Zambian comedians say local language comedy continues to dominate the industry due to its relatability, although it limits opportunities for international exposure.
Comedy Association of Zambia Vice President Chilufya Nkandu said comedians should preserve their cultural identity by continuing to use local languages in their content.
“What we are saying as an association is that they have to keep their regionality, and English should not replace local languages,” he said.
Nkandu, however, acknowledged the importance of English as a widely spoken global language.
“We cannot do away with English because it is almost spoken worldwide, but as long as comedians excel in local languages, they can include interpretation,” he said.
He added that English should not be viewed as a measure of intelligence but rather as one of many communication tools.
“Content remains key, although using English can give one an advantage to perform in countries where audiences may not understand our local languages,” he said.
Nkandu emphasised that strong content can still resonate with audiences regardless of the language used.
Meanwhile, comedian Barnabas Sherpard Kapolyo, popularly known as Maza Comedy, said performing in local languages allows for a stronger connection with audiences.
“I prefer performing in the local language because many people understand it, and it is easier to make jokes compared to English,” he said.
Kapolyo added that his choice was influenced by audience response.
“I discovered that many people enjoy jokes in local languages, which is why I decided to go that route,” he said.
The sentiments highlight the ongoing balance between preserving cultural identity and expanding global reach within Zambia’s comedy industry.