Joking

There's something fascinating about a person who can just drop their own character for a bit and put on that of another entirely naturally, and convincingly. It's peculiar and in the context of most stand-up comedy bits and variety shows, it's hilarious too. Impersonation can be the most genuine form of flattery and when done right it is the best kind of medicine in the form of laughter. Some of the big names that pop up when impersonation comedy is the topic include Jim Carrey, Eddie Murphy and Kevin Hart. In Namibia a name one wouldn't leave out when speaking of impersonators includes that of a proud born and bred Baai-naar, Lloyd Jefferson. The comedian, who came into the comedy spotlight in 2015, was recently crowned Comedian of The Year by Free Your Mind. Here Jefferson speaks about impressionist comedy and shares his story and future plans with tjil. He is one who can skilfully illustrate the traits of certain tribes and prominent persons only to make fun of their flaws for the audience. Jefferson takes pride in always being the clown amongst his peers. The new kid on the block in the comedy industry refers to himself as the type of guy that will rock up at a place and find laughter in any situation. Jefferson said he never saw himself as a comedian when a child in the streets of Walvis Bay. The multicultural town however made him realise his potential - which is impersonating people from all tribes and cultures and which has today made him one of the best impressionists in Namibia. Jefferson fluently speaks eight languages and can impersonate anyone after a few rounds of practise. He says this helps him get into character when performing, allowing him to throw one of the best shows for the night. “If I am performing on certain traits about the Damara I become one and the same for other tribes. I also do a mean Zimbabwean, Tswana and Angolan accent. My jokes are very relatable and its things that happen on a daily basis to everyone,” he says. It was in 2015 when he decided to pack up and transfer from his history, geography and arts teaching job from Mariental to Windhoek and try this thing called comedy. “I was watching NBC one night and I happened to catch an episode of Free Your Mind. I knew I could to what the guys were doing and do it much better. As they say, the rest is history,” said Jefferson. Jefferson says comedy is all about one's personality and it can't be learned. He says comedy is all about witnessing a situation, being able to interpret it with a little bit of exaggeration to emphasise the joke in it. He says there are times when a comedian dies on stage but a true comedian is the one who can recover. “You will know you are funny when you keep the punch lines coming. There's a difference between a comedian and somebody who's trying to be funny,” he said. Within three years of his career Jefferson has taken part in local shows like Last Comic Standing and internationally in South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe and other countries. This year he took part in the Free Your Mind Last Comic Standing and was crowned the king of laughter. “I almost left comedy for good but this year I got so much confidence. I was even great enough to win against the runner up Kris with a K. This award means a lot to me because Free Your Mind is the only platform for comedians in Namibia. I can literally say I've made it because I am the king of comedy this year,” he said.Jefferson advises future comedians never to give up on their talent over a few obstacles in their way. He says comedy is rarely has recognition in Namibia but that shouldn't discourage them. “Before you take up the challenge of becoming a comedian you should hear from other people who aren't your friends on how funny you are then you try it. Diversify because the more socially exposed you are the more culturally aware you become,” he said. Jefferson says he still has much to learn and the next step is to get enough material to go on Comedy Central and to meet the king of impersonations from South Africa Madisha Ronald to perfect his talent. “We need more platforms like Free Your Mind because there many comedians in Namibia who only need to be noticed. It won't be fair that they go unnoticed,” he concluded.June Shimuoshili

Joking

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-22

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Joking

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-22

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