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<\/p>\nBy Siphesihle Dlamini
When laughter meets purpose, it creates something bigger than comedy; it creates connection. In Eswatini, few names echo louder in that space than Pepe & Shodi, the dynamic duo who\u2019ve turned everyday struggles into punchlines and relatable experiences into roaring laughter.<\/p>\n
What began as a casual encounter at a school talent show has blossomed into one of the Kingdom\u2019s most exciting comedic partnerships.<\/p>\n
Sitting across from Pepe, one half of the duo, his enthusiasm is contagious. He spoke for both himself and his partner, Shodi, with the kind of brotherly affection that can only come from shared dreams and late-night brainstorms.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe met with Shodi last year at LaMawandla High School,\u201d Pepe recalled, \u201con the 2nd of August, during a talent show hosted by an organisation. Shodi was scheduled to perform as a comedian, while I was just visiting from Hhelehhele.<\/p>\n
Although we hadn\u2019t met before, he already knew my work from social media, especially my TikTok and Facebook videos that were trending at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n
That fateful day would soon mark the beginning of a new comedic chapter in Eswatini. \u201cAfter my visit, he approached me about collaborating on a comedy project,\u201d Pepe said.<\/p>\n
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\u201cWe decided to meet the following Sunday since he was busy with work during the week. We shot four videos that day, and when I posted the first one, it blew up. Over 1.5 million views.\u201d<\/p>\n
That single viral moment turned into momentum. Fans flooded their pages with comments, demanding more content from the pair. \u201cThe response was overwhelming,\u201d Pepe shared with a mix of gratitude and disbelief.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople were loving our chemistry, and before we knew it, Pepe & Shodi became a household name.\u201d<\/p>\n
Behind the laughter, however, lies a story rooted in survival. \u201cHonestly, comedy chose us out of necessity,\u201d Pepe said. \u201cWe come from humble backgrounds, so we had to find a way to make ends meet.<\/p>\n
It wasn\u2019t about fame; it was about survival. Comedy became our bread and butter, a way to support our families and put food on the table.\u201d<\/p>\n
Their journey into comedy wasn\u2019t paved with luxury or connections; it was built on resilience and improvisation. Both men, driven by the weight of responsibility and the love of laughter, found solace in humour. And perhaps that\u2019s what makes their art resonate, it comes from a real place.<\/p>\n
When asked how they would describe their comedic style, they said, \u201cWe tell stories about ordinary life. Our jokes come from observing people, family life, community drama, those little things everyone can relate to.\u201d<\/p>\n
Indeed, their comedy thrives on the simplicity of everyday life. \u201cWe talk about things that are relevant to emaSwati,\u201d he continued. \u201cOur humour comes from their experiences. It\u2019s authentic, down-to-earth, and reflective of the times we live in.<\/p>\n
\u201d Each skit they perform is a mirror to the Eswatini experience, sometimes exaggerated, sometimes painfully real, but always crafted with care.<\/p>\n
While the laughter flows easily on camera, the behind-the-scenes reality isn\u2019t as lighthearted. Pepe admitted that financial struggles remain a constant battle.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of our major challenges is securing enough financial support to represent our brand properly. We can\u2019t even afford the right attire sometimes. It\u2019s tough because producing content is expensive,\u201d he confessed.<\/p>\n
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He explained that they shoot every Sunday, dedicating both time and money to the craft. \u201cEach week, Shodi spends around E100 just to make things work. We need sponsorships and partnerships, people or brands who believe in us, to help take our work further.\u201d<\/p>\n
There\u2019s also the pressure of quality. \u201cPeople expect more and more from us,\u201d Pepe sighed. \u201cThey want better videos, better production, and funnier jokes. That pushes us to work harder, even with limited resources.\u201d<\/p>\n
