It was beginner’s luck,” the 25-year-old told Southern Eye Showbizz.
“People laughed at what I was saying.”
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That electric moment hooked him, but the highs didn’t last.
Covid-19 shut down live performances, and when they resumed, his next two shows flopped, but Chirisa kept going.
When he returned home to Bulawayo in 2021, he faced another setback at the Intwasa Arts Festival. He later found mentors Ian Phiri and Ntando Van Moyo, who shaped his craft.
“Ian taught me joke-writing fundamentals and studying comedy,” Chirisa said.
“Ntando gave me creative freedom and became my comedy father figure.”
By June 2024, he committed to performing weekly, guided by a simple philosophy to get good, get seen, get paid.
The gamble worked.
Today, Chirisa ranks among Zimbabwe’s top three stand-up comedians, performing regularly in Harare, Masvingo, and Botswana.
Beyond his own career, he’s nurturing over 10 young talents through Burg Comedy Club and running monthly Bulawayo shows.
He will soon appear in Season 2 of The Doc Vikela Show.
However, Chirisa complained about the lack of government sponsorship Zimbabwean comedians face compared to South Africa.
Chirisa, however, is dreaming globally targeting international festivals such as a Netflix special, Hollywood role while remaining rooted in Bulawayo.
“I want to be remembered as the comedian who made it from here,” he says.