Shoko Festival, Zimbabwe’s longest-running urban culture festival, has announced the lineup for its flagship Shoko Comedy Night as it celebrates its 15th edition.
The event will take place on Thursday, September 25, 2025, at Harare Gardens, headlined by internationally acclaimed comedian King Kandoro.
King Kandoro, born Mukudzei Majoni in 1992, is one of Zimbabwe’s most celebrated comedians. He became the first local comic to sell out Reps Theatre in 2019, later filling the 7 Arts Theatre in 2021 during his Prodigal Son Tour.
In 2024, he pulled off a landmark achievement by selling out the 3,500-seater Celebration Centre, even adding 400 extra seats due to overwhelming demand. His Shoko appearance marks a highly anticipated homecoming, coinciding with his birthday month and international tour.
Joining Kandoro is Kenya’s Justine Wanda, a satirist known for her online show Fake Woke With Justine.
Wanda blends sharp social commentary with dark humour, tackling issues from election misinformation to macroeconomics. She has toured extensively across Africa and written for productions such as The Fareed Khimani Show, XYZ (Kenya), and Zimbabwe’s Magamba TV.
The local lineup is equally strong. Munyaradzi “Mike” Chipere will bring his witty storytelling style that mixes Shona, English, and street lingo.
Popular comedienne Munya, a multifaceted performance artist who has toured across Africa and Asia, will add her mischievous satire.
Bulawayo’s Mbongeni Ignatius Ndlovu, winner of the 2023 Bulawayo Arts Award for Outstanding Comedian and a 2025 NAMA nominee, will showcase his theatrical brand of comedy.
Adding to the atmosphere, award-winning DJ Iroq will keep audiences entertained between sets.
Festival Director Samm Farai Monro, also known as Comrade Fatso, described the lineup as a reflection of Shoko’s 15-year legacy.
“King Kandoro grew his comedy career through platforms created by Magamba TV and Shoko and is now one of Zimbabwe’s biggest comedians. His return as headliner shows our commitment to nurturing the next generation of artists who speak truth to power,” he said.
Comedy Night is part of Shoko’s broader mission to amplify diverse voices, celebrate free expression, and showcase cutting-edge art within Zimbabwe’s youth culture. The festival, a project of Magamba Network, has grown into a cornerstone of the country’s alternative arts scene.
Tickets are available online at flippintickets.co.zw and at the Moto Republik box office, 3 Allan Wilson Avenue, Harare. Advance tickets for Comedy Night are $15 ($20 at the gate), while Mash Up Night tickets are $10 ($15 at the door).
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