Yet, despite the obstacles, the duo remains relentless. \u201cWe\u2019re doing this not only for ourselves but for the growth of comedy in Eswatini. The industry is still developing, but we want to help build it from the ground up.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pepe & Shodi have mastered the art of weaving Eswatini culture into their sketches. \u201cWe love incorporating local traditions and social issues into our work,\u201d Pepe explained. \u201cWe use humour to educate, to make people reflect while they laugh. Our goal is to entertain, yes, but also to spark conversations.\u201d<\/p>\n
Their comedy, often grounded in Swazi customs, challenges the audience to laugh at themselves while recognising the deeper messages hidden beneath the humour. \u201cIt\u2019s laughter with a lesson,\u201d Pepe added. Among their many performances, a few stand out vividly in Pepe\u2019s memory.<\/p>\n
\u201cPerforming at Liberty Community Centre on April 29 this year was unforgettable,\u201d he said. \u201cWe shared the stage with artists like Makwa Sfonyo, Mcola Lohlebako, and Mavara LePoet. We also performed at Malindza FEA Church, it was pure magic. The audience couldn\u2019t stop laughing!\u201d<\/p>\n
Another highlight came when they shared a stage with Mduduzi Ncube and Fanatic SA, the minds behind the hit \u2018Ngeke Ngimyeke,\u2019 at Scandza Bar in Sphofaneni. \u201cThat was one of those nights you never forget,\u201d Pepe grinned. \u201cWe\u2019ve performed at over 15 venues across the country.<\/p>\n
Every crowd is different, but the energy is always beautiful.\u201d Their creative process is a balance of discipline and spontaneity. \u201cWhen we prepare for a new sketch, we brainstorm ideas, script the dialogue, and rehearse our delivery,\u201d Pepe explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut improvisation is key. Some of our funniest moments happen when we go off script.\u201d<\/p>\n
Improvisation, he added, \u201ckeeps things fresh and unpredictable. We feed off each other\u2019s energy, and that makes every performance unique.\u201d Comedy can sometimes tiptoe dangerously close to controversy, but Pepe insisted they always approach sensitive topics with care.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t want to offend. We want to make people think,\u201d he stated firmly. \u201cWe highlight issues through humour without crossing the line. We respect our audience\u2019s emotions and boundaries.\u201d<\/p>\n
It\u2019s this balance, of honesty and empathy, that keeps their comedy relatable and respected. When it comes to inspiration, Pepe doesn\u2019t hesitate. \u201cLocally, Bongiswa Masondo inspires us,\u201d he remarked. \u201cInternationally, it must be Kevin Hart, his hustle, his humour, his energy. We study his work a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pepe also reflected on the evolution of Eswatini\u2019s comedy scene. \u201cIt\u2019s growing fast,\u201d he said. \u201cWe\u2019ve got new talents like Christian Dude and Ronnie & King Mora bringing fresh energy. Comedy festivals like ECOFEST and \u2018Comedy in the Wild for the Wild\u2019 are giving us platforms to shine. Social media has also opened doors, TikTok and Facebook have made it easier for us to reach wider audiences.\u201d<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
According to Pepe, the rise of digital platforms has turned Eswatini into a comedy incubator. \u201cWe\u2019re not where we want to be yet, but the progress is inspiring.\u201d Pepe\u2019s tone softened as he reflected on their purpose. \u201cWe want to bring people together,\u201d he said. \u201cLaughter heals, and in a world full of stress, our comedy offers relief. If someone can forget their problems for five minutes because of us, we\u2019ve done our job.\u201d<\/p>\n
He paused before adding, \u201cOur goal is to leave a legacy, to contribute to Eswatini\u2019s comedy scene and inspire the next generation of comedians.\u201d On stage, Pepe & Shodi are electric, one sets up the punchline, the other knocks it down with precision timing.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re like two halves of one brain,\u201d Pepe joked. \u201cOn stage, our chemistry is magic. Off stage, we\u2019re brothers, always supporting and pushing each other.\u201d<\/p>\n
Their dynamic thrives on mutual respect and shared goals. \u201cWe laugh together, argue sometimes, but always come back to the mission: making people happy.\u201d For the duo, humour isn\u2019t just about jokes, it\u2019s a social tool. \u201cWe use comedy to comment on life, culture, and relationships,\u201d Pepe explained.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe make people laugh, but we also make them think.\u201d<\/p>\n
This delicate balance between humour and depth is what sets Pepe & Shodi apart. Their comedy often carries subtle reflections on societal issues, from family values to cultural identity, wrapped neatly in laughter. Pepe admitted their journey wasn\u2019t always met with applause.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt first, people didn\u2019t take us seriously,\u201d he recalled. \u201cBut as we kept going, they began to see our passion and authenticity. Today, the love we receive from emaSwati and even South Africans is incredible.\u201d<\/p>\n
Their social media presence has played a huge role in that growth. \u201cFacebook has been our biggest stage,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s where we built our fanbase. The feedback keeps us motivated.\u201d<\/p>\n
The duo has fully embraced the power of digital platforms. \u201cTikTok and Facebook changed everything,\u201d Pepe stated. \u201cWe connect directly with fans, post our skits, share behind-the-scenes clips, and get instant reactions. It\u2019s amazing how technology has given us a global audience from right here in Eswatini.\u201d<\/p>\n
Asked what advice they\u2019d give to upcoming comedians, Pepe doesn\u2019t hesitate. \u201cBe original. Don\u2019t try to copy anyone,\u201d he insisted. \u201cFind your own voice, stay consistent, and use social media to your advantage.\u201d He added, \u201cNetwork with others in the industry. Collaborate.<\/p>\n
Learn. Most importantly, have fun and don\u2019t give up, even when it\u2019s hard.\u201d<\/p>\n
Pepe also shared their upcoming plans. \u201cWe\u2019re hosting a comedy event on December 26th at Mcozini High School Hall,\u201d he said proudly. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be big! We\u2019ll be sharing the stage with amazing acts like Makwa S\u2019fonyo, Ronnie & King Mora, Sewakhile Comedy, and many others.<\/p>\n
Passion Master will be our headliner!\u201d<\/p>\n
He smiled as he mentioned, \u201cWe\u2019re still open for sponsors to make it even bigger. We want to give emaSwati the gift of laughter this festive season.\u201d When the lights go off and the laughter fades, Pepe & Shodi turn to something equally close to their hearts, farming.<\/p>\n
\u201cOutside comedy, we\u2019re passionate about agriculture,\u201d Pepe revealed. \u201cWe have a 5-hectare piece of land we\u2019d love to cultivate. The only challenge is funding, we need resources for irrigation, fencing, seeds, and labour. But we believe one day it\u2019ll happen.\u201d<\/p>\n
Their dreams stretch beyond the stage. Comedy may be their present, but agriculture, they hope, will secure their future. Looking ahead, Pepe is optimistic. \u201cComedy in Eswatini has a bright future,\u201d he said confidently.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith more festivals, online platforms, and cross-border collaborations, the world will soon recognise our talent.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re just two guys who love to make people laugh. If our jokes can change someone\u2019s day, even for a moment, then we\u2019ve done our job.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Siphesihle Dlamini When laughter meets purpose, it creates something bigger than comedy; it creates connection. In Eswatini,…","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4536,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"csco_display_header_overlay":false,"csco_singular_sidebar":"","csco_page_header_type":"","csco_page_load_nextpost":"","csco_post_video_location":[],"csco_post_video_location_hash":"","csco_post_video_url":"","csco_post_video_bg_start_time":0,"csco_post_video_bg_end_time":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[35,36],"tags":[46,39,73,48,58],"class_list":["post-4528","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-entertainment","category-lifestyle","tag-africa","tag-entertainment","tag-eswatini","tag-feature","tag-national","cs-entry","cs-video-wrap"],"yoast_head":"\